The nationwide lockdown had a significant negative impact on inpatient care utilisation under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) , where claim volumes fell by over 50% , with wide variation across the States and procedure types. The steepest decline (over 75%) was registered in Assam, followed by Maharashtra and Bihar, while much smaller declines (about 25% or less) were observed in Uttarakhand, Punjab and Kerala.
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:
11 deaths, 798 fresh case in Haryana
Eleven more people died from coronavirus in Haryana on Tuesday as the state reported its highest single-day spike of 798 cases, taking the infection numbers to 43,227, according to a health department bulletin.
Earlier, Haryana had preorted its record daily spike in numbers on July 17 when 795 cases surfaced.
So far, 500 people have succumbed to the disease in the State.
Punjab to release up to 4,000 more prisoners to decongest jails in view of COVID-19
Punjab will release 3,500 to 4,000 more prisoners to ensure better compliance with COVID-19 guidelines in jails, a minister said on Tuesday.
The state has already released a total of 9,500 prisoners to decongest jails in view of the pandemic.
Jails Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa said, “In view of a spike in COVID-19 cases and to ensure compliance with health protocols in jails, it has been decided to bring the number of prisoners to the 50 per cent of the authorised capacity.”
Cases in Pune district might cross 1.60 lakh by month-end: Government
The number of COVID-19 cases in Pune district might cross 1.60 lakh at the end of this month as per the projection of the Maharashtra health department, a senior official said here on Tuesday.
However, the number of active cases are expected to come down by August 24.
Addressing a press conference, Divisional Commissioner Saurabh Rao said the positivity ratio and the case fatality rate are stable in the district as of now.
“As per the projection of the state health department, there will be over 1.60 lakh cases in Pune district by theend of August. Of these cases, around 62,000 cases will be active,” said Mr. Rao.
- PTI
112 services in U.P. shut for two days after staff test positive
The headquarters of the Uttar Pradesh police 112 dial emergency services in Lucknow was forced to shut on Tuesday after 12 staff members tested positive.
The premises would be shut for 48 hours and sanitised, said Aseem Arun, ADG, of the 112 services.
However, the services will operate though in a restricted manner, the officer said.
Citizens will have to wait for 4-5 minutes when they call the number for response, the 112 services said, suggesting that people could also register their complaints on their website.
COVID-19 tally in West Bengal crosses one lakh-mark with 2,931 new infections
The COVID-19 tally in West Bengal breached the one lakh-mark on Tuesday to reach 1,01,390 after 2,931 new infections were reported, the state health department said.
The death toll mounted to 2,149 with 49 fresh fatalities, the department said in a bulletin.
Since Monday, 3,067 patients were discharged from hospitals taking the total number of people who recovered from the disease to 73,395.
- PTI
Follow mantra of contact tracing, testing in 72 hours: PM to states in COVID meeting
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called for tracing and testing those who come in contact with COVID-19 patients in 72 hours and asserted if the virus is defeated in 10 states, which account for 80 per cent of the active cases, then the country will also emerge victorious against the pandemic.
At a video conference with Chief Ministers and representatives of these 10 states, including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, Modi said the recovery rate has gone up which, he added, meant that government efforts have proved to be effective.
- PTI
Gujarat records 1,118 fresh cases
Gujarat records 23 deaths and 1118 COVID-19 cases, increasing its numbers to 2697 fatalities and 73238 caseload. Active cases are 14125 while total discharged are: 56416
-Mahesh Langa
Raj Bhavan open for people in distress due to COVID-19: Mizoram Governor
The Raj Bhavan in Aizawl is open for those in need of shelter or assistance due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Mizoram Governor P. S. Sreedharan Pillai said on Tuesday.
A state-wide partial lockdown is in force till August 31.
“Anyone can reach out to me over the phone. People can take shelter at the Raj Bhavan. We are ready to provide assistance to those distressed due to the pandemic,” the 66- year-old governor told PTI.
Madhya Pradesh CM says he tests negative for coronavirus
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday said he has tested negative for coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) infection, six days after being discharged from a private hospital in Bhopal.
Mr. Chouhan, 61, had tested positive for coronavirus infection on July 25 . He has been in home quarantine since he was discharged on August 5.
