Coronavirus news highlights: Total 1.16 lakh cases in India, Mumbai count crosses 25,000-mark

With that it's a wrap to the LIVE updates on the coronavirus pandemic from India and abroad. Do join us tomorrow for the top developments on the COVID-19 outbreak, until then stay safe, stay secure. Good night.

Coronavirus in Mumbai LIVE Updates: COVID-19 tally crosses 25,000-mark

The count of coronavirus positive patients in Mumbai crossed the 25,000-mark on Thursday with the addition of 1,382 cases, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said. The number of COVID-19 cases in the country's financial capital now stands at 25,317, it said. The civic body said that the death toll in the city also rose to 882 as 41 more patients succumbed to the infection. A total of 285 patients were discharged from hospitals, which took the number of recovered cases to 6,751, the BMC said in a release.

Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates: With 3,500 deaths, mortality rate at 3 percent, says government

The nationwide death toll due to the deadly virus infection has neared 3,500 with a mortality rate of about 3 percent, while more than 47,000 have recovered so far. At least 15 other countries have recorded more deaths than India so far. However, India's tally of active cases at over 65,000 is now the fifth largest in the world after the US, Russia, Brazil and France. While India is the 11th worst-hit in terms of the number of overall cases detected so far, some of the ten most affected countries now have fewer active cases than India and those include Spain, Italy, Germany, Turkey and Iran. In its morning 8 AM update, the Union Health Ministry said the death toll due to COVID-19 has risen to 3,435 and the number of confirmed cases to 1,12,359 in the country, registering an increase of 132 deaths and 5,609 cases in the last 24 hours. It put the number of active cases at 63,624 and recoveries at over 45,000.

Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates: Total 1.16 lakh cases in India; govt says mortality rate less than half of global average

India's COVID-19 tally crossed 1.16 lakh on Thursday with more than half of it getting reported in just about a fortnight amid large-scale movement of migrants in special trains and arrival of stranded Indians and expatriates from abroad, PTI reported. The government, however, stressed that the mortality rate in India has remained less than half of the global average of 6.65 percent. Authorities also announced detailed guidelines for resumption of domestic flights after a gap of two months, while business activities and public movement gained further momentum on the fourth day of the much-relaxed fourth phase of the nationwide lockdown that has been in place since March 25. At the same time, the Centre asked all states to ensure strict implementation of the existing lockdown conditions, including a night curfew from 7 pm to 7 am, saying it has noticed violation of the restrictions at several places.

Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates: Ticket reservation counters to open at select railway stations from May 22

The railways will open its reservation counters at select stations for booking of only reserved tickets from May 22, the Railway Board said in an order on Thursday. It said it will also allow reservation of reserved tickets from common service centres (CSC) and through ticketing agents with effect from Friday. The zonal railways have been instructed to decide and notify opening of reservation counters as per local needs and conditions, the order stated. These booking counters as well as the CSCs were shut since March 25 when a nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus began.

Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates: Cost-effective kit used for coronavirus tests launched

A magnetic nanoparticle-based RNA extraction kit for use during tests for detection of COVID-19 was unveiled here on Thursday. Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) announced the commercial launch of Agappe Chitra Magna, the RNA extraction kit. The kit uses an innovative technology for isolating RNA using magnetic nanoparticles to capture the RNA from the patient sample,a press release issued by SCTIMST said. The magnetic nanoparticle beads bind to the viral RNA and, when exposed to a magnetic field, give a highly purified and concentrated RNA,it said. As the sensitivity of the detection method is dependent on getting an adequate quantity of viral RNA, this innovation enhances the chances of identifying positive cases. The launch of the kit was announced through video conference by NITI Aayog member and president of Institute body of SCTIMSTDr V K Saraswat at an event which was attended online by the secretary of the Department of Science and Technology professor Ashutosh Sharma.

Over 500 fresh cases for 3 consecutive days in Delhi; death toll to 194

The coronavirus death toll in Delhi has climbed to 194, while 571 fresh cases of COVID-19 infection reported on Thursday, the highest single-day spike here, took the total in the city to 11,659, authorities said. The previous highest spike in fresh cases -- 534 -- was recorded on May 20. On May 19, 500 fresh cases were reported. This is the third consecutive day, when 500 or more fresh cases have been reported in a day in Delhi.

Ahmedabad's COVID-19 tally rises to 9,449 with 233 new cases

The count of coronavirus positive patients in Ahmedabad district of Gujarat went up to 9,449 after 233 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours, officials said on Thursday. Of the total number of 24 deaths due to the infection reported in Gujarat during this period, as many as 17 died in different hospitals in Ahmedabad city alone, said Principal Secretary, Health, Jayanti Ravi.

371 new coronavirus cases detected in Gujarat; 24 more die

With 371 new coronavirus cases reported in Gujarat in the last 24 hours, the overall tally rose to 12,910 on Thursday, health officials said. During the same period, 24 patients succumbed to the infection, taking the toll to 773 in the state, said Principal Secretary, Health, Jayanti Ravi.

73 per cent PwDs facing severe challenges due to lockdown: Report

About 73 per cent of persons with disabilities (PwD) interviewed were found to be facing severe challenges like lack of access to ration and healthcare in view of the coronavirus-induced lockdown, according to a survey. The survey of 1,067 PwDs was conducted by Delhi-based NGO National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP). Based on the findings of the survey, a report -- "Locked Down and Left Behind - A Report on the Status of Persons with Disabilities in India during the COVID-19 Crisis" -- was drafted.

Migrants queue up at Yamuna Sports Complex in east Delhi, hoping to get ticket back home

Hoping to return to their native places, migrant workers from different parts of the national capital and other states, have been queuing up outside east Delhi's Yamuna Sports Complex, which has been turned into a shelter for them amid the coronavirus-triggered lockdown. At the sports complex, migrant labourers can get themselves registered for train journey to their native states. Food is also provided to them at the complex.

COVID-19-related fatalities rise to 20 in J-K with two deaths

A 70-year-old woman, who had tested COVID-19 positive, died at a hospital here on Thursday, while another woman, who passed away on Wednesday, also tested positive for the infection, taking the novel coronavirus-related death toll to 20 in the Union Territory, officials said. The 70-year-old from Parisabad area of central Kashmir's Budgam district died around noon at the Chest Diseases Hospital here, they said.

Violation of lockdown in various places; ensure its strict implementation: MHA to states

The Centre on Thursday said violation of the nationwide lockdown has been noticed in various places and asked the states to ensure strict implementation of the curbs. In a communication to all states and Union Territories, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla also said there should be strict compliance of the order issued for night curfew or prohibition of all non-essential activities between 7 pm and 7 am.