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Coronavirus Updates: Ahead of West Bengal Assembly's Monsoon session, eight, including two staff and four cops, test positive

startup news September 08, 2020

23:39 (IST)

 

Coronavirus Outbreak in West Bengal LATEST Updates

Eight test  positive ahead of Assembly session

 Eight persons tested positive for COVID-19 during examination conducted on MLAs, Assembly staff and media persons Tuesday, ahead of the one-day monsoon session of the West Bengal House on September 9.   A total of 467 persons were tested at a temporary testing centre since 10 am "A total of eight people tested positive; out of them, two are Assembly staffs. Four police personnel who were on duty inside the premises, one media person and a driver
examined also tested positive. Necessary steps as per norms have been taken," Speaker Biman Banerjee said.

 

22:48 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Tripura LATEST Updates

Tripura allows pvt hospitals to treat COVID-19 patients

 
The Tripura government said it has decided to allow private hospitals in the state to treat COVID-19 patients. Plasma therapy would also commence in the state within the next two days, according to a statement from the Chief Minister's Office. The Tripura government has also decided to allow Rapid Antigen Tests at 17 private hospitals and nursing homes, and it would cost Rs 750 per test, the statement said.

22:26 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Odisha LATEST Updates

Railways announces three Shramik special trains from Odisha

 
A day after Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's letter to the Railway Minister requesting him to restart Shramik Special trains from Odisha to ferry migrant workers back to their workplaces in other parts of the country, the Railways announced three special trains for the eastern state. The three trains announced on Tuesday are from Puri to Ahmedabad (4 days a week), Puri-Gandhidhan Express (weekly) and the Puri-Okha Express (weekly) which will begin operations from 12 September. These trains are in addition to the 80 trains announced earlier, which too would begin operations from 12 September.

22:05 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra LATEST Updates

Maharashtra records 20,131 new cases

Maharashtra records 20,131 new COVID19 cases and 380 deaths, taking the total cases in the state to 9,43,772 and deaths to  27,407.. Active cases stand at 2,43,446, said the state public health department.

21:23 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Delhi LATEST Updates

Delhi reports 3,609 new cases, 19 deaths

 
Delhi records 3,609 new COVID-19 cases, 1,756 recoveries and 19 deaths. The total cases in the National Capital climb to 1,97,135 including 1,70,140 recoveries and 4,618 deaths. Active cases stand at 22,377, said a bulletin issued by the Delhi government.

21:00 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Gujarat LATEST Updates

Fire breaks out at Vadodara hospital

 
A fire broke out earlier at the COVID-19 ward of civic run SSG hospital in Vadodara and has now been brought under control, said reports. Pateints were evacuated to safer areas. There no injuries, reported PTI.

20:47 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in India LATEST Updates

Health ministry issues SOPs for Classes 9-12

The health ministry issued SOPs for the partial re-opening of schools on a voluntary basis from 21 September. As per the Unlock-4 guidelines, students of Classes 9-12 can go to schools to seek guidance from their teachers, provided their parents give permission. The guidelines stipulate that a six feet distance must be maintained at all times and school must be sanitised before re-opening. Only schools in containment zones will be allowed to open and students' visits must be planned with staggered timings.

20:30 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in India LATEST Updates

NCW chief Rekha Sharma says she has tested COVID-19 positive

National Commission for Women chairperson Rekha Sharma said she has tested positive for COVID-19 and home quarantined herself.

20:14 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Delhi  LATEST Updates

Delhi Metro's Blue and Pink Lines to resume services from tomorrow

19:50 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Andhra Pardesh LATEST Updates

Andhra Pradesh records 10,601 new cases, 73 deaths

Andhra Pradesh registered 10,601 new coronavirus positive cases and 73 deaths, pushing the total number of cases to 5,17,094  and toll to 4,560, said reports. A total of 4,15,765 have recovered and  the state now has 96,769 active cases

19:39 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in India LATEST Updates

Around 32% of international passengers between 8 Aug and 5 Sept were exempted from quarantine: Union minister

Around 32 percent of international passengers who arrived in India between 8 August and 5 September were able to get an exemption from the seven-day institutional quarantine requirement as they  had valid COVID19-negative test report, news agency PTI quotes Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri as saying.

