Coronavirus India lockdown Day 107 updates | July 9, 2020

India has registered over 7.69 lakh coronavirus cases and more than 21,000 deaths till date.

July 09, 2020 09:16 am | Updated July 10, 2020 04:51 pm IST

Policemen stand guard in front of the barricades placed on the Villupuram-Chennai National Highway to restrict the entry of people into Villupuram town to contain the spread of COVID-19, on Thursday, July 9, 2020.

Policemen stand guard in front of the barricades placed on the Villupuram-Chennai National Highway to restrict the entry of people into Villupuram town to contain the spread of COVID-19, on Thursday, July 9, 2020.

As the number of coronavirus cases in the country continue to climb, the Union Health Ministry has asked all the States and Union Territories to ensure that contacts of at least 80% of new COVID19 cases are traced and quarantined within 72 hours of confrmation.

India has registered over 7.69 lakh coronavirus cases and more than 21,000 deaths till date.

Here is a list of State Helpline numbers . You can track coronavirus cases, deaths and testing rates at the national and State levels here .

Here are the latest updates:

10:30 p.m. | Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh to impose lockdown from Friday

U.P. govt will impose lockdown-like curbs to check coronavirus spread from 10 p.m. on Friday to 5 a.m. on Monday, said Chief Secretary R.K. Tiwari

— PTI

9.30 p.m. | West Bengal

Bengal records highest one-day spike of 1,088 COVID-19 cases

West Bengal on Thursday recorded 1,088 COVID-19 cases, its highest single-day spike in infections so far, pushing the tally to 25,911 while a record 27 fatalities in the last 24 hours raised the death toll to 854, the state health department said.

Out of the new deaths, 24 were due to comorbidities where COVID-19 was incidental, the department said in a bulletin.

9.10 p.m. | Surat

Committee to check on use of Tocilizumab in Surat

Following allegations of black marketing and injudicious use of Tocilizumab injection for COVID-19 treatment, the Gujarat government has formed a committee to keep a check on its use in Surat, an official said on Thursday.

The drug is in high demand, as private doctors were prescribing it to almost every COVID-19 patient, which is not advisable, principal secretary (health) Jayanti Ravi said.

8.55 p.m. | New Delhi

2,187 fresh coronavirus cases in Delhi; death toll mounts to 3,258

Delhi recorded 2,187 fresh coronavirus cases on Thursday taking the tally in the city to over 1.07 lakh, while the death toll from the disease mounted to 3,258, authorities said.

Forty five fatalities have been recorded in the last 24 hours, according to the Delhi health department bulletin.

On June 23, the national capital had reported the highest single-day spike of 3,947 cases.

8.25 p.m. | New Delhi

Asia Cup postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic, ICC to follow suit

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) on Thursday postponed the Asia Cup tournament, scheduled for September this year, until June 2021 owing to an upsurge in COVID-19 cases in the region.

The development further clears the way for the Indian Premier League, which the franchise-based event’s organisers are trying to hold from September to November with the T20 World Cup also set to be deferred.

This comes a day after BCCI president Sourav Ganguly announced cancellation of this edition of the continental tournament, the hosting rights of which was with Pakistan

8.10 p.m. | Maharashtra

Kerala reports biggest daily spike of 339 infections

With COVID19 cases continuing to spiral, Kerala on Thursday recorded the biggest single day spike of 339 infections, taking the count to 6,534, as Chief MinisterPinarayi Vijayan cautioned that the state was “very close” to the threat of community spread.

The state reported 133 cases through contact today.

As many as 149 people have recovered from the infection on Thursday and 2,795 people are under treatment,Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told reporters here.

7.50 p.m. | Maharashtra

Maharashtra reports 6,875 new cases

With a massive surge of 6,875 new Covid-19 cases on Thursday, Maharashtra posted its second-highest single-day surge till date as its total case tally crossed the 2.30 lakh mark to reach 2,30,599. As many as 219 new deaths pushed the total death toll to 9,667. Of the total case tally, though, only 93,652 are active ones, said State Health Department officials. With 4,067 patients being discharged today, the cumulative recoveries till date has gone up to 1,27,259. With 1,268 new cases reported today, Mumbai's total case tally reached has 89,124 of whom only 23,785 are active though.

With 68 new deaths reported today, the city's death toll has risen to 5,132. Pune district reported as many as 27 deaths, while significant fatality surges were reported from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) fatalities with Thane reporting 28 deaths, Kalyan-Dombivli reporting 18 and the Bhivandi-Nizampur civic body reporting nine fatalities.

