Coronavirus Updates: Karnataka records 104 deaths, 9,894 new cases; 3,479 from Bengaluru

Coronavirus in Maharashtra LATEST Update

Former minister Arjun Khotkar tests positive

Former Maharashtra minister Arjun Khotkar on Sunday said he has tested positive for COVID-19. He shared the information on his Twitter handle.He said he would undergo treatment in Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai. Khotkar, a Shiv Sena leader, was a minister in the Devendra Fadnavis government. 

Coronavirus in India LATEST Update

Coronavirus genomes in India have 5.39% mutation similarity with 72 nations: Study

Coronavirus genomes in India have 5.39 percent mutation similarity with 72 nations, found a study by a group of researchers trying to identify the genetic variability and potential molecular targets in the virus and humans to find the best possible answer for combating COVID-19. Mutations in an organism’s genetic material are natural ’errors’ in the cell replication process that may give the virus new ‘powers’ of survival, infectivity, and virulence. It can affect the ability of vaccines and drugs to bind the virus, or to create a specific immune response against it. The study also reveals that the US, the UK and India are the top three nations with a geometric mean of 3.27 percent, 3.59 percent, and 5.39 percent, respectively, of mutation similarity score with other 72 countries.

PTI

Coronavirus in Punjab LATEST Update

Punjab sees highest single-day spike of 2,628 fresh cases

Punjab on Sunday reported the highest single-day spike of 2,628 fresh COVID-19 cases, taking the infection tally to 79,679 in the state, while the death toll reached 2,356 with 68 more fatalities, according to a medical bulletin. There are 19,787 active cases in the state, as of now, according to the bulletin. So far, 57,536 people have been cured of the contagion.

Coronavirus in Gujarat LATEST Update

Gujarat registers 1,326 new cases, 15 deaths

With the addition of 1,326 coronavirus positive cases on Sunday, Gujarat’s overall tally went up to 1,13,662, the state health department said. With 15 deaths, the fatality count reached 3,213, it said. A total of 1,205 patients were discharged from hospitals during the day, taking the number of recovered cases in the state to 94,010, the department said in its release.

Coronavirus in Tamil Nadu LATEST Update

Tamil Nadu logs 5,693 new infections

The coronavirus tally in Tamil Nadu  surged past the five lakh mark on Sunday with 5,693 fresh cases being added, the Health department said. The state’s COVID-19 aggregate stood at 5.02 lakh as 74 related deaths were reported today, taking the toll to 8,381, the department said in a bulletin Recoveries continued to outnumber fresh infections as 5,717 people walked out from various healthcare facilities, taking the total of those cured to 4.47 lakh so far. Active cases including those in isolation stood at 47,012 in the state.

PTI

Coronavirus in Karantaka LATEST Update

Karnataka sees biggest jump of 9,894 new cases

Karnataka on Sunday reported its biggest single day spike of 9,894 new COVID-19 cases and 104 related fatalities, taking the total number of infections to 4,59,445 and the toll to 7,265, the state health department said. The day also saw 8,402 patients getting discharged after recovery. Out of 9,894 fresh cases reported on Sunday, 3,479 cases were from Bengaluru urban alone.

PTI

Coronavirus in India LATEST Update

Centre urges seven states to ensure availability of oxygen in healthcare facilities

The Centre on Sunday urged Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh to ensure adequate oxygen availability in all healthcare facilities and unrestricted intra- and inter-state movement of oxygen cylinders because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Union Health Ministry held a virtual meeting where Union Health Secretary, Secretary DPIIT and Secretary Pharmaceuticals participated. State Health Secretaries and Industries Secretaries of the seven states also participated in the meeting and discussed ways to ensure adequate oxygen availability in all healthcare facilities and unrestricted intra- and inter-state movement of oxygen, the statement stated.

Coronavirus in Chhattisgarh LATEST Update

All possible measures being taken to contain COVID-19, says Bhupesh Baghel

Amid a steady rise in COVID-19 cases in Chhattisgarh, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Sunday said all possible measures are being taken to curb the spread of the infection and ensure treatment of patients in the state. The chief minister said the state has significantly enhanced its testing capacity for COVID-19 in the last couple of months, according to a statement. “In March this year, only All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Raipur had the facility for COVID-19 testing, and it was a big challenge to expand the testing facilities,” Baghel said. At present, all six government medical colleges in the state and four private labs have RT-PCR testing facility.

