NEWS

The national capital recorded 6,456 fresh COVID-19 cases and 262 fatalities on Sunday while the positivity rate dropped to 10.40 per cent, the lowest in over a month, according to a Delhi government health bulletin. With this, the total number of cases in the city has risen to 13,93,867 and the death toll to 21,506, it said.

This is the third consecutive day when Delhi has recorded less than 10,000 cases. However, the smaller number of new cases was due to relatively fewer tests, 62,059, conducted on Saturday.

Karnataka reported 41,779 new cases of Covid-19 and 373 more deaths, taking the total number of infections to 21,30,267 and the toll to 21,085, the Health department said on Friday. The day also saw 35,879 patients getting discharged after recovery.

Bengaluru Urban alone accounted for 14,316 new cases. As of May 14 evening, cumulatively 21,30,267 Covid-19 positive cases have been confirmed in the state, which includes 21,085 deaths and 15,10,557 discharges, a department bulletin said.

Total number of active cases in the state stood at 5,98,605. While the positivity rate for the day stood at 32.86 per cent, case fatality rate (CFR) was at 0.89 per cent.

The finance ministry on Friday asked state governments to accord priority to employees of banks and insurance companies for COVID-19 vaccination, saying they are exposed to high risks during these difficult times.

Department of Financial Services Secretary Debasish Panda, in a letter addressed to chief secretaries of states and union territories, said states should consider a special dispensation for vaccination of staff of banks, insurance companies, business correspondents, payment systems and other financial services providers on priority.

Tagging the letter, Panda in a tweet said, "Kudos to our Bankers, Insurers, Payment Service Providers, Bank Mitras for ensuring uninterrupted delivery of banking and financial services to people in need during these challenging times."

The Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech International Ltd will soon start manufacturing Covid-19 vaccines in Pune, through subsidiary Biovet Pvt Ltd, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar announced on Friday (May 14).

"It will take around three months for the company to start production of vaccines from this facility," Pawar told media persons.

The state would also request the BBIL to give priority to supply vaccines to Maharashtra after fulfilling its commitments to the Centre, he added.