The United States is urging the more than 150 countries planning to send their leader or a government minister to New York to speak in person at the UN General Assembly next month to consider giving a video address instead to prevent the annual high-level week from becoming "a super-spreader event".
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 :
COVID-19 still hanging over people's heads like sword: Maha CM
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday warned that coronavirus is still hanging over people's heads like a sword of Damocles and the threat is far from over.
The chief minister was speaking at the virtual function to inaugurate the district headquarters building complex in Palghar, and civic and government-run health facilities in Virar and Vasai.
"Coronavirus is still hanging over our heads like a sword of Damocles and the threat is far from over. It is good that oxygen plants are being installed while setting up COVID-19 hospitals to prevent casualties," Mr. Thackeray said. - PTI
New Delhi
Over 3.86 crore people didn't get 2nd dose of Covid vaccines on time: Govt.
Over 3.86 crore people did not get their second dose of anti-Covid vaccines — Covishield and Covaxin — within the stipulated period of time, the government has said in response to an RTI query.
Activist Raman Sharma had filed a query under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, seeking to know from the government, the number of people who had received the first dose of vaccines but did not take the second within the stipulated time period.
In response to the query, the COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Cell of the Union Health Ministry said that it is recommended the second dose of Covishield be taken within 84-112 days after the first, while in case of Covaxin the gap should between 28-42 days.
France
France adds Morocco and Algeria to list of high-risk COVID-19 countries
France has added Algeria and Morocco to its list of countries deemed high-risk COVID-19 zones as it battles a fourth wave of infections.
The new measure, which will take effect from August 21, means people arriving from the two African countries will have to undergo strict protocol measures, such as self-isolating.
French health authorities reported on Wednesday that the number of patients in intensive care units for COVID had risen above 2,000 for the first time since June 14, as the Delta variant puts renewed strain on the hospital system.- Reuters
Telangana
COVID-19 second wave over in Telangana: Health official
The second wave of COVID-19 has come to an end in Telangana with the virus situation fully under control in the State at present, a Health department official said.
"It can be said that second wave has fully come to an end in Telangana. If we take various parameters like the number of new cases being reported, daily positivity rate and hospitalisation rate, coronavirus, as of now, is fully under control across Telangana, in all districts and all regions," State Director of Public Health, G. Srinivasa Rao, said.
However, he urged people not to let their guard down.
China
China administered total 1.90 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines as of August 18
China administered about 12.9 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines on August 18, bringing the total number of doses administered to 1.90 billion, data from the National Health Commission showed on Thursday.- Reuters
National
Vaccines for children may be available by Sept: NIV director
Vaccines for children may be available by September and the trials for inoculating those between 2 to 18 years are underway, Priya Abraham, Director of the National Institute of Virology has said.
In an interview to India Science, an OTT platform of the Department of Science and Technology, Abraham said that phase 2/3 clinical trials are in process for those between 2 to 18 years of age. "Hopefully the results will be available soon and they will be presented to regulators. Probably by September or just after September, we may have a vaccine for children…," she said.- PTI
New Delhi
Over 58.31 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses provided to States, UTs: Govt.
More than 58.31 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses have been provided to the States and Union Territories so far, and another 81,10,780 doses are in the pipeline, the Union Health Ministry said on Thursday.
Of this, the total consumption, including wastage, is around 56.29 crore doses, according to a data available at 8 a.m.
More than 38 lakh balance and unutilised vaccine doses are still available with the States, UTs and private hospitals to be administered, the Ministry said.- PTI
National
Over 50-cr samples tested for COVID-19 in India till now: ICMR
The number of samples tested for COVID-19 in the country has crossed the 50 crore-mark and in this month, the average daily testing has been over 17 lakh, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said on Thursday.
The last 10 crore tests were done in only 55 days, the ICMR said in a statement.- PTI
Karnataka
PAC finds several lapses in procurement of COVID-19 material during second wave
The State Legislature’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has identified several lapses in the tendering process and procurement of COVID-19 material, including Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) kits, during the second wave by the Health and Family Welfare Department, resulting in additional expenditure worth many crores.