7.30 p.m. | New Delhi

ICMR plans new survey to estimate COVID-19 spread

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is to begin a new survey to estimate the true prevalence of coronavirus infection, senior officials in the Health Ministry said on Thursday.

The organisation is yet to make public the details of its first (April) survey in 60 districts, which found that 0.73% of the population may have been exposed to the virus.

 

7.10 p.m. | Punjab

Punjab to set up plasma bank

The Punjab government will set up a plasma bank to facilitate plasma therapy treatment in the state. The approval for the same was given by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, while chairing a review meeting here via video conferencing, of the COVID-19 situation in the state on Thursday.

The plasma bank would serve as a ready inventory source for seriously ill patients or those at risk of severe diseases, and thus will enable a wider range of adults to be treated with convalescent plasma.

Plasma therapy is already being carried out as an ICMR trial project in the state’s government hospitals.

6.50 p.m. | Punjab

Will write to centre for cancellation of varsity exams: Punjab CM

Maintaining that it is not conducive to hold university and college exams due to the coronavirus outbreak, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Thursday said he will write to the Centre to seek their cancellation.

In an order on July 6, the HRD Ministry had said the exams will have to be conducted by September-end. The decision by the HRD Ministry came following a nod from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Reacting to it, the CM in a press release said coronavirus cases in Punjab are increasing every day and are projected to peak in September, therefore, he was not “ready to risk the lives of students” in these circumstances.

6.35 p.m. | Bhubaneswar

Staff crunch forces AIIMS-Bhubaneswar to shut OPD service

Faced with acute shortage of healthcare staff on account of  coronavirus  ( COVID-19 ) infections and self-isolation, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)-Bhubaneswar announced the closure of its walk-in Out-Patient Department (OPD) for the general public from Friday.

 

6.15 p.m. | Pune

COVID-19 testing stopped at Pune lab post discrepancy in report

A private laboratory in Pune has been stopped from conducting COVID-19 tests following some discrepancy in a report, a senior district official said on Thursday.

District collector Naval Kishore Ram issued an order stating that one of Thyrocare’s labs located in a rural area of Haveli tehsil in Pune district has been stopped from conducting COVID-19 tests.

“A family from Khanapur village in Haveli tehsil underwent COVID-19 tests at a Thyrocare lab. While reports of two family members were negative, the results of a child came out positive for the infection,” the collector said.

5.55 p.m. | Mysuru

A case of challenging contact tracing

The case of an ATM custodian testing positive to COVID-19 and his travel history has worried the Mysuru district administration and the health authorities which have issued a public appeal advising the patient’s contacts to undergo self-imposed quarantine and mandatory tests.

The patient had visited a private clinic near Chikkamarket near Mandi Mohalla on June 28 at 5 pm. Thereafter, he tested positive to the disease. As the visitors to the clinic at the specified time on that particular day would be treated as primary and secondary contacts, the contact tracing has begun and some had been already traced.

But, what has been a cause for concern is the patient’s extensive movement within the city as part of his job – had visited several ATM kiosks belonging to two private banks in seven localities in a span of over three weeks - between June 12 and July 2 perhaps to replenish the cash in the ATMs. The tracing of contacts at the kiosks has become a sort of challenge.

- Shankar Bennur

5.35 p.m. | Uttar Pradesh

17 more deaths, over 1,200 fresh COVID-19 cases in Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh reported 17 more deaths and over 1,200 fresh cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, taking the state’s infection tally to 32,362.

So far, 862 deaths have been reported in the state, Additional Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary (Health) Amit Mohan Prasad said.

The number of active cases has gone up to 10,373, while 21,127 have been discharged from hospitals after recovery, he said.

A total of 1,206 fresh cases have been reported since Wednesday.

5.20 p.m. | New Delhi

Supreme Court dismisses plea on claim about therapy to deal with COVID-19 pandemic

The Supreme Court Thursday refused to entertain a plea which claimed that Soap Aroma Aerosol Action Preventive Therapy (SAAPT) mask was useful and would help in saving the world from COVID-19 pandemic.

A bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan said the apex court cannot investigate the genuineness of such claim and it was for the authorities, including Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), to consider any such proposal.

“We are of the view that it is for the authorities concerned including ICMR to consider any proposal or any scientific invention. This court under Article 32 of the Constitution can neither entertain such claim nor can investigate the genuineness of such claim,” said the bench, also comprising Justices S. K. Kaul and M. R. Shah.