19:09 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Tamil Nadu LATEST Updates

Tamil Nadu records 5,684 new cases, 87 deaths

Tamil Nadu's overall coronavirus case count rose to 4,74,940. with 5,684 persons testing positive on Tuesday, while the toll rose to 8,012 with 87 more deaths. 
A total of  6,599 persons were discharged, taking the number of those recovered to 4,16,715, said reports.

18:54 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra LATEST Updates

Pune is first district to report over two lakh cases

 
Driven by a surge in COVID-19 cases in the last few days, Pune has become the first district in the country to record more than two lakh cases. As per the Maharashtra health department's data, the total number of COVID-19 cases in Pune district reached 2,03,468 on Monday after 4,165 more people
tested positive for the disease. Officials in Pune said increased testing was one of the main reasons for the surge in cases in the district.
 
Pune crossed the one lakh-mark on 5 August and in a month's time, the cases have doubled in the district, according to official figures. Compared to Pune, Delhi reported 1,93,526 COVID-19 cases till Monday, while Mumbai recorded 1,57,410 cases.
 
PTI

18:35 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra LATEST Updates

COVID-19 cases in Mumbai's Dharavi climb to 2,830

COVID-19 case count in Mumbai slum colony Dharavi rises to 2,830 with the addition of six new cases, reports PTI quoting the BMC.

18:23 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Kerala LATEST Updates

Kerala records 2,036 new cases, 13 deaths

Kerala on Tuesday recorded 2, 036 new cases and 13 deaths, taking the state's COVID-19 count to 92, 515 and toll to 372. As many as 68, 863 persons have recuperated from the viral infection so far and the state now has 23,217 active cases, said reports.

18:19 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Delhi LATEST Updates

COVID-19 cases in Delhi will plateau soon, says Satyender Jain

 
The sharp spike in COVID-19 cases in the National  Capital will "plateau" after ten days or so, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain has said, and asserted that home isolation policy has proved a "game changer" in taming the surge, a strategy the city government will continue to pursue. In an interview to news agency PTI, the minister said there was no need to panic, and added that "the current situation is far better than in June" when the city witnessed a big wave of infections.
 
"One of the main reasons why we are seeing such a rise in the number of fresh cases is because we are going aggressive as far as testing is concerned. We have been conducting tests in markets, crowded places, mohalla clinics, hospitals, and many other places.  "The scale of testing per day has been almost quadrupled than what was in June," Jain said, maintaining that Delhi is doing more tests per million people than any other state. The total number of tests done till 7 September in Delhi stands at 18,03,466, and the number of tests done per million was 94,919, according to the Delhi health department.

18:05 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra LATEST Updates

BJP's Pravin Darekar attacks Maharashtra govt over COVID-19 deaths

Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Legislative Council, Pravin Darekar, on Tuesday held "flaws and ignorance" of the healthcare system responsible for "50 percent" of total COVID-19 fatalities in the state. Darekar demanded the state government divulge details regarding measures initiated by it to curb the infection and allocation of funds. "The government should wake up now. From March to September (this year), the number of deaths has gone up. On one hand the number of patients went up while on the other hand, there is inadequate purchase of PPE kits, masks, oxygen cylinders and ventilators, and patients were not admitted on time...The collective result is deaths," he said.

As per the state health department, Maharashtra's COVID-19 cases stood at 9,23,641 as on 7 September while 27,027 patients have died until now.

PTI

"50 per cent of the (COVID-19) deaths are due to the flaws in and ignorance of the system," Darekar alleged.

 

17:44 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Delhi LATEST Updates

Doctor's prescription not required for COVID-19 testing in Delhi, says HC

 
Doctor's prescription will not be mandatory for those going voluntarily for RT/PCR test for COVID-19 in the National Capital,said the Delhi High Court. People wanting to get themselves tested will need to carry Aadhaar card for Delhi address proof and fill ICMR form for COVID-19 testing, it said and directed private labs to allow 2,000 COVID-19 tests per day for those who want to undergo them voluntarily.
 
