The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has given nod to the Serum Institute of India (SII) for conducting phase 2 and 3 human clinical trials of a COVID-19 vaccine candidate, developed by the University of Oxford, in the country.
Government officials told PTI that the approval for conducting phase 2 and 3 clinical trials by the SII was granted by DCGI Dr.V.G. Somani late Sunday night after a thorough evaluation based on the recommendations of the Subject Expert Committee on COVID-19.
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Here are the latest updates:
Delhi CM gives cheque for Rs 1 Cr to family members of medical practitioner who died of COVID-19
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal met with the family members of Joginder Chaudhary, a medical practitioner who died of COVID-19 in the city, and handed over a cheque for Rs 1 crore as financial assistance on Monday.
Dr. Chaudhary (27), who worked at the Delhi government-run Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College and Hospital (BSAMCH), succumbed to COVID-19 last week.
“Our Corona Warrior Dr Joginder Chaudhary, posted in a Delhi government hospital, served patients by putting his life at stake. Dr. Chaudhary passed away recently due to the coronavirus infection. Today, I met with his family members and handed over a cheque for Rs 1 crore as financial assistance. Will help the family in every possible way,” Mr. Kejriwal said in a tweet Hindi.
Dr. Chaudhary tested positive for COVID-19 on June 29.
Doctors are treating patients during the pandemic day and night without caring for their lives and Dr. Chaudhary was one such COVID warrior of Delhi, a statement issued by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government said.
The relentless work of the doctors, nurses, sanitation workers and other medical officers have yielded significant results as the number of coronavirus cases is coming down with every passing day, the statement said. - PTI
Manipur CM inaugurates 300-bed Covid Care Centre
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Monday inaugurated a 300-bed Covid Care Centre (CCC) at Manipur Trade and Expo Centre, Lamboikhongnangkhong in Imphal West District.
Briefing media persons, the chief minister said that there is evidence of community transmission of the disease in the state.
Manipur has reported 2,920 COVID-19 cases till Monday.
The total active cases in the state is 1,147 as 1,766 people have recovered from the disease and seven have died.
He said that awareness among the people is very much needed to contain further spread of the disease and appealed to the people to come out openly for early treatment instead of concealing their COVID-19 status if tested positive. - PTI
CPI(M) leader Mohammed Salim tests positive for COVID-19
CPI(M) politburo member Mohammed Salim on Monday said he has tested positive for COVID-19 and experiencing “very mild symptoms“.
The 63-year-old former MP from Raiganj constituency has been admitted to a private hospital here.
“I have tested positive for Coronavirus with very mild symptoms but I got myself admitted into a hospital as per the advice of my attending doctor. This decision also aims at avoiding all kinds of risks of infection amongst my friends, family & neighbours,” Salim said in a tweet. - PTI
COVID-19 vaccine pact with India’s Wockhardt will guarantee supply: U.K. govt.
The U.K. government on Monday said that its new manufacturing pact with the Mumbai-based global pharmaceutical and biotechnology company Wockhardt will guarantee the supply of millions more doses of a COVID-19 vaccine whenever it is ready.
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy confirmed it has entered into an 18-month agreement with the company to carry out the crucial “fill and finish” stage of the manufacturing process, which involves dispensing the manufactured vaccine substance into vials ready for it to be distributed.
Described as an essential part of the vaccines supply chain, the deal means Wockhardt will provide these services for the U.K. government and producers of vaccines being developed around the world in large quantities.
“Ensuring the U.K. has the capability to research, develop and manufacture a safe and effective vaccine is critical in our fight against coronavirus,” said U.K. Business Secretary Alok Sharma.
“Today we have secured additional capacity to manufacture millions of doses of multiple COVID-19 candidates, guaranteeing the supply of vaccines we need to protect people across the U.K. rapidly and in large numbers,” he said. - PTI
Lockdown dates changed in WB for the second time
The West Bengal government on Monday changed for the second time the dates for the complete lockdown in the state to check the spread of COVID-19.
As per the new changes the lockdown will be enforced on August 20 and 21 and August 27 and 28, instead of August 16, 17, 23 and 24 as announced earlier, the government order said.
The other lockdown dates - i.e August 5, 8 and 31 are unchanged.
