India logged 37,593 new coronavirus infections, while the active cases increased marginally to 3,22,327, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on August 25.
An increase of 2,776 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.
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 :
More than 2 crore vaccine doses are being made available to States: Centre
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday said more than two crore additional COVID-19 vaccine doses are being made available to States this month to vaccinate all school teachers on priority before Teachers' Day on September 5.
Schools across the country were closed in March last year ahead of a nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus infection .
The Centre had allowed the reopening of schools as per the COVID-19 situation in October last year. While several States began partial reopening of schools, there was a complete closure again in April when an aggressive second wave of COVID-19 hit the country.
With an improvement in the COVID-19 situation again, several States have begun reopening schools now, even as concerns have been expressed over the staff and teachers not being completely vaccinated.
"In addition to the plan to provide vaccines to every state this month, more than 2 crore vaccine doses are being made available. We have requested all states to try to vaccinate all school teachers on priority before Teachers' Day, which is celebrated on September 5," Mr. Mandaviya said in a tweet in Hindi.
Kerala test positivity rate rises further to cross 19%
Kerala on Wednesday logged 31,445 fresh COVID-19 cases and 215 deaths, pushing the total infection count to 38,83,429 and the fatalities to 19,972 till date.
The last time the State crossed the 30,000-mark was on May 20 when it logged 30,491 cases.
The Test Positivity Rate (TPR) rose further on Wednesday and crossed the 19% mark, according to a State government release.
After the Onam festivities, medical experts had predicted that the TPR would go beyond 20% and that the number of infections would rise further.
Since July 27, after the Bakrid celebrations when restrictions were relaxed for a few days, Kerala has been logging more than or close to 20,000 cases on almost every day.
The release further said that as many as 20,271 people have been cured of the infection since Tuesday, taking the total recoveries to 36,92,628 and the number of active cases to 1,70,292.
In the last 24 hours, 1,65,273 samples were tested and the TPR was found to be 19.03%. So far, 3,06,19,046 samples have been tested, it said.
Among districts, Ernakulam recorded the highest number with 4,048 cases, followed by Thrissur (3,865), Kozhikode (3,680), Malappuram (3,502), Palakkad (2,562), Kollam (2,479), Kottayam (2,050), Kannur (1,930) Alappuzha (1,874), Thiruvananthapuram (1,700), Idukki (1,166) Pathanamthitta (1,008) and Wayanad (962).
Of the new cases, 123 were health workers, 138 from outside the state and 29,608 infected through contact, with the source of the contact not being clear in 1,576 cases, the release said.
There are currently 4,70,860 people under surveillance in various districts. Of these, 4,44,278 are in home or institutional quarantine and 26,582 in hospitals.
Vietnam reports record 12,096 new COVID-19 cases, 335 deaths
Vietnam's health Ministry reported a record 12,096 new COVID-19 cases and 348 deaths on August 25, most of which were detected in Ho Chi Minh City, the epicentre of the current outbreak.
The Southeast Asian country has so far recorded more than 380,000 cases and 9,349 deaths, 99.6% of which have been detected since May this year. - Reuters
COVID-19: States asked to vaccinate all school teachers on priority before Teachers' Day
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on August 25 said more than two crore additional COVID-19 vaccine doses are being made available to States this month and they have been asked to vaccinate all school teachers on priority before Teachers' Day on September 5.
In line with the announcement made by the Union health minister, more than 2 crore additional vaccine doses will be dispatched to the States from August 27 to 31 to vaccinate school teachers and non-teaching staff on a priority basis, an official release said. - PTI
China criticises U.S. "scapegoating" as COVID origin report to be released
China criticised the U.S. on August 25 for the "politicization" of efforts to trace the origin of the coronavirus, demanding a U.S. military laboratory be investigated, shortly before the release of a U.S. intelligence community report on the virus.
The U.S. report is intended to resolve disputes among intelligence agencies considering different theories about how the coronavirus emerged, including a once-dismissed theory about a Chinese laboratory accident.
"Scapegoating China cannot whitewash the U.S.," Fu Cong, Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' arms control department, told a briefing. - Reuters
Over 60 crore Covid vaccine doses administered in India: Govt
The cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country surpassed the 60-crore mark on August 25, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said. India took 85 days to touch the figure of 10 crore. It then took 45 days to cross the 20-crore mark and 29 more days to reach 30 crore, the minister informed.