Not satisfied with the reply by the department to their queries, the committee, which met here on Tuesday, sought a detailed explanation by next week. The committee, which took up issues pertaining to procurement of 3-part and 5-part haematology cell counters (haematology analysers), RAT kits and shortage of ventilators and oxygen during the second wave, found that officials had not furnished complete and correct information. “The committee has found that the department is trying to cover up its lapses,” PAC chairman Ramalinga Reddy told The Hindu on Wednesday.
National
India logs 36,401 new cases
India has added 36,401 new COVID-19 infections, taking the total tally of cases to 3,23,22,258, while the death toll has climbed to 4,33,049 with 530 more fatalities, according to Union health ministry data updated on Thursday.
The national recovery rate has improved to 97.52%, the highest since March last year, according to the data updated at 8 am.
Odisha
Odisha to fully vaccinate all resident Tibetans
The Odisha government on Wednesday decided to fully vaccinate all Tibetans residing in the state, an official said.
The Union Health Ministry has approved the COVID-19 vaccination of Tibetan nationals residing in various parts of the country.
West Bengal
Local train services to resume after 50% of rural population in Bengal gets inoculated: Mamata
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday announced that local train services will resume in the state as and when 50% of the rural population gets vaccinated.
"Local train services will resume after 50% vaccination is completed in the rural belts," the chief minister told a press conference at state secretariat 'Nabanna'.
Uttar Pradesh
Schools in U.P. to reopen for classes 6-8 from Aug 23, for primary classes from Sep 1
The Uttar Pradesh government on Wednesday allowed physical classes in schools for students of grades 6 to 8 from August 23 and for grades 1 to 5 from September 1, officials said here.
The state has already allowed physical classes in schools for students of grades 9 to 12 with strict COVID-19 protocol from August 16.
"The order has been issued to open schools for students of classes 6-8 from September 23 and for classes 1-5 from September 1," a senior official said.
Karnataka
No new restrictions on markets in Bengaluru
The BBMP has imposed no new restrictions on markets and commercial hubs ahead of the festive season starting with Varamahalakshmi this August 20.
It plans to deploy more marshals to enforce mask and social distancing norms, penalise violators and make public announcements urging people to follow COVID-19 Appropriate Behaviour (CAB). Marshals will be given daily targets to fine violators, sources said.
The onus will fall on shops, restaurants and mall owners to ensure that staff and public wear masks and there is no crowding. They will be penalised for crowding and can be shut down if they fail to adhere to the rules. All staff should have received at least one dose of the vaccine, the BBMP said.
No new restrictions on markets
International
Consider giving a video address at UNGA, U.S. urges world leaders
The United States is urging the more than 150 countries planning to send their leader or a government minister to New York to speak in person at the UN General Assembly next month to consider giving a video address instead to prevent the annual high-level week from becoming "a super-spreader event".
"If delegations choose to travel to New York for the General Debate, the United States requests delegations bring the minimum number of travellers necessary." The US said the COVID-19 pandemic “continues to pose a significant health risk around the world,” with the virulence of the delta variant affecting both vaccinated and unvaccinated people and hospitalizations increasing significantly in the United States.
"All counties in New York City are currently rated as having the highest level of community transmission,” the US note said.
COVID-19 | Consider giving a video address at UNGA, U.S. urges world leaders
Andaman and Nicobar
Andaman & Nicobar reports one new COVID-19 case
The union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands recorded only one new COVID-19 case in the last 24 hours, pushing the tally to 7,550, a health official said on August 19.
The new COVID-19 case was detected during testing at the airport. All passengers arriving by flight have to undergo a mandatory RT-PCR test before they are allowed entry into the islands.
The archipelago now has only two active COVID-19 cases and both patients are in the South Andaman district. The other two districts - North and Middle Andaman and Nicobar - are COVID-19 free, the official said.- PTI
