The nation has not yet reached any peak or plateau in terms of coronavirus cases which means the situation will probably get worse, cautioned CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) director Rakesh Mishra.
The first ever meeting of the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for coronavirus (COVID-19) decided on Wednesday that India would leverage domestic vaccine manufacturing capacity as well as engage with all international players for the early delivery of vaccines in India as well as in low and middle income countries.
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:
Sikkim reports two new COVID-19 cases
Two persons tested positive for COVID-19 in Sikkim on Thursday, an official said. Both of them are from the South Sikkim district, said Director General-cum-Secretary, Health, Pempa T Bhutia.
At present, 350 COVID-19 patients are undergoing treatment in the State, he said. While 581 patients have recovered from the disease, one person died, Mr. Bhutia added. The State has so far reported 932 cases of COVID-19.
Most of the cases have been detected in East Sikkim where 621 people tested positive, followed by 268 in the South district, 42 in West and one in the North district, he said. Sikkim has so far tested 32,421 samples for COVID-19.
Assam relaxes coronavirus-related restrictions
The Assam government on Thursday announced further relaxations by allowing inter-district movement on weekdays and curtailing the night curfew hours in the State from August 16.
In an order, Chief Secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna said inter-district movement of people will be allowed. Passenger vehicles will be also be allowed to operate with 50% capacity.
Night curfew will continue to remain in force with the movement of individuals strictly prohibited between 9.30 p.m. and 5 a.m. However, no movement will be allowed on Saturdays and Sundays.
No activities will be allowed in containment zones and entry and exit from such zones will remain strictly prohibited, the order said.
Restrictions regarding the opening of shops and business establishments on one side of the road have been withdrawn and all activities allowed earlier shall continue between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m., it said.
City buses and other public means of transport are allowed with 50%capacity, it added.
Social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, religious functions and other large congregations with over 50 persons in attendance shall remain prohibited, the order stated.
Cinema halls, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places of public gathering will also remain closed. Wearing of masks is compulsory in public places and any violation will lead to a fine of ₹1,000 for the first offence, it said.
Persons above 65 years of age and children below the age of ten are advised to stay indoors except for unavoidable health reasons, the order said. The order, fourth in the series of relaxations since July 18, will come into force at 5 a.m. of August 16 and shall remain valid till 9.30 p.m. of August 31. At present, the night curfew remains in place from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
CPI(M) writes to PM Modi over COVID-19 spread in Andaman and Nicobar Islands
There is a health emergency in Andaman and Nicobar Islands due to COVID-19 and urgent measures are necessary to protect lives and provide relief to the people, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday.
In the letter, Mr. Yechury said it was necessary that the Central government took urgent measures to help the people of the region as long distances between the islands of Andaman and Nicobar come in the way of swift treatment.
“As the COVID cases are growing and the deaths are mounting, it is appalling to note that there is only one Centre for testing and only one COVID hospital for all the islands which is in Port Blair.
“The testing conducted here takes eight days for results be known, by which time the patient would have moved into a very critical and irretrievable respiratory condition. Eighteen doctors in this COVID hospital have contracted the virus,” he said.
Bengal records highest one-day jump of 2,997 COVID cases, 56 fresh deaths
The coronavirus caseload in West Bengal rose to 1,07,323 with the highest single-day spike of 2,997 infections on Thursday, the Health Department said.
The COVID-19 death toll also mounted to 2,259 after 56 people succumbed to the disease, the Department said in a bulletin.
It said that 2,497 patients were discharged from hospitals after they recovered from COVID-19, taking the total number of cured people to 78,617. The number of active patients rose to 26,447.
Since Wednesday, 30,032 samples were tested in the State, the bulletin added.
Three police personnel die of COVID-19; 381 test positive
As many as 381 personnel of Maharashtra police tested positive for coronavirus and three died of the infection in the last 24 hours, an official said on Thursday.
With the three new fatalities, the COVID-19 death toll in the State police Department has reached 124, the official said. At least 11,773 police personnel have contracted the deadly infection so far, he said.
A total of 9,416 policemen have recovered from the disease, while 2,233 are undergoing treatment, the official said.
Meanwhile, 2,27,524 cases of violation of prohibitory orders have been registered across the State since imposition of the coronavirus-induced lockdown in March, in which 33,282 persons have been arrested, he said.