5.05 p.m. | Tamil Nadu

Central team visits COVID-19 facilities in Tamil Nadu, holds discussion with Minister

A central team led by a senior official of the Union Health and Family Welfare department reviewed the pandemic situation in the city on Thursday.

Led by Additional Secretary of Union Health and Family Welfare department Aarti Ahuja, the team held discussions with State Health Minister Dr. C. Vijaya Baskar and senior officials.

The team which includes Rajendra Ratnoo, government of India’s monitoring officer for Tamil Nadu, visited the exclusive COVID-19 hospital at the Tamil Nadu Government Multi Super Speciality Hospital at Omandurar estate here.

It held discussions with Vijaya Baskar, Health Secretary J. Radhakrishnan and other officials.

4.55 pm | New Delhi

It has come to the notice of the Health Ministry that certain drugs are not available freely in the market, therefore the Drugs Controller General of India wrote two letters to the companies which manufacture these drugs, stating that they must put in place 24*7 helplines for the needy and for complaints of overcharging. They must proactively put on their websites details of their distribution and supply lines, says Rajesh Bhushan of Health Ministry.

A group of scientists has submitted findings to WHO, based on which WHO spokeesperson has said that there are indications that the virus may be airborne. It is a dynamic situation, we are keeping abreast with the information coming from WHO. But, you would appreciate that at the initial stage of the outbreak itself, the Prime Minister had emphasised on "2 Gaj Ki Doori".

4.50 pm | New Delhi

Two vaccine candidates in India

Over 100 vaccine candidates in the world are currently at different stages of trial. In India, two of the vaccine candidates are entirely indigenous: by Bharat Biotech International Ltd in coordination with ICMR; and Cadila Healthcare, says the Health Ministry spokesperson.

In both vaccine candidates, animal toxicity studies have been completed after taking proper approval. Drugs Controller General of India has permitted Phase-1 and II clinical trials.  They are yet to start. Their sites have been finalised, he says.

4.45 pm | New Delhi

No community transmission, insists government

COVID-19 has not reached community transmission stage in India, Health Ministry spokesperson reiterated.

Today also, Union Health Minister has said that India has not reached the community transmission stage. In some localised, there are outbreaks. Only 49 districts account 80% of COVID-19 cases, he added.

4.40 pm | Tamil Nadu

The irony...

A volunteer distributes Kabasura Kudineer to people as a preventive measure against COVID-19 at Ambattur Industrial Estate in Chennai on Thursday.

A volunteer distributes Kabasura Kudineer to people as a preventive measure against COVID-19 at Ambattur Industrial Estate in Chennai on Thursday.

A scene in Chennai where three people riding a two-wheeler, without caring about social distancing, stop to have a glass of kabasura kudineer that is believed to prevent COVID-19.

4.40 pm | New Delhi

Plasma therapy has been recommended as investigative therapy. There are guidelines for its use, says Rajesh Bhushan.

Randomised trial of plasma therapy is being conducted under the aegis of ICMR, the trial is being conducted on 452 patients, he says.

In individual cases, approval of drug controller of ICMR is not required.

4.30 pm | New Delhi

Delhi showing improvement, says Home Ministry spokesperson

More activities have been allowed outside containment zones July 1 onwards in a phased manner, till July 31 lockdown measures will be implemented stringently in containment zone, says Home Ministry spokesperson.

In Delhi, in the past few weeks, there has been improvement, 6.79 lakh tests were conducted till July 8; now 20,000 tests are being carried every day, she says.

In Delhi, on July 9, there are 23,452 active cases and recovery rate is over 72%. About 15,095 beds are now available in Delhi, as of July 8 about 68% of the beds were vacant. So, there is adequate arrangement for Delhi residents, she says.

4.20 pm | New Delhi

Rapid antigen point of care test in containment zones: ICMR

Dr Nivedita Gupta, spokesperson, ICMR, says in addition to the RT-PCR test, TrueNat and CB-NAAT based testing are also being conducted across the country.

ICMR has also approved the use of a rapid antigen point of care test, which is now recommended for use and also being used in the containment zones of various States and hospitals, she adds.

4.00 pm | New Delhi

India seeing progressive increase in recoveries: Health Ministry

The Union Health Ministry is conducting a press briefing on COVID-19, after a gap of nearly a month. Here are the highlights:

Rajesh Bhushan, Officer Special Duty, MoHFW, says our healthcare infrastructure is not overburdened. The recoveries have doubled compared to active cases, he adds.

Our cases per million population is among the lowest in the world, he says.