The state government had on July 28 withdrawn the complete lockdown on August 2 and 9 paring down the number of lockdown days from nine to seven. - PTI
All shops in Mumbai shall remain open on all days on all sides of the road irrespective of even and odd formula, announced Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Monday. - Alok Deshpande
Many ATMs in West Bengal running short of cash due to COVID-19 restrictions
Several ATMs in West Bengal are running short of currency as private entities entrusted with the cash-filling task are operating with skeletal staff, sources said on Monday.
Many lenders have outsourced the exercise to such entities, who are responsible for the maintenance and operation of ATMs in the state, they said.
West Bengal convenor of All India Bank Officers Confederation (AIBOC) Sanjay Das said these private companies generally withdraw money from chests every Friday, since banks in the state are shut on Saturday and Sunday. - PTI
Restrictions on liquor shops in Telangana lifted
The Telangana government on Monday decided to allow liquor shops here to be open till 11 pm thereby lifting the restrictions imposed on them in the wake of the virus spread.
The timings for the retail liquor outlets have been restored to their original timings, said a notification issued by the director, prohibition and excise.
The shops in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation area were allowed to sell from 10 am to 11 pm while those in the rest of the state were open from 10 am to 10 pm.
This was in accordance with the licence agreement with the government.
As of Sunday, the outlets in the state were open from 10 am to 9.30 pm. - PTI
Rahul takes dig at PM as India reports over 50K COVID-19 cases for 5th consecutive day
With the country reporting over 50,000 COVID-19 cases for the fifth day in a row, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took a swipe on Monday at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had said “the right decisions at the right time means India is better off“.
Mr. Gandhi put up a graph on his Twitter account showing India at the top of the chart of 10 countries with the highest number of coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours.
India reported 52,972 COVID-19 cases on Monday, as the tally of such cases crossed the 18-lakh mark in the country.
“The right decisions at the right time means India is better off than other countries. PM,” Mr. Gandhi wrote on Twitter.
After India, the graph showed the USA with 47,511 cases, Brazil with 25,800 cases, Peru with 21,358 cases and Colombia with 11,470 cases in the last 24 hours. - PTI
Doctors’ body in West Bengal urges separate facilities for healthworkers
The doctors’ body that had been vocal against the West Bengal government’s handling of the COVID-19 situation but is now partnering it in fighting the pandemic, has suggested a series of measures to unclog hospitals and boost
The measures recommended by West Bengal Doctors’ Forum include creation of a dedicated facility for treating healthcare providers who test positive; cutting down on formalities (which include the long wait for approval from insurance companies) that delay the discharge of patients from hospitals; and forming of a uniform isolation protocol that will also help free beds.
BJP to TMC: withdraw lockdown on August 5 for celebration of bhoomi pujan in Ayodhya
Taking a swipe at the West Bengal government for selecting August 5 for Covid-19 lockdown when ‘bhoomi pujan’ (groundbreaking rituals) in Ayodhya for the construction of Ram temple is scheduled, the State BJP on Monday demanded the TMC Ministry to shift the date like it did for the Eid festival.
Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh said the decision (August 5 for lockdown) reflects the ruling party’s strategy to turn “West Bengal into Bangladesh".
- PTI
No intention to allow street vendors to resume biz: Govt to HC
The Maharashtra government on Monday told the Bombay High Court it does not intend to permit street vendors and hawkers to conduct their businesses amid the COVID-19 pandemic as it is not possible to regulate them.
The government filed an affidavit in response to a public interest litigation filed by one Manoj Oswal, raising concerns ofstreetvendorsbeing without income due to the COVID-19 lockdown.
Oswal in his plea argued that since hotels and restaurants are allowed to operate,streetvendorsshould also be allowed to conduct their business activities.
“Considering the present ground realities and the affect that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused on businesses and commercial activities, the state government does not intend to permit street vendors or hawkers to commence their businesses amid and post the lockdown, the government said in its affidavit.
Prasad self-isolates; says he met Amit Shah on Saturday evening
IT and Communications Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Monday said he has gone into self-isolation for a few days as per protocol, since he had met Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday evening.
Mr. Shah, on Sunday, had said he had tested positive for coronavirus and was getting admitted to a hospital following the advice of doctors.
Mr. Prasad, who is also the Law Minister, tweeted on Monday that he has isolated himself at home for a few days, as per protocol.
“Friends! I’m absolutely fine. To follow protocol I hv isolated myself at home for few days as I had met Amit Shah Ji on Saturday evening for n official meeting. I’m working from home & following daily routine including Yoga & exercise. Also reading books & enjoying classical music,” Prasad tweeted.
A source said Prasad does not have any symptoms.