About 1.5 lakh people in Berhampur have developed antibodies against COVID-19: Sero-survey
About one-third of the 4.5 lakh population under the jurisdiction of Berhampur Municipal Corporation in Odisha's coronavirus hotspot of Ganjam district has developed antibodies against COVID-19, a senior official said on the basis of sero-survey findings.
Dr. Sanghamitra Pati, director of the ICMR-run Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC) said that about 1.5 lakh people of the area have developed antibodies after being exposed to novel coronavirus.
The serological survey was jointly conducted by RMRC, the Health Department and MKCG Medical College on 2,830 persons between August 3 and August 7.
Mentioning that the RMRC has already submitted its report to the State government, Dr. Pati said, antibody testing was conducted in 25 randomly selected communities, including five slums, and among people falling in high-risk category.
’COVID Coordinator’ a must for large units in Ahmedabad
The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) on Thursday decided to ask all large city establishments to appoint a “COVID Coordinator” on their premises for effective implementation of social-distancing and other norms formulated to stop the spread of the infection.
The decision was taken during a meeting of top AMC officials, the municipal corporation said in a release.
Now, every large commercial establishment in city limits having more than 30 employees is required to designate a COVID-19 coordinator who will be responsible for strict adherence to guidelines, protocols and social-distancing norms among staffers in the respective unit, the release said.
WHO Chief Scientist bats for focus on contact-tracing, testing in fight against COVID-19
The battle against COVID-19 was long drawn and the focus should continue on early contact-tracing, testing and prevention measures, Chief Scientist of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Soumya Swaminathan on Thursday told her, Puducherry Lt. Governor Kiran Bedi said.
The scientist paid a surprise visit to the State Emergency Operation Centre and the COVID-19 war room in Puducherry.
In a whatsapp message to media, Ms. Bedi said during the inspection, Swaminathan was briefed on the working of SEOC to prevent spread of pandemic in the Union Territory.
Ms. Bedi further said, during a telephonic conversation with her, Ms. Swaminathan emphasised on continued adherence to “early contact tracing, testing and prevention plans” and that there should in no way be slackness in continuing the focus.
Punjab reports 36 more deaths; 1,035 new cases take tally to 27,936
Punjab on Thursday reported 36 fatalities due to coronavirus, pushing the death toll to 706, while 1,035 cases took the State’s infection tally to 27,936.
Thirteen fatalities were reported in Ludhiana, five in Jalandhar, three each in Mohali, Kapurthala and Sangrur, two each in Amritsar, Tarn Taran and Patiala and one each in Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur and Rupnagar, according to a medical bulletin.
Two deaths reported from Ludhiana were deleted from the official record as they were counted twice while three other cases of fatalities were also excluded as they tested negative for COVID-19, as per the medical bulletin.
A total of 627 coronavirus patients were discharged after recovering from the infection. So far, 17,839 people have recovered in the State. There are 9,391 active COVID-19 cases in the State as of now, according to the bulletin. Twenty-five patients are critical and are on ventilator support while 142 are on oxygen support, the bulletin said.
A total of 7,23,357 samples have been taken for testing so far in the State, it said.
Tamil Nadu CM to honour frontline workers engaged in fighting COVID-19
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami will honour frontline workers involved in the battle against COVID-19 during the 74th Independence Day celebrations in Chennai, which will also be subdued, the government said on Thursday.
Mr. Palaniswami will unfurl the tricolour at the Secretariat on Saturday, the government said and urged people to avoid visiting the venue personally as the programme will go live on TV and radio.
The Centre had earlier advised the State governments to hold the Independence day celebrations on August 15 with adequate COVID-19 precautions.
Subsequently, it was being advised that there shall be no participation of freedom fighters, since they are senior citizens, students and school children during the celebrations slated on Saturday due to the “extraordinary” pandemic situation, an official release in Chennai said.
M.P. logs highest one-day count of 1,014 cases; 17 die
Madhya Pradesh on Thursday registered its highest single-day count of 1,014 coronavirus cases, including a Parliamentarian, taking the Statewide tally to 42,618, Health Department officials said.
The coronavirus fatality figure rose to 1,065 after 17 more patients succumbed to the respiratory disease during the last 24 hours, the officials said.
Of them, four died in Bhopal, three each in Indore, Jabalpur and Guna, and one each patient succumbed to the infection in Gwalior, Khargone, Vidisha and Shivpuri, they said.
BJP Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh Sumer Singh Solanki has tested positive for coronavirus, the officials said.