Death per million population in India is also among the lowest in the world, he points out.

In India, there has been progressive increase in recoveries with respect to number of active cases. Today we have 476378 recovered cases and 2,69,789 active cases, he says.

3.45 pm | West Bengal

Calcutta HC to remain closed from Friday to Monday

The Calcutta High Court will remain closed from Friday to Monday due to imposition of a fresh spell of lockdown in containment zones of the city and for sanitisation of the court buildings, its Registrar General said.

The Chief Justice has suspended judicial and administrative works of the Calcutta High Court from July 10 to 13 on account of a new phase of lockdown in the city declaring considerable part of it as containment zones, Registrar General Rai Chattopadhyay said in a notification on Thursday.

A thorough sanitisation process in the three buildings of the high court will also be conducted during this period, she said.

3.30 pm | Uttar Pradesh

Adityanath asks officials to ramp up testing in UP

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday directed that 40,000 tests should be conducted in the state per day to trace the spread of coronavirus.

Around 35,000 tests are being conducted per day in the state till now.

With COVID-19 cases rising in Jhansi, Kanpur and Varanasi, the chief minister said a team of specialists doctors should be sent to the three districts.

Extra vigil should be maintained in districts reporting rising cases of coronavirus infection, he said.

3.05 pm | Karnataka

Ministers to be appointed as in-charge for each zone in Bengaluru for COVID management

Amid spike in COVID-19 cases in Bengaluru, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Thursday decided to appoint ministers as in-charge for each zone in the city, aimed at effectively managing the pandemic.

There are eight administrative zones in Bengaluru under Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, the city civic body.

2.50 pm | New Delhi

India has lowest cases, deaths per million population: Harsh Vardhan

“India has one of the lowest cases per million (538) and deaths per million (15) compared to the global average of 1,453 and 68.7, respectively,’’ said Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Thursday after chairing the 18th meeting of the Group of Ministers (GoM) on coronavirus (COVID-19).

Within the country, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat) contributed to around 90% of the active caseload and 49 districts accounted for 80% of active caseload currently. Maharashtra, Delhi, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal accounted for 86% of total deaths, and 32 districts accounted for 80% deaths, he said. - Bindu Shajan Perappadan

 

2.40 pm | Karnataka

Sringeri MLA tests positive

T.D. Raje Gowda

T.D. Raje Gowda

 

Sringeri MLA T.D. Raje Gowda tested positive for COVID-19 infection on Wednesday.

In a Facebook post, the Congress MLA said he had been admitted to a designated hospital. In a message to people of his constituency, Mr. Raje Gowda said people need not worry about his health and he would come back recovered soon.

Earlier BJP MLC M.K.Pranesh and his wife tested positive. Another MLC of the JD(S) S.L. Bhoje Gowda also tested positive.

Rajkumar Patil Telkur, MLA for Sedam in Kalaburagi district, has tested positive for COVID-19. The sources close to the BJP leader confirmed it and added that his wife and son also tested positive for the disease and all the three were admitted to a private hospital in Bengaluru. Now the lab report of his daughter is awaited.

2.25 pm | Assam

8-day ‘total lockdown’ in Assam’s Golaghat town from today evening

The Assam government has decided to impose a “total lockdown” in Golaghat town from Thursday evening for eight days to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease.

The restrictions in Golaghat Municipal Board area will be in place from 7 pm on Thursday to prevent further spread of the virus.

Movement of all vehicles, opening of government and private offices, markets, shopping complexes and shops dealing with non-essential activities will not be allowed during the period.

A total of 617 COVID-19 cases have been reported from Golaghat district.

2.15 pm | West Bengal

IIM Calcutta to start academic year in online mode from August

IIM Calcutta has announced that it will start the academic year in the online mode from August.

Starting August 2020, new as well as returning students of the flagship MBA programme will attend classes digitally from the safety of their homes, the premier institute said in a statement on Wednesday.

“As we reopen in the online mode, it is equally important that we sustain our academic rigour and preserve our unique teaching and learning experience,” Director of IIM Calcutta, Prof Anju Seth said.

2.00 pm | Delhi

One tower in Vasant Vihar’s CBI colony declared as COVID-19 containment zone

The authorities have declared one of the towers in the CBI colony in Vasant Vihar here a COVID-19 containment zone after an agency official and his family members tested positive for the coronavirus, officials said on Thursday.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has asked at least 12 officials living in the area to avoid office during the self-quarantine period as a precautionary measure.

1.45 pm | Puducherry

Complete lockdown in Puducherry on Sundays?

