23:18 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in West Bengal Latest Updates
Bengal govt cancels lockdown on 2, 9 Aug
Respecting the sentiments of the people we are withdrawing complete lockdown announcement for 2 August and 9 August(2/2)
— HOME DEPARTMENT - GOVT. OF WEST BENGAL (@HomeBengal) July 28, 2020
21:48 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra Latest Updates
Mumbai sero-survey findings:
A press release by the BMC on the sero-survey conducted in three wards of Mumbai listed the results as following:
- Results suggest that asymptomatic infections are likely to be a high proportion of all infections.
- Higher prevalence in slums could be possibly due to population density and shared common facilities (toilets, water points etc.).
- Taking together the current prevalence (estimated here) and records from BMC on reported deaths, the infection fatality rate (IFR) is likely to be very low (0.05-0.10%). Among others, this could be attributed to effective containment efforts and active measures to isolate symptomatic cases by MCGM.
- Lower prevalence in non-slums could be due to better social distancing and access to better hygiene in addition to interventions by MCGM to stem the spread of infection.
- These results will be valuable to learn more about herd immunity. Although it is still unclear what level of prevalence leads to herd immunity, findings indicate that at least in slums this could be attained sooner than later, if the immunity exists and persists in a significant proportion of the population.
20:54 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra Latest Updates
7,717 new COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra
7,717 fresh COVID-19 cases, 10,333 discharges and 282 deaths were reported in Maharashtra on Tuesday.
Total number of positive cases is now 3,91,440 including 2,32,277 discharged,14,165 deaths and 1,44,694 active cases. Recovery rate is 59.34 percent, the state health department said.
20:28 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra Latest Updates
Sero-survey undertaken in 3 wards in Mumbai, says BMC
The BMC on Tuesday said that a serological surveillance for COVID-19 infection was commissioned by NITI-Aayog, Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai and Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.
"In the first round, 6936 samples were collected from 3 wards in slum&non-slum areas. Systematically conducted study estimates around 57 percent sero-prevalence in slums and 16 percent sero-prevalence in non-slums, on an average, in the three wards that were studied," the statement said.
19:27 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates
France gives India ventilators, test kits
France on Tuesday gave India ventilators, test kits and other medical equipment, The Times of India reported.
"The medical equipment was handed over to the Indian Red Cross Society by French ambassador to India Emmanuel Lenain at the Palam Air Force Station after the assistance material was flown here on board a French Air Force aircraft," the report said.
18:32 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra Latest Updates
Only 700 COVID-19 cases in Mumbai today, says Aaditya Thackeray
Maharashtra minister Aaditya Thackeray on Tuesday said that only 700 new cases of coronavirus were reported in Mumbai on Tuesday, which was a "major relief" after three months.
The good news: Only 700 cases today in Mumbai & that too with highest testing till date in Mumbai in a single day(8776).This is chase the virus in full capacity. A major relief after 3 months.
— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) July 28, 2020
Caution: don’t let the guard down! Don’t let your mask down! Only get numbers down!
18:10 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Delhi Latest Updates
No COVID-19 death reported in Delhi's LNJP yesterday, says Kejriwal
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said that no death due to coronavirus was reported in the National Capital's COVID-19 dedicated hospital, LNJP, on Monday.
No death in our biggest COVID hospital LNJP yesterday
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) July 28, 2020
17:41 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Himachal Pradesh Latest Updates
Himachal CM, family test negative for 2nd time
Himachal Pradesh chief minister Jai Ram Thakur and his family members tested negative for the second time on Tuesday, a week after their first test also came negative.
Thakur and his family members were in self-quarantine after an aide tested positive for COVID-19.
17:21 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in West Bengal Latest Updates
List of dates of August lockdown in Bengal:
Complete lockdown will be observed in the state on 2, 5, 8, 9, 16, 17, 23, 24, and 31 August, said West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday.
17:07 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in West Bengal Latest Updates
Bengal govt extends partial lockdown till 31 Aug
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday announced the extension of partial lockdown in state till 31 August.
"We are extending the partial lockdown in the state, which was in force till 31 July, till 31 August," she said. However, the state government made an exception for 1 August, on the occasion of Bakri Eid.
