Coronavirus Updates: Serum Institute says India vaccine trials will resume after DCGI's nod

Coronavirus Pandemic Latest Updates

RDIF CEO welcomes resumption of AstraZeneca trials

Delighted that AstraZeneca has resumed trials. Suspension of trials clearly showed fallacy of the approach, when entire countries exclusively rely on novel & untested platforms when choosing a vaccine for widespread use: Kirill Dmitriev, CEO, Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF)

Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates

4,321 new COVID-19 cases in Delhi today

Delhi on Saturday reported 4,321 new COVID-19 cases, which is the highest single-day spike so far. The total number of cases rose to over 2.14 lakh, while the toll rose to 4,715.

Coronavirus Pandemic Latest Updates

AstraZeneca resumes trials of COVID-19 vaccine, says report

A statement by AstraZeneca was quoted by The Times of India as saying that the British drugmaking company was going to resume clinical trials of the COVID-19 vaccine it is developing in partnership with the Oxford University.

“Clinical trials for the AstraZeneca Oxford coronavirus vaccine, AZD1222, have resumed in the UK following confirmation by the Medicines Health Regulatory Authority (MHRA) that it was safe to do so,” the company said in a statement.

Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates

International passengers can avail COVID-19 test at Delhi airport

Delhi airport on Saturday started its on-arrival COVID-19 testing facility wherein an international passenger can pay Rs 5,000 to avail a RT-PCR test and also use the waiting lounge, said senior officials of its operator DIAL. The Civil Aviation Ministry had on September 2 said that international passengers, who have to take connecting domestic flights after landing in India, will have the option of getting themselves tested for COVID-19 at the entry airports.

(PTI)

Coronavirus in Kerala Latest Updates

Kerala reports 2,885 new COVID-19 cases

At least 2,885 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Kerala on Satuday. The active cases in the state are now at 28,802, while 75,848 patients have recovered so far.

Coronavirus in Chhattisgarh Latest Updates

Bhupesh Baghel asks Centre for funds for COVID-19 hospitals

Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel on Saturday asked the Centre to sanction funds worth Rs 736.74 crore for COVID-19 hospitals and care centres in the state.

“In a letter to Union Health minister Harsh Vardhan, Baghel also sought to increase the capacity of ICU beds at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Raipur, the official from the public relations department,” News18 reported.

Coronavirus in Ladakh Latest Updates

COVID-19 toll in Ladakh rises by 2

Two more coronavirus positive elderly persons succumbed to the infection in Ladakh, bringing the number of deaths linked to the disease to 38 in the Union Territory, officials said on Saturday.

Both the deaths were reported from Leh district on Friday, the officials said. The deceased, aged 98 and 82, had tested positive for COVID-19 a few days back, they said. The officials said the two were also suffering from other ailments and age-related issues.

(PTI)

Coronavirus in India Latest Updates

AYUSH minister recovers from COVID-19

Reports on Friday said that Union AYUSH minister and Goa Lok Sabha MP Shripad Naik has been discharged from the hospital after recovering from COVID-19.

Coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh Latest Updates

6,846 new COVID-19 cases in Uttar Pradesh today

The Uttar Pradesh government on Saturday said that 6,846 new COVID-19 cases have been reported in the state.

“At least 6,846 new COVID-19 cases were reported in UP in last 24 hrs and 6,085 people were discharged. Currently, there are 67,955 active cases, while 2,33,527 people have been discharged. The total death toll so far is 4,349. The recovery rate in the state is at 76.35% and the case fatality rate stands at 1.42%, which is less than the national average,” says UP Principal Health Secretary.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Bihar LATEST Updates

Bihar reports over 16,600 COVID-19 cases

With 1,421 fresh coronavirus infections in Bihar, the total number of confirmed cases in the state climbed to 16,610 on Saturday, said the state health department.

Coronavirus Outbreak in West Bengal LATEST Updates

Kolkata Metro to resume services from Monday 

Kolkata Metro Rail Authority to resume services from 14 September in compliance with standard operating procedures (SOPs) in wake of coronavirus pandemic.

West Bengal: Kolkata Metro Rail Authority decides to resume services from September 14 in compliance with standard operating procedures (SOPs) in wake of COVID-19 pandemic. pic.twitter.com/se89gH1U5R

— DD India (@DDIndialive) September 12, 2020

Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra LATEST Updates

At 2.8%, Maharashtra’s COVID-19 mortality rate more than national average of 1.7%

Maharashtra became the first state to cross 10 lakh COVID-19 cases after more than 24,000 additional cases were reported on Saturday. 