The Health Department has strongly recommended a complete lockdown on Sundays, starting this week, to break the chain of transmission in view of the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the Union Territory.

“The day-to-day spike is still unpredictable but we are definitely witnessing a gradual increase in the number of cases in the last two to three weeks. So we have strongly recommended lockdown on Sundays to break the chain of transmission. We expect detailed guidelines to be issued by the district administration shortly,” a senior Health Department official told The Hindu . - Rajesh B. Nair

1.30 pm | Karnataka

Safari at Kabini backwaters suspended due to surge in COVID-19 cases

In view of the  surge in COVID-19 ca ses in the district, the authorities have suspended safari at the Kabini backwaters which is among the most popular spots for wildlife afficionados and tourists.

Kabini backwaters — best known for wildlife sightings — in HD Kote taluk of Mysuru district abuts both Nagarahole and Bandipur tiger reserves and was reopened for tourists only last month as part of the graded unlocking that commenced on June 8th. But  Mysuru is witnessing a surge  in COVID-19 positive cases since the last few days. There were 59 positive cases and 1 death reported on Wednesday while there are 253 active cases in all.

 

1.10 pm | Tamil Nadu

Villupuram town declared containment zone, entry and exit points sealed

The district administration has put in place more restrictions in Villupuram town, in the wake of the recent spurt in COVID-19 cases. The administration has sealed the entire Villupuram town as part of the strict implementation of lockdown measures, and to prevent the spread of the infection.

Official sources said that the entire town had been declared a containment zone and all the 32 entry and exit points to Villupuram sealed. Areas surrounding Villupuram town such as Mambalampattu, Ellischathiram, Janakipuram, Virattikuppam, Muthampalayam and Koliyanur will now be restricted zones. People will not be allowed to enter or exit the areas.

 

12.50 pm | Delhi

Congress leader Sushmita Dev tests positive for corona infection

Congress leader Sushmita Dev has tested positive for coronavirus infection but said she is asymptomatic as of now.

She is the third Congress leader after Sanjay Jha and Abhishek Singhvi to have turned positive for the virus.

“My report as signed by the Department of Microbiology, Silchar Medical College, Cachar, Assam says I have tested positive for COVID 19. I am asymptomatic as of now. I thank everyone for their concern and calls,” she said on Twitter. - PTI

12.30 pm | Cricket

Domestic cricket will only happen when travelling is safe: Ganguly

The Indian domestic season will only start when it is safe for young players to travel within the country for their Ranji Trophy matches, BCCI president Sourav Ganguly said.

There is a huge uncertainty with regards to India’s domestic tournaments as IPL will be happening in October leading to a curtailed season due to coronavirus.

The 2020-21 domestic season would have started with Vijay Hazare in late August followed Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Last season’s Irani Cup was cancelled due to announcement of Lockdown 1.

Asked about domestic cricket and junior cricket, Mr. Ganguly told Sports Tak , “It is necessary, but it will happen only after coronavirus. When it is safe, only then, especially junior cricket.” - PTI

12.20 pm | Kerala

Wedding ceremonies to resume from tomorrow at Guruvayur

Wedding ceremonies will be resumed at Sree Krishna Temple Guruvayur on July 10 by adhering to the COVID-19 protocol. Pre-booking is mandatory for the wedding ceremonies. Booking will start at counter at West Nada and online through Google Form from July 9.

Bride and bridegroom attending their wedding ceremony by covering faces with masks at the Sreekrishna temple in Guruvayur on Friday.

Bride and bridegroom attending their wedding ceremony by covering faces with masks at the Sreekrishna temple in Guruvayur. File photo for representation.

 

Weddings will be held from 5 a.m. 12 .30 p.m. at Kalyana Mandapam at East Nada.

 

11.50 am | Madhya Pradesh

‘Complete lockdown’ on Sundays in Madhya Pradesh

The Madhya Pradesh government has decided to enforce a complete lockdown across the State on Sundays after a spike in COVID-19 cases in some districts during the past one week.

In a new initiative, police will provide face masks to people who step out of homes without the protective gear, and recover its cost from them, a minister said.

Due to the spike in cases, the coronavirus growth rate in Madhya Pradesh has gone up to 2.01% from 1.72% earlier, the review meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, was informed. - PTI

11.30 am | Puducherry

Puducherry Lt Guv Kiran Bedi tests negative for coronavirus

Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi tested negative for coronavirus on Thursday, a day after an employee of the Raj Nivas here was found to be infected with the virus.

