Coronavirus updates | India records 39,796 new COVID-19 cases, 723 deaths

India saw a single-day rise of 39,796 new COVID infections, which took the tally of cases to 3,05,85,229, while the death toll climbed to 4,02,728 with 723 more fatalities, the lowest in around 88 days, according to Union Health Ministry data updated on Monday.

The active cases have further declined to 4,82,071 and comprise 1.58% of the total infections, while the national COVID recovery rate has improved to 97.11%, the data updated at 8 a.m. showed It said that there has been a decline of 3,279 active cases in a span of 24 hours.

You can track coronavirus cases, deaths and testing rates at the national and State levels here. A list of State Helpline numbers is available as well.

Here are the latest updates:

New Delhi

CoWin platform made open source: PM Modi

The CoWin platform is being made open source and it will be available to any and all countries, Prime Minister Modi said, addressing the CoWin Global Conclave here on Monday.

He said that with nearly 200 million users, the Aarogya Setu app is a readily available package for developers.

Kochi

HC directive to ensure adequate COVID-19 treatment facilities in Malappuram hospitals

A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court has directed the State government and Malappuram district Collector to ensure that adequate facilities are made available in government hospitals in Malappuram to deal with any vulnerable situation in the wake of COVID -19.

The Bench passed the directive while disposing of the public interest litigations filed by K.P.A. Majeed, Indian Union Muslim League leader and Thirurangadi MLA, and two others from Malappuram.

Kerala

Malayalam film industry seeks govt nod to resume shooting

The worsening financial situation induced by the pandemic has prompted the Malayalam film industry to seek government nod to resume shooting of movies in tune with the COVID-19 protocol.

The request comes close on the heels of the government decision to permit shooting of television serials from last week.

Manipur

Manipur govt. colleges resume online classes as teachers call off strike

Online classes in all Manipur government colleges, including the Dhanamanjuri university, were resumed on Monday following the suspension of the strike by the members of the Federation of Government College Teachers Association (FEGOCTA) on Saturday.

Kerala

Kerala’s tourism sector seeks relaxations for revival

The tourism sector has requested the Kerala government to allow it to host fully-vaccinated leisure travellers. It has also demanded the restoration of inter-district buses and the lifting of curbs on holiday travel.

The sector’s demands are reportedly high on the agenda of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s COVID-19 review meeting on Monday.

Bengaluru

Malls ready with SOPs as Bengaluru readies to unlock

After over two months, normal life for the most part will resume in Bengaluru on Monday after the State government announced a further ease in lockdown restrictions. Malls, offices and most other establishments, which have been allowed to function normally till 9 p.m., have put in place SOPs to ensure COVID-appropriate behaviour is followed.

Proprietors were busy on Sunday cleaning and getting their spaces ready for business again. However, film theatres, pubs, and educational institutions will continue to remain closed for another two weeks.

Enforcement agencies, including the civic body and the city police, have cautioned citizens not to forget the virus is still around. “COVID-appropriate behaviour is a must, especially with predictions of a third wave hitting the country in the next few months,” said an official.

Rise and fall: doctors’ take on the possibility of a third wave in Delhi

The second wave of the pandemic saw a sudden spurt in the number of cases; it also saw a steep plunge after it hit the peak. The fluctuations were erratic. Test positivity rate (TPR) crossed 1% mark on March 20 but in little over a month, it peaked to 36% on April 22. Then, by May 31, the TPR had dropped below 1% mark to 0.99%.

Delhi’s was not an exception. Experts said a similar trend was witnessed in some other States and attribute it to the type of virus variant as well as people’s behavior patterns. However, they were also split on the issue of herd immunity and whether there can be a third wave in the city.

Delhi

Stadiums to open today sans spectators

The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) on Sunday permitted stadiums and sports complexes to reopen from July 5 but without spectators subject to strict compliance of standard operating procedures and adherence to COVID-19 appropriate behaviour.

The rest of the restrictions on educational institutions, social, political, sport, entertainment, cultural, religious and festival related gatherings remain in place. Cinema halls, swimming pools, auditoriums, business to business exhibitions and spas remain closed.

The Delhi Metro will continue to run at 50% of its seating capacity per coach and no standing passengers will be allowed.

Delhi

COVID patient with severe complications recovers after 50 days in ICU

A 38-year-old patient, who had developed severe complications due to COVID, recovered after 50 days in ICU and was discharged from a private hospital here, said authorities on Sunday.

The patient, an executive in a multi-national company was diabetic, and had been admitted to the Moolchand Hospital on May 7, when the city was battling a fierce second COVID wave.

He had severe bilateral pneumonia and had also developed Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), said Surabhi Awasthi, Director of Critical Care at the hospital.

Bengaluru

Pandemic fallout: BMRCL suffers ₹904-crore loss

Mass transit systems across India were badly hit by the pandemic and the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL) has been no exception. In the financial year 2020-21, BMRCL suffered a loss of ₹904 crore – around 41% more than the previous year. In FY 2019-20, it recorded a loss of ₹641 crore.

Due to lockdown restrictions during the first wave of COVID-19, BMRCL could not operate trains for over five months. After the national lockdown on March 22, 2020, Namma Metro services resumed only on September 7, but in a staggered manner to limit the number of commuters. This resulted in reduced ridership and a subsequent drop in fare box revenue.