Among the record 1,014 cases, the highest - 188 - was reported from Indore, followed by 110 in Bhopal, 83 in Jabalpur and 76 in Gwalior, among other districts, they said.
Also, 596 persons were discharged from hospitals in the last 24 hours, pushing up the number of recoveries to 31,835, the officials said.
The number of COVID-19 cases in Indore, the worst-hit district in the State, rose by 188 to 9,257 and the death toll increased to 340, a State health bulletin said.
The health officials said here are 3,261 active containment zones in the State at present.
COVID-19 recovery rate rises to 70.77%, record high of over 8.3 lakh tests conducted in a day: Government
The COVID-19 recovery rate has risen to 70.77% on Thursday with the total number of patients recuperating from the disease reaching nearly 17 lakh, while the case fatality rate has further declined to 1.96%, the Union Health Ministry said.
With 56,383 patients recuperating in 24 hours, the highest in a day, the total number of recovered patients in the country has surged to 16,95,982 on Thursday.
Besides, India has registered a record high of 8,30,391 tests conducted for detection of the coronavirus infection in 24 hours on Wednesday, as a result of which the cumulative testing as on date has jumped to 2,68,45,688 crore.
In pursuance of the “test, track and treat” strategy, India is geared up to reach the testing capacity of 10 lakh tests per day, the Ministry said.
According to Health Ministry, “record high” recoveries have led to a decline in the “actual caseload” of the country, which is the number of active cases, and currently is only 27.27% of the total cases.
The number of recoveries from COVID-19 exceeded active cases by more than 10 lakh.
Doubles player Sikki Reddy, physiotherapist Kiran George test positive for COVID-19
Shuttler N Sikki Reddy and physiotherapist Kiran George have tested positive for COVID-19 at the ongoing national camp, forcing the closure of the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy in Hyderabad for sanitisation, the Sports Authority of India said on Thursday.
Women’s doubles specialist Sikki and George, who have been attending the national camp at the academy, are both asymptomatic. They had undergone the SAI’s mandatory COVID-19 test for players, coaches and support staff before the start of training on August 7 at the facility.
Nagaland spends ₹112 crore to address needs for COVID-19 preparedness: CM
Nagaland is a revenue deficit State but despite that the government has spent ₹112 crore from its own resources to augment health infrastructure and arrange for non-medical interventions following the outbreak of COVID-19, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said on Thursday.
Making a statement on COVID-19 situation in the State in the one-day session of the Assembly, the Chief Minister also asked people to refrain from stigmatising citizens infected with the virus or the frontline workers who are fighting the pandemic.
For improving the medical infrastructure and putting in place systems, equipment and manpower, Nagaland has spent more than ₹62 crore, out of which only about ₹10 crore came from the Central government and other sources, he said.
The State government spent the remaining ₹52 crore from its own resources, Mr. Rio informed the House.
He said that the total expenditure on various non-medical interventions such as relief to stranded people, distribution of food to the needy, setting up quarantine centres and related arrangements, and bringing stranded people back stands at around ₹74 crore. Of this amount, ₹14 crore came from the Centre.
Few gyms reopen in Bhopal, operators says guidelines tough
Two days after the Bhopal district administration issued guidelines for reopening of gyms, only a handful of such establishments in the city resumed their operations on Thursday. The owners said that the guidelines for reopening of the gyms were hard to follow.
“There are around 220 fitness centres in the State capital. Of them, just five to 10 per cent reopened on Thursday as the guidelines are tough and cumbersome,” Amarik Singh, working committee member of the Bhopal Gymnasiums Association said.
956 new COVID-19 cases take Delhi tally to 1,49,460; death toll climbs to 4,167
Delhi recorded 956 fresh coronavirus cases on Thursday, raising the city’s infection tally to 1,49,460, while the death toll from the disease mounted to 4,167, authorities said. However, the number of tests conducted on Thursday stood at 15,356, according to the latest bulletin issued by the Delhi Health Department.
Fourteen fatalities have been recorded in the last 24 hours, it said. On Wednesday, the daily case count was 1,113 and 14 deaths were reported.
The number of active COVID-19 cases rose to 10,975. According to the bulletin, 1,34,318 patients have recovered, been discharged or migrated so far. The number of people in home isolation stands at 5,762.
The positivity rate on Thursday stood at 6.2% while the recovery rate was over 89%, as per the bulletin.