Maharashtra is the worst affected state with 28,724 COVID-19 fatalities. Nowhere has been the virus more deadly than in Maharashtra, where it has killed 2.8% of those with confirmed infections, well above the national mortality rate of nearly 1.7%.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Andaman and Nicobar LATEST Updates

29 new COVID-19 cases push COVID-19 total in Andaman to 3,494

At least 29 more people tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, raising the overall count in the Union Territory to 3,494, a senior official said on Saturday.

Thirty six people were discharged from hospitals since Friday, taking the number of recoveries to 3,157, the official said.
The Union Territory currently has 286 active cases, while 51 people have succumbed to the infection.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Odisha LATEST Updates

Odisha reports 3,777 new COVID-19 cases, 11 more deaths

Odisha’s COVID-19 total mounted to 1,46,894 on Saturday with 3,777 more people testing positive for the disease, while 11 fresh fatalities pushed the state’s toll to 616, a health department official said.

Three deaths were reported in Cuttack, two in Khurda, and one each in Bolangir, Jajpur, Kandhamal, Keonjhar, Nayagarh and Rayagada, he said.

Coronavirus Outbreak LATEST Updates

Prone posture may save severe COVID-19 patients, but damage limb nerves, say scientists 

While a prone position may ease breathing in severely ill COVID-19 patients on ventilators, scientists say this life-saving, face-down posture can also cause permanent nerve damage in these vulnerable individuals.

According to the researchers, including those from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in the US, the nerve damage is a result of reduced blood flow and inflammation, which other non-COVID-19 patients on ventilators in this position rarely experience.

Based on the study, accepted for publication in the British Journal of Anaesthesia, the scientists said this type of injury has been missed because critically ill people are expected to wake up with some generalised weakness when they have been bedridden.

– PTI

Coronavirus Outbreak in India LATEST Updates

No carelessness till COVID-19 vaccine is developed: Modi

Cautioning people against lowering their guard till an effective anti-coronavirus medicine is developed, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday came up with a slogan in Hindi to drive home his point.

He said, “Jab tak dawai nahi, tab tak dhilai nahi (No carelessness till a medicine is found)”.

Modi gave this slogan while addressing the virtual housewarming ceremony of 1.75 lakh houses built in rural parts of Madhya Pradesh under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).

Coronavirus Outbreak in Rajasthan LATEST Updates

COVID-19 cases nears 1 lakh in Rajasthan; seven new deaths reported

Rajasthan reported 739 fresh COVID-19 cases and seven deaths on Saturday. The cumulative figure of positive cases in the state has risen to 99,775 while the toll increased to 1,214, officials said.

Of the seven fatalities, Jaipur reported 2 while Ajmer, Bikaner,Churu, Pratapgarh and Udaipur reported one death each.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India LATEST Updates

Five states account for 60% of total recoveries, says health ministry

With a record 81,533 people recuperating from COVID-19 in a day, India’s total recoveries on Saturday surged to 36,24,196 of which 60 percent of the cases are from five states, including Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

India’s COVID-19 case fatality rate has further dropped to 1.66 percent while the recovery rate has risen to 77.77 per cent, according to the Union Health Ministry.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India LATEST Updates

Centre’s handling of COVID-19 has put India in ‘abyss of GDP reduction’: Rahul Gandhi

Taking a dig at the government, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said its “well planned fight” against coronavirus has put India in an “abyss” of GDP reduction of 24 percent, 12 crore job losses, 15.5 lakh crore additional stressed loans and globally highest daily COVID-19 cases and deaths.

The Congress has accused the Modi government of not handling the COVID-19 pandemic effectively.

Modi Govt’s ‘well-planned fight’ against Covid has put India in an abyss of:

1. Historic GDP reduction of 24%
2. 12 crore jobs lost
3. 15.5 lac crores additional stressed loans
4. Globally highest daily Covid cases & deaths.

But for GOI & media ‘sab changa si’.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) September 12, 2020

Coronavirus Outbreak in Arunachal Pradesh LATEST Updates

Over 150 new COVID-19 infections take total in Arunachal to 5,825

Arunachal Pradesh’s COVID-19 total mounted to 5,825 as 154 more people, including three security personnel and two health workers, have tested positive for the disease, an official said on Saturday.