PTI

17:44 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Delhi LATEST Updates

Doctor's prescription not required for COVID-19 testing in Delhi, says HC

 
Doctor's prescription will not be mandatory for those going voluntarily for RT/PCR test for COVID-19 in the National Capital,said the Delhi High Court. People wanting to get themselves tested will need to carry Aadhaar card for Delhi address proof and fill ICMR form for COVID-19 testing, it said and directed private labs to allow 2,000 COVID-19 tests per day for those who want to undergo them voluntarily.
 
PTI

17:20 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Uttar Pradesh LATEST Updates

Uttar Pradesh reports 73 deaths, 6,743 new cases

The COVID-19 toll in Uttar Pradesh rose to 4,047 on Tuesday with 73 more fatalities, while 6,743 fresh cases pushed the state's infection tally to over over 2.78 lakh, reports PTI.  The total number of COVID-19 cases in the state climbed to 2,78,473, said a health bulletin, adding that the count of active COVID-19 cases stands at 63,256. So far, 2,11,170 COVID-19 patients have recovered from the disease and have been discharged, it added

17:05 (IST)

Oxford vaccine phase-3 trials to start soon, says govt

Oxford vaccine phase three trials to start at 17 sites next week with 1,600 candidates. larger studies will take place in the US and UK, said Paul.

16:50 (IST)

Russia's COVID vaccine under consideration, says VK Paul

"The Sputnik V vaccine developed by Russia has been under consideration of the country. The Government of Russia approached our govt and sought help on two counts- to consider its manufacturing through our network of companies, and phase three studies in India," said Dr VK Paul in response to a question.

16:46 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in India LATEST Updates

Can chase the virus only when missing persons are caught, says health ministry

You can chase the virus only when you catch the missing persons, said health secretary Rajesh Bhushan. He said that there are greater chances of the virus spreading if contacts are not followed up with within 14 days. "We have found many people who were symptomatic negative in antigen tests who did not get tested using RTPCR. These missing people have to be traced to stop spread," The Print quotes him as saying. he also urged people to get themselves tested as part of their social responsibility.

16:39 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in India LATEST Updates

Over 1.28 lakh samples tested by pvt labs in last 24 hours, says health ministry

Answering a question, the health secretary said it was not true that pvt labs are being demonised.  Over 1.28 lakh samples tested by private labs in last 24 hours, he said.

16:33 (IST)

COVID-19 patients in Andamans tribal group have recovered, says health ministry

There are five particularly vulnerabale tribal groups (PVTG)- some in Port Blair and others across different islands in the archipelago. One PVTG has shown positivity- six were positive, all have recovered and returned to their island. There are less than 200 Jarawas and no one has been found positive. Ongees also found negative, said the health secretary.

16:25 (IST)

Five states account for 62% active cases, says health ministry

Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said that five states account for 62% of active cases and 70% of deaths in the country. They are Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. However,14 States/UTs have less than 5,000 cases and Lakkshadweep has none. Assam, Kerala, Odisha, Bihar are among the States that has lower than 1 percent fatality due to COVID-19, The Hindu quotes him as saying.

16:20 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in India LATEST Update

Should be scared of the virus and not of testing, says govt

"Our numbers are rising — we haven’t stabilised yet. The pandemic is still on. But India has brought in very extensive testing. Large population is still vulnerable and testing should be encouraged, said NITI Aayog member VK Paul. We should be scared of the virus and not of testing, he stated The official urged people to not wait till the situation got critical to get themselves tested. "Testing has opened up and is available on demand now", he said.  "Infection is spreading from big cities to smaller cities and now to the villages. Important to stay careful and get testing done quickly, he added.

16:17 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in India LATEST Updates

India's fatality rate among lowest in the world,claims health ministry

At the weekly COVID-19 briefing, Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan says India has one of the lowest case fatality rates, reorted the Hindu. Case fatality rate in India is 1.70percent against the global CFR of 3.40 percent."The CFR was was at 2.15% in the first week of August, now it stands at 1.70%," he said. India also has one of the lowest per million cases in the world at 3,102,  while the deaths per million are 53, he said.

