With a record number of 10,956 fresh cases and 396 casualties, arising out of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in a single day, India has officially crossed the United Kingdom’s (U.K.’s) tally to become the 4th most affected country globally.
As per the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), the total number of cases in India are 2,97,535 and there have been 8,498 casualties. The total number of cases in U.K. are 2,91,409 and there have been 41,279 casualties.
Globally, there are 72,73,958 cases of COVID-19 and there have been 4,13,372 casualties. Of this, U.S. has the maximum number of 20,64,092 cases and 1,15,487 casualties. The other most affected countries are Brazil with 8,06,649 cases and 41,058 casualties and Russia with 5,11,423 cases and 6,715 casualties.
In terms of the spread, Maharashtra remains the worst hit State in India. It has crossed the 1 lakh mark and now has a total of 1,01,141 cases and 3,717 casualties. During the day, it registered 3,493 fresh cases and 127 casualties.
As many as 1,982 fresh cases and 18 casualties were reported from Tamil Nadu, the second worst hit State. The tally now stands at 40,698 and there have been 367 casualties. The national capital, Delhi, is the third most affected place. It has a total of 34,687 cases and there have been 1085 casualties. During the day, Delhi witnesses 1,877 fresh cases and 101 casualties.
In other developments, West Bengal reported 476 new cases and 9 deaths in the last 24 hours. Total number of positive cases in the State are 10,244 including 451 casualties. Recording 366 new cases, Gujarat now has a total of 6,334 cases. Uttar Pradesh (U.P.) recorded 536 fresh cases, taking the total number of cases to 12,088 and 365 casualties.
Apart from this, the Supreme Court of India, today, came down heavily on Delhi Government over the treatment meted out to COVID-19 patients in Government hospitals and the mismanagement of dead bodies.
Terming the situation as “horrific”, the Supreme Court on Friday censured the Delhi government over its mismanagement of dead bodies and said that the treatment meted out to the Covid-19 patients was “worse than (that given to) animals”.
Taking note of media reports, a bench comprising of Justice Ashok Bhushan, Justice S.K. Kaul and Justice M.R. Shah said, “The situation in Delhi is horrendous, horrific and pathetic.”
The bench added, “Very sorry state of affairs in Delhi and inside its hospitals. Look at the treatment meted out to patients. The patients are crying and no one is looking after them. Relatives are not even informed, as reported by media, after the death of patients.”
Pulling up the Kejriwal-led Government in Delhi, Justice Shah observed, “If dead bodies are being treated like this, dead bodies are found in the garbage! Media has highlighted these deplorable conditions. Worse than animals people are being treated.”
He even questioned the Additional Solicitor General – Sanjay Jain, who appeared on behalf of Delhi Government, that why testing numbers are reducing in Delhi.
The Apex Court has also sought responses from the Centre and different States on its plea taking suo motu (on its own) cognisance on the treatment being meted out to patients and the handling of the bodies. The Chief Secretaries have been directed to take a complete stock of the system of patient management and submit a detailed report on the management of staff, patients, ambulance and other COVID-19 related necessities.
Besides, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra – Uddhav Thackrey has asked the people to not to believe the rumours that State will be placed under complete lockdown from June 15, 2020.
The Official twitter handle of Chief Minister’s Office tweeted, “The lockdown has not been reimposed. CM Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray has appealed to the people to refrain from crowding. He has earnestly requested them to follow the Govt’s instructions and take necessary precautions to stay safe and take care.”
