Coronavirus Updates: Two CBI officers probing Tamil Nadu extrajudicial deaths test COVID-19 positive; state reports 6,472 cases

Coronavirus Outbreak in Tamil Nadu Latest Updates

CBI officers probing Thoothukudi deaths test COVID-19 positive

Two officers of  the CBI team probing the alleged extrajudicial killings of a man and his son in Tamil Nadu’s Thoothukudi tested positive for coronavirus on Thursday, PTI reported.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Delhi Latest Updates

14-yr-old COVID-19 patient in Delhi sexually assaulted by another patient

The Delhi Police said that a 14-yr-old COVID-19 positive girl was sexually assaulted by another patient at a care centre in the National Capital on Thursday. The accused have been arrested.

Coronavirus Iutbreak in India Latest Updates

SP leader Kiranmoy Nanda tests COVID-19 positive, says report

Senior Samajwadi Party leader Kiranmoy Nanda tested positive for the coronavirus on Thursday, News18 reported.

“He was admitted to a hospital in Kolkata, where he is undergoing treatment. SP president and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav inquired about Nanda’s health on call,” the report said.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates

Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala figures today:

Gujarat reported 1,078 fresh cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours, taking tally to 52,563. The toll rose to 2,257 with 28 more deaths.

Karnataka’s coronavirus tally rose to 80,863 with 5,030 new cases on Thursday. The toll rose to 1,616 with 96 more casualties.

1,078 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Kerala. The number of active cases stands at 9,468, Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Assam Latest Updates

Assam to release 376 prisoners to decongest jails

The Assam government will release 376 prisoners in the next few days to decongest jails across the state after 535 inmates tested positive for COVID-19, an official said on Thursday. Of the 376 prisoners to be released, 111 are presently lodged in Guwahati Central Jail, he said.

The rest of the prisoners are now lodged in the district jails of Nalbari, Dhubri, Karimganj, North Lakhimpur, Golaghat, Diphu and Udalguri, he added.

Assam Inspector General of Prisons Dasarath Das told PTI that 535 prisoners in 10 jails across the state have been affected by the pandemic. The highest number of 435 are from Guwahati.

(PTI)

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates

Railways says all existing demands for Shramik trains have been met

The Railways Thursday said it has met all the existing demand of states for Shramik Special trains to ferry stranded migrant workers home, with the last service being operated on 9 July.

Railway Board Chairman VK Yadav said a total of 4,615 Shramik Special trains have been run since May 1, taking over 63 lakh people home during the coronavirus lockdown. The Railways started Shramik Specials on May 1 to transport stranded migrant workers to their native states after thousands tried to reach home on foot due to the lockdown.

(PTI)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Tamil Nadu Latest Updates

Thoothukudi DMK MLA tests positive for COVID-19

Thoothukudi DMK MLA Geetha Jeevan, her daughter, and son-in-law on Thursday tested positive for coronavirus, ANI reported. They are now under home quarantine.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Delhi Latest Updates

Delhi policeman with relapse of COVID-19 baffles experts

The case of a Delhi policeman having a relapse of the coronavirus has baffled experts and the doctors treating him and has raised the question whether a recovered patient can contract the infection again.

The policeman, 50, had tested positive for the virus in May and was treated at the Indraprastha Apollo hospitals between 15 and 22 May. Thereafter, he had tested negative and resumed duty. However, on 10 July, he again felt unwell with a fever and dry cough and got himself tested on 13 July.

The report came positive through the rapid antigen test as well as the RT-PCR test, said Dr Rajesh Chawla, Senior Consultant, Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Apollo Hospitals.

The policeman, who has no other underlying ailment, complained of chest pain on July 16 and was admitted to the hospital, the senior doctor said, adding that he is stable and his vitals are being monitored.