16:01 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Uttar Pradesh LATEST Updates

Uttar Pradesh lifts weekend lockdown

 
The Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday revoked its order of mandatory closure of markets on Sunday, reverting to the pre-coronavirus lockdown arrangement.     According to a statement, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said in a review meeting that markets will now close as per their earlier schedule instead of the weekly closure on Sunday.  He said except containment zones, hotels and restaurants should be made operational in all areas and it should be ensured that all safety measures are followed.The chief minister also asked officials to take measures to protect health workers from the infection.
 
PTI

15:38 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Andaman and Nicobar LATEST Updates

Andaman's COVID-19 tally rises to 3,359 with 27 new cases 

 

Twenty-seven more people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, taking the coronavirus tally in the Union Territory to 3,359, an official said on Tuesday. Of the 27 new cases, 20 were detected during local contact tracing and seven were airport arrivals, the official said. All passengers coming from the mainland have to mandatorily undergo rapid antigen test for COVID-19 at the airport on arrival, he said.
 
At least 50 people recovered from COVID-19 in the last 24-hours, the official said, adding that the total number of recoveries in the UT has risen to 2,997.Of the total 3,359 COVID-19 cases, 312 are active as 2,997 have recovered from the disease and 50 people have died of the infection, the official said.
 
PTI

15:15 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Himachal Pradesh LATEST Updates

Twenty-eight new COVID-19 infections in Himachal 

Himachal Pradesh reported 28 new COVID-19 positive cases in the past 24 hours, taking the total number of positive cases in the state to 7,703. Of the total, there are 5,366 recoveries, 2,267 active cases and 57 deaths. 

15:01 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Uttarakhand LATEST Updates

BJP leader from Uttarakhand dies of COVID-19

Bharatiya Janata Party leader from Uttarakhand Gyan Singh Negi succumbed to COVID-19 on Tuesday. Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat condoled his death: "May God give strength to the bereaved family to bear this loss and the departed soul rest in peace."

14:40 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Spain LATEST Updates

Fearing virus, parents in Spain rise against back to school

Ángela López hardly fits the profile of a rule-breaker. But the mother of a 7-year-old girl with respiratory problems has found herself among parents ready to challenge Spanish authorities on a blanket order to return to school.

They are wary of safety measures they see as ill-funded as a new wave of coronavirus infections sweeps the country. They fear sick students could infect relatives who are at higher risk of falling ill from COVID-19. And they claim that they have invested in computers and better network connections to prepare for online lessons, even preparing to homeschool their children if necessary.

14:27 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in India LATEST Updates

Centre issues guidelines for gyms, yoga institutes

14:05 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Odisha LATEST Updates

Restart Shramik Special trains from Odisha: Dharmendra Pradhan to rail minister

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has written to Railway Minister Piyush Goyal requesting him to restart Shramik Special trains from Odisha to ferry migrant workers back to their workplace in states like Gujarat, Karnataka and Maharashtra.

The Railways started Shramik Specials on 1 May to transport stranded migrant workers to their native states after thousands tried to reach home on foot due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown. The last Shramik Special train was operated on 9 July.

In his letter to the rail minister, Pradhan said that he has received a number of requests from migrant workers in Odisha who have urged that train services be started from Odisha so that they can reach their workplace.

13:24 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in China LATEST Updates

China passed 'historic test' with its handling of COVID-19, says Xi Jinping

China has passed "an extraordinary and historic test" with its handling of the coronavirus, President Xi Jinping said Tuesday at a triumphant awards ceremony for medical professionals decorated with bugle calls and applause.

The nation's propaganda machine has churned out praise for China's Covid-19 response, reframing the public health crisis as an example of the agility and organisation of the Communist leadership.

Read full article here...

12:14 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra LATEST Updates

348 more cops test COVID-19 positive in Maharashtra, total rises to 17,439

At least 348 more tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Maharashtra Police in the past 24 hours, said the police department on Tuesday. With this, the overall count in the force increases to 17,439, ANI reported.

The COVID-19 toll has climbed by one to 177.

11:59 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Telangana LATEST Updates

More than 2,300 new COVID-19 cases in Telangana

Telangana reported 2,392 fresh coronavirus cases, taking the tally of infections to1.45 lakh in the state on Tuesday.

Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) accounted for the most number of cases with 304, followed by Rangareddy 191, Karimnagar 157 and Medchal Malkajgiri 132 districts, a government bulletin said on Tuesday.

11:44 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Karnataka LATEST Updates

First case of COVID-19 reinfection in Bengaluru; govt orders clinical study

As a 27-year-old woman from the city probably became the 'first' case of COVID-19 reinfection nearly a month after recovering, Karnataka Medical Education Minister K Sudhakar on Monday instructed the officials to conduct a clinical study about such cases.

Expressing concern over the reinfection of the patient who was discharged from a hospital in July after recovery, he said it should be dealt with carefully and efforts taken to dispel fears among the people.

"Minister Dr K Sudhakar has instructed the officials to conduct a clinical study about the coronavirus reinfection cases," his office said in a statement.

Referring to the woman found infected with coronavirus for a second time at the Fortis Hospital, the minister, who held a meeting with the COVID-19 taskforce officials, said several other countries have reported cases of reinfection and each country has come up with a different reason for it.

Read full article here...

11:29 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Odisha LATEST Updates

Dharmendra Pradhan asks railway minister to resume Shramik Special trains from Odisha

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has written to Railway Minister Piyush Goyal for resuming the operations of 'Shramik Special' trains from Odisha to Gujarat, Karnataka and Maharashtra, for migrant workers to return to their workplaces, ANI reported. 

11:17 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Rajasthan LATEST Updates

Over 700 new COVID-19 cases in Rajasthan 

Rajasthan reported 721 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours taking the overall count to 93,257 on Tuesday, said the state health department. The COVID-19 toll in the state has reached 1,158.

Of the total cases in the state, there are 76,467 recoveries and 15,632 active cases.

10:53 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Mizoram LATEST Updates

Mizoram reports nine new COVID-19 cases, total over 1,100

With nine new COVID-19 cases reported in Mizoram, the total number of coronavirus cases in the state reached 1,123 on Tuesday, according to the State Health Department.

The state has not reported any death due to the virus, said the Health Department. There are 391 active cases while 732 patients have been discharged in the state.

10:37 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak Latest Updates

France striker Kylian Mbappe tests positive for virus

France and Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss Tuesday's Nations League match against Croatia, the French federation said on Monday.

Mbappe was isolated once he found out about his positive test and left France's training camp to return home on Monday evening. The French federation said the test was carried out by UEFA in the morning.

10:27 (IST)

Coronavirus in Haryana Latest Updates

14 more employees at Murthal dhabas test positive

Fourteen more employees of dhabas at Murthal on the Delhi-Chandigarh highway have tested positive for coronavirus, according to a report. Last week, 81 employees of two dhabas, namely Amrik Sukhdev dhaba and Garam Dharam, had tested positive.

The health department collected more samples from more dhabas on an 8 km stretch in Murthal and found five workers of Pahalwan Dhaba, three from Kubair Hotel, one each from Jhilmil and Ahuja dhabas besides four others tested positive on Monday.

10:02 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in India LATEST Updates

COVID-19 cases in five worst-affected states:

1) Maharashtra - 9,23,641

2) Andhra Pradesh - 5,06,493

3) Tamil Nadu - 4,69,256

4) Karnataka - 4,04,324 

5)Uttar Pradesh - 2,71,851

09:48 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in India LATEST Updates

India's COVID-19 recovery rate at 77.65%

As many as 33,23,950 people have been cured of COVID-19 so far, pushing India’s recovery rate to 77.65 percent, according to the recent data released by the health ministry on Tuesday.

The case fatality rate declined to 1.70 percent after 72,775 deaths were registered so far.

09:45 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in India LATEST Updates

India's COVID-19 cases over 42.80 lakh 

India registered 75,809 new COVID-19 infections taking the overall count to 42.80 lakh on Tuesday, said the health ministry. With 1,133 deaths reported across the country in the past 24 hours, the COVID-19 toll has risen to 72,775.

"The total case tally stands at 42,80,423 including 8,83,697  active cases, 33,23,951 cured/discharged/migrated and 72,775 deaths," said the health ministry. 