16:41 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Tripura Latest Updates
Door-to-door COVID-19 survey begins in Tripura
Tripura government on Tuesday launched a door-to-door COVID-19 survey, simultaneously with imposing three days total lockdown in the state. Health department staff along with local panchayat members are conducting the survey, ANI reported.
16:19 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates
Centre says Itolizumab not part of national treatment protocol
The Union health ministry on Tuesday said that Itolizumab, which was approved for emergency use by the Drug Controller General of India, "has not been included in the national treatment protocol," The Indian Express reported.
"According to a statement issued by the Health Ministry, the National Task Force on Covid-19 contended there was “very little evidence in favour of this medicine," the report said.
15:59 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Uttar Pradesh Latest Updates
Test children, elderly, pregnant women on priority, says UP CM to officials
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday directed officials to test children, pregnant women and elderly for COVID-19 on priority.
He stressed on enhancing the testing capacity and ordered the officials to everyday conduct one lakh rapid antigen tests, 40,000-45000 RT-PCR and 2,500 to 3,000 tests through truenat machines.
The chief minister asked doctors and researches to study the case history of fully recovered patients to develop an effective treatment for the infected persons.
He said the skill mapping of the labourers and workers, who have returned to the state due a nationwide lockdown, has been done. He stressed on providing them employment according to their skills.
(PTI)
15:36 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Madhya Pradesh LATEST Updates
If detected early, COVID-19 not incurable, says MP CM
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who tested positive for coronavirus, on Tuesday chaired the first virtual cabinet meeting from hospital and said if the infection is detected early, then it is not incurable and is like any other cold, cough and fever.
Sharing his experience with his ministerial colleagues while chairing the cabinet meet from hospital through video conferencing, Chouhan said there is no need to panic about coronavirus and it can be controlled by remaining alert.
15:23 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra LATEST Updates
138 Maharashtra Police personnel test positive for COVID-19
138 new COVID-19 cases and three deaths were reported in the Maharashtra Police department in the last 24 hours. The total confirmed cases stand at 8,722, including 6,670 recoveries and 97 deaths in the police force.
15:09 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra LATEST Updates
Mumbai only city to allow citizens to 'test at will', says Aditya Thackeray
Mumbai will see more testing with chase the virus initiative of the BMC, said Aditya Thackeray, adding that it is also the only city to have liberalised testing and allowed citizens to “test at will”.
Chase the Virus model of Mumbai is being implemented in MMR region actively that has seen a ramping up of facilities in the past few weeks.
— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) July 28, 2020
Along with MMR, rest of Maharashtra too is taking all efforts to tackle covid pandemic effectively
15:04 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra LATEST Updates
Only 700 new cases in Mumbai today, says Aditya Thackeray
Mumbai Suburban district’s minister Aaditya Thackeray has tweeted that the city has reported “only” 700 new COVID-19 cases today. "Don’t let the guard down! Don’t let your mask down! Only get numbers down!" he added.
The good news: Only 700 cases today in Mumbai & that too with highest testing till date in Mumbai in a single day(8776).This is chase the virus in full capacity. A major relief after 3 months.
— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) July 28, 2020
Caution: don’t let the guard down! Don’t let your mask down! Only get numbers down!
14:55 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Delhi LATEST Updates
221 personnel infected in Delhi prisons
The total number of COVID-19 cases in Delhi Prisons stand at 221, reports ANI. Out of the 60 infected inmates, there are 55 recoveries, 2 active cases, 2 deaths while one inmate has been released and are under home quarantine. Out of 161 staff members, 122 have recovered and 39 active, a prison official told ANI
14:51 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Gujarat LATEST Updates
60 inmates test COVID-19 positive in Vadodara jail
At least 60 inmates of Vadodara Central Jail in Gujarat have tested positive for coronavirus infection in the last two days, reports PTI. The jail authorities are in the process of setting up an 80-bed COVID-19 care centre inside the premises to ensure proper treatment for infected prisoners, the official said.
14:36 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in India LATEST Updates
India's fatality rate now at 2.25%
The country's toll due to the virus rose to 33,425 with 654 deaths being reported in a 24-hour span, data updated at 8 am showed. According to the data, the recovery rate among COVID-19 patients is 64.24 percent, while the fatality rate is 2.25 percent.
14:26 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Puducherry LATEST Updates
Puducherry reports 141 new cases, 4 deaths in past 24 hours
Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy, his cabinet colleagues and legislators of various political parties here tested negative for coronavirus on Tuesday.The results came negative after testing of the swabs collected from them at a special camp held on the premises of the Assembly Monday.