“The first time he was tested for coronavirus, he had no symptoms. There was a camp in the hospital and since his friend got tested, he also got tested and came positive, he told PTI.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Punjab Latest Updates

Punjab govt to impose Rs 10,000 for violating curbs in social events

Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh on Thursday said the state government “will impose a Rs 5,000 fine for home isolation violation and flouting of social distancing by restaurants/commercial eateries, and a fine of Rs 10,000 for non-adherence to restrictions at social gatherings,” News18 reported.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates

JEE-Mains hopefuls won’t need 75% marks in class 12 exam, says HRD ministry

Union HRD Ramesh Pokhriyal on Thursday said that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, “candidates clearing JEE-Mains will not require mandatory 75 percent marks in Class 12 for admission to NITs this year,” The Indian Express reported.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Tamil Nadu Latest Updates

Second national-level plasma bank opens in Tamil Nadu

India’s second national-level plasma bank was opened in Tamil Nadu on Thursday at a cost of Rs 2.34 crore, C Vijaybhaskar, state health minister said on Thursday.

“We were earlier conducting the plasma method on a trial basis. Four people in Madurai successfully underwent the process in the early stages and a few more banks will be set up in nearby districts. We now have the approval of the Indian Council of Medical Research and have opened the second plasma bank at the national level with a total budget of Rs 2.34 crore,” said Vijaybhaskar.

He added, “After a COVID-19 patient is discharged, the patient has to wait for 14 days before they can donate their plasma. Plasma will be separated from the blood, which can be stored and used for up to one year.”

(ANI)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Jharkhand LATEST Updates

Jharkhand Assembly Secretariat sealed till 31 July

Jharkhand Assembly Secretariat has been sealed till 27 July for disinfection after reports of some of the staff and members of the Assembly testing positive for COVID-19, reports ANI. All meetings of the Assembly committees will remain suspended till 31 July with immediate effect.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India LATEST Updates

Mylab gets ICMR nod for its antigen testing kit for COVID-19 

Pune-based Mylab Discovery Solutions said it has received commercial approval from the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) for its antigen testing kit for COVID-19. The kit will be available for orders immediately and will be priced around Rs 450, the company said.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Meghalaya LATEST Updates

13 BSF personnel among 19 new COVID-19 cases in Meghalaya

Nineteen people, including 13 BSF personnel, tested positive for COVID-19 in Meghalaya on Thursday, taking the state’s tally to 534, reports PTI. The state now has 452 active coronavirus cases, Health Services Director, Aman War, said.

According to the official, overall 282 BSF personnel have tested positive for coronavirus in the state.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Jharkhand LATEST Updates

Jharkhand govt announces Rs 1 lakh fine for not wearing masks

The Jharkhand Cabinet had approved the Jharkhand Contagious Disease Ordinance on Wednesday, under which penalty up to Rs 1 lakh and a jail term up to two years can be imposed against those not wearing masks and spitting in public places.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Tamil Nadu LATEST Updates

84 personnel test positive for Covid-19 at Tamil Nadu’s Raj Bhavan

As many as 84 personnel have been tested positive at the Raj Bhavan in Chennai. As per a statement, a few persons showed symptoms following which tests were carried out 147 persons working at the premises, reports ANI.

“Three persons were further investigated and now have been quarantined by the Health Department. All three persons were working outside the Raj Bhavan building. None of these persons had come in contact with the Hon’ble Governor or Senior officials of Raj Bhavan,” the statement read.

Officials added that it is monitoring the situation closely and as a precautionary measure, the whole area, including the offices, has been disinfected and sanitized by corporation workers.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Australia LATEST Updates

Pandemic to cost Australia govt $131 billion this year

Australia’s response to the coronavirus pandemic tipped the government’s budget 85.8 billion Australian dollars ($61 billion) into the red in the last fiscal year and will create AU$184 billion ($131 billion) more debt in the current year which would be the nation’s biggest deficit since World War II, treasury figures showed on Thursday, reports AP.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg revealed Australia’s crumbling economic outlook based on increased government spending to stimulate to economy and declining tax revenue.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Madhya Pradesh LATEST Updates

Protests in COVID hospital in Shamli over power outage, unhygienic conditions

Patients at a COVID hospital in Jhinjhana town of Shamli district staged a protest when a senior official was inspecting the facility over complaints of power outage and unhyegenic living conditions.