The country took 24 days to reach 40 crore from 30 crore and then 20 more days to cross 50 crore vaccinations on August 6. It took 19 more days to go past the 60-crore mark, Mr. Mandaviya said. - PTI
Majority of Indians experience no or mild side effects post 2 doses of Covid vax: Survey
Community social media platform 'LocalCircles' said that according to its nationwide survey, "70% of Indians after taking the first dose of Covishield and 64% with Covaxin experienced no or mild side effects." Similarly, 75% inoculated with the second dose of Covishield and 78% with the second dose of Covaxin experienced no or mild side effects, it added.
However, 30% of those who were given the first dose of Covishield experienced side effects. Out of this, 29% experienced fever and 1% reported getting COVID infection, the survey said. 30% of those who took the first dose of Covaxin experienced fever while 1% reported having a more serious condition than fever, and no one reported having a post vaccine COVID infection, it added.
After having the second dose of Covishield, 20% experienced fever, 4% reported getting post vaccine 'COVID infection' and 1% reported having a more serious condition than fever, the survey said. After getting inoculated with the second dose of Covaxin, 17% experienced fever, 2% reported getting post vaccine 'COVID infection' while 3% reported having a more serious condition than fever, it added. - PTI
Vietnam urges WHO to send more COVID-19 shots as cases surge despite lockdown
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh sent a letter to the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) on August 24 and urged its vaccine sharing programme COVAX to prioritize Vietnam "in the fastest manner and with the largest volume possible."
Its slow vaccination drive was also impacted by Vietnam's procurement plan, contrasting with many of its neighbours which heavily relied on China for supplies due to limited access to Western shots.
Amid slow delivery of vaccines, Vietnam has introduced lockdowns and mobilised troops to restrict movements in Ho Chi Minh City, an elimination strategy also adopted by Australia with limited success so far. - Reuters
131 children among Odisha's 887 new COVID patients
Odisha reported 887 new COVID-19 cases on August 25 and 69 more deaths, a Health Department official said.
Among the new patients are 131 children, which is 14.76% against the previous day's 12.8%, indicating the rise in the number of cases among those below 18 years, he said.
As many as 1,260 persons below 18 years were found to be COVID positive since August 15 when the government started mapping the pediatric population, he said, adding that 30 of them have died. - PTI
COVID jab protection wanes within six months: UK researchers
Protection against COVID-19 offered by two doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech and the Oxford/AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccines begins to fade within six months, underscoring the need for booster shots, according to researchers in Britain.
After five to six months, the effectiveness of the Pfizer jab at preventing COVID-19 infection in the month after the second dose fell from 88% to 74%, an analysis of data collected in Britain's ZOE COVID study showed. For the AstraZeneca vaccine, effectiveness fell from 77% to 67% after four to five months.
The study was based on data from more than 1.2 million test results. - Reuters
Covid rapid response centre inaugurated at Delhi's Rajiv Gandhi Hospital
A COVID-19 rapid response centre was inaugurated on August 25 at a leading Delhi government-run coronavirus facility, bolstering the city's healthcare infrastructure ahead of a possible third wave of the viral disease.
The centre, which includes an ICU unit, will act as a buffer zone between the patient arrival area and the medical wards. It was opened by Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain at the Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital.
The rapid response centre has been divided into two areas -- a seven-bed triage area and a 23-bed ICU. All beds have multipara monitors with critical care equipment like ventilators, BIPAP machines, HFNC and crash carts, a senior official at the hospital said. - PTI
Russia reports 809 COVID-19 deaths, 19,536 new cases
Russia on August 25 reported 809 coronavirus related deaths, close to a record one-day high set earlier this month amid a surge of cases blamed on the Delta variant and the slow rate of vaccinations.
The government's coronavirus task force also reported 19,536 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours. - Reuters
International
Japan to further expand virus emergency areas as cases surge
Japan was set to expand its coronavirus state of emergency for a second week in a row on August 25, adding several more prefectures as a surge in infections fuelled by the delta variant strains the country's health care system.
The government last week extended the state of emergency until Sept 12 and expanded the areas covered to 13 prefectures from six including Tokyo. Sixteen other prefectures are currently under quasi-emergency status. - PTI
International
South Korea nearly matches its high for new cases
South Korea has reported 2,155 new coronavirus cases, nearly matching a record daily increase set earlier this month amid an alarming spread of infections.