PTI

Coronavirus in Maharashtra LATEST Update

Maharashtra’s cases surge to 10.60 lakh with 22,543 new cases

Maharashtra’s COVID-19 case count rises to 10,60,308 with 22,543 fresh cases while 416 deaths take toll to 29531, reports PTI.

Coronavirus in Andhra Pradesh LATEST Update

Andhra Pradesh’s case count touches 5.67 lakh

The total number of  coronavirus cases in Andhra Pradesh touched 5.67 lakh on Sunday with about 46 lakh sample being tested so far. The positivity rate now stands at 12.33 percent, said the latest COVID-19 bulletin. A total of 10,131 patients had recovered from the infection in 24 hours ending 9 am on Sunday while 9,536 more tested positive. The state recorded 66 more coronavirus deaths, taking the toll to 4,912.

PTI

Coronavirus in India LATEST Update

Vaccine will be made available to those who need it most: Harsh Vardhan

During the virtual interaction,Harsh Vardhan stated that the Centre is taking full precautions in conducting the human trials of the vaccine and the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19s drawing up a detailed strategy on how to immunize majority of the population. “Issues like vaccine security, cost, equity, cold-chain requirements, production timelines etc., are also been discussed intensely”, he said. He also assured the vaccine will be first made available to those who need it the most, irrespective of their paying capacity.

The health minister also said that the government is considering emergency authorization of COVID-19 vaccination especially in the case of senior citizens and people working in high-risk settings. “This shall be done after a consensus has been reached”, he said.

Coronavirus in India LATEST Updates

COVID-19 vaccine may be possible by 2021, says Harsh Vardhan

During an online interaction titled Sunday Samvaad, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said a coronavirus vaccine could be ready by the first quarter of 2021, reports NDTV. Vardhan said he would volunteer for receiving the COVID-19 vaccine if people have a “trust deficit” on the drug. He said frontline health workers, senior citizens and those with comorbidities should be given the vaccine first whenever it becomes available.

Coronavirus in Kerala LATEST Updates

Kerala registers 3,139 new cases, 14 deaths

Kerala records 3,139 new cases and 1885 recoveries, taking the number of active cases in the state to 30,072 and recoveries to 77,703, said reports. As per reports, Kerala health minister KK Shailaja said that 2,921 persons contacted the infection through contacts while the infection source for 251 was still unknown. While the state’s case tally has risen to 1,08,278, the toll has climbed to 439 with 14 deaths.

Coronavirus in Maharashtra LATEST Updates

Nagpur residents to be fined Rs 500 for not wearing masks, says minister

Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh said people in Nagpur will be fined Rs 500 instead of Rs 200 from Monday for not wearing masks amid the coronavirusout break. Speaking to reporters, he said all precautions must be taken and social distancing norms have to be followed strictly till such time as a vaccine is developed for COVID- 19.

PTI

Coronavirus in Nepal LATEST Updates

Nepal’s COVID-19 caseload reaches 54,1159

Nepal’s coronavirus cases on Sunday inched closer to the 55,000-mark with 1,039 new cases while the death toll due to COVID-19 climbed to 345.  Nepal’s coronavirus recovery rate stands at 71.5 percent. The country’s coronavirus infection tally has reached 54,1159, said Health Ministry spokesperson Jageshwor Gautam.

PTI

Coronavirus in Delhi LATEST Updates

Delhi reports 4,235 new cases, 29 deaths

Delhi recorded 4,235 fresh coronavirus cases and 29 deaths in the last 24 hours, taking the  total number of cases to 2,18304 and toll to 4,744, according to a health bulletin. A total of 1,84,748 persons have recuperated from the disease till date and there are 28,812 active cases in the National Capital.. 

Coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh LATEST Updates

Toll in Uttar Pradesh up by 80 to 4,429

Eighty more people died from coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday as 6,239 fresh cases surfaced, taking the infection figures to  3,12,036 in the state. Briefing reporters, Additional Chief Secretary (Medical and Health) Amit Mohan Prasad said so far, 4,429 people have died from the disease in Uttar Pradesh. The count of active COVID-19 cases in the state stands at 68,122, he said, while , 2,39,485 have recovered from the disease till now.

PTI

Coronavirus in Mizoram LATEST Updates

Mizoram’s lone BJP legislator tests COVID-19 positive

Mizoram’s lone BJP legislator Budhha Dhan Chakma has tested positive for COVID-19, official sources told news agency PTI. He was among the 35 people who were diagnosed with coronavirus infection in the last 24 hours, they said. Chakma, 47, is the only legislator in Mizoram to have tested positive for COVID-19. “I am very surprised that I have tested positive for COVID-19. But I am asymptomatic and doing very well. Luckily, all my other family members have tested negative,” he told PTI. He said he will be shifted to Zoram Medical College (ZMC) for treatment.

Coronavirus in India LATEST Updates

COVID-19 treatment accounts for 11% insurance claims between April to Aug

Treatment for COVID-19 accounted for as much as 11 percent of the total health insurance claims paid by insurance companies during the first five months of the current financial year, says a research conducted by Policybazaar.com.The research further revealed that 89 percent of health insurance claims during 1 April, 2020 and 31August, 2020 were for other major illnesses, including cancer, heart problems, kidney and treatment.  The insurtech brand further said the increasing incidence of coronavirus cases and the rising cost of treatment have been promoting more and more people to opt for health insurance in these uncertain times.

PTI

Coronavirus in China LATEST Updates

Domestic air travel in China’s Wuhan returns to pre-COVID levels

Domestic air travel in Wuhan, the epicenter of the global coronavirus outbreak, has returned to pre-pandemic levels,reports news agency AP. The virus was first detected in Wuhan late last year and the city underwent a draconian 76-day lockdown as its hospitals struggled to deal with a tidal wave of cases that required the rapid construction of field hospitals to handle the overflow. Since re-opening in early April, life has gradually returned to normal and numbers of domestic flights serving the city, as well as the number of passengers, had both fully recovered, according to the operator of Wuhan Tianhe International airport. It said 6,4,700 passengers were transported aboard 500 domestic flights on Friday. The airport is preparing to eventually resume international passenger flights to destinations such as Seoul, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta, Qu Xiaoni, an airport representative was quoted as saying by the officia_l Xinhua News Agency._

Coronavirus in India LATEST Updates

Yoga, Chyawanprash in Centre’s guidelines for post-COVID management

 Yogasana, Pranayama, meditation and intake of chyawanprash are among some of the suggestions given by the Union Health Ministry in its new management protocol for patients who have recovered from COVID-19. Calling for a holistic approach for follow up care and well-being of all post-COVID recovered patients, the Health ministry said such patients must continue COVID appropriate behaviour like use of mask, hand and respiratory hygiene, physical distancing. The protocol provides an approach for managing patients who have recovered from COVID-19 for care at home.

Coronavirus in Ladakh LATEST Updates

One more COVID-19 death in Ladakh pushes toll to 39

The Union Territory of Ladakh recorded one more COVID-19 related death, taking the number of fatalities in the region to 39, officials said on Sunday.

A 62-year-old patient, who had recently tested positive for coronavirus, died in Leh district on Saturday and the last rights of the deceased were conducted as per the set protocol, they said. His death was the 16th COVID-19 related fatality in Leh district, while rest of 23 deaths have taken place in Kargil district.

With detection of 66 fresh positive cases — 37 in Leh and 29 in Kargil, the virus caseload in the UT has gone up to 3,294 till Saturday evening, the officials said.

-PTI

Coronavirus in Madhya Pradesh LATEST Updates

Record spike of 351 COVID-19 cases reported in Indore over 24-hour period

Indore, Madhya Pradesh’s worst coronavirus-hit district, witnessed a record spike of 351 cases in the last 24 hours, taking the COVID-19 count here to 16,782, an official said on Sunday.