“My COVID-19 report has come out negative. On the advice of doctors, I will be in isolation till tomorrow. I sincerely thank doctors, nurses and their entire team. I will be grateful for all your best wishes and prayers for my health,” the CM tweeted. Mr. Chouhan had again tested positive for the infection on August 3 .
Madhya Pradesh reports 843 new cases
Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday recorded 843 new COVID-19 cases, taking the tally to 40,734. The number of active cases stands at 9,105. Eighteen patients died of the illness on the day, taking the State-wide death toll to 1,033. As for recoveries, 922 patients were discharged from hospitals on the day. So far, 30,596 persons have been cured of the illness, says the State Directorate of Health Services.
-Sidharth Yadav
Ban on flights to Kolkata from six cities extended till August 31
Suspension of passenger flights to Kolkata from six metros with high prevalence of COVID-19 cases has been extended till August 31, a senior government official said on Tuesday.
Earlier, the temporary restriction on the arrival of flights to Kolkata airport from Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Nagpur and Ahmedabad was extended till August 15, amid the surge in coronavirus cases in the State.
9,024 fresh COVID-19 cases in Andhra Pradesh, 87 deaths
Andhra Pradesh’s COVID-19 tally went up to 2,44,549 on Tuesday as 9,024 fresh cases were added, while 87 more deaths pushed the overall toll to 2,203.
According to the latest bulletin 9,113 patients were discharged from hospitals in the state after recovering from the disease.
More positive cases were detected in rapid antigen tests as compared to RT-PCR, TruNat and other tests in the last 24 hours in the state.
In all, 30,908 rapid antigen tests were conducted, of which 5,132 turned positive, according to the bulletin.
Railways suspends all regular passenger services indefinitely
The Railways has stated that all regular passenger train services will remain suspended till further notice, but 230 special trains will continue to be in service.
This is to bring to the notice of all concerned that as decided and informed earlier as well, regular passenger and suburban train services will continue to remain suspended till further notice,” a statement from the Railways said.
It may be noted that 230 Special Trains, which are running at present, will continue to operate. Local trains in Mumbai, which are presently being run on limited basis only on the requisition of state government, will also continue to run, it said.
- PTI
Delhi records 8 deaths due to COVID-19, lowest in over 2 months
The national capital recorded 1,257 fresh coronavirus cases, and eight deaths, the lowest in over two months, in the last 24 hours, authorities said on Tuesday.
This is the first time in over two months that the daily number of deaths has dropped below 10, according to the Delhi government’s health bulletin.
On August 5, Delhi had recorded 11 COVID-19 deaths, indicating a significant improvement in the situation in the city.
The city has so far recorded a total of 1,47,391 cases, of which 1,32,384 people have recovered, been discharged or have migrated.
India’s single-day count of COVID-19 cases more than that of US, Brazil in past 7 days: WHO data
For the past seven days, India’s single-day count of COVID-19 cases has been more than that of the US and Brazil, the two worst-hit nations in terms of infections, according to an analysis of World Health Organisation (WHO) data.
India, the third worst-hit nation in terms of infections, has also accounted for over 23% of the cases and more than 15% of the deaths reported worldwide between August 4-10, the data shows.
India recorded 4,11,379 COVID-19 cases and 6,251 deaths due to the disease in a span of seven days till August 10, while the US which is at the number one spot in terms of both cases and deaths, registered 3,69,575 infections and 7,232 deaths during the same period.
1,417 new cases in Kerala; 36 health workers also infected
Kerala continued to witness a spike in COVID-19 infections reporting 1,417 cases on Tuesday, including 36 health workers, as the death toll climbed to 120 with five more fatalities.
As many as 1,426 people recovered from the infection today, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told reporters here.
At least 1,242 had been infected through contact and the infection source of 105 people was not known, he said
56 coronavirus deaths, record 5,041 fresh cases in Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday reported its highest single-day spike of 5,041 COVID-19 cases, while 56 more people died due to the infection.
The total number of cases in the state now stands at 1,31,763 and fatalities at 2,176, Additional Chief Secretary (Medical and Health) Amit Mohan Prasad told reporters here.
However, the state health bulletin put the number of fresh cases at 5,130 in the past 24 hours.
On Monday, the state’s COVID-19 tally stood at 1,26,722.