Home Minister Amit Shah was admitted to a private hospital in Gurugram on Sunday. - PTI
6 staff at Karnataka CM's office hit by virus; Governor, Minister fine
Six employees at the Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa’s office have tested positive for COVID-19, official sources said on Monday.
After the Chief Minister tested positive, his office and residence were sanitised. Besides, contact tracing was done during which the six of his staff members were confirmed to have contracted the virus, the sources said.
However, Governor Vajubhai Vala and Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai, whom the Chief Minister had met on July 31, have tested negative.
Officials said random tests were conducted at the Chief Minister’s premises and the six were found infected.
They included a gunman, a driver, and house-keeping staff.
They have been sent to the COVID-19 care centre set up at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BEIC) as they were asymptomatic, sources said. - PTI
Doctors to take final call on admission, discharge of COVID-19 patients
Aiming to free up private hospital beds for COVID-19 patients requiring emergency treatment, the West Bengal Clinical Establishment Regulatory Commission in an advisory said that only the doctor will decide on admission or discharge.
The decision of the examining doctor taken without any extraneous consideration or recommendation will be deemed final, it said.
If the number of waiting patients is more than the number of vacant beds, the doctor on duty would examine each patient and allot beds to the most deserving ones ignoring any extraneous considerations or recommendations. The decision of the doctor on duty will be final and binding upon all, said an advisory from the Commission.
Two-thirds of migrants have returned to cities or wish to do so: survey
Nearly two-thirds of migrant workers, who had left for home due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown, have either returned to cities or wish to do so in absence of skilled employment in villages, according to a new study that surveyed 4,835 households.
The collaborative study on ‘How is the hinterland unlocking’ was carried out by the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India), Action for Social Advancement, Grameen Sahara, i-Saksham, PRADAN, SAATHI-UP, SeSTA, Seva Mandir and Transform Rural India Foundation.
The study is based on a rapid assessment survey of 4,835 households across 11 States in 48 districts carried out in the period of June 24 to July 8.
The study found that 29% of migrants, who had left for villages, are now back in cities, while 45% want to return to cities.
Body on push cart: SHRC calls for a report
Body of a woman, who died due to COVID-19, being taken in a push cart at Gudalur in Theni district on Saturday.
The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) on Monday called for a report from the authorities over an incident in Theni district in which the body of a woman was taken to the burial ground on a pushcart, after an ambulance failed to turn up.
SHRC member A. Chittaranjan Mohandoss took suo motu cognisance of a report published in Hindu Tamil Thisai and called for a report from Theni Collector and the Commissioner of Municipal Administration within four weeks.
According to the report in HinduTamilThisai , a 45-year old woman in Alagupillai Street in Gudalur died after testing positive for COVID-19.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan continues to stay in hospital
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will undergo further hospitalisation after a COVID-19 test conducted on the 9th day returned positive, health officials and a state minister said on Monday.
MP Home Minister Narottam Mishra confirmed the development to reporters and said the CM will stay in hospital for now, adding that the state cabinet meeting scheduled for Tuesday would be a virtual one.
Govt issues guidelines for yoga institutes and gyms
The Union government, in its Unlock 3, allowed yoga centres and gyms to reopen from August. The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare on Monday released guidelines on preventive measures to be taken in these premises to contain the spread of COVID-19
- Gyms and yoga institutes will not be allowed to function in containment zones.
- Individuals must maintain a minimum distance of 6 feet as far as feasible.
- During exercise, people can wear only a visor as masks such as N-95 may cause breathing difficulties.
- Where available, utilize any outdoor space by relocating equipment outside
- Spas, sauna, steam bath and swimming pool shall remain closed
- The practice of Yogic Kriyas may be avoided for the time being.
- Only asymptomatic persons should be allowed in the premises.
- Those having oxygen saturation below 95% should not be allowed to exercise.
- Hand sanitizer stations must be provided near each gymnasium equipments.
- Members should preferably bring their own exercise mats which they may take back with them.
Karnataka Governor tests negative for COVID-19
Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala on Monday underwent COVID-19 test and tested negative, according to an official release from the Raj Bhavan here.
On July 31, Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa and Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai met the Governor at Raj Bhavan and held discussions on various matters related to the administration.
On Sunday Mr. Yediyurappa tested positive for COVID-19 and was admitted to Manipal Hospital in the city.