Meanwhile, 141 fresh COVID-19 cases and four related deaths were reported in the Union Territory during the last 24 hours ending 10 a.m. on Tuesday, taking the tally to 3,011.
14:15 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Odisha LATEST Updates
Odisha to conduct last rites of COVID-19 suspects without waiting for test report
The Odisha government has asked all district collectors, SPs, municipal commissioners and health officials to conduct the last rites of coronavirus suspects without insisting on testing of swab or waiting for the report, an official told PTI.
14:12 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in India LATEST Updates
India reports over 30,000 recoveries for fourth day in a row
India has reported more than 30,000 recoveries per day for the fourth consecutive day today, as per data from the Union Health Ministry.
13:55 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Uttar Pradesh LATEST Updates
Chief medical superintendent of hospital tests COVID-19 positive
The Chief Medical Superintendent (CMS) of the district hospital here has tested positive for coronavirus, a senior officer said on Tuesday. CMS of the district hospital PP Pandey has tested positive, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) AK Srivastava said.
Besides, the SHO of Lalganj Kotwali Rakesh Bharati has also tested positive for coronavirus, the CMO said. So far, 268 COVID-19 cases have been reported in the district of which 155 people have been discharged after recovery. As many as 11 deaths have been reported so far, the CMO added.
13:39 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Mizoram LATEST Updates
22 Assam Rifles personnel test positive in Mizoram
Twenty-two Assam Rifles personnel are among 23 more people testing positive for COVID-19 in Mizoram, officials said on Tuesday. The new infections have taken the northeastern state's caseload to 384, they said.
Twenty-two Assam Rifles personnel posted at Zokhawsanga near Aizawl and a civilian who had recently returned from Nepal have tested positive for COVID-19 at the Zoram Medical College on Monday night, a statement issued by the State Information and Public Relation Department said.
13:33 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Tripura LATEST Updates
Tripura's COVID-19 caseload reaches 4,067
Tripura's COVID-19 caseload breached the 4,000-mark on Tuesday after 147 more people tested positive for the infection, reports PTI. West Tripura district reported 40 fresh cases, Sepahijala 41, Gomati 22, Khowai 12, North Tripura 18, Dhalai nine, South Tripura district three and Unakoti two.
Of the total 4,067 COVID-19 patients in the state, 2,467 have recovered and 18 migrated to other states. The number of active cases in the state stands at 1,565 and fatalities at 17, they said.
13:20 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Arunachal Pradesh LATEST Updates
81 fresh COVID-19 cases in Arunachal Pradesh as count rises to 1,239
Eighty-one more people, including 14 BRTF and two Assam Rifles personnel, have tested positive for COVID-19 in Arunachal Pradesh, taking the northeastern state's caseload to 1,239 on Tuesday, reports PTI.
13:00 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Tamil Nadu LATEST Updates
Two cops arrested in connection to Thoothukudi custodial deaths test positive
Two police constables, arrested in connection with the Thoothukudi custodial deaths, test positive for the coronavirus, ANI reports.
12:39 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Delhi LATEST Updates
Plea against police fines for COVID-19 norms violation: HC seeks AAP govt's reply
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday sought response of the AAP government on a plea challenging a provision which empowers police officers of sub-inspector rank or above to impose fines on anyone violating COVID-19 regulations.
A bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan issued notice to the Delhi government seeking its stand on the plea by a lawyer, who has contended that imposing of a fine amounts to handing down a punishment which can only be awarded by a judge, not a police officer.
The bench, however, declined to pass any interim orders for now staying operation of the regulation as was sought by counsel for petitioner – Sonia Rana.
12:28 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra LATEST Updates
Maharashtra records highest COVID-19 recoveries
Maharashtra reported 7,924 new COVID-19 cases on Monday to take the state's total cases to 3,83,723. However, the surge was more than offset by a record-high discharge of 8,706 patients, as the cumulative number of recoveries rose to 2,21,944.
With 227 more deaths, the COVID-19 toll in the state has reached 13,883.
12:11 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in India LATEST Updates
India readies five sites for final phase of human trials of Oxford's COVID-19 vaccine
Five sites across the country are ready for the third and final phase of human trials of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, Department of Biotechnology (DBT) Secretary Renu Swarup said on Monday.
