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Coronavirus LATEST Updates: Despite a sharp surge in COVID-19 cases in Delhi over the last fortnight, the AAP government has ruled out the possibility of another lockdown, with Health Minister Satyendar Jain asserting that the economy “cannot be kept shut for eternity” as livelihoods of millions depend on it. However, the Bengaluru metro services are yet to attract large number of passengers as most have apparently kept away due to Covid-19 apprehensions,according to officials. According to the health department, the Uttar Pradesh has reported 6,743 COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, out of which, 887 cases were found in Lucknow, 431 in Kanpur Nagar, 306 cases in Allahabad, among other places. “The lockdown was not an attack on corona. The lockdown was an attack on the poor of India. It was an attack on the future of our youth,” Gandhi said in a video series on the lockdown triggered by the coronavirus pandemic. Over 11.5 lakh COVID-19 samples have been tested for the first time in single day, the Union health ministry said on Wednesday. So far, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has tested over 5 crore samples. The death of three more Maharashtra Police personnel in the past 24 hours has increased the COVID-19 toll to 180. Maharashtra reported more than 20,000 COVID-19 cases alone of the total 89,706 fresh infections reported in past 24 hrs, said the health ministry on Wednesday. Although India has a low death rate from COVID-19 disease, nearly 1,000 deaths have been recorded every day from across the country for the last nine days. On Wednesday, the toll due to the infectious disease has risen to 73,890 with 1,115 more fatalities. India’s COVID-19 cases exceeded 43 lakh on Wednesday after 89,706 more people tested positive for the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours. Delhi Metro’s Blue Line and Pink Line resumed services with curtailed operation timings on Wednesday after being closed for 171 days due to the COVID-19 pandemic, officials said. Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca said Tuesday it had “voluntarily paused” a randomized clinical trial of its coronavirus vaccine in what it called a routine action after a volunteer developed an unexplained illness. India’s daily coronavirus cases on Tuesday saw a slight dip with 75,809 cases reported in 24 hours as against the 90,802 recorded on Monday, but the toll due to COVID-19 surged to 72,775 with a record 1,113 patients succumbing to the virus. Amid rising cases, the Central Government underlined increasing reports from state governments about people becoming lax in taking precautions against COVID-19, and how it is hampering the efforts to curb the spread of the virus. The number of recoveries on Tuesday surged to 33,23,950 pushing the recovery rate to 77.65 percent, according to the health ministry data. The data showed that there are 8,83,697 active cases of coronavirus infection in the country which comprise 20.65 percent of the total caseload of 42,80,422. During a media briefing, the Centre claimed that India’s COVID-19 cases per million population (now at 3,102), is among the lowest in the world. Niti Aayog member Dr VK Paul also urged people to get themselves tested, stating that the government had facilitated extensive testing and also allowed testing on demand. Paul, who also chairs the national expert group on COVID-19 vaccine administration, said that the government was considering Russia’s request for conducting phase-3 clinical trial and manufacturing its COVID-19 vaccine ‘Sputnik V’ in India. The health ministry also released guidelines for the partial re-opening of schools on a voluntary basis, stipulating disinfection of the premises and stressing on ensuring proper distance between students and teachers, In Delhi, the high court, expressing concern over the sharp rise in cases in the National Capital, said that doctor’s prescription will no longer be mandatory for those who want to get themselves tested for COVID-19. Health minister Satyendra Jain, in an interview with news agency PTI, however, said that there was no reason to panic and that the spike in cases will “plateau” after 10-15 days. Five states account for 70% deaths, 62% active cases: Health ministry In a briefing on the COVID-19 situation in the country, Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said that India’s COVID-19 fatality rate is among the lowest globally and currently stands at 1.7o percent. “The COVID-19 deaths per million population in India is 53 as compared to the world average of 115 deaths per million. This is also among the lowest in the world,” he said. Giving a state-wise break up of India’s coronavirus cases and deaths, Bhushan said that five states — Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh account for approximately 70 percent of total COVID-19 deaths in the country. “A total of 28 states and UTs have COVID-19 case fatality rate lower than the national average of 1.70 percent,” the official noted. He added that the five states also account for 62 percent of total active COVID-19 cases in the country. “While 14 states and UTs have less than 5,000 active COVID-19 cases, Lakshadweep has no active cases,” Bhushan said. Responding to a question, the health secretary said that six persons from a particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG) from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands had tested positive for the coronavirus but all have recovered now. In the Nicobarese tribe which is not a PVTG, there are still 15 active cases, the official informed. Jammu and Kashmir reports record spike Meanwhile, states and Union Territories continued reporting more cases and deaths due to the infection. Jammu and Kashmir witnessed its biggest single-day spike of 1,355 COVID-19 cases, pushing the Union Territory’s infection count to 45,925. Among the new cases, 785 were from the Jammu region and 570 were from the Kashmir Valley. The toll in the UT rose to 815 with 14 more dying of the disease. Maharashtra recorded 20,131 new COVID-19 cases, taking its caseload to 9,43,772, while the toll increased to 27,407 with 380 persons succumbing