A total of 458 patients have died of the infection so far, and government data shows the mortality rate in the district is 2.73 per cent, which is higher than the national average at 1.65 percent

Coronavirus in India LATEST Updates

Over 10 lakh cases, 13,300 deaths reported in first 13 days of September

India recorded 10.6 lakh COVID-19 in the first 13 days of September, making it the country with the world’s fastest-growing caseload. During the same period, India’s death toll from the disease, caused by the novel coronavirus, surged by 13,298.

The country recorded a single-day spike of over 90,000 COVID-19 cases almost every day in the last week.

Coronavirus in India LATEST Updates

Masks, sanitiser and staggered entry: NEET begins amid strict COVID-19 precautions

Medical entrance exam NEET began on Sunday amid strict precautions in view of the COVID-19 pandemic at over 3,800 centres across the country with students queuing up as per their designated time slots, adhering to social distancing norms

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) began at 2 pm, but entry to centres started at 11 am. Students were allotted different slots for entry to ensure there is staggered movement and social distancing is maintained. Over 15 lakh candidates have registered for NEET, which was earlier postponed twice in view of the pandemic.

Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ wished luck to the candidates appearing for the exam and assured that arrangements are in place for their safety.

Coronavirus in Goa LATEST Updates

New COVID-19 facility in Goa to start functioning from 19 Sep

A 250-bed COVID-19 facility will start operating at the South Goa district hospital from September 19, state Health Minister Vishwajit Rane has said.

As of now, COVID-19 patients in the state are being treated at the ESI Hospital in Margao (South Goa), the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) near Panaji (North Goa) and the Sub-District Hospital in Ponda (South Goa).

In the wake of rise in number of COVID-19 cases in the coastal state, the new facility at the South Goa district hospital in Mrago would be made functional partially, Rane told reporters on Saturday after visiting the facility.

-PTI

Coronavirus in Bihar LATEST Updates

Candidates arrive at exam centre in Patna to write NEET exam

Coronavirus in India LATEST Updates

BJP MP Sukanta Majumdar tests positive for COVID-19

BJP MP Sukanta Majumdar said on Sunday that he has tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of the Monsoon session of Parliament.

Majumdar, who represents the Balurghat Lok Sabha seat in West Bengal, is in Delhi where he went through a test for COVID-19 and was found to be positive, party sources said. The Monsoon session will start from Monday and COVID tests have been made mandatory for those attending it.

Coronavirus in Maharashtra LATEST Updates

Conspiracy to malign Maharashtra: Uddhav Thackeray

 Facing flak from detractors on both political and coronavirus front, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday said a conspiracy is afoot to malign Maharashtra.

“Whatever political storms come, I will face… I will fight coronavirus too,” Thackeray said in a televised public address. A day after COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra crossed the 10-lakh mark, Thackeray said his government has done effective work to tackle the pandemic.

Coronavirus in Maharashtra LATEST Updates

Over 180 police personnel test positive for COVID-19 in Maharashtra

As many as 184 police personnel of Maharashtra Police tested positive for COVID19 and 4 died in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of infections in the force to 19,074 including 3,728 active cases, 15,156 recovered cases and 190 deaths, said the Maharasthra Police on Sunday.

Coronavirus in Maharashtra LATEST Updates

Uddhav Thackeray launches ‘My family-My responsibility’ campaign

While continuing his address on Sunday, Thackeray said: “The health survey of all 12 crore Maharashtrians may be inconvenient but not impossible. I need the help of all public representatives to take responsibility of this for their wards. Door-to-door survey should be done to ask if someone is above 50, do they have any co-morbidities and what is their oxygen level. Before the virus reaches, we should reach their homes, this is ‘My family My Responsibility’.

Coronavirus in Maharashtra LATEST Updates

COVID-19 has not gone down, cases rising in rural areas, says Uddhav Thackeray

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday addressed the media on the pandemic. He said: “We have been going through a difficult situation. I thank all the people of Maharashtra. We have also been working on Mission Begin Again to take our life back on track. We are increasing attendance in offices, industries and have restarted inter-district travel. Mission Begin Again, festivals and monsoon all coincided, and what I had feared is happening. Coronavirus has not gone down, the numbers are rising. It is increasing in rural areas.”