"This is an essential step because it is necessary to have data within the country before the vaccine is administered to Indians," Swarup told PTI.
The Serum Institute of India, the largest vaccine maker in the world, has been chosen by Oxford and its partner AstraZeneca to manufacture the vaccine once it is ready. Trials results for the first two phases were published earlier in July.
12:10 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Mizoram LATEST Updates
23 new COVID-19 cases in Mizoram
At least 23 fresh COVID-19 infections were reported in Mizoram on Monday, according to the Department of Information and Public Relations, Government of Mizoram.
11:39 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Odisha LATEST Updates
Odisha registers over 28,000 cases, 154 deaths
Odisha’s coronavirus caseload on Tuesday rises to 28,107 with 1,215 new cases, PTI reports. The state’s toll rises to 154 with seven more deaths
11:33 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Telangana LATEST Updates
Telangana reports over 1,600 new cases, 9 deaths
Telangana recorded 1,610 fresh COVID-19 cases and nine more deaths, pushing the tally of infections in the state to 57,142.
Out of the 1,610 new cases, 531 were from the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) , followed by Ranga Reddy 172, Warangal Urban 152 and Medchal-Malkajgiri 113, a state government bulletin said on Tuesday, providing data as of 8 PM on July 27.
With nine more fatalities, the coronavirus toll mounted to 480.
11:15 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra LATEST Updates
Pune reports India's first documented vertical transmission of COVID-19
The Sassoon General Hospital in Maharashtra has claimed to have reported the country's first case of 'vertical transmission' of the coronavirus infection from a mother to her child through the placenta.
Vertical transmission takes place when the baby is in the uterus. If the mother is infected, the transmission of the virus takes place through the placenta- an organ that develops in the uterus during pregnancy and provides oxygen and nutrients to your growing baby.
10:48 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in India LATEST Updates
Maharashtra, Tamil remain worst-affected
As per the latest date provided by the ministry on Tuesday, Maharashtra continues to be the worst-affected state from the infection with 1,48,905 active cases and 13,656 deaths due to Covid-19. Tamil Nadu has a total of 53,703 active cases and 3,494 deaths. Delhi has a total of 11,904 active cases and 3,827 deaths.
10:11 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in India LATEST Updates
India's recovery rate rises to 64.23%
According to the Government on India, the recovery rate among COVID-19 patients has increased to 64.23 percent. The recoveries/deaths ratio is 96.6%:3.4% now.
09:48 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in India LATEST Updates
India registers over 47,000 new cases, 654 deaths in past 24 hours
India registers 47,703 new cases and 654 fresh fatalities in the last 24 hours. With this, the country’s tally is now 14,83,156 and toll stands at 33,425.
09:45 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in India LATEST Updates
Serum Institute conducting phase-III clinical trial of BCG vaccine: DBT
The Serum Institute of India is conducting phase III clinical trial of BCG vaccine candidate VPM1002 to evaluate its ability in reducing infection and severe disease outcomes of COVID-19 among high-risk persons of advanced age, comorbidities and high-exposure healthcare workers (HCWs), the Department of Biotechnology has said.
09:19 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak LATEST Updates
WHO says COVID-19 pandemic 'continues to accelerate'
The World Health Organization said the coronavirus pandemic “continues to accelerate”, as the number of cases have doubled over the last six weeks. The global coronavirus count has now gone up to 1.64 crores while the toll has crossed 6.52 lakh, according to the Johns Hopkins University. More than 95.25 lakh people have recovered.
08:41 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in India LATEST Updates
More than 5 lakh COIVD-19 tests conducted everyday for past 2 days
More than 5 lakh COVID-19 tests conducted in a single day over two consecutive days. On 26 July, India tested a total of 5,15,000 samples and on 27 July, a total of 5,28,000 samples were tested, according to Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
08:16 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak LATEST Updates
Moderna, Pfizer start decisive COVID-19 vaccine trials
Moderna Inc and Pfizer Inc launched two 30,000-subject trials of COVID-19 vaccines that could clear the way for regulatory approval and widespread use by the end of this year, the companies said on Monday.
The trials, both announced on Monday, are the first late-stage studies supported by the Trump administration's effort to speed development of measures against the novel coronavirus, adding to hope that an effective vaccine will help end the pandemic.
