India on Friday, 21 May, reported 2,59,591 new coronavirus cases, 3,57,295 discharges, and 4,209 deaths, as per the Union Health Ministry. The total number of cases in the country now stands at 2,60,31,991, while the death toll is at 2,91,331.
Meanwhile, the lockdown in Kerala will be extended till 30 May, CM Pinarayi Vijayan announced on Friday. "The triple lockdown in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Thrissur will be withdrawn from tomorrow as the test positivity rate and active case load have come down. The triple lockdown in Malappuram will continue," he was quoted as saying.
- Delhi on Friday reported 3,009 new coronavirus cases and 252 deaths. The active cases in the capital stand at 35,683 and the death toll at 22,831
- The Health Ministry on Thursday urged the states to make mucormycosis, known as black fungus, a notifiable disease under the Epidemic Diseases Act
- Meanwhile, the average daily testing capacity for COVID-19 will be augmented to 45 lakh by June end, ICMR DG Dr Balram Bhargava said on Thursday
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Lockdown in Kerala Extended Till 30 May
The lockdown in Kerala will be extended till 30 May, CM Pinarayi Vijayan announced on Friday. "The triple lockdown in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Thrissur will be withdrawn from tomorrow as the test positivity rate and active case load have come down. The triple lockdown in Malappuram will continue," he was quoted as saying.
Kerala on Friday reported 29,673 new coronavirus cases and 142 deaths.
Over 15,000 Oxygen Cylinders, 19 Oxygen Generation Plants Dispatched: Centre
The Centre said on Friday that a total of 15,567 oxygen concentrators, 15,801 oxygen cylinders, 19 oxygen generation plants, 10,950 ventilators/ BiPAP and approximately 6.6 lakh remdesivir vials have been delivered or dispatched through road and air from 27 April to 20 May, after receiving them as foreign aid.
"The Government of India has been receiving international cooperation of COVID-19 relief medical supplies and equipment since 27 April from different countries/organisations. These are being expeditiously dispatched/delivered to states/UTs to supplement their efforts towards COVID management," it said.
Curfew in Goa to be Extended to 31 May
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday announced that the curfew in the state would be extended to 31 May.
New Challenge of Black Fungus Surfaced, We Must Be Prepared: PM Modi
Interacting with doctors, paramedical staff and other frontline health workers of Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi over the challenges posed by the pandemic, PM Narendra Modi on Friday, 21 May, warned against a “new challenge of Black Fungus”.