A video had surfaced on social media in which patients at the facility were seen raising the complaints, following which Subdivisional Magistrate Mani Arora was conducting an inspection on Wednesday. As soon as the official reached the centre, the patients started protesting which caused a ruckus.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Madhya Pradesh LATEST Updates

MP minister Arvind Singh Bhadoriya tests COVID-19 positive

Madhya Pradesh Co-operatives Minister Arvind Singh Bhadoriya on Thursday said he has tested positive for coronavirus, reports PTI. In a video message, Bhadoriya said he did not experience any symptoms of the viral infection.

“I just had sore throat. I went for the test. My report came at 12.30 am. I rushed to the hospital and got admitted,” he said, and asked those who came in contact with him to get themselves tested.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Gujarat LATEST Updates

Pvt schools stop online classes after govt’s ’no fee’ order

Private schools in Gujarat have suspended online classes for an indefinite period from Thursday, after a state government order said they should not collect fees from students until the schools reopen.

In a notification issued last week, the Gujarat government directed self-financed schools in the state not to collect tuition fees from students as long as they remain shut in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. It also asked these schools not to hike fees for the academic year 2020-21.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Puducherry LATEST Updates

Puducherry reports 3 new deaths, total cases at 2,421

Puducherry on Thursday reported three COVID-19 deaths, pushing the toll to 34 while 123 new cases were detected in the union territory. Among the three fatalities were a 59-year old man, a 50-year old man and a 48-year old male patient.

The addition of 123 fresh cases took the overall tally in the union territory to 2,421 which includes 987 active cases and 1,400 recoveries.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Uttar Pradesh LATEST Updates

Priyanka Gandhi attacks UP CM over condition of health care facilities in state

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra attacks Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister over the condition of health facilities in the state.

“In the Covid-era, health facilities should be up and running,” she tweets. “But, Mahoba women’s hospital is in this condition. You have seen the bad state of hospitals in Bareilly and Gorakhpur. In Lucknow, the chief minister, who makes statements about health facilities, is interested in hiding these conditions, not improving them.”

कोरोना काल में स्वास्थ्य सुविधाएं चाकचौबंद होनी चाहिए। मगर महोबा के महिला अस्पताल का ये हाल है। आपने बरेली, गोरखपुर के अस्पतालों में भी अव्यवस्थाओं की दशा देखी।

लखनऊ में स्वास्थ्य सुविधाओं के ऊपर बयान देने वाले सीएम की रुचि इन हालातों को सुधारने में नहीं, इन्हें छिपाने में है। pic.twitter.com/0KhzoogXwg

— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) July 23, 2020

Coronavirus Outbreak in West Bengal LATEST Updates

West Bengal’s COVID-19 toll at 1,221

The COVID-19 toll in West Bengal mounted to 1,221 as it reported the highest number of 39 fatalities on Wednesday, the health department said. It also recorded 2,291 fresh infections, pushing the tally to 49,321, it said in a bulletin.

Coronavirus Outbreak in West Bengal LATEST Updates

Complete lockdown in West Bengal today

West Bengal will observe a complete lockdown on Thursday. Civic bodies like Barrackpore, Baranagar and Bongaon, all located in the North 24 Parganas district, and Bardhaman town announced a lockdown for almost a week.

The state on Wednesday yet again recorded a single-day spike in the COVID-19 fatalities with 39 deaths.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Uttar Pradesh LATEST Updates

Yogi Adityanath interested in hiding conditions of health facilities: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday attacked Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over the state of health facilities in Uttar Pradesh where COVID-19 patients are being treated, alleging that he is more interested in hiding their conditions than improving them.