According to the bulletin, out of the total number of beds in COVID hospitals, 10,694 are vacant.
U.K. begins trials of new COVID-19 smartphone app
The U.K. began trials of a new smartphone app on Thursday designed to track COVID-19 infections within the community, with versions also available in Indian languages such as Punjabi, Gujarati, Bangla and Urdu in order to reach ethnicities not well-versed in English.
The new app is part of the UK’s National Health Service Test and Trace service Test and Trace programme and is being overseen by Indian-origin techie Randeep Sidhu as Head of Product.
The new application, dubbed a state-of-the-art app that is safe, simple and secure, will begin trials this week among residents on the Isle of Wight region on the south coast of England and among NHS volunteer responders across England before expanding to the London borough of Newham.
A U.K.-wide roll-out is expected later this year by which time it will also be available in at least six other languages with the aim of encouraging a large number of people to download it.
Renowned singer SPB stable, says hospital
Veteran singer S.P. Balasubrahmanyam, undergoing treatment for COVID-19 in Chennai, was “stable” and maintaining “normal oxygen saturation,” the private hospital treating him said on Thursday.
He was being monitored by an expert team at the MGM Healthcare, its director Prashanth Rajagopalan said in a bulletin.
The singer-actor admitted with mild symptoms “continues to be stable and is maintaining normal oxygen saturation,” he said.
“He is being monitored by the expert team of clinicians in our High Dependency Unit, Dr. Rajagopalan added.
The 74 year-old singer, who has worked across Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Hindi and Malayalam film industries, was admitted to the hospital on August 5 after cold and “on and off” fever for two-three days then.
56 inmates of juvenile home in Lucknow test positive
Fifty-six inmates and a home guard of a juvenile observation home in Lucknow have tested positive for COVID-19, the Uttar Pradesh government said on Thursday. The home run by the Women and Child Development Department has inmates from three districts, Lucknow, Unnao and Rae Bareli.
While it has a sanctioned capacity of 100, the home currently has 153 inmates lodged in it, the government said. As per the COVID-19 control room, as on August 11, 56 inmates and one home guard tested positive and were asymptomatic.
The District Magistrate has instructed that the home be sanitised within three days and the rest of the inmates be tested in 10 days.
Africa begins continent-wide study of COVID-19 antibodies
An Africa-wide study of antibodies to the coronavirus has begun, while evidence from a smaller study indicates that many more people have been infected than official numbers show, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said on Thursday.
Experts are eager to know the real number of COVID-19 cases in Africa, as confirmed cases and deaths have been relatively low on the continent of 1.3 billion people. Poor data collection, however, has complicated efforts.
But recent surveys in Mozambique found antibodies — proteins the body makes when an infection occurs — to the virus in 5% of households in the city of Nampula and 2.5% in the city of Pemba. That’s while Mozambique has just 2,481 confirmed virus cases. Further studies are under way in the capital, Maputo, and the city of Quelimane.
What is important is far fewer people are coming down with the disease, Africa CDC director John Nkengasong told reporters. How many people are infected and asymptomatic on our continent? We don’t know that. Africa’s young population, with a median age of 19, has been called a possible factor.
The new continent-wide antibodies study will include all African countries, but the ones showing interest to start in the coming weeks are Liberia, Sierra Leone, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Nigeria and Morocco, Nkengasong said.
The African continent reached the milestone of 1 million confirmed cases last week, while global health experts have told The Associated Press the true number is estimated to be several times that. More than 24,000 deaths have been confirmed, and the case fatality rate is 2.2%.
The Mozambique antibodies surveys detected the virus in all neighbourhoods in Nampula and Pemba, National Institute of Health director Ilesh Jani told reporters.
App launched in Odisha to counter misinformation, COVID-19 stigma
As part of its efforts to counter misinformation campaigns on COVID-19, the Odisha government has launched a mobile application, which would provide necessary details and proper guidance to people to help them combat the disease.
The app, developed by the government in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), will generate awareness on the pandemic, especially among the younger population, who account for 55.49% of the state’s total coronavirus count, a senior official said.
Of the 52,653 COVID-19 cases in Odisha, 29,999 are in the age group of 15 to 40 years, and 15,638 in the age bracket of 41 to 60 years, the official said.
“The new app will provide scientific information on COVID-19 in English and Odia. It will help dispel myths and prevent ostracisation of coronavirus patients.
