India's COVID-19 tally reaches 5,66,840; recovery rate close to 60 pc

30 pm today. Total number of positive cases now stand at 18,014 in the state, including 3,381 active cases and 413 deaths.

Meanwhile, West Bengal saw a spike of 652 new cases and 15 deaths today. Total number of cases in the state has increased to 18,559 and death toll is at 668.

Punjab witnessed 150 new cases and six deaths on Tuesday, taking the total number of cases to 5,568 and death toll to 144. While, Karnataka saw 947 new cases, including 503 cases from Bengaluru Urban, taking the total number of cases to 15,242. Death toll has jumped to 246 after 20 deaths were reported today.

Kerala Health Department informed that 131 persons tested positive for COVID-19 in the state today. Number of active cases now stand at 2,112, while 2,304 have recovered till now. On the other hand, 243 patients have recovered today, taking the total number of recoveries to 5189 in Odisha. Total number of COVID-19 positive cases in the state stands at 7,065 including 1844 active case and 25 deaths.

While addressing the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that negligence in personal and social behaviour has been increasing after `Unlock 1' on June 1 and noted that there is need to be alert and follow norms as was done during the lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

"We are entering into Unlock 2. We are also entering into season where cold, cough, fever cases increase. I request citizens to take care of themselves. It is true that if we look at the death rate due to coronavirus, then India is in a better position than many countries of the world. Timely lockdown and other decisions have saved the lives of millions of people in India," he said."Since Unlock 1, negligence in personal and social behavior is also increasing. At first, we were very cautious about the mask, about two-yard distancing, washing hands several times a day for 20 seconds. During lockdown, rules were followed seriously. Now the governments, local bodies and citizens need to show alertness in the same manner," he said.

He also appealed to the local administration to act against those flouting coronavirus lockdown restrictions, imposed to curb the spread of the disease asserting that no one is above the law.

"All those who are not following rules will have to be stopped and made aware of the problem. You have seen in the news that a fine of Rs 13,000 imposed on a Prime Minister because he went to a public place without mask," he said while referring to the example of Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov who was recently fined for not wearing a mask in the public.

Meanwhile, the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has also granted permission to Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL) to conduct Phase I and II Human clinical trials to develop an indigenous vaccine for COVID-19 -- in the name COVAXIN.

( With inputs from ANI )