Karnataka to work towards bringing down death rate and enhance contact tracing
Karnataka will take all steps to implement Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s suggestions to bring the COVID-19 spread under control, Medical Education Minister K. Sudhakar said on Tuesday.
The State has also placed several requests before the the Prime Minister including doubling of graduate and post graduate medical seats and setting up of liquid oxygen plants as part of COVID management.
Speaking to reporters after attending the video conference by Mr. Modi along with Chief Ministers of 10 states to discuss COVID-19 situation, he said, these states constitute more than 80% of the six lakh active cases in the country, and containing it here will be crucial in fight against the pandemic.
Former President Pranab Mukherjee’s health condition worsens post brain surgery
Former President Pranab Mukherjee’s health condition has worsened and he continues to be on ventilatory support following an emergency life-saving surgery for a brain clot , the Army’s Research and Referral (R&R) Hospital said on Tuesday.
Mr. Mukherjee was admitted to R&R hospital at 12:07 p.m. on Monday in a critical condition.
“The former president who underwent lifesaving emergency surgery for brain clot on August 10 has not shown any improvement and his health status has worsened. He remains on ventilatory support,” the Hospital said in an evening health bulletin. He was also found to be COVID-19 positive, it stated.
Mamata Banerjee raises issue of financial dues to West Bengal during COVID-19 meeting
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Tuesday raised the issue of West Bengal’s financial dues from the Centre during a video conference on the pandemic and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure that the Centre issues guidelines on which vaccine to be procured and used to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
The video conference was convened by Modi for chief ministers of 10 states, including West Bengal, to discuss the situation arising out of coronavirus in the country.
— PTI
"The pandemic has grown and so has our understanding of it": Health Secretary
"Neither the Union or State governments should be overawed by the number of positive people per day...we advise a home isolation under medical care and control, where on a daily basis the health parameters are monitored physically or telephonically," the Health Secretary stated.
"Less than 1% of hospitalised people are on ventilators, less than 3% are on oxygen and less than 4% of active cases are in the ICU," he claimed.
On why the government did not go for aggressive testing before, Mr. Bhushan said: "The pandemic has grown and so has our understanding of it."
"There is a group of subject experts in the Health Ministry, headed by Direector-General Health Services, is working on the guidance note on people who have recovered and may encounter possible complications," he assured.
— Delhi Bureau
"Expert's group on vaccine administration to meet on Wednesday": Health Secretary
Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said that in India, three vaccine candidates are under trial. The first one was developed in Oxford, U.K. In agreement with Serum Institute of India, it will be manufactured in India. Its Phase-1 trial in U.K. is over and Phase-2 is undergoing in UK and South Africa, Phase 3 is going on in Brazil and in India, Phase 3 trials are being initiated
He added: "Central government has set up a national expert's group on vaccine administration, which will meet on Wednesday. It is headed by Niti Aayog Member (Health) and its co-chair is Health Secretary. Its terms of reference are on how to select a suitable vaccine, how to procure it, how to get it delivered and how to prioritise the groups to which it has to be given, logistics to be employed and making plans to raise funds for procurement."
On a question if the government will procure vaccine from Russia, the Health Secretary said it cannot be answered at this stage.
"The issues of requirement of vaccine and various modalities of funding and procurement of a possible vaccine are being discussed. We have also consulted a large number of stakeholders and made some projections. It would be premature to share the projections at this stage," he said.
Decrease in percentage of active cases from 88.83% in March 31 to 28.21% on Tuesday: Health Secretary
Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said: "The number of recovered patients is currently 15,83,489. In the past week, the average recovery is now more than 50,000. Early identification of cases is leading to decrease in percentage of active cases, from 88.83% on March 31 to 28.21% on Tuesday."
Mr. Bhushan claimed that the early identification of cases is leading to decrease in percentage of active cases, from 88.83% in March 31 to 28.21% on Tuesday.
— Delhi Bureau
All States/UTs are performing more than 140 tests per day per million population: Health Secretary
Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said, "The Prime Minister also specifically referred to the fact that there are States, including Bihar, Gujarat, U.P., West Bengal and Telangana, where there is a need to increase the testing rate, as the positivity rate in these States are on the higher side."
He added: "Total 2.5 crore tests have been conducted so far, the highest was 7,19,364 tests in one day this week. The number of recovered patients are over 15 lakh. The highest recovery in 24 hours was 54859 patients.
