Coronavirus live updates: 56 lakh vaccine doses given today, India's total coverage now 58.82cr

Union youth affairs and sports minister Anurag Thakur on Monday praised the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that India is among the four countries that made COVID-19 vaccine within nine months.

The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) accounted for the most number of cases with 57, followed by Karimnagar (32) and Nalgonda (25) districts, a state government bulletin said, providing details as of 5.30 PM on Monday.

Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Monday told organisers of the upcoming Dahi Handi festival that the state should set an example by setting aside celebration of festivals for some time to banish the coronavirus completely. The CM said the health of citizens should be given priority during a pandemic. A statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said Dahi Handi organisers responded positively to Thackeray's appeal and spoke about holding social and health-related activities to mark the birth of Lord Krishna. The BJP, however, demanded Dahi Handi festival be allowed to be organised under certain conditions traditionally.

The Bombay High Court on Monday directed the Union government to file an affidavit explaining the process of procuring COVID-19 vaccines and allotting them to states by Aug 27. Earlier this month, the HC had asked Maharashtra and the Centre as to why citizens could not be informed well in advance of available vaccination slots so that there was no last minute rush for booking on the portal.