“Videos on safety measures and guidelines to control the spread of the disease, along with other dos and don'ts, are also available on the app. The self-learning software can be downloaded from Google Play Store,” the official said.
Tamil Nadu registers 5,835 fresh COVID-19 cases, State's tally rises to 3,20,355
5,835 persons tested positive for COVID-19 in Tamil Nadu on Thursday taking the State's tally to 3,20,355. 5,146 discharged today and 2,61,459 in total, The State has registered 5,397 deaths till date, 119 of have been recorded today. Total active cases in the State is now 53,499
— Tamil Nadu Bureau
Donald Trump: U.S. Post Office, election funds stalling coronavirus relief talks
Democrat demands that a coronavirus relief bill include federal aid for the currently overtaxed post office and funding for the upcoming U.S. election have become major sticking points in negotiations for legislation members of both say needs to be passed soon, President Donald Trump said on Thursday.
“The items are the post office and the $3.5 billion for mail-in voting,” he told Fox Business Network, saying Democrats want to give the post office $25 billion. “If we don't make the deal, that means can't have the money, that means they can't have universal mail-in voting. It's just can't happen.”
— Reuters
3744 Coronavirus cases in Himachal Pradesh till date
Himachal Pradesh has recorderd 3,744 cases of Coronavirus till date which includes 1,293 active cases. The State has witnessed 2,398 total recoveries and 18 deaths.
Delhi reports 956 fresh cases, State's tally rises to 1,49,460
956 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Delhi in the past 24 hours, taking the total number of cases to 1,49,460, according to a health bulletin released by the Delhi government on Thursday. Also, 14 more deaths have been reported, taking the total number of deaths to 4,167.
Of the total cases, 1,34,318 people have recovered and there are 10,975 active cases.
— Delhi Bureau
Major antibody home test study finds 6% of England COVID-19 infected
An estimated 3.4 million people in England, or around 6% of the population, have contracted coronavirus so far, a new study involving antibody home tests concluded on Thursday.
The study, following what is described as the world’s largest home antibody testing programme involving a finger-prick test, is published by Imperial College London and involved over 100,000 volunteers.
— PTI
Delhi HC junks PIL to include masks, hand sanitizers in list of essential commodities
The Delhi High Court on Thursday dismissed a PIL seeking directions to the Centre to include masks and hand sanitizers in the list of essential commodities during COVID-19 pandemic and also reduce the GST applicable on them, saying these were policy decisions.
A bench of Chief Justice D.N. Patek and Justice Prateek Jalan also said the PIL was “without any substance” as it does not show that the masks and hand sanitizers are not easily available or are being sold at exorbitant prices by traders for them to be included in the list of essential commodities.
— PTI
Kolkata porice issues SOP for its personnel to counter COVID-19
Kolkata Police has drawn up an elaborate standard operating procedure for its personnel to counter the Covid-19 pandemic in a better way, a senior official said on Thursday.
The SOP advises police personnel how to mantain the safety protocol and guard themselves from the contagion while on duty.
— PTI
Siddaramaiah discharged after testing negative for COVID-19
Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who was undergoing treatment at a private hospital here for COVID-19 infection has been discharged after recovery, his office said in a statement on Thursday.
He has been discharged after reports of the second test also came out negative, it said.
— PTI
Uttar Pradesh reports 4,537 new COVID-19 cases, 50 more deaths
Uttar Pradesh reported 50 more COVID-19 deaths and 4,537 new cases of the infection on Thursday.
Additional Chief Secretary (Medical and Health) Amit Mohan Prasad said the total number of cases in the state stands at 1,40,775 and the death toll at 2,280.
— PTI
Jaishankar discusses COVID-19 situation, vaccine cooperation with German Foreign Minister
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday discussed the COVID-19 situation and vaccine cooperation with his German counterpart Heiko Maas.
The two leaders also reviewed developments in Europe and Asia.
— PTI
BE ties up with Janssen Pharmaceutica NV for COVID-19 vaccine production
Biological E Ltd has entered into an agreement with Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, part of pharma major Johnson & Johnson, for creation and enhancement of production capabilities to manufacture the latter’s COVID-19 vaccine.
Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate (Ad26.COV2.S) is currently in Phase 1/2 a clinical trials, a press release from the city-based vaccine maker said on Thursday.
— PTI
COVID-19: U.P. CM asks officials to scale up testing in containment zones
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday stressed on the need to increase coronavirus testing in containment zones.