"24 States/UTs have better tests per million than the national average of 18,320. The maximum no. of tests (94,773) has been conducted by Goa and minimum of 18685 has been done in Uttarakhand," claimed Mr. Bhushan
"All States/UTs are performing more than the WHO guideline of more than 140 tests per day per million population," assured Mr. Bhushan.
"The national average for tests per day per million population stands at 506, the maximum of 1,577 is in Goa, and the minimum of 203 in Chhattisgarh," he said.
— Delhi Bureau
States should ensure contact tracing, isolation and treatment of COVID-19 patients: Health Secretary
At a press conference, Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said: "The Prime Minister today reviewed the ground situation with the Chief Ministers of 10 States, which account for 80% of active cases and about 81% of deaths related to COVID-19."
He added: "Chief Ministers of the 10 States shared their experiences with the Prime Minister, who then gave directions to the States and the Health Ministry. The Prime Minister said that containment, contact tracing and surveillance are key in the fight against COVID-19."
The Health Secretary appealed to the State governments to ensure that the close contacts of COVID-19 patients be traced subsequently tested, isolated or hospitalised in the first 72 hours, to check spread of the virus. He echoed the Prime Minister when he said that the efforts should be made to keep the fatality rate below 1%. Right now it is 1.99%
"Prime Minister also said that the three measures (containment, contract tracing and surveillance) could be implemented effectively and it had worked well in the National Capital Region," stressed Mr. Bhushan
— Delhi Bureau
Cochin International Airport incurs loss of ₹72 crore in first quarter on account of COVID-19 restrictions
Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) registered a profit of ₹204.05 crore during 2019-20.
The holding company, having 100 per cent shares in subsidiaries like Cochin Duty Free and Retail Services Ltd (CDRSL) registered a consolidated turnover of Rs. 810.08 crore.
However, the company registered a loss of around ₹72 crore in the first quarter of 2020-21 "owing to the travel restrictions imposed globally due to the covid-19 pandemic".
— Special Correspondent
Delhi HC asks State govt. to treat as representation, petition seeking to restrain company from selling 'Corona Oven'
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday asked the government to treat as representation a petition seeking to restrain a company from selling its product 'Corona Oven' which claims to sterilize household items and consumables from COVID-19.
A bench of Chief Justice D.N. Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan asked the government to expeditiously decide on the representation after giving a hearing to all the parties including the company.
The petition filed by Green Dream Foundation, an NGO, said 'Corona Oven' claimed to sterilize PPE kits so that they can be reused by medical personnel while treating COVID-19 patients.
— Delhi Bureau
Coronavirus breaks out again in New Zealand after 102 days
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Tuesday said authorities have found four cases of the coronavirus in one Auckland household from an unknown source, the first reported cases of local transmission in the country in 102 days.
Ardern said Auckland, the nation’s largest city, will be moved to Alert Level 3 from midday Wednesday through midnight Friday, meaning that people will be asked to stay at home, while bars and many other businesses will be closed.
— AP
Coronavirus transmission risk increases along wildlife supply chains, says study
Coronaviruses, the family of viruses which includes the COVID-19 causing SARS-CoV-2, is amplified along wildlife supply chains from traders to large markets to restaurants, according to a study which says the maximal risk is for end consumers of such products, likely explaining how these viruses jump species to humans.
In the research, published in the journal PLOS ONE, coronaviruses were detected in a high proportion of bats and rodents in Vietnam from 2013 to 2014, with an increasing proportion of positive samples found along the wildlife supply chain.
— PTI
COVID-19 recovery rate nears 70%, case fatality rate falls below 2%: Govt.
Successful implementation of containment strategy, aggressive testing coupled with standardized clinical management of critical patients have resulted in the rise of COVID-19 recovery rate to nearly 70% while the case fatality rate has fallen below 2%, the Union Health ministry said on Tuesday.
With more patients recuperating and being discharged from hospitals and home isolation (in case of mild and moderate cases), the total recoveries have jumped to 15,83,489 with 47,746 patients getting discharged in a span of 24 hours, it said.
— PTI
No parade during Independence Day celebration in Odisha this year
In view of the outbreak of COVID-19, the Odisha government has decided to keep the Independence Day celebration a low-key affair by not organising parade or march past this year.
