India reported on Tuesday a daily rise in new coronavirus infections of 86,498 cases over the past 24 hours, the lowest in 66 days, while death rose by 2,123. The South Asian nation's tally of infections now stands at 29 million, while the death toll has reached 351,309, Health Ministry data showed. This is also the first time in over 2 months that the cases have fallen below the 100,000 mark. Active cases further declined to over 13 lakh and over 2.73 crore people recovered after testing positive. India ranks second in the world, after the US, in terms of the COVID-19 incidence and third in terms of the death toll, after the US and Brazil. According to Health Ministry, as many as 1,82,282 patients recovered from the disease in the last 24 hours taking the total number of recoveries to 2,73,41,462. Meanwhile, the active number of COVID cases in the country stands at 13,03,702. As many as 36,82,07,596 samples have been tested in the country up to June 8 including 18,73,485 samples tested on Monday, informed the Indian Council of Medical Research. More than 23.61 crore (23,61,98,726) COVID vaccine doses have been administered so far in the nationwide vaccination drive. Meanwhile a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced free vaccine for all adults, New Delhi on Tuesday released revised guidelines for the country's COVID-19 vaccination program. These guidelines will be implemented from June 21. As part of new rules, vaccination doses will be provided free of cost to states and union territories based on each state's population, disease burden and the progress to vaccination. Domestic vaccine manufacturers will be given the option to provide vaccine directly to private hospitals. Private hospitals will be allowed to charge up to a maximum of Rs. 150 per dose. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday lifted COVID-19 curfew imposed in the state, announcing relaxations that would be applicable for one week. The current night curfew from 7p.m. to 5 a.m. will continue. Government and private offices will be allowed to remain open till 4 p.m. with 50 percent attendance. The Uttar Pradesh too decided to lift its coronavirus curfew from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in all districts. The night curfew and the weekend curfew will still be continued in all districts, an official spokesperson said. On the other hand, the Puducherry government extended its ongoing lockdown by another week from June 7 midnight to June 14 and announced easing of several restrictions. Public transport services were allowed to operate till 5 p.m. along with the opening of liquor shops from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Agencies