to the disease. For the fifth day in a row, Andhra Pradesh, the second worst-affected state in the country by the virus, saw more number of coronavirus patients getting discharged than the addition of new cases. On Tuesday, 11,691 COVID-19 patients got discharged from hospitals in the state while 10,601 fresh cases took the overall count to 5,17,094. In Tamil Nadu, the toll crossed 8,000 with 87 more fatalities, while 5,684 fresh cases pushed the cumulative case count to to 4,74,940. The toll now stands at 8,012. Recoveries outnumbered new infections for the third successive day with 6,599 people getting discharged, taking the total number of people who have recovered from the disease to 4,16,71, said the state health department. Delhi also saw a spike of 3,609 fresh coronavirus cases with over 45,000 COVID-19 tests being conducted in 24 hours. According to the latest health bulletin issued by the state government, the total cases crossed 1.97 lakh while the toll mounted to 4,618, with 19 more fatalities. No prescription needed for testing in Delhi The Delhi High Court noted that there was a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases from 31 August in the National capital and said that the figures were rather alarming. To prevent any delays given the situation, the court said that those who want to voluntarily get themselves tested need not obtain a prescription from a doctor. The person concerned will only be required to fill an ICMR form and attach Aadhaar card with Delhi address as proof, the bench of justices Hima Kohli and Subramonium Prasad said. The bench also asked private laboratories to allot 2,000 RT-PCR tests per day for those who want to undergo the test. The bench directed the Delhi government to ramp up the mobile facilities from two to four and said that the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) should display advertisements about the nearby COVID-19 testing camps at prominent spots near the entry and exit area of the stations. While the Yellow Line of the Delhi Metro resumed services with restricted timings from Monday as part of the fourth phase of ‘unlocking’ activities, the Blue and Pink Line are set to start operations on Wednesday. Cases will plateau soon, says Delhi health minister Meanwhile Delhi health minister Satyendra Jain sought to allay fears over the rapid spread of the infection, saying that “the current situation is far better than in June” when the city witnessed a big wave of infections. He also attributed the rise in cases to an increase in testing. In an interview to PTI, Jain said,“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, claiming that Delhi is doing more tests per million people than any other state. “There is a spike in the number of cases, but the fact is that we have also increased the scale of testing as we don’t want to leave even a single person who has been infected untraced, including asymptomatic ones. This spike will come down in the next 10-15 days, and cases will sort of plateau and stabilise by then,” Jain asserted. When asked about the most effective strategy of the government, Jain said, “home isolation was our biggest strategy, and it proved to be a game-changer. We are on the right course, and we will continue to pursue that strategy for effective COVID-19 management.” Centre issues SOPs for partial re-opening of schools Even as state governments and UTs released their daily figures on COVID-19, the health ministry issued SOPs for the partial re-opening of schools from 21 September. Under the Unlock-4 guidelines, schools outside containment zones have been allowed to partially reopen for students from Classes 9 to 12 who want to take guidance from their teachers. Disallowing sharing of notebooks, pens/pencils,water bottles, etc, among students, prohibition of assemblies and sports, encouraging online learning, entry of asymptomatic persons are some of the health ministry’s guidelines However, written consent of the students’ parents or guardians will be required and the teacher-student interactions must be organised in a staggered manner, the guidelines stated. According to the ‘SOP for partial reopening of Schools for students of Classes 9 to 12 on a voluntary basis’, the seating arrangement has to be made to ensure a distance of six feet between chairs, desks, etc, and the faculty will ensure that they themselves and students wear masks throughout the teaching/guidance activities. Sanitiser dispensers and thermal screening provisions should be made at the entrance and frequently touched surfaces must be regularly disinfected with one percent sodium hypochlorite, the guidelines stated. Schools that were used as COVID-19 quarantine centres should be properly sanitised and deep-cleaned before partial functioning is resumed, the document stated. The guidelines also called for ensuring regular counselling for students and teachers reporting mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. It is advisable that teachers, school counsellors and school health workers should work in unison to ensure emotional safety of the students With inputs from PTI
Coronavirus Updates: AAP govt rules out another lockdown as Delhi reports over 4,000 new cases, tally crosses 2 lakh
Coronavirus Updates: Despite a sharp surge in COVID-19 cases in Delhi, the AAP government has ruled out the possibility of another lockdown, asserting that the economy ‘cannot be kept shut for eternity’
 "Coronavirus Updates: AAP govt rules out another lockdown as Delhi reports over 4,000 new cases, tally crosses 2 lakh")
Coronavirus in Kerala LATEST Updates
Serum Institute gets DCGI notice over Oxford COVID-19 vaccine trial suspension
The central drug regulator has issued a show-cause notice to Serum Institute of India (SII) for not informing it about pharma giant AstraZeneca pausing the clinical trials of the Oxford vaccine candidate for COVID-19 in other countries and also for not submitting casualty analysis of the “reported serious adverse events”. The show-cause notice was issued following reports that human trials of the most promising COVID-19 vaccine candidate, being developed by the University of Oxford, have been put on hold after a UK participant had an adverse reaction to it.