A release from Raj Nivas said the Health department has informed that the result of the Covid Test, which the Lt Governor had undergone on Wednesday has come out negative.

It also said that the office of Lt Governor would adhere to the protocol of keeping all the staff, who were primary contacts, in home quarantine even though they had tested negative. - PTI

11.10 am | Uttar Pradesh

8 NCR districts make up over one-third of active coronavirus cases in UP

Uttar Pradesh’s eight districts that fall in the Delhi National Capital Region account for over one-third of active COVID-19 cases and around 28% of the deaths linked to the infection in the State, according to an official data.

The eights UP district that fall in the Delhi-NCR region are Gautam Buddh Nagar, Ghaziabad, Hapur, Bulandshahr, Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Baghpat and Shamli.

The State has reported 31,156 COVID-19 cases till Wednesday while the number of active cases stood at 9,980, of which 3,544 (35.51%) are in the NCR districts. - PTI

10.40 am | Assam

Week-long ‘total lockdown’ in Assam s Jorhat city from today

The Jorhat district administration in Assam has decided to impose a week-long “total lockdown” across Jorhat city from July 9 to check the spread of coronavirus, Deputy Commissioner Roshni Aparanji Korati said.

Issuing an order, Ms. Korati said that “total lockdown” will be clamped from Thursday in areas under the Jorhat Municipal Board till July 15 in order to prevent further spread of the novel coronavirus. - PTI

10.10 am | India

Quick update on the COVID-19 numbers:

India has yet again registered a record single-day spike of 24,879 COVID-19 cases, pushing the total case tally to 7,67,296.

The death toll in the country stands at 21,129 with 487 new fatalities, according to the Union Health ministry bulletin.

The country now has 2,69,789 active cases.

10 am | Kerala

Air India to resume flights to Delhi from Kozhikode

After public outcry, Air India will begin operation of its suspended flight service from the Calicut international airport to Delhi on Friday.

Airport Director K. Srinivasa Rao said here on Wednesday that the flight would operate three days a week, on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, till August 23. This is a temporary measure till Air India changes the schedule.

At present, Air India is operating its flight only up to the Kannur airport after domestic air services resumed in the country on May 25.

 

9.30 am | Bengaluru

How Bengaluru fell short in tracing the source of infections

In the first week of June when most restrictions of the lockdown were lifted, the total number of active COVID-19 cases recorded every day was between 9 and 28. However, by June 19, the number rose to 138, and by the end of the month, as many as 700 people were identified with the virus. By July 4, the cases touched 1,235. What went wrong in a city that until a few weeks ago, was being lauded for its ability to restrain the spread of a virus unlike other metros such as Mumbai, Chennai and New Delhi?

An overstretched BBMP stumbled when it came to tracing the source of infection while dealing with influx of people from other States, contact tracing, and ensuring that social distancing were being followed. In early June, even though the number of cases was still low, the number of patients whose source of infection could not be identified was rising. For instance, on June 6, Bengaluru Urban district recorded only 18 cases, but the percentage of daily cases that were not traced was as high as 83% that day, as per data from the Department of Health and Family Welfare.

 

9 am | Science

Scientists warn of potential wave of COVID-linked brain damage

Scientists warned on Wednesday of a potential wave of coronavirus-related brain damage as new evidence suggested COVID-19 can lead to severe neurological complications, including inflammation, psychosis and delirium.

A study by researchers at University College London (UCL) described 43 cases of patients with COVID-19 who suffered either temporary brain dysfunction, strokes, nerve damage or other serious brain effects.

 

8.30 am | Odisha

Single source infects 95 in Odisha’s Rourkela

Days after a family was identified to be the source of 90 COVID-19 infections in a small hamlet in Odisha’s Rayagada district, the Sundargarh district administration traced another source that infected 95 persons in a small locality of Rourkela.

After carrying out contact-tracing in Sector-16 of Rourkela, the administration suspects that the infection had spread from one family.

 

8 am | Bihar

Patna to go under lockdown again from tomorrow

The Patna district administration on Wednesday announced that the district will be put under strict lockdown again from July 10 to July 16 due to the rising number of  COVID-19 cases .

With the surge in the number the Patna District Magistrate Kumar Ravi announced that the State capital will be under strict lockdown for a week from July 10.

Under the lockdown, all government offices, public corporations, private and commercial establishments will remain closed. Essential services like ration, dairy, vegetable and meat shops will be allowed to open from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

All places of worship and religious gatherings too will be closed during the period.

 

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