Moderna stock rose 9%. Pfizer shares rose 1.6% in afterhours trade and its partner BioNTech, which developed the vaccine, rose 4.2%.
08:05 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in US LATEST Updates
2,866 COVID-19 insurance claims, 48 deaths among federal workers
Nearly 3,000 federal workers have filed compensation claims for having contracted COVID-19 on the job, a number that is expected to double by early next month, according to a Department of Labor review, reports AP. Through mid-June, families of 48 federal workers had filed death claims with the Division of Federal Employees'' Compensation.
07:59 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra LATEST Updates
3,044 new cases reported in Pune in one day
Maharashtra’s Pune district reported 3,044 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, taking its count to 72,782 yesterday, a health department official said. The official said that the death toll rose to 1,737 with 38 more patients succumbing to the infection in the district.
07:49 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Assam LATEST Updates
Assam reports 1,348 new cases, seven more deaths
Seven more COVID-19 patients died in Assam on Monday, taking the toll to 86, Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said. The state also reported 1,348 new cases, following which the tally climbed to 33,567.
📌 Discharge Alert
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 27, 2020
1⃣3⃣6⃣2⃣ patients have been discharged today.
Happy to see rising numbers of discharged cases. Salute to the medical team.
😊Total Discharged Patients: 25402
😑Active Patients: 8085
10:20 PM/July 27#AssamCovidCount pic.twitter.com/W3775ovrqu
07:46 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in J&K LATEST Updates
J&K admin to allow 'home quarantine' of asymptomatic patients with no comorbidities
The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Monday decided to allow home quarantine of asymptomatic COVID-19 patients with no comorbidities, provided they can have a separate room for themselves in the house and download the Aarogya Setu app, officials said.
The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary B V R Subrahmanyam to review COVID-19 mitigation measures in Jammu and Kashmir.
07:39 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in China LATEST Updates
China reports 68 new coronavirus cases, including 57 in Xinjiang
China reported 68 new coronavirus cases in the mainland for July 27, up from 61 cases a day earlier, the health commission said on Tuesday, reports Reuters.
Of the new infections, 57 were in the far western region of Xinjiang, six were in the northeastern province of Liaoning and one in Beijing, while the remaining four were imported cases, according to a statement by the National Health Commission. China reported 34 new asymptomatic patients, down from 44 a day earlier.
07:27 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak LATEST Updates
Google to keep most of its employees at home until July 2021
Google has decided that most of its 200,000 employees and contractors should work from home through next June, a sobering assessment of the pandemic's potential staying power from the company providing the answers for the world's most trusted internet search engine.
The remote-work order issued Monday by Google CEO Sundar Pichai also affects other companies owned by Google's corporate parent, Alphabet Inc. It marks a six-month extension of Google's previous plan to keep most of its offices closed through the rest of this year.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates: The BMC on Tuesday said that a serological surveillance for COVID-19 infection was commissioned by NITI-Aayog, Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai and Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.
"In the first round, 6936 samples were collected from 3 wards in slum&non-slum areas. Systematically conducted study estimates around 57 percent sero-prevalence in slums and 16 percent sero-prevalence in non-slums, on an average, in the three wards that were studied," the statement said.
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said that no death due to coronavirus was reported in the National Capital's COVID-19 dedicated hospital, LNJP, on Monday.
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday announced the extension of partial lockdown in state till 31 August.
"We are extending the partial lockdown in the state, which was in force till 31 July, till 31 August," she said. However, the state government made an exception for 1 August, on the occasion of Bakri Eid.
The Union health ministry on Tuesday said that Itolizumab, which was approved for emergency use by the Drug Controller General of India, "has not been included in the national treatment protocol," The Indian Express reported.
"According to a statement issued by the Health Ministry, the National Task Force on Covid-19 contended there was “very little evidence in favour of this medicine," the report said.
India has reported more than 30,000 recoveries per day for the fourth consecutive day today, as per data from the Union Health Ministry, while the fatality rate is 2.25 percent.
Twenty-two Assam Rifles personnel are among 23 more people testing positive for COVID-19 in Mizoram, reports PTI. The fresh infections have taken the northeastern state's caseload to 384.
Maharashtra reported 7,924 new COVID-19 cases on Monday to take the state's total cases to 3,83,723. However, the number of recoveries were higher with 8,706 patients being discharged. The cumulative number of recoveries rose to 2,21,944.