Coronavirus in Kerala LATEST Updates
First dedicated COVID-19 hospital in Kerala inaugurated
The first dedicated COVID-19 hospital in Kerala, built by the Tata Group, was inaugurated here on Wednesday by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who said it was an excellent example of how Public Private Partnership can be put to good use.
Built by the Tata Group using prefabricated containers in just five months at a cost of Rs 60 crore, the 551 bed hospital has 36 ventilators for the patients.
The Chief Minister, who inaugurated the hospital through video conferencing, thanked the Tata Group for showing interest in the health sector of Kerala.
Coronavirus in Karnataka LATEST Updates
9,540 new COVID-19 cases in Karnataka, 128 deaths
Karnataka on Wednesday reported a spike of 9,540 COVID-19 cases and 128 fatalities, taking the total infection count to 4,21,730 and the toll to 6,808. The day also saw 6,860 patients getting discharged after recovery. Out of new cases reported on Wednesday, 3,419 were from Bengaluru urban alone.
Coronavirus in Gujarat LATEST Updates
Ahmedabad’s COVID-19 cases go past 33,000-mark
The COVID-19 tally in Ahmedabad district crossed the 33,000 mark and reached 33,037 on Wednesday with addition of 171 new cases, Gujarat health department said. The cumulative toll rose to 1,760 with four new fatalities, it said.
With 121 patients being discharged after treatment in the day, the number of recoveries rose to 27,145 in the district, the department said. Of the 171 fresh cases, Ahmedabad city contributed 149 patients while 22 cases were reported from rural areas. All four deaths occurred in the city.
Coronavirus in Goa LATEST Updates
Goa registers 621 new COVID-19 cases; total rises to 22,251
At least 621 persons tested positive for coronavirus in Goa, while six patients died of the infection on Wednesday, an official from the health department said. With the addition of 621 new cases, the tally in the coastal state rose to 22,251, the official said.
A total of 281 patients were discharged from hospitals, taking the number of recoveries to 17,156, he said. As many as 2,608 swab samples were tested, of which 1,502 were negative, 621 were positive and 485 reports are awaited, he said.
Coronavirus in Gujarat LATEST Updates
Gujarat’s COVID-19 case count goes up by 1,329, toll by 16
Gujarat’s coronavirus tally rose to 1,08,295 with the addition of 1,329 new cases on Wednesday, the state health department said. With 16 fatalities, the death toll rose to 3,152, it said.
As many as 1,336 patients were discharged during the day, which pushed the number of recovered cases to 88,815, the department said in its release.
With this, the state has achieved a recovery rate of 82.01 percent. Like Tuesday, the number of recovered cases exceeded the new cases on Wednesday.
-PTI
Coronavirus in Delhi LATEST Updates
COVID-19 has led to drop in average spend, says Satyender Jain
The COVID-19 pandemic-induced uncertainties has led to a “drastic” drop in the average spend of people, Delhi minister Satyendar Jain said on Wednesday and emphasized that there is need to work towards building consumer confidence to avoid a long-term downward spiralling effect on the industry.
The Industries minister also suggested that there may be a moratorium of no or minimal government interference for at least a year to help the industry get back to growth, said a Delhi government statement.
Jain asserted that Delhi government is committed to taking measures for ease of doing business to catalyse industrial growth, the statement said.
Coronavirus in Andhra Pradesh LATEST Updates
AP records 10,418 COVID-19 cases, total count over 5.2 lakh
The Coronavirus graph of Andhra Pradesh continued its progression on a steep incline and reached 5,27,512 on Wednesday as 10,418 cases were added anew.
The latest bulletin said 9,842 patients had recovered in 24 hours ending 9 am on Wednesday, while 74 more succumbed to the pandemic in the state.
The number of active cases in the state rose to 97,271 after a total of 4,25,607 patients recovered and 4,634 died.
-PTI
Coronavirus in India LATEST Updates
Rapper Raftaar tests positive for COVID-19, says feeling ‘fit and ‘fine’
Rapper Raftaar on Wednesday said he has tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently home quarantined. The 31-year-old rapper said he was supposed to start shooting for the latest season of MTV’s reality show “Roadies” and therefore got himself tested for coronavirus.
