Karnataka has imposed new COVID-19 norms, restricting travel to the State from the neighbouring States. Tamil Nadu has made negative RT-PCR test mandatory for passengers travelling to the State from Kerala.
Kerala's share in total cases reported in the country has risen to 38% in July.
Maharashtra recorded 6,479 new COVID-19 cases on August 1. The active cases in the State as of August 1 is 78,962.
You can track coronavirus cases, deaths and testing rates at the national and State levels here . A list of State Helpline numbers is available as well.
Here are the latest updates :
Students upbeat in Punjab as classes resume
Students are upbeat in Punjab after physical classes right from the pre-primary started on Monday following the government’s decision to reopen schools for all classes amid drop in COVID-19 cases.
At the government primary school in Kambali, students and teachers are jubilant. Most of the children were seen following the COVID-19 appropriate behaviours even as the fear surrounding the spread of COVID-19 hasn’t completely faded away.
High, inter schools in UP to resume classes from Aug 16 with 50% attendance
High and intermediate schools in Uttar Pradesh will resume classes from August 16, but with 50 per cent attendance, according to an order issued by the state government on Monday.
Apart from this, instructions have also been issued for commencement of classes in higher educational institutes from September 1, the UP government said in a statement.
"Students of high school and inter classes will participate in the 75th Independence Day celebrations on August 15. And on August 16, teaching will commence in the schools with half capacity, while adhering to the COVID-19 protocol," Additional Chief Secretary (Information) Navneet Sehgal told PTI.
Schools reopen for all classes in Punjab
Schools for all classes reopened in Punjab on Monday, with physical classes resuming after a gap of a few months for pre-primary levels.
The attendance was reported more from rural areas while turnout at many private schools was not that high.
While all coronavirus-related protocols will have to be strictly followed, parents will have to provide a written consent for their children to attend schools from 8 am to 2 pm.
Dakshina Kannada to allow entry of only those with RT-PCR negative certificate at Talapady check-post
Dakshina Kannada has strengthened checking at Talapady check-post to allow the enter of only those with RT-PCR negative certificate taken within 72 hours, in the wake of increasing COVID-19 cases in Kerala.
Even those who have completed their two doses of COVID-19 vaccination have not been exempted from this rule.
Several vehicles were held up, resulting in traffic congestion at the checkpost as the authorities allowed only those who had COVID-19 negative certificates to enter the state.
Glenmark inks pact with SaNOtize to produce, market anti-COVID-19 nasal spray in India
Canadian biotech firm SaNOtize Research & Development Corp. has entered into an exclusive long term agreement with Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd for the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of its breakthrough Nitric Oxide Nasal Spray (NONS) for COVID-19 treatment in India.
Available in the form of a nasal spray, it is designed to kill the virus in the upper airways, preventing it from incubating and spreading to the lungs.
Schools reopen in Punjab for all classes
Schools for all classes reopened in Punjab on August 2, with physical classes resuming after a gap of a few months for pre-primary levels.
The state government on July 31 had allowed reopening of schools for all classes from August 2 as it further relaxed COVID-19 restrictions in the wake of declining number of cases.
Before deciding to reopen schools for all classes from August 2, the government had already allowed reopening of schools for classes 10 to 12 from July 26.
Visitors to Kodagu from within State may need RT-PCR report too
Not only inter-State travelers, visitors to Kodagu from within the State may also have to carry a RT-PCR negative report.
Though the district administration is yet to receive any written order from the government on tests for inter-district visitors, it was verbally communicated during a videoconference by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on guidelines to be strictly complied with.
“We are awaiting an order on tourists from the government. If we get the guidelines on mandatory RT-PCR report even for tourists from within the State, we shall implement that. We have been told to screen people staying in resorts etc.,” said Deputy Commissioner Charulatha Somal.
40,134 new COVID-19 cases, 422 related deaths in India
India registered 40,134 fresh COVID-19 infections, pushing its virus tally to 3,16,95,958, while the number of active cases recorded an increase for the sixth consecutive day, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on August 2.
The death toll from the pandemic climbed to 4,24,773 with 422 daily fatalities.
14,28,984 tests were conducted on Sunday, taking the total cumulative tests conducted so far for detection of COVID-19 in the country to 46,96,45,494, while the daily positivity rate was recorded at 2.81%.
COVID-19 curfew in Goa extended till August 9
The Goa government on August 1 extended till August 9 the ongoing coronavirus-induced curfew in the State.
The previous curfew deadline was scheduled to end on August 2.
The administration issued the extension order, in which it said that all the COVID-19-related curbs will continue in the State and no fresh relaxation has been granted.
Third wave: Doctors in Karnataka want govt. to stock up MIS-C medicine
As the demand for Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) needed for treating post COVID-19 Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) has been high during the pandemic, experts now suggest that it would be advisable for the government to stock up for the third wave.
Epidemiologist and public health specialist Sunil Kumar D.R., who heads the Department of Community Medicine at Akash Institute of Medical Sciences, said IVIG treatment proved extremely crucial during the second wave when a lot of children developed MIS-C. “Children develop MIS-C two to six weeks post COVID-19. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and rashes,” he said.
“As children with MIS-C are extremely sick, any shortage can prove to be fatal and hence, while the second wave is subsiding it is advisable that the government stock IVIG for the third wave,” said Dr. Kumar, who is also part of the BBMP’s death audit committee.