According to the Government on India, the recovery rate among COVID-19 patients has increased to 64.23 percent. The recoveries/deaths ratio is 96.6%:3.4% now.
India registers 47,703 new cases and 654 fresh fatalities in the last 24 hours. With this, the country’s tally is now 14,83,156 and toll stands at 33,425.
Moderna Inc and Pfizer Inc launched two 30,000-subject trials of COVID-19 vaccines that could clear the way for regulatory approval and widespread use by the end of this year.
India registered a single-day jump of 49,931 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, taking the overall caseload to 14,35,453. The toll rose to 32,771 with 708 fatalities being recorded in 24 hours, the Union health ministry's 8 am update showed.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched three testing facilities in Noida, Mumbai and Kolkata through video conferencing and asserted that India is in a much better position than other countries in the fight against COVID-19 as a result of "right decisions taken at the right time".
Meanwhile, a human clinical trial of the indigenously developed Covaxin, a potential vaccine against the novel coronavirus, began at the Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS) and SUM Hospital in Odisha's Bhubaneshwar.
Amid rising numbers in many states across the country, the Chhattisgarh government decided to extend lockdown in COVID-19 hotspots in the state till 6 August. Nagaland— where Kohima and Dimapur districts are already under lockdown —imposed restrictions on Mon district, which has the third-highest number of active cases in the state.
India reports over 45,000 cases for fifth consecutive day
India reported over 45,000 new cases for the fifth consecutive day, propelling the total coronavirus cases in the country past 14 lakh, while the toll increased to 32,771, according to the Union health ministry's data.
The recoveries also increased by 31,991 to 9,17,567, pushing the recovery rate to nearly 64 percent, said the health ministry.
Separately, the ministry said that the case fatality rate has been progressively falling and currently stands at 2.28 percent which is among the lowest in the world. The focused efforts of the Centre, state governments and Union Territory administrations on early detection and isolation through aggressive testing and efficient clinical management of hospitalised cases have shown results with continuously falling case fatality rate and improving recovery rate, it said in a statement.
As a result of low mortality and more people recovering, the recovered cases exceed the active cases (4,85,114) by 4,32,453 as on Monday, it stated.
Narendra Modi launches three testing centres
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also remarked on the steadily improving recovery rate, adding that India has reported lesser fatalities than many big countries.
Speaking after the virtual launch of three "high throughput" testing facilities in Noida, Mumbai and Kolkata, Modi said that in the fight against coronavirus, India has come to a point where it does not lack in awareness, its scientific data is expanding and resources are also increasing. Reeling off the progress in the country's health infrastructure, Modi said that the country now has more than 11,000 COVID facilities and more than 11 lakh isolation beds.
"While the country had only one COVID testing centre in January this year, there are almost 1,300 such labs now," he said. At present, more than five lakh tests are being conducted in the country daily, and efforts are underway to increase this capacity to 10 lakh in the coming weeks, he said.
He also spoke about the country's progress in manufacturing equipment such as PPE kits, N95 mask, ventilators and oxygen cylinders, observing that this has not only helped save lives but has also converted India from an importer to an exporter.
He said that the new hi-tech testing facilities will give will boost the testing capacity by almost 10,000 daily tests in each of the three cities and will help West Bengal, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh in the fight against COVID-19. These labs will not be limited to testing for COVID, but in future they will also be able to test for Hepatitis B and C, HIV, Dengue and several other diseases, Modi noted.
Covaxin human trials start in Odisha
Meanwhile in Odisha, human trial of BBV152 COVID-19 vaccine or Covaxin commenced at the Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS) and SUM Hospital in Bhubaneshwar —one of the 12 centres selected by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for conducting phase one and two of the process.
Covaxin, which is being developed by Bharat Biotech, was administered to volunteers who were selected through a rigorous screening procedure, E Venkat Rao, principal investigator of the trial process, told PTI. Those who were administered the vaccine have been kept under observation and all of them are "absolutely fine", he said. The selected volunteers will be given two doses within a fortnight, Rao said.
Covaxin is the first indigenous vaccine developed by India against COVID-19 and is derived from a strain of SARS-CoV-2 isolated by ICMR-National Institute of Virology, Pune.
State-wise updates
Through the day, several states and Union Territories continued adding new infections to their overall case counts.