A letter written by the Home Department to the district collectors said, the state government is in favour of discouraging large gatherings to contain the spread of the disease.
— PTI
Virus surge makes U.S. weak link in global economic recovery
People in China are back to buying German luxury cars. Europe’s assembly lines are accelerating. Now the global economy is waiting for the United States to get its coronavirus outbreak under control and boost the recovery, but there’s little sign of that.
The United States’ fumbling response to the pandemic is casting doubt on its economic prospects and making it one of the chief risks to a global rebound.
— PTI
Coronavirus breaks out again in New Zealand after 102 days
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Tuesday that authorities have found four cases of the coronavirus in one Auckland household from an unknown source, the first cases of local transmission in the country in 102 days.
Ardern said Auckland, the nation’s largest city, will be moved to Level 3 from midday Wednesday, meaning that people will be asked to stay at home and bars and many other businesses will be closed.
— AP
Cop issuing challans for not wearing masks fined as he himself was without one
A police officer issuing challans to people for not wearing masks here, even as he himself did not have one on, got a taste of his own medicine when the superintendent of police pulled him up for it.
The incident took place on Monday when Baundi police station SHO Subhash Chandra Singh was handing out challans to villagers, cyclists and pedestrians and also advising them to wear masks.
Some villagers claimed they were fined even though they had their faces covered with ‘angocha’ towels.
— PTI
Shivraj Singh Chouhan tests negative for coronavirus
A Twitter image posted by Shivraj Singh Chouhan, at a COVID-19 isolation ward in Bhopal.
Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan has tested negative for COVID 19. In a tweet on Tuesday, the Chief Minister stated: "My COVID-19 report is negative. On the advice of doctors, I will be in isolation till tomorrow. I sincerely thank the doctors, nurses and the entire team."
On July 25, Mr. Chouhan had announced on Twitter that he had tested positive for COVID-19. He was admitted to Chirayu Hospital, a private COVID-19 facility, for treatment.
’Blood test may tell if you are at risk of severe COVID-19 infection’
A simple blood test may predict the risk of severe COVID-19 infection, say scientists who have identified a particular molecular signature in the blood that increases the chances of hospitalisation by 5 to 10 times in people infected by the novel coronavirus.
The test can be used to identify people who’ll need special precautions to avoid infection and prioritise those in most need of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to the scientists at Nightingale Health, a biotechnology company in Helsinki, Finland.
— PTI
Maharashtra: Man escapes COVID-19 facility, found dead on road
Hours after he escaped from a COVID-19 centre in Amalner in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon district on August 10, a 32-year-old man was found dead on road, police said on Tuesday.
The patient, a resident of Wawade village in the north Maharashtra district, located over 400 kms from here, was admitted in the facility in Amalner tehsil on Monday morning, an official said.
— PTI
Russia registers virus vaccine, Putin’s daughter given inoculated with it
Russian President Vladimir Putin says that a coronavirus vaccine developed in the country has been registered for use and one of his daughters has already been inoculated.
Speaking at a government meeting Tuesday, Putin said that the vaccine has proven efficient during tests, offering a lasting immunity from the coronavirus.
Putin emphasized that the vaccine underwent the necessary tests. He added that one of his two daughters has received a shot of the vaccine and is feeling well.
— AP
Pranab Mukherjee in critical condition, former President on ventialtor support
Former President Pranab Mukherjee continues to remain critical and is on ventilator support, the Army’s Research and Referral (R&R) hospital said on Tuesday, a day after he underwent a brain surgery.
The 84-year-old was admitted to the military hospital around noon on Monday, and had also tested positive for COVID-19 prior to the surgery.
— PTI
COVID-19: ‘Focused testing’ strategy paying dividends, says A.P. CM
A “focused testing” strategy to detect COVID-19 cases early was paying dividends as Andhra Pradesh succeeded in keeping the peak positivity rate below 20 per cent, while “rigorous clinical management” ensured the mortality rate remained below one per cent, Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy said.
Community-basedtargeted testing, testing of every primary and secondary contact of positive cases and testing of all high-risk category patients in containment zones have been the governments focus in combating the pandemic, he noted.