With Wednesday's report, the country has tallied more than 1,000 new cases for 50 consecutive days, including a record 2,221 on August 11. - PTI
Gujarat
Gujarat govt allows schools to reopen classes from September 2nd
Gujarat govt allows schools to reopen classes for class 6-8 with strict SOP for Covid-19 in the schools from September 2nd.
Tamil Nadu
Vellore Collector flags off awareness rally on COVID-19
With the rising COVID-19 cases in the district, a rally to create awareness of the infection was flagged off by Collector P. Kumaravel Pandian near the Corporation office in Vellore on Tuesday.
The rally, which was jointly organised by the Vellore Corporation and all combined Rotary Districts in Vellore, witnessed more than 30 cars, mostly by residents in the city.
Vellore Collector flags off awareness rally on COVID-19
Tamil Nadu
Fresh cases fall below 1,600 in Tamil Nadu
Fresh COVID-19 infections dipped further to 1,585 in Tamil Nadu on August 24. Three districts — Coimbatore, Chennai and Erode — recorded 100-plus cases, while 17 saw fewer than 20 infections each, the least being in Ramanathapuram, that logged two cases.
In Coimbatore, 190 people tested positive, followed by Chennai with 165 cases and Erode with 138. Thanjavur recorded 98 cases, while Chengalpattu saw 92 and Salem 79. There were 69 cases in Cuddalore, 65 in Tiruppur and 60 in Tiruvallur.
Fresh cases fall below 1,600 in Tamil Nadu
National
Active cases increase to 3,22,327
India logged 37,593 new coronavirus infections, while the active cases increased marginally to 3,22,327, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on August 25.
The total tally of COVID-19 cases increased to 3,25,12,366 and the death toll climbed to 4,35,758 with 648 fresh fatalities, according to the data updated at 8 am.
The active cases comprise 0.99% of the total infections.
The national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 97.67%, the ministry said.
Active cases increase to 3,22,327
Andhra Pradesh
15 new deaths, over 1,200 new cases reported in State
COVID-19 claimed 15 lives in the State in the 24 hours ending Tuesday morning. During the same period, 1,248 new infections were reported, while 1,715 patients recovered. The cumulative tally increased to 20,04,590 and the death toll reached 13,750.
The total recoveries increased to 19,77,163 and the recovery rate was at 98.63%.
The daily positivity rate of the 58,890 samples tested in the past day was 2.12% while the overall positivity rate of 2.61 crore samples tested was 7.65%.
15 new deaths, over 1,200 new cases reported in State
Delhi
All positive samples of COVID to go for genome sequencing
In a first of its kind move in the city, the Delhi government has asked districts to send all positive samples of COVID-19 for genome sequencing, said officials.
On August 18, The Hindu had reported that there was a 93% fall in the number of samples for which COVID-19 genome sequencing was done in June, compared to April. The current decision was taken by the government on the same day.
All positive samples of COVID to go for genome sequencing
Tamil Nadu
Amirthi zoo to welcome visitors from today, Yelagiri set to reopen on Sunday
Tourists hotspots along the Eastern Ghats on Jawadhu Hills, especially the Amirthi Zoological Park on the Vellore-Tiruvannamalai border and Yelagiri in the neighbouring Tirupattur district, are set to reopen this week. The Amirthi zoo will be opened for visitors from Wednesday whereas, Yelagiri will be open from Sunday after the renovation of facilities.
This comes after the State government gave its nod to reopen tourist spots after putting in place necessary Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure the safety of visitors.
Amirthi zoo to welcome visitors from today, Yelagiri set to reopen on Sunday
Telangana
Collector tells authorities to get ready to open schools
Collector M. Hanumantha Rao has called upon officials to get ready to open schools from September 1 and make arrangements in that direction.
In a teleconference with officials on August 24, Mr. Hanumantha Rao said that the Telangana government has decided to reopen educational institutes from September 1 and hence the classrooms and anganwadi centres need to be sanitised for use by the students.
The officials were asked to clean the premises of schools where bushes and green grass developed and clear the water pits if any.
Collector tells authorities to get ready to open schools
Tamil Nadu
1 death, 73 new cases reported in U.T.
The Union Territory recorded one COVID-19 death, 73 new cases and 103 recoveries on Tuesday.
Karaikal recorded the fatality taking the cumulative toll in the Union Territory to 1,809.
