Corona Updates You Must Track: 200 Special Trains To Run From Today, India 7th Worst-Hit Country By COVID-19

Even as India is gearing for unlock 1.0, which will be effective from 8 June, the country’s COVID-19 count is increasing at an alarming rate, with total cases now nearing close to the 2-lakh mark. In the last 24 hours, more than 8,000 fresh coronavirus cases were reported, with Delhi and Mumbai leading the pack.

While the Ministry of Home Affairs order allows places of worship, restaurants and malls to resume services from 8 June, states will come up with their own set of guidelines for the phased re-opening of areas in non-containment zones from next week. The night curfew will be in place, but from 9 pm to 5 pm instead of the current 7 pm to 7 am schedule.

Track all the important developments related to coronavirus and lockdown here:

India seventh-worst hit country: The surge in coronavirus cases has been relentless over the last two weeks, with India’s tally now hurtling towards the 2-lakh mark. On Monday morning, India has 1,90,535 total cases with 8,392 fresh cases being reported in the last 24 hours; of these, 93,322 are active cases while the toll has climbed to 5,394, according to the data shared by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). India is now the seventh worst-hit country by coronavirus, in terms of number of cases, moving past countries like France which have been badly hit by the first wave of the infection in Europe.

On a brighter note, the number of recoveries is moving close to the 1-lakh mark—91,818 people have recovered from the illness so far.

Another single-biggest surge for Delhi: The national capital recorded yet another single-biggest surge in a day with 1,295 new coronavirus cases and 13 deaths in 24 hours. On Monday morning, Delhi’s COVID-19 tally stood at 19,844, with 10,893 active cases, 8,478 recoveries and 473 deaths.

The cases of coronavirus are growing at a rate of 5.9 per cent a day in the national capital, with the numbers expected to peak between July-end and mid-August. Delhi’s infection doubling rate at 12.8 days is higher than the national average of 16.8 days. The tests per million, at 10,881, is also higher than the national average of 2,675, reported Hindustan Times. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in an e-conference on Saturday said large number of beds has been procured and “sufficient arrangements” are being made to treat patients.

200 special trains to run from today: In a graded restoration of public transport, the Indian Railways will run 200 special trains from 1 June. These are in addition to the Shramik Special trains and the special AC trains already running on a designated number of routes. On Day 1, more than 1.45 lakh passengers are expected to travel while 26 lakh passengers have made their bookings for advance reservation period between 1 and 30 June.

Global corona update: Brazil, which is now the second worst-hit country by coronavirus, has surpassed countries like France and Spain in death toll with 29,341 people succumbing to the infection or dying due to co-morbidities. Globally, the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases stands at 62,63,905 with 28,46,713 recoveries and 3,73,899 deaths.

According to worldometer, a website that tracks the number of COVID-19 cases real-time, the US continues to lead the tally with 18,37,170 coronavirus cases and 1,06,195 deaths. With protests over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis spreading across the country, health experts fear there could be yet another surge in the infection as people gather in large numbers on the streets and social distancing norms not being followed.

Story of hope: Among other things, the lockdown has also affected school-going children. Sandra Babu, whose parents are daily wage workers in Alappuzha district of Kerala, didn’t know how she could reach the exam centre for her rescheduled papers. She contacted the Kerala state water transport department (SWTD) and told them her story. The department decided to run a boat, especially for her, so that she could give her exams. According to The Times of India report, a boat from M.N. Block in Alappuzha district sailed for Kottayam district on two days—it ferried her back too. While hiring an entire boat for a single trip costs nearly Rs 4,000, the SWTD charged Rs 18 from Babu for a round-trip.