In a meeting with senior officials to review the COVID-19 situation in the state, Adityanath said efforts should be made to ensure that all those living in containment zones are tested for COVID-19 to achieve the aim of setting up such zones.
He said contact tracing is crucial in fighting the pandemic and follow-up should be done properly as it helps in checking the spread of the infection.
— PTI
India records highest single day recoveries of 56,783; case fatality rate down to 1.96%: Ministry of Health
According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India has posted the highest ever single day recoveries of 56,383. The figure for total recoveries across the country now stands at 17 lakh. The recovery rate has crossed the 70% mark(70.77% today) and the case fatality rate has improved to 1.96%. Currently, active cases constitute only 27.27% of the total positive coronavirus cases in India.
Shun panic, social stigma over COVID-19; take preventive steps, say experts
Amid battling COVID-19, authorities in Telangana are also up against social stigma attached to the disease with a few people even taking the extreme step of ending their lives over fears of its fallout including being ostracised.
Experts say such fears were totally uncalled for and that social stigma was posing a challenge as they pitch for sensitising the people that coronavirus can infect anyone.
— PTI
12 more COVID-19 cases recorded in Meghalaya, tally 1,191
Three Air Force personnel are among the 12 people who have tested positive for COVID-19 in Meghalaya on Thursday, pushing the tally in the northeastern state to 1,191, an official said.
Thirty people were discharged from hospitals, taking the number of recoveries to 547, the official said.
— PTI
121 fresh cases take Tripura’s COVID-19 tally to 6,621; death toll mounts to 44
Tripura’s COVID-19 tally rose to 6,621 with 121 fresh cases, while the death toll climbed to 44 as one patient succumbed to the disease, a health department official said on Thursday.
The fatality was reported from West Tripura district, he said.
— PTI
COVID-19: 11 more deaths, 608 fresh cases in Rajasthan
Eleven more people have died due to COVID-19 in Rajasthan, pushing the toll to 833 while 608 new cases brought the state’s infection tally to 56,708 on Thursday, according to an official report.
Of the fresh fatalities, Jaipur and Bharatpur reported three each; Udaipur and Ganganagar (two each) and Bikaner (one), the report said.
— PTI
French golfer withdrawn from Celtic Classic as precaution
French golfer Alex Levy has been withdrawn from the Celtic Classic, which started on Thursday. Levy came into contact with a friend who has since tested positive for the coronavirus, the European Tour said in a statement.
The contact occurred while Levy was at home in France last weekend. When he arrived at Welsh tournament venue Celtic Manor Resort, he tested negative.
— AP
Can’t allow Jain temples to open amid pandemic: Maharastra to Bombay HC
The Maharashtra government told the Bombay High Court on Thursday that it could not permit Jain temples in the city to open for devotees to mark the festival of Paryushan in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The state said that opening the temples from August 15 to 23 this year, as requested by the Jain community, would lead to an “imminent danger” of the spread of the virus.
— PTI
Zydus Cadila launches generic version of Remdesivir at ₹2,800 per vial in India
Drug firm Zydus Cadila on Thursday said it has launched Remdesivir under the brand name Remdac, used for treating patients suffering from severe symptoms of COVID-19, in the Indian market.
Priced at ₹2,800 per 100 mg vial, Remdac is the most economical Remdesivir brand in India, Zydus Cadila said in a regulatory filing.
— PTI
Tamil Nadu govt. imposes restrictions on Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations this year
Tamil Nadu government has imposed restrictions on celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi in public places in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. "No installation of idols in public and no rallies to immerse idols will be allowed," said the State government in a press release.
Manipur's COVID-19 cases rise to 3982, 13 deaths recorded in State
COVID-19 claimed the life of a frontline worker in Manipur as officials announced the death of Y. Ibungo (37) from Imphal's Mayang, a constable in the Narcotics and Affairs of Border.
Official sources said that he had been under treatment at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal.
With his death the number of persons killed by COVID-19 in Manipur has increased to 13. Dr Khoirom Sashikumar, deputy director and spokesperson in the health department said that in the last 24 hours 41 persons had tested positive for the virus. The number of persons infected in the state has increased to 3982. Out of them, 1739 are of active cases. 76 individuals have recovered.