“I wanted to give you an update. I had to go for ‘Roadies’ and before that I had to test for COVID-19. Two of my tests were negative, but the result which came today was positive. “BMC has asked me to self-isolate. So I am home quarantining,” Raftaar shared in a video posted on his Instagram Story.
Coronavirus in Delhi LATEST Updates
Delhi govt rules out another lockdown, health minister says economy can’t be ‘shut for eternity’
Despite a sharp surge in COVID-19 cases in the national capital over the last fortnight, the Delhi government has ruled out the possibility of another lockdown, with Health Minister Satyendar Jain asserting that the economy “cannot be kept shut for eternity” as livelihoods of millions depend on it.
The minister also asserted that “extreme caution and not panic” should be the response of the city, and people should exhibit greater alertness and responsibility in public places to deal with this health crisis.
In the first eight days of the month, Delhi registered 22,378 fresh coronavirus cases, including 3,609 fresh coronavirus cases on Tuesday, the highest single-day spike in 76 days, as the city moved towards two lakh-mark with over 4,618 deaths due to COVID-19 so far.
-PTI
Coronavirus in Maharashtra LATEST Updates
Dharavi’s reports 9 new cases today, takes total to 2,839
Dharavi, the largest slum in Mumbai, reported nine new coronavirus positive cases on Wednesday, which took the count of patients to 2,839, a senior civic official said.
Of the total number of cases, 2,470 patients have already recovered from the infection and discharged from hospitals, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) official said. The number of active cases in Dharavi climbed down to 99 on Wednesday.
-PTI
Coronavirus in Puducherry LATEST Updates
10 COVID-19 death reported in Puducherry, toll mounts to 347
Five women and as many men succumbed to COVID-19 in Puducherry on Wednesday while 341 more people contracted the virus, pushing the tally of infections to 18,084. A release from Health and Family Welfare department said 341 new cases were reported at the end of testing of 2,560.
Nine out of the total deaths on Wednesday occurred in Puducherry and the remaining one was reported from Karaikal region. Of the total 18,084 cases, 4,770 were active while 12,967 patients recovered and discharged so far.
The total number of fatalities climbed to 347 with 10 related deaths.
Coronavirus in Karnataka LATEST Updates
Metro Rail services commence on ‘Green Line’ in Bengaluru
As part of gradually restoring Metro rail operations,the Bangalore Metro Rail on Wednesday commenced services on another sector–the Green line– two days after resuming it on another one.
However, the services are yet to attract large number of passengers as most have apparently kept away due to Covid-19 apprehensions,according to officials.
Metro Rail officials said these trains will operate only during peak hours from 8 am to 11 am and 4.30 pm to 7.30 pm.
-PTI
Coronavirus in Maharashtra LATEST Updates
533 Maharashtra Police personnel test positive in past 24 hrs
As many as 533 policemen in Maharashtra test positive for the coronavirus in the last 24 hours. The force’s tally rises to 17,972. Three more deaths push the toll to 180.
Coronavirus in Tripura LATEST Updates
Tripura reports 582 new COVID-19 cases, 9 deaths today
As many as 582 more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Tripura on Wednesday, pushing the state’s tally to 16,739, a health official said. Tripura’s coronavirus death toll rose to 161 as nine more people succumbed to the infection, he said.
-PTI
Coronavirus in India LATEST Updates
Tribal Affairs minister expresses joy as 6 members of Great Andamanese tribe recover
Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda on Wednesday expressed happiness after six members of the dwindling Great Andamanese tribe, who tested positive for coronavirus, recovered and returned to their island in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago.
It is indeed my proud pleasure to inform that six members of a vulnerable Tribal group from Andaman and Nicobar Islands who tested positive and were undergoing treatment, have recovered and returned back to their Island. God Bless them with many more years of healthy life.
— Arjun Munda (@MundaArjun) September 8, 2020
Coronavirus in India LATEST Updates
Will continue India trails of AstraZeneca, says Serum
The Serum Institute of India says it will continue trials of the Oxford vaccine despite AstraZeneca pausing the study. “We can’t comment much on the UK trials, but they have been paused for further review and they hope to restart soon,” the institute says. “As far as Indian trials are concerned, it is continuing and we have faced no issues at all.”
Coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh LATEST Updates
UP CM calls for increasing contact tracing of COVID-19 patients in Lucknow, Kanpur, Allahabad
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday called for increasing contact tracing of coronavirus patients in Lucknow, Kanpur and Allahabad.
According to the health department, the state reported 6,743 COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, out of which, 887 cases were found in Lucknow, 431 in Kanpur Nagar, 306 cases in Allahabad, among other places.
“Contact tracing has an important role in controlling the spread