The test positivity rate was 2.33%, case fatality rate 1.47% and recovery rate 97.91%. The active cases stood at 765 with 162 persons getting treated in hospitals and 603 persons in home isolation. The Union Territory recorded an aggregate of 1,23,007 cases against 1,20,433 patients recovered.
1 death, 73 new cases reported in U.T.
Kerala
Relaxed curbs prove costly as cases spike
The lessening of the curbs that were necessitated by the pandemic and the growing rush in public places during the recent festivities have seemingly begun to reflect on the COVID-19 caseload in Thiruvananthapuram district.
On a day when its test positivity rate shot up to 12.9%, the district authorities have gone to the extent of urging festival-goers to get themselves tested. As many as 1,435 people tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 on Tuesday to register the highest single-day spike since June 30.
Relaxed curbs prove costly as cases spike
Tamil Nadu
‘55 round-the-clock vaccination centres’
Round-the-clock COVID-19 vaccination centres are functioning at 55 places at government medical college hospitals and government hospitals in Tamil Nadu, Health Minister Ma. Subramanian said.
After inaugurating a 24X7 vaccination centre at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH) on August 24, he said 2.87 crore people had so far been inoculated. “On Monday, we vaccinated a record 4,88,000 people in a day. We hope the number crosses five lakh today [Tuesday]. We have eight lakh doses of vaccines in hand, and are expecting to receive another five lakh from the Union government pool today,” he told reporters.
‘55 round-the-clock vaccination centres’
Andhra Pradesh
Srikakulam district gearing up to handle third wave: Collector
Collector Shrikesh B. Lathkar has said that the district administration is geared to handle the possible third wave of COVID-19 by taking a series of measures to handle the crisis.
He said that treatment for children will be a big challenge as medical and health experts anticipated the pandemic’s affect on children in third wave.
Mr. Shrikesh told The Hindu here that an exclusive children ward with 25 beds was being readied in the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences.
"We have given notification for the appointment of 22 paediatricians whose services are needed for other parts of the district also. Apart from children, the administration is now capable of providing hassle-free medical aid quickly to elderly people also with the availability of sufficient quantity of oxygen both in government and private hospitals. We could make the private hospitals to improve the infrastructure for keeping more medical oxygen which may help other patients too," he added.
Srikakulam district gearing up to handle third wave: Collector
Kerala
Post Onam, new COVID-19 cases mark a big jump in Kerala
An increase in COVID-19 testing in Kerala, post Onam festivities, has resulted in a huge jump in new cases in the State, setting the test positivity rate (TPR) soaring.
Kerala reported 24,296 new cases of COVID-19 on August 24, a significantly higher number than that of the previous days, when 1,34,706 samples were tested over the past 24 hours. Despite the increase in testing, TPR is soaring, registering 18.04% on August 24.
Post Onam, new COVID-19 cases mark a big jump in Kerala
Andhra Pradesh
Virus claims 4 more lives in South Coastal A.P.
Four more persons succumbed to coronavirus in South Coastal Andhra Pradesh in the last 24 hours ending 9 a.m. on August 24 taking the death toll in the region 2,028.
Two persons each died in SPSR Nellore and Prakasam districts. Of the total, SPSR Nellore district has accounted for 990 deaths and Prakasam for 1,038 deaths.
Virus claims 4 more lives in South Coastal A.P.
Andhra Pradesh
Attendance at schools below 50% as COVID fears remain
Though schools in the State have reopened after a gap of 17 months, attendance is hovering below 50% at most institutions as parents continue to worry about a third wave of COVID-19 which experts say will mainly target children.
The State government issued orders for reopening of government schools from August 16. Private schools and institutions began functioning from August 23 across the State.
Attendance at schools below 50% as COVID fears remain
Maharashtra
Maharashtra’s fresh cases exceed recoveries; 119 fatalities reported
After a steady recovery spree, Maharashtra’s case surge marginally outweighed the number of patients discharged on Tuesday, with 4,355 new COVID-19 cases being reported against 4,240 recoveries. The active case tally reached 49,752.
As many as 119 deaths pushed the State’s cumulative fatalities to 1,36,355. The case fatality rate stands at 2.11%.
The total cases have reached 64,34,649 while its cumulative recoveries have risen to 62,43,034 with the recovery rate standing at 96.93%.
Maharashtra’s fresh cases exceed recoveries; 119 fatalities reported