— Iboyaima Laithangbam
Record 1,981 COVID-19 cases in Odisha push State's tally to 52,653
Odisha on Thursday witnessed the biggest single-day spike of 1,981 COVID-19 cases, which took the state’s tally to 52,653, a health department official here said.
Nine more patients succumbed to the infection, raising the death toll to 314, he said.
Three deaths were recorded in Ganjam district, two each in Cuttack and Mayurbhanj, and one each in Kandhamal and Sundergarh, the official said.
— PTI
Govt. doctors in Varanasi upset with district administration after ACMO’s death
Government doctors in Varanasi have expressed their resentment against the district administration in wake of the death of an Additional Chief Medical Officer who was COVID-19 positive and accused the administration of putting them under undue pressure. Meanwhile, a probe was launched by the BHU hospital after the family of the deceased ACMO was handed over the body of another patient from Ghazipur for cremation in a major goof-up.
More than two dozen medical officers and medical staff of rural and urban PHCs and CHCs in-charge of COVID-19 tendered their resignation, later withdrawn, on Wednesday saying they were unable to function under "mental pressure."
— Omar Rashid
Virus exposes economic, racial divide in French health care
Festering beneath France’s promise of guaranteed health care for all lie deep disparities across economic and racial lines — differences laid painfully bare by the COVID-19 crisis.
Two recent studies have documented these gaps, but government officials haven’t issued new proposals in response. However, as France records a new uptick in virus cases, a health advocacy group called Banlieues Sant Suburbs Health — is trying to help, offering medical care and guidance in poor and migrant-heavy suburbs and neighbourhoods.
— AP
Australia outbreak slows, New Zealand cases grow
The coronavirus outbreak centered in Australia’s second-largest city showed a decline in new infections Thursday, though the state’s leader urged continued vigilance.
Victoria state Premier Daniel Andrews said there were 278 new infections and eight new deaths, down from around 700 daily at the peak of the outbreak.
Daniels said the lower numbers indicate the lockdown restrictions in Melbourne are working but urged people to stay the course.
— AP
Puducherry reports six more COVID-19 deaths, 305 fresh cases
Six more people including three women died of COVID-19 in Puducherry while 305 fresh cases were reported in the union territory, a top Health department official said on Thursday.
The total number of fatalities rose to 102 with the six deaths reported in the union territory during the last 24 hours ending 10 a.m. today, Director of Health and Family Welfare S Mohan Kumar said in a release.
The 305 new cases were detected after examination of 1,082 samples, taking the overall tally to 6,680, he added.
— PTI
Chief of Ram temple trust Mahant Nritya Gopal Das tests positive for COVID-19
Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust Chief Mahant Nritya Gopal Das has been tested positive for COVID-19 in Mathura on Wednesday. Confirming, Sarvagya Ram Mishra, district magistrate, Mathura said the Mahant complained of fever and breathlessness following which doctors were called and a rapid antigen test was conducted which has come out to be positive.
“Doctors who have checked on him have said he was stable. The fever has come down. However, on the directions of the CM, Mahantji is being shifted to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram,” Mr. Ram told reporters.
— Anuj Kumar
Bhutan imposes first nationwide virus lockdown
The Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan has imposed its first nationwide lockdown due to a virus infection in a returning traveler who had been released from quarantine.
The government issued a stay-at-home order for its approximately 750,000 people, and all schools, offices and commercial establishments were closed.
— PTI
COVID-19 effect: T.N. asks public not to attend Independence Day celebrations
The Tamil Nadu government on Thursday advised the general public, school and college students and the elderly not to attend the Independence Day celebrations at Fort St. George (and at district headquarters) on August 15 this year so as to contain the spread of COVID-19.
An official release said instructions had been given to District Collectors to visit the residences of 10 freedom fighters in each district and honour them with shawls by following public health advisories.
— Special Correspondent
Telangana reports 1,931 new COVID-19 cases; Hyderabad Corporation area sees dip in infections
Telangana reported 1,931 new COVID-19 cases, pushing the overall tally to 86,475, while the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), the virus hotspot in the state, witnessed a considerable dip in the number of fresh infections.
Eleven more fatalities took the death toll in the state to 665.
— PTI
103 fresh cases take Arunachal’s COVID-19 tally to 2,430
At least 103 more people, including 44 security personnel, have tested positive for COVID-19 in Arunachal Pradesh, raising the state’s tally to 2,430, a health department official said on Thursday.
Barring one, all the new patients are asymptomatic, State Surveillance Officer Dr L. Jampa said.