The toll rose to 10 in the northeastern state after a 38-year-old woman succumbed to the infection, State Surveillance Officer Dr L Jampa said.

“The woman was working at the Ramakrishna Mission Hospital here and admitted to a COVID Health Centre at Midpu
after she had tested positive for the disease on 6 September. She was suffering from respiratory distress syndrome,” he
said.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India LATEST Updates

Animal trials proved efficacy of COVID-19 vaccine ‘Covaxin’: Bharat Biotech

Vaccine maker Bharat Biotech on Friday announced that the animal trials of its COVID-19 vaccine candidate Covaxin have been successful and the results showed the shot’s “remarkable immunogenicity and protective efficacy” in the Phase I clinical trials in India.

“Bharat Biotech proudly announces the animal study results of COVAXIN – These results demonstrate the protective efficacy in a live viral challenge model,” tweeted the Hyderabad-based firm.

Covaxin, developed by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Bharat Biotech, is being tested at 12 institutes across India.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India LATEST Updates

India registers over 77,000 COVID-19 deaths

Of the total 77,472 COVID-19 deaths, Maharashtra has reported the highest at 28,724 followed by 8,231 in Tamil Nadu, 7,067 in Karnataka, 4,779 in Andhra Pradesh, 4,687 in Delhi, 4,282 in Uttar Pradesh, 3,828 in West Bengal, 3,180 in Gujarat and 2,212 in Punjab.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra LATEST Updates

Maharashtra reports 442 fresh COVID-19 deaths

Of the 1,201 new COVID-19 deaths, 442 were reported from Maharashtra, 130 from Karnataka, 77 each from Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, 76 from Uttar Pradesh, 63 from Punjab, 57 from West Bengal, 30 from Madhya Pradesh, 26 from Chhattisgarh, 25 from Haryana, 21 from Delhi, 16 each from Assam and Gujarat, 15 each from Jharkhand and Rajasthan and 14 each from Kerala and Odisha.

– PTI

Coronavirus Outbreak in Telangana LATEST Updates

2,278 fresh COVID-19 cases in Telangana

Telangana registered 2,278 fresh COVID-19 cases and 10 related fatalities, taking the total number of infections to 1.54 lakh in the state.

Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) accounted for the most number of cases with 331, followed by Rangareddy 184, Medchal Malkajgiri 150 and Nalgonda 126 districts, a government bulletin said on Saturday, providing data as of 8 pm on 11 September.

The cumulative recovered cases stood at 1.21 lakh while 32,005 are under treatment.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India LATEST Updates

More than 5.51 cr COVID-19 samples tested: ICMR

Over 5.51 COVID-19 samples have been tested so far, said the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), adding that 10,91,251 samples were tested on Friday alone.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India LATEST Updates

Five worst COVID-affected states:

1) Maharashtra: 10,15,681

2) Andhra Pradesh: 5,47,686

3) Tamil Nadu: 4,91,571

4) Karnataka: 4,40,411

5) Uttar Pradesh: 2,99,045

Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra LATEST Updates

Thane municipal corporation to fine people for not wearing masks

In view of the rising coronavirus positive cases, those not wearing face masks in Thane city of Maharashtra will be fined Rs 500. Thane Municipal Commissioner Vipin Sharma issued an order to this effect on Friday night.

The step is necessary in view of the rapid increase in positive cases in the city, the order said.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India LATEST Updates

India’s COVID-19 recovery rate at 77.77%

With 36,24,197 COVID-19 patients being cured so far, India’s recovery rate has reached 77.77 percent on Saturday. While, the mortality rate dropped to 1.66 percent after 77,472 fatalities were registered.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India LATEST Updates

India’s COVID-19 cases crosses 46.59 lakh

India registered 97,570 fresh coronavirus infections, taking the overall count over 46 lakh on Saturday, according to the latest data released by the Union health ministry.

With over 1,200 deaths being reported in the past 24 hours, the COVID-19 toll has risen to 77,472.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra LATEST Updates  

Maharashtra’s COVID-19 cases cross 10 lakh after single-day spike 

Maharashtra’s total COVID-19 cases crossed 10 lakh on Friday after reporting its highest single-day jump of 24,886 infections. The overall count now stands at 10,15,681.