— PTI

Coronavirus Outbreak in India LATEST Updates

SC expresses reservation in directing schools, universities to only demand tuition fee

The Supreme Court expressed reservations on Thursday in passing order to direct schools and educational institutions to demand only tuition fee from students during the lockdown period, Live Law reported. 

The top court further said that a general order could not be passed applicable all over India and asked the petitioner to approach High Court.

Coronavirus Outbreak LATEST Updates

Expect COVID-19 vaccine to be available by year-end: Pfizer

Pfizer, which has struck a nearly $2 billion deal with the US government to deliver 100 million doses of a COVID-19 vaccine developed in collaboration with its German partner BioNTech, is hoping to seek regulatory approval for a vaccine “as early as October” this year and have a vaccine on the market by year end.

A “best case scenario” would be approval before year end and a vaccine by year end, according to Pfizer.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Odisha LATEST Updates

Odisha reports over 21,000 COVID-19 infections

Odisha registered 21,099 confirmed coronavirus cases on Thursday after 1,264 more individuals tested positive. Of the total, there are 7,205 active cases and 13,749 recoveries, said the state health department.

Coronavirus Outbreak in West Bengal LATEST Updates

Shops shut, transport off roads as lockdown enforced in Bengal

Life came to a near standstill across West Bengal on Thursday as the state was put under a complete lockdown to break the chain of rapidly rising COVID-19 cases.

All shops were shut and all modes of transport went off the road as part of the state government’s plan to clamp restrictions two days a week. A similar lockdown will be in place on July 25 and 29.

West Bengal: Streets wear a deserted look, police check IDs of commuters and shops closed in Birbhum, as the state observes a complete lockdown to contain the spread of #COVID19. pic.twitter.com/cBQiem78p9

— ANI (@ANI) July 23, 2020

Coronavirus Outbreak in India LATEST Updates

Vigorous fight against Covid-19 till vaccine is developed, says Modi

While laying the foundation stone of the Manipur water supply project via videoconference on Thursday Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: “Till the time vaccine is developed, we have to vigorously fight against coronavirus.”

Laying the foundation stone of Manipur Water Supply Project. https://t.co/ndTe5zvhe9

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 23, 2020

Coronavirus Outbreak in Tamil Nadu LATEST Updates

Tamil Nadu cancels even semester exams for all but final year college students

According to reports , Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Thursday, said that college students will be promoted to the next year without having to take up even semester examinations for the year 2019-20. The announcement however does not include final year students. Details are expected on when the final semester exams will be conducted.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Rajasthan LATEST Updates

Rajasthan reports 339 new cases, 5 deaths

Rajasthan on Thursday reports 339 new coronavirus cases and five deaths, taking the state total to 32,673 including 588 deaths, 23,498 recoveries and 8,587 active cases, reports ANI.

Rajasthan reports 339 new #COVID19 positive cases and 5 deaths, taking the total number of positive cases to 32,673 including 588 deaths, 23,498 recoveries and 8,587 active cases: State Health Department pic.twitter.com/at7QcgyXU1

— ANI (@ANI) July 23, 2020

Coronavirus Outbreak in Madhya Pradesh LATEST Updates

MP cabinet minister admitted to hospital after testing positive

According to ANI, a Madhya Pradesh Cabinet minister has been admitted to the Chirayu Medical College and Hospital in Bhopal after he tested positive. The minister had attended a Cabinet meeting the day before and also the funeral of Madhya Pradesh Governor Lalji Tandon on Tuesday.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India LATEST Updates

Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu remain worst-hit

With 3,37,607 confirmed cases of COVID-19 so far, Maharashtra remains the worst-affected state in the country, followed by Tamil Nadu (1,86,492) and Delhi (1,26,323).