— PTI
Over 3 crore N95 masks, 1.28 Cr PPEs, 10 crore HCQ tablets given to states, UTs by Centre for free
The government has distributed more than 3.04 crore N95 masks and over 1.28 crore personal protection equipment (PPE) kits among the states, Union territories and central institutions for free since March 11, the health ministry said on Thursday.
Also, more than 10.83 crore hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) tablets have been distributed among them, it added.
— PTI
Pakistan reports 753 new coronavirus cases
Pakistan reported 753 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, taking the total number of COVID-19 infections in the country to 286,673, the health ministry said.
The Ministry of National Health Services reported on its COVID-19 dedicated website that 10 COVID-19 patients died in the last 24 hours, pushing the number of total deaths to 6,139.
— PTI
Scientists use AI to identify hundreds of COVID-19 drug candidates
A team led by an Indian-origin scientist has used artificial intelligence (AI) to identify hundreds of new potential drugs that could help treat COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, or SARS-CoV-2.
“There is an urgent need to identify effective drugs that treat or prevent COVID-19,” said Anandasankar Ray, a professor at the University of California, Riverside in the U.S.
— PTI
Physical hearing may begin in some Benches in Supreme Court from next week
A committee of seven Supreme Court judges is learnt to have recommended holding physical hearings in at least two or three of its 15 benches in the apex court as early as next week with some additional safety measures.
The apex court, since March 25, has been holding hearings through video conferencing due to a nationwide lockdown and even after the restrictions were relaxed, it has decided to continue with the practice.
The panel, evaluating the court’s opening, told leaders of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and the SCAORA that at least three courts may start holding physical hearings on a trial basis and this will be in addition to the virtual court hearings already in place.
In the forefront of ‘serving’ people
Akshaya Patra Foundation volunteers distributing essential commodities at Kapparada in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday.
Akshaya Patra, which is credited to run the largest school meal programme in the world, has delivered over 7.1 crore servings (till July first week) across the country during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In Andhra Pradesh alone, Akshaya Patra delivered about 1.41 lakh cooked meals and supplied over 30,000 grocery kits. In Telangana, the number was close to 16.6 lakh cooked meals and 90,000 grocery kits, said Chief Executive Officer Shridhar Venkat.
“In addition, with our associate foundation —Hare Krishna Movement — we have delivered close to 1.25 crore cooked meals in Telangana and 1.68 lakh meals in AP,” said Mr. Venkat.
Those who have recovered must be provided a certificate, says expert
With demand growing for the reopening of traditional markets, including the Koyambedu wholesale complex, and the resumption of economic activity, experts have suggested various measures and restrictions to avoid a second wave of COVID-19.
Issuing ‘COVID-19 recovered certificates’ to those who have recovered from the infection is among the suggestions to help people get jobs.
Annavaram temple to be remained closed till August 31
A view of Annavaram temple.
After as many as 50 staff were tested positive, the Sri Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swamivari Devasthanam at Annavaram has decided to stop darshan till August 31.
“No devotees will be allowed for darshan at the temple between August 14 and 23. However, the daily rituals will continue,” an official release quoted temple Executive Officer V. Trinadha Rao as saying.
No outsider including the devotees will be allowed to enter the temple premises from August 14 as the villages surrounding the hill shrine have reported sharp spike in COVID-19 cases, the release added.
Supreme Court to hear plea on COVID-19 ‘mismanagement’ by Centre
The Supreme Court on Friday will hear a writ petition filed by six former bureaucrats, represented by advocate Prashant Bhushan, seeking a Commission of Inquiry to be set up into the “gross mismanagement” of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic by the government.
An Indian vendor wearing a face mask dusts idols on display, as an idol of Lord Ganesha is seen pointing the trident at an image of the coronavirus, ahead of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Hyderabad on Aug. 12, 2020.
18 more Annavaram temple staff test positive
Eighteen more staff of Sri Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swamivari Devasthanam at Annavaram have been tested positive for coronavirus, taking the total to 50.
As many as 32 staff of the temple were tested positive by August 8 and the results for samples collected from 250 staff are awaited.
Jobs for kin of frontline workers dying of COVID-19
West Bengal on Wednesday announced State government jobs to dependants of frontline workers dying of COVID-19. The move is intended to boost the morale of the personnel involved in fighting the pandemic, considering that the mortality rate among them is climbing.