“After knowing that the Chief Minister tested positive, the Governor, myself and ADG to the Governor have undergone Corona Ag test and tested as negative done on August 3, 2020 at 12.30 p.m” said the official release issued by Tejas Bhatti, personal secretary the Governor.
20 security personnel among fresh COVID-19 cases in Meghalaya
Twenty-eight more people, including 20 security personnel, have tested positive for COVID-19 in Meghalaya, taking the northeastern state’s virus count to 902 on Monday.
Of the new cases, 13 are Border Security Force (BSF) personnel, seven are from the armed forces and eight are civilians.
Kerala CM says no leniency for those who violate protocol
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday said the government would show no leniency to those who refuse to wear masks in public, jump quarantine or fail to maintain physical distance.
Inaugurating the commissioning of 102 family health centres via video link, Mr. Vijayan said he had noticed an incremental slackening of the vigil against the disease in Kerala.
Some people had taken the easing of regulations for granted. They had extended the limits of the COVID-19 protocol mandated restrictions on public conduct by organising and attending mass events with no care for public safety.
(The State’s official case tally reached 25,911, with the reporting of 1,169 new cases on Sunday alone.)
Search on for COVID patients who gave false information in Lucknow
About 2,300 people, who tested positive for COVID-19 in Lucknow, had given false information pertaining to their names, mobile numbers and addresses, a health official said on Monday.
While 1,171 people out of those who gave false information have been tracked, a hunt is on for the others.
These people are not only from Lucknow but other cities also who were tested in the state capital, he said.
COVID-19 tests in India cross 2-crore mark
The total number of tests for detection of COVID-19 has crossed the two-crore mark in India, according to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) data.
A cumulative total of 2,02,02,858 samples have been tested up to August 2 with 3,81,027 samples being tested on Sunday, the ICMR said.
The total number of tests for detection of COVID-19 had crossed the one-crore mark in India on July 6.
Yediyurappa's daughter tests positive
Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa's daughter Padmavathi has tested positive for COVID-19 and has been admitted to the same hospital, where her father is undergoing treatment for the infection.
His son B Y Vijayendra said he was going in for seven days of home quarantine as a precautionary measure. - Tanu Kulkarni
Ravi Shankar Prasad on self isolation
IT and Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has gone into self isolation, as he had met Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday evening.
Mr. Prasad does not have any symptoms and the self-isolation is purely based on existing protocol, a source said.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said that he had tested positive for COVID-19 and is getting admitted to a hospital following the advice of doctors. - PTI
Mizoram to treat infected security personnel, civilian patients at separate COVID-19 hospitals
The Mizoram government has decided to treat coronavirus-infected security personnel and civilian patients at separate COVID-19 hospitals in the state.
Officials observed it was not “medically healthy” to treat infected security personnel and civilian patients at the same hospital.
It was decided that the nursing school in Sercchip town will be reserved for infected Border Security Force (BSF) personnel, while jawans of other paramilitary and armed forces will be treated at the AYUSH Hospital at Thenzawl in Sercchip district and the Tribal Art Centre at Tanhril in Aizawl. Then there is COVID-19 care centre at Zokhawsang near Aizawl for Assam Rifles.
Civilian patients will be treated at the Beraw COVID- 19 care centre and the multipurpose centre at ITI locality in Aizawl. - PTI
Four deaths in Puducherry
Four more COVID-19 deaths were recorded in Puducherry on Monday, taking the toll to 56.
The UT also saw 178 new cases from tests on 782 swabs in the past 24 hours---representing a positivity rate of 22.8 per cent. The case fatality remained at 1.4 per cent.
Puducherry accounted for 125 of the new cases taking the case load across city institutions to 1,032.
Yanam enclave saw 42 new admissions and Karaikal nine while Mahe moved out of green zone status with the detection of two cases.
The tally in the UT is 56 deaths, 1,515 active cases, a cumulative total of 3,982 cases and 2,411 patients discharged. - Dinesh Varma
Restrictions imposed in Kashmir Valley, markets shut
Restrictions were imposed in the Kashmir valley on Monday, with officials saying that the curbs have been enforced as part of efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19.
The restrictions come two days ahead of the first anniversary of the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status.
No movement of people, except essential services and medical emergencies, was being allowed, the officials said.
Karthi Chidambaram tests positive
Congress MP from Sivaganga Karthi Chidambaram has tested positive for COVID-19 and has been under home quarantine.