Coronavirus Outbreak in India LATEST Updates

India reports highest single-day spike with over 45,000 new cases

The total confirmed COVID-19 cases in India have risen to 12,38,635, according to the latest update from the Union Health Ministry. India registers a record 45,720 new cases and 1,129 deaths. With this, the country’s toll now at 29,861.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India LATEST Updates

Over 3.5 lakh sampels tested yesterday, says ICMR

A total of 3,50,823 samples were tested on Wednesday, says the Indian Council of Medical Research.

Coronavirus Outbreak in US LATEST Updates

US reports over 63,00 new cases in past 24 hrs

United States registers 63,967 new cases in last 24 hours, according to Johns Hopkins University. The toll in the US rises to 1,42,942 with 1,059 deaths reported in last 24 hours.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India LATEST Updates

Global COVID-19 cases now at 1.5 core, toll at 6.1 lakh

The total confirmed cases of COVID-19 across the world stand at 1.5 crore, according to the Reuters tracker. This figure includes COVID-19 patients who have recovered and the overall global toll which stands at 6.1 lakh.

With over 39.6 lakh reported cases till date, the United States is the worst-affected country in the world. The US is followed by Brazil, India, Russia and South Africa.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Latin America LATEST Updates

Brazil, Argentina hit coronavirus records as Latin America exceeds 4 million casea

Brazil and Argentina registered daily records for confirmed coronavirus cases on Wednesday, pushing the total number of cases in Latin America past 4 million and underlining the difficulty the region faces in controlling the pandemic.

Brazil registered 67,860 additional cases of the virus on Wednesday, along with 1,284 related deaths. That brought the total number of cases in Latin America’s largest nation to 2,227,514, while deaths rose to 82,771.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Assam LATEST Updates

Assam reports 972 new COVID-19 cases, total reaches 27,744

Two persons died due to COVID-19 infection in Assam on Wednesday, taking the death toll to 66, while 972 fresh cases were reported in the state, Minister for Health and Family Welfare Himanta Biswa Sarma said. The state’s infection tally stands at 27,744, he said.

📌Alert ~ 972 new #COVID19 ve+ patients in Assam today. Out of these, 354 cases were recorded from Kamrup (Metro) alone.

Stay alert, safe & healthy!

↗️Total cases 27744
↗️Recovered 18033
↗️Active cases 9642
↗️Deaths 66

11:25 PM/July 22/Day's total 972#AssamCovidCount pic.twitter.com/SPtolYxViM

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 22, 2020

Coronavirus Outbreak in Kerala LATEST Updates

Lockdown may be imposed in Kerala again, says CM

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday said a complete lockdown could be imposed in the state again as over 1,000 new cases of coronavirus were reported for the first time on Wednesday.

“We had previously implemented a complete lockdown in the state. We are aware of such viewpoints (complete lockdown).Although it has not been decided yet, I think we will have to consider it,” he said.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Arunachal Pradesh LATEST Update

167 personnel of security forces found COVID-19 positive in Arunachal so far

The Arunachal Pradesh government on Wednesday said that 167 personnel of different security forces and the police have tested positive for COVID-19, reports PTI.

Among them are 54 of the Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITPB), 32 personnel each of the Army and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and 16 of the Border Road Task Force (BRTF), said state Health Secretary P Parthiban.

Thirty-one personnel of the state police and two personnel of the Assam Rifles have also tested positive, he added. Besides, 53 personnel of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have also been diagnosed with COVID-19.

Coronavirus Outbreak LATEST Update

Don’t expect COIVD-19 vaccine before 2021: WHO

Researchers are making “good progress” in developing vaccines against COVID-19, with a handful in late-stage trials, but their first use cannot be expected until early 2021, a World Health Organization (WHO) expert said on Wednesday, reports Reuters.

WHO is working to ensure fair vaccine distribution, but in the meantime it is key to suppress the virus’s spread, said Mike Ryan, head of WHO’s emergencies programme, as daily new cases around the globe are at near-record levels.