09:45 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in India LATEST Updates

India's COVID-19 cases over 42.80 lakh 

India registered 75,809 new COVID-19 infections taking the overall count to 42.80 lakh on Tuesday, said the health ministry. With 1,133 deaths reported across the country in the past 24 hours, the COVID-19 toll has risen to 72,775.

"The total case tally stands at 42,80,423 including 8,83,697  active cases, 33,23,951 cured/discharged/migrated and 72,775 deaths," said the health ministry. 

09:37 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Sikkim LATEST Updates

Sikkim reports over 500 COVID-19 infections

Twenty-nine more people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Sikkim, taking the state's tally to 1,940, an official said yesterday. Of the fresh cases, 18 were reported from East Sikkim and 11 from West Sikkim districts, state Information, Education and Communication officer Sonam Bhutia said.

The Himalayan state now has 538 active COVID-19 cases, while 1,396 people have recovered from the disease and six died. 

09:20 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Russia LATEST Updates

Russia releases first batch of COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V into public

The first batch of the Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19, developed by Russia’s Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology and the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) has been released into civil circulation, regional deliveries are planned in the nearest future, reported news agency ANI on Tuesday.

"The first batch of the 'Gam-COVID-Vac’ (Sputnik V) vaccine for the prevention of the new coronavirus infection, developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Ministry of Health of Russia, has passed the necessary quality tests in the laboratories of Roszdravnadzor [medical device regulator] and has been released into civil circulation," according to the Russian health ministry.

Coronavirus LATEST Updates: "A total of eight people tested positive; out of them, two are assembly staffs. Four police personnel who were on duty inside the Assembly premises, one media person and a driver examined also tested positive. Necessary steps as per norms have been taken," said West Bengal Speaker Biman Banerjee.

The health ministry issued SOPs for the partial re-opening of schools on a voluntary basis from 21 September. As per the Unlock-4 guidelines, students of Classes 9-12 can go to schools to seek guidance from their teachers, provided their parents give permission in writing.

 Andhra Pradesh registered 10,601 new coronavirus positive cases and 73 deaths, pushing the total number of cases to 5,17,094 and toll to 4,560, said reports.

Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said that five states account for 62% of active cases and 70% of deaths in the country. The states are Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.

At the weekly COVID-19 briefing, Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan says India has one of the lowest case fatality rates. India also has one of the lowest per million cases in the world at 3,102, he said.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has written to Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, seeking his intervention to relaunch the now-suspended services of Shramik Special trains from Odisha to other states to
facilitate the return of migrant workers to their places of work.

Over 5.06 crore COVID-19 samples have been tested so far, said the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), adding 10,98,621 samples were tested on Monday alone.

At least 348 more tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Maharashtra Police in the past 24 hours, said the police department on Tuesday. With this, the overall count in the force increases to 17,439, ANI reported.

The COVID-19 toll has climbed by one to 177.

With 75,809 new COVID-19 cases in India, the overall count has gone up to 42,80,442 on Tuesday, said the Union Health Ministry. The toll has risen to 72,775 with 1,133 more fatalities.

As many as 33,23,950 people have been cured of COVID-19 so far, pushing India’s recovery rate to 77.31 percent, according to the recent data released by the health ministry on Tuesday.

Mumbai's COVID-19 cases climbed to 1,57,410 on Monday with 1,788 more people testing positive for the infection, the BMC said.

India on Monday overtook Brazil to become the second worst-hit country by the COVID-19 pandemic, as the national caseload crossed the 42 lakh-mark with a spike of 90,802 new cases.

The total coronavirus cases in the country reached 42,04,614, including 8,82,542 active cases, 32,50,429 cured, and 71,642 deaths, as per the data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

According to the Johns Hopkins University tracker, Brazil has 41,37,521 COVID-19 cases and the United States continues to remain the worst affected with over 62 lakh cases.

In India, five states — Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh — contribute over 60 percent of total COVID-19 cases, 62 percent of active cases, and 70 percent of overall fatality reported due to the virus.