Of thee total, ther are 2,71,566 active cases while, the toll reached 28,724. In the past 24 hours, 393 new fatalities were added to the toll.

As many as 14,308 patients were discharged on Friday taking the total recoveries to 7,15,023 so far.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India LATEST Updates  

Northeastern states account for less than 5% of active COVID-19 cases, says health ministry

The eight north eastern states account for less than five percent of the total active COVID-19 cases in the country, the Union Health Ministry said on Friday.

The Centre has asked the north eastern states to focus on early identification of COVID-19 cases by ramping up testing along with effective monitoring of patients under home isolation and early hospitalization in case of disease progression to keep the mortality rate to one percent or less.

The conference was attended by the principal secretaries, health secretaries, and other representatives from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura, and Sikkim.

– PTI

Coronavirus Outbreak LATEST Updates  

UN General Assembly adopts pandemic resolution

The UN General Assembly has approved a resolution on tackling the coronavirus pandemic over objections from the United States and Israel, which protested a successful last-minute Cuban amendment that strongly urges countries to oppose unilateral economic, financial or trade sanctions.

– AP

Coronavirus Outbreak in Russia LATEST Updates  

Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine could produce antibodies without any adverse effects

The Russian vaccine against COVID-19,  Sputnik V , produced antibodies in volunteers injected with it, without prompting any adverse effects. The findings of the vaccine’s Phase 1 and 2 human trials were published in the journal  The Lancet  on 4 September.

On 11 August, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that his country was the  first to approve a vaccine  offering “sustainable immunity” against the new coronavirus, leaving experts clamouring for results from trials of the vaccine. While the bulk of the reservations from health experts came from the US and the UK, there were voices of distrust from within Russia.

On 12 August, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said that it will review the data from the studies before giving its stamp of approval for human use of the vaccine. Recently, 32 researchers that took part in the clinical trials published findings from early, human trials to test its safety.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Mizoram LATEST Updates  

Mizoram reports nearly 1,400 COVID-19 cases

Of the total 1,379 confirmed coronavirus cases in Mizoram, there are 589 active cases while 790 patients have been discharged, said the state health department on Saturday.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India LATEST Updates  

DCGI orders suspension of Serum’s India trials of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine

The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has asked Serum Institute of India to suspend recruitment in its clinical trials of AstraZeneca Plc’s AZN.L potential COVID-19 vaccine in the country until further orders, reported ANI on Friday.

VG Somani, the drugs controller general of India, has also asked for increased safety monitoring of those already vaccinated with the experimental vaccine, ANI reported, citing an order issued by the regulator.

The move places further restrictions on the trials, which have already been put on hold by Serum on Thursday after the DCGI had asked the vaccine maker for details on the suspension of trials overseas.

Coronavirus Outbreak in West Bengal LATEST Updates  

More than 3,100 new COVID-19 cases, 57 deaths reported in Bengal

West Bengal on Friday reported 3,157 new COVID-19 cases, taking the overall count to 1,96,332, according to a bulletin issued by the state Health Department.

The state also reported 57 more deaths, following which the toll rose to 3,828. In the past 24 hours, 3,016 patients recovered from the disease, taking the discharge rate to 86.10 percent, it added.

There are 23,461 active cases in the state at present. So far, 1,69,043 people have recovered from the disease.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Delhi LATEST Updates  

All lines of Delhi Metro resume services after gap of over 170 days

Delhi Metro resumed its full services on Saturday with the Airport Express Line reopening after a hiatus of over 170 days due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All corridors of the Metro network are now in operation and the timing of services will follow the pre-COVID-19 schedule of 6 am to 11 pm.

“With the resumption of service on the Airport Express Line, all lines of the Delhi Metro network are now open! Remember to follow the guidelines when travelling. #MetroBackOnTrack,” the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) tweeted.

Coronavirus Outbreak in Nagaland LATEST Updates  

Nagaland’s COVID-19 cases nears 5,000

Nagaland on Friday reported 310 COVID-19 cases for first time in single day, taking the overall count to 4,946, said health minister S Pangnyu Phom.

“310 new positive cases of COVID-19 have been detected, out of 922 samples tested 176 in Dimapur, 127 in Kohima, 3 in Zunheboto and one each in Wokha, Peren, Mon and Mokokchung districts,” the minister said in a tweet.

Urging people to wear masks and maintain social distancing norms, he said contact-tracing exercises have been activated.