The COVID-19 tally in Maharashtra increased to 3,83,723 on Monday with addition of 7,924 new cases while the toll mounted by 227, including 39 fatalities in Mumbai region, to 13,883, Health Minister Rajesh Tope said.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands reported its first COVID-19 death as a 49-year-old government employee who also had comorbid conditions,
lost his life on Monday, officials told PTI. The Union Territory also detected 34 new cases of COVID-19, taking the total to 324.
Goa saw a record single-day spike of 258, pushing the COVID-19 infection count to 5,119. With 133 people getting discharged during the day, the state now has 1,673 active cases, while 36 have succumbed to the infection.
Uttar Pradesh reported its biggest single-day jump of 3,505 new COVID-19 cases, taking the total to 70,493, while 30 more fatalities pushed the death count to 1,456. There are 26,204 active cases in the state as a total of 42,833 patients have been discharged after treatment, Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Amit Mohan Prasad said.
The national capital recorded 613 fresh coronavirus cases on Monday, the lowest in the last two months. With 26 more fatalities, the toll climbed to 3,853 while the coronavirus count in Delhi reached 1,31,219. Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said that the the situation has improved significantly due to hard work and prudence of Delhi people. He also claimed that the Delhi model was being widely discussed and appreciated across the country and the world.
However, the decline in fresh cases also coincided with lesser number of tests. According to Monday's health bulletin, which details information about the fresh cases registered in the last 24 hours, 11,506 tests (7,685-PCR, CBNAAT and True NAAT tests figures; 3,821 - Rapid Antigen), the second lowest in July.
In the south, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka crossed the grim milestone of one lakh COVID-19 cases while Tamil Nadu logged nearly 7,000 fresh infections for the third straight day, taking its case count to 2,20,716. Chennai accounted for 95,857 of the state's cases.
Telangana saw the total infection count breach the 55,000 mark while the cumulative cases rose to 2,872 in the Union Territory of Puducherry.
Kerala recorded 702 fresh cases, taking the total cases to 19,727. The state government however ruled out a complete lockdown, stating that it was not a solution to halt the spread of coronavirus. The common opinion during a Cabinet meeting was to strengthen the restrictions in clusters to check local transmission, said chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, adding that Police will intervene and take strict action in case of violations. However, as a 'serious' situation continued in Thiruvananthapuram district the existing lockdown would remain in place there, he said.
Chhattisgarh extends lockdown in hostpots till 6 August
Many areas across the country have been punt under lockdown restrictions of varying degrees and durations. In Meghalaya's capital Shillong, a 72-hour-long shutdown kicked in on Monday. The lockdown in Shillong agglomeration — localities within the Shillong municipality and scheduled areas— was announced after 56 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the last two days.
"The lockdown reimposed in the entire Shillong city agglomeration will continue till Wednesday midnight," the district's Deputy Commissioner Matsiewdor W Nongbri said. During this period, health workers will be working extra time to track all primary and secondary contacts of positive patients, and conduct random tests to break the chain of infection, she said.
Total lockdown has been extended to Nagaland's Mon district and will remqain in force till 2 August, said a notification. The lockdown protocol will be followed and all shops, business establishments, offices, schools will be closed except pharmacies and there will be total ban on movement of people barring medical emergencies, it said. However, trucks from Assam carrying essential commodities were permitted entry into the district only for Monday so that the general people can get them during the lockdown, officials said.
Mon currently has 132 cases out of the total 1384 confirmed cases in Nagaland. It also has 124 active cases, the third-highest number in the state, it said. State capital Kohima and commercial capital Dimapur are the other two places where total lockdown has been clamped.
The Chhattisgarh government decided to extend the ongoing lockdown in coronavirus- hit areas, including capital Raipur, Bilaspur and Durg, till 6August to check the spread of the infection. Briefing the media after a Cabinet meeting, Agriculture Minister Ravindra Choubey said, that instructions have been given to district collectors to ensure strict compliance with lockdown rules in coronavirus hotspots and take effective steps to check the spread of the infection.
Chhattisgarh, where the infection has spread in all the 28 districts, has reported 7,613 COVID-19 cases till Sunday night. The state has recorded over 5,000 cases in just the last one month. With 2,187 cases so far, Raipur district tops the case count in the state.
With inputs from PTI
from Firstpost India Latest News https://ift.tt/2X7u8hh
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