Coronavirus in India LATEST Updates

‘Look for early signs, monitor health,’ says Centre’s new protocol 

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Sunday released new protocols for patients recovering from the coronavirus, NDTV reported. Patients who have recovered from acute illness may continue to report symptoms such as fatigue, body ache, cough, sore throat, and difficulty in breathing, it said.

The recovery period is likely to be longer for patients who suffered from severe Covid symptoms and those with any pre-existing health conditions. In a set of fresh guidelines, the Health Ministry has recommended physical exercise and taking prescribed immunity boosting medicines after recovery

Coronavirus in Delhi LATEST Updates

Delhi govt directs 33 pvt hospitals to reserve 80% of ICU beds for COVID-19 patients

Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said on Sunday the city government has instructed 33 big private hospitals in the national capital to reserve 80 per cent of ICU beds for COVID-19 patients, amid a shortage of such beds at some facilities.

Delhi has been witnessing a surge in novel coronavirus cases from the last week of August. Delhi recorded its biggest single-day jump of 4,321 fresh COVID-19 cases on Saturday, taking the city’s tally to over 2.14 lakh, authorities said. It was for the fourth day in a row that over 4,000 fresh cases were recorded in Delhi.

“Yesterday, we instructed 33 private hospitals to reserve 80 per cent of their ICU beds for coronavirus patients. This has been done since issues were being faced with regards to ICU beds in some private hospitals. I also held a video conference over this and an order has been issued in this regard,” he told reporters.

-PTI

Coronavirus in India LATEST Updates

Raghuvansh Prasad Singh passes away in Delhi

Former Union minister Raghuvansh Prasad Singh passed away on Sunday morning while undergoing treatment in New Delhi’s AIIMS. He was 74 years old.

Singh, who had recently resigned from RJD, had fallen ill after developing post-COVID-19 complications. His condition had deteriorated on Friday night, and he was admitted to AIIMS on Saturday with complaints of recurrent cough. He was later put on a ventilator.

Coronavirus in Rajasthan LATEST Updates

COVID-19 claims lives of seven more people in Rajasthan

Rajasthan recorded seven deaths and 731 fresh cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, according to a health department bulletin. While the number of positive cases in the state has increased to 1,01436, the total number of fatalities climbed to 1,228.

Bikaner reported two fresh deaths, Dungarpur (1), Jaipur (2), Jhalawar (1) and Udaipur (1).

-PTI

Coronavirus in West Bengal LATEST Updates

Kolkata Metro resumes operations with NEET special trains

The wheels of Kolkata Metro started rolling again with passengers on Sunday after nearly six months with special services for NEET examinees and their guardians.

Regular passenger services will commence on Monday with social distancing measures and other safety protocols in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, a Metro official said.

NEET aspirants, many accompanied by their guardians, queued up in front of metro stations to reach their examination centres well before 10 am when the first trains started from both ends of the North-South line – Noapara and Kavi Subhash.

Coronavirus in Odisha LATEST Updates

Odisha’s COVID-19 tally crosses 1.5-lakh mark, toll mounts to 626

The COVID-19 tally in Odisha rose to 1,50,807 with 3,913 more people testing positive for the disease on Sunday, while 10 fresh fatalities pushed the state’s death toll to 626, a health department official said. The new cases were reported from all the 30 districts of the state, he said.

Odisha now has 34,849 active cases, while 1,15,279 patients have so far recovered from the disease. The state has so far conducted over 24.23 lakh sample tests, including 48,504 on Saturday, he said.

Coronavirus in Telangana LATEST Updates

11 deaths, 2,216 new COVID-19 cases reported in Telangana

Telangana reported 2,216 new COVID-19 cases, pushing the infection count to 1,57,096, while 11 fatalities took the toll to 961 on Sunday, the state government said. The active cases under treatment stood at 31,607 after cumulative recoveries of 1,24,528, a bulletin providing data as of 8 PM on 12 September, said.

The samples tested per million population was 57,504, it said. The case fatality rate was 0.61 per cent against 1.65 per cent at the national level.

The recovery rate was 79.2 per cent, against the national average of 77.84 percent. A total of 24,674 people are in home or institutional isolation, the bulletin said.