Maharashtra is at the top with 21.6 percent, followed by Andhra Pradesh (11.8 percent), Tamil Nadu (11 percent), Karnataka (9.5 percent), and Uttar Pradesh at 6.3 percent.

Meanwhile, the ICMR said that the total number of samples tested up to 6 September is 4,95,51,507, including 7,20,362 samples tested on Sunday.

'India in talks to join Covax plan'

The World Health Organisation on Monday said that it is in discussion with India to be included in the 'Covax' global vaccine allocation plan.

"India is certainly eligible, like all countries in the world, to be part of the Covax facility and discussions are ongoing in that regard," Bruce Aylward, senior WHO adviser was quoted as saying by Reuters.

"We would welcome Indian participation... India has extensive experience (with vaccines)," he added.

The WHO and the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations (GAVI) vaccine alliance are "leading the COVAX facility, aimed at helping buy and distribute vaccination shots against the novel coronavirus fairly around the world," NDTV reported.

WHO, UNICEF, World Bank, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation are the "core partners" of the GAVI alliance, the report added.

Meanwhile, The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) announced that it will be leading the procurement and supply of coronavirus vaccines to ensure that all countries have safe, fast and equitable access to initial doses when they are available.

UNICEF is the world's largest single vaccine buyer, procuring more than 2 billion doses of various vaccines annually for routine immunisation and outbreak response on behalf of nearly 100 countries.

With several vaccine candidates showing promise, the UN agency, in collaboration with the Revolving Fund of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), will lead efforts to procure and supply doses of COVID-19 vaccines on behalf of the COVAX Global Vaccines Facility for 92 low and lower middle-income countries, whose vaccine purchases will be supported by the mechanism.

"We are ready for an immense new challenge: to lead the global supply of COVID-19 vaccines and help end the worst stage of this pandemic," UNICEF tweeted on Saturday.

"UNICEF is the world's largest single buyer of vaccines for diseases like measles and polio, procuring over 2 billion doses on behalf of nearly 100 countries each year. Thanks to our supporters, we now have the experience and expertise to deliver a COVID19 vaccine to the world," it said.

Metro services resume across country

Five months after being suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, metro services resumed across the country in a graded manner with strict COVID-19 precautions, including social distancing and masks and face shields for passengers.

In accordance with the Union home ministry's 'Unlock 4' guidelines, metros in containment zones remained shut.

The metro in Mumbai, one of the cities most affected by the pandemic, also remained closed.

Union minister Hadeep Singh Puri had announced the resumption of metro services with multiple routes from 7 September.

Uttarakhand minister positive

Uttarakhand cabinet minister Madan Kaushik has tested positive for COVID-19. Kaushik was admitted to AIIMS, Rishikesh on Sunday night after his antigen report came positive, PTI reported.

Though he was in complete isolation since Saturday, after coming in contact with an infected person, he decided to admit himself at AIIMS after testing positive. His sample has also been sent for an RT-PCR test for dual confirmation.

The minister, who is also the state government's official spokesman, has appealed to party leaders and journalists who came in contact with him to get themselves tested for COVID. Kaushik had attended a cabinet meeting last week chaired by Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat.

Bengaluru COVID-19 care centre to shut

The COVID Care Centre at the Bengaluru International Exhibition Centre in the city, that was touted to be the biggest such facility for the treatment of asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic patients in the country will shut from 15 September due to lack of patients, PTI reported.

In an order dated 4 September, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the city civic body has said the decision to close the facility with a potential capacity of over 10,000 beds was taken at a meeting chaired by the chief minister on the advice of the head of the Covid Care Care Task Force.

It has been decided to give the furniture brought for the said centre like- beds, mattress, pedestal fans, dustbins, water dispensers among others to government-run hostels and hospitals at free of cost.

The Social Welfare Department will get 2,500 furniture for its hostels, while the horticulture university hostel at Bagalkote, Minority Welfare Department hostel and the GKVK, Bengaluru will get 1,000 each.

The remaining furniture will be given to government hospitals and hostels based on request, it added.

Following the government's decision to allow home isolation of asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic COVID-19 cases, there has been a drastic fall in people getting admitted to the centre, official sources said.

 

With inputs from agencies

 



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