— PTI
Ban on flights to Kolkata from six cities extended till Aug 31
Suspension of passenger flights to Kolkata from six metros with high prevalence of COVID-19 cases has been extended till August 31, a senior government official said on Tuesday.
Earlier, the temporary restriction on the arrival of flights to Kolkata airport from Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Nagpur and Ahmedabad was extended till August 15, amid the surge in coronavirus cases in the state.
— PTI
Separate containment zones, 100% screening, isolation, tracing and treatment key to tackling pandemic: Narendra Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi went on to stress on the need for social distancing, usage of masks etc. He urged people to undergo coronavirus testing within 72 hours of coming in contact with individuals diagnosed with the virus.
"With the help of Aarogya Setu app, contact tracing can be done. We saw in 5 districts in Haryana and even in Delhi the situation was dire but we set up a new committee under Home Minister Amit Shah and turned the situation around," said the Prime Minister.
He added: "The template for this is the same for all, to separate containment zones, 100% screening, isolation, tracing and treatment The most effective thing is your experience in your States and success have been based on your good models of containment."
"The 10 states who have met today where maximum cases exist, are key to our success in combating the disease," he expressed.
— Delhi Bureau
Bihar, U.P., Gujarat, West Bengal and Telangana need to increase testing: Narendra Modi
Narendra Modi firmly stated that his government's aim is to reduce the fatality rate to less than 1% can also be achieved
"We have been able to get much clarity on the route ahead. For instance, in the states where testing rates are low, and positivity rate is high. Thus, testing has to increase in such states. This includes Bihar, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Telangana," the Prime Minister said.
Mr. Modi added: "Contact tracing is the biggest strategy here. Experts are now saying that if we can identify and trace the infection in the first 72 hours, the disease treatment is easier"
— Delhi Bureau
Centre and states have been able to foster a team spirit in fight against coronavirus: Narendra Modi
In his address to the Chief Ministers of ten states, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: “Discussing the (coronavirus) situation with all gives us in-depth knowledge of the situation and on the way ahead.”
He added that the virus is bringing new challenges in its wake. "However, I’m relieved to see that all States are fighting the disease to the best of their abilities and the Centre and states have been able to foster a team spirit in this fight," the Prime Minister claimed.
"This sense of unity is a big thing. Today, 80% of active cases are in the 10 states whom you represent," he told the Chief Ministers.
"Across the country, there are more than 6 lakh active cases which are mostly in these 10 states. Therefore it is important that we talk and exchange best practices and learn from each other’s experience," urged Mr. Modi.
— Delhi Bureau
’COVID Bandhus’ of Odisha’s Ganjam provide succour in fight against virus
Around 700 people whorecovered from COVID-19 in Odisha’s Ganjam district have come forward to assist the administration in persuading symptomatic people to go for testing and also helping them with counselling to drive out the anxieties related to coronavirus, officials said on Tuesday.
Ganjam, considered the coronavirus hotspot in the state as it has reported over 13,000 cases, launched a programme named ‘COVID Bandhu’ to rope in those who have recovered, they said.
— PTI
Punjab CM asks Narendra Modi for liberal financial package to fill collection gap caused by pandemic
Amid surge in COVID-19 cases and 50% revenue decline for the first quarter of this fiscal in Punjab, Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh sought from Prime Minister Narendra Modi a liberal financial package for states to fill the collection gap caused by the pandemic, and also flexibility on COVID-19 related terms of expenditure in SDRF
Two more die of coronavirus in Puducherry; toll mounts to 91
Two more people succumbed to COVID-19 and 276 fresh cases were reported on Tuesday in Puducherry, where the aggregate touched 5,900.
Health Minister Malladi Krishna Rao told a virtual press conference that while one patient aged 44 died at Indira Gandhi Government Medical college (IGGMC) hospital here, the other aged 69 passed away at a private hospital in the last 24 hours.
— PTI
Advocate in Uttar Pradesh’s Banda dies due to COVID-19
An 59-year-old advocate here has succumbed to COVID-19, an official said on Tuesday.
Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Banda, Santosh Kumar, said the advocate, also a Samajwadi Party worker, was referred to Kanpur for treatment of COVID-19. He succumbed to the disease during treatment on Monday, the CMO said.
— PTI
Coronavirus | Narendra Modi interacts with CMs of 10 States
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday is holding consultations with Chief Ministers of around 10 States on the coronavirus situation .
Chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Punjab, Bihar, Gujarat, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh have been invited for the virtual meet.
— PTI
Poet Rahat Indori tests coronavirus positive, hospitalised
Noted poet and lyricist Rahat Indori on Tuesday said he has tested positive for coronavirus. He is admitted in the ICU of a hospital in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore city, an official said.
“After initial symptoms of COVID-19, my corona test was done yesterday which came out positive. Pray that I defeat this disease as soon as possible,” Mr. Indori, 70, tweeted.
— PTI
PM’s virtual meet on COVID-19: T.N. CM urges Centre to share 50% RT-PCR test cost
During a video conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, T.N. Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami requested the PM to fund 50% of the cost of the PCR tests from the PM CARES fund.
He also requested the Centre to provide funds to Tamil Nadu for procuring high-end ventilators.
The CM also informed that orders have been placed by the Tamil Nadu government for
*5.25 crore triple-layer face masks
*48.05 lakh N-95 masks
*41.3 lakh PPE kits
*43.26 lakh RT-PCR testing kits
- Dennis S. Jesudasan
Sabarimala pilgrimage: COVID-19 negative certificate must for darshan
The Sabarimala temple festival beginning November 16 will be held as per the COVID-19 protocol and pilgrim flow will be regulated through the virtual queue system, Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran has said.
5 staffers test positive; Meghalaya HC to be shut till Aug 12 for sanitisation
The Meghalaya High Court was closed on Monday and it would remain so for two more days as the court premises was being sanitised after five of its officials tested positive for coronavirus, an official said in Shillong.
The high court will be shut till Wednesday following COVID-19 sanitisation protocols, High Court Registrar General B. Mawrie said.
“The (five) officials are asymptomatic and otherwise healthy. For the present, they are undergoing self isolation at the High Court Guest House. They are being monitored round the clock,” Mawrie said in a statement.
She said that there is a need to sanitise the entire high court premises as it is a public place.
- PTI
COVID cases among TTD staff touch 743
A recent photo of people standing in queue to secure Tirumala darshan coupons, in Tirupati.
The number of COVID-19 cases among TTD employees has touched 743. While three succumbed to the virus, 402 employees have recovered and are attending to their duties. The remaining 338 staff are undergoing treatment at the TTD rest houses – Srinivasam, Vishnunivasam and Madhavam at Tirupati – that have been converted into COVID centres.
Central govt. pats Telangana for innovative HITAM app
Health worker collect a swab sample of a woman at a government fever hospital of COVID-19 free testing centre in Hyderabad on August 10, 2020.
The State government’s initiative in introducing Home Isolation Telemedicine and Monitoring (HITAM) app for monitoring and providing telemedicine facilities to patients in home isolation has received appreciation from the Central government.
Asymptomatic, those with mild symptoms to get home quarantine
Only those who are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms will be allowed to be in home isolation or home care as per the revised guidelines for COVID 19 patients issued by the State government on Monday. The guidelines were revised following the evolving situation of COVID-19 in the State and recent revision of guidelines by the Centre.
78% of rural India stopped work during lockdown, says survey
Stray dogs seen taking a nap at Indira Gandhi Municipal Corporation (IGMC) Stadium where COVID-19 mobile testing centre was testing the people in Vijayawada on August 10, 2020
Almost 80% of rural Indians saw their work coming to a standstill during the COVID-19 lockdown, with only 20% getting work under the Centre’s employment guarantee scheme, according to a survey conducted by Gaon Connection Insights and the Lokniti-Centre for the Study of Developing Societies about two months into the lockdown.
CM discharged from hospital, advised home quarantine
Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa was discharged from hospital on Monday evening after winning the fight against COVID-19. The 77-year-old had been admitted to Manipal Hospital on HAL Airport Road on August 2 after he tested positive.
Gyms open with restrictions
Keeping fit: People working out at a gym in Pattalam, Chennai, on August 10, 2020
Gyms in T.N. reopened on Monday, after a gap of five months, with a lot of restrictions to prevent spread of COVID-19.
The fitness industry which was on the verge of collapse, is now back on the road to recovery and the government’s decision has brought cheer to gym owners and trainers. However, not many members turned up for workout on the first day and some owners have delayed the reopening due to safety concerns.