"I have just tested positive for #Covid . My symptoms are mild and as per medical advice I am under home quarantine. I would urge all those who have recently been in contact with me to follow medical protocol," Mr. Karthi tweeted.
Bihar State CPI secretary Satya Narain Singh succumbs to infection
Bihar State secretary of the Communist Party of India (CPI) and two-time former MLA Satya Narain Singh died of COVID-19 late on Sunday.
Suffering from the pandemic, he was admitted to All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, on July 30 where he died.
“He breathed his last at 9.30 p.m. on Sunday. Before being admitted to AIIMS, Patna, he was undergoing treatment for COVID-19 infection at a private hospital of the State capital,” said an AIIMS doctor.
'Yediyurappa may have to remain in hospital for 8-10 days'
Medical Education Minister Sudhakar K said Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa might have to stay in the hospital for 8 to 10 days.
Dr. Sudhakar said Mr. Yediyurappa has “very mild cough and his chest is clear.”
“All those who met the Chief Minister in the last 3-4 days...ideally they should be quarantined till they receive their results/report. Those who came in contact with him in the couple of programmes will have to isolate themselves and subject themselves for testing,” the Minister said.
Four southern States account for 3,86,171 COVID-19 cases
The cumulative tally in the pandemic for four southern States excluding Tamil Nadu stood at 3,86,171 cases reported as of Sunday.
People throng the Beach Road in Visakhapatnam on Sunday, August 02, 2020.
- Kerala’s case tally was 25,911 on Sunday, with the reporting of 1,169 new cases.
- Telangana’s cases stood at 66,677 as 1,891 more samples tested positive on Saturday (reported on Sunday).
- In Andhra Pradesh, 67 new deaths and 8,555 new cases were reported on Sunday. The overall tally rose to 1,58,764 and the death toll to 1,474. There were 74,404 active cases.
- In Karnataka, 5,532 new positive cases were detected on Sunday; the total was 1,34,819. Also, 84 new deaths were reported, touching a total of 2,496.
Fatality rate in Kalyana Karnataka is lower than State, national average
Even though Kalyana Karnataka region opened India’s COVID-19 fatality account by reporting the country’s first death from one of its cities — Kalaburagi — in the second week of March this year, the region continues to maintain lower death rate as compared to State and national average.
An analysis of COVID-19 data showed that the region recorded a 1.48 % death rate as against the national average of 2.1 % and the State average of 1.86 % as on July 31, 2020.
NGOs join hands with the govt. in the fight against pandemic
Volunteers from Anjuman-e-Islam preparing oxygen cylinders to be distributed free to COVID-19 patients in Belagavi.
Some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are helping poor patients battle COVID-19 by providing them free oxygen cylinders.
The Anjuman-e-Islam committee in Belagavi has tied up with industrial gas industries and plans to provide oxygen cylinders to the needy. The committee will provide 120 cylinders in the first phase. It plans to increase the numbers in the next few weeks.
Assam unlocks as COVID-19 positivity rate declines
The Assam government on Sunday announced a slew of lockdown relaxations but as an experiment for 12 days in view of the decline in the COVID-19 positivity rate. This follows the decision on reopening schools and colleges from September 1 if the situation improves and the Centre gives the go-ahead.
Callers offer BCG vaccine to elderly without mentioning trial
Disinfectant sprayed on buildings in Raja Street, Coimbatore on Sunday during the complete lockdown to check the spread of COVID-19
In the ongoing BCG vaccine trial, a few elderly residents of Chennai have been receiving calls from persons representing the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), offering the vaccine as a “protection” and “immunity booster”. But these residents, who had tested negative for COVID-19, are not being appropriately informed that this is a “trial”.
BCCI advises individuals over 60 to stay away from cricket training
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has advised coaches and support staff members above 60 years of age to be discouraged from participating in training. The suggestion is included in the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for resumption of domestic cricket, which were shared with all the 38 affiliate units of the BCCI on Sunday.
CM warns of action against overcharging pvt. hospitals
A day after the Health Department suspended the recognition of Be Well Hospitals in Kilpauk, Chennai, as a COVID-19 facility after it overcharged a patient, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami has warned of strict action against private hospitals charging in excess.
In a tweet on Sunday, Mr. Palaniswami said that all private hospitals treating COVID-19 patients should display government-recognised treatment costs for the benefit of the people.
A view of the holy gift being taken on behalf of Sri Ranganathar temple to be offerred to the Cauvery river on the ocassion of Aadi perukku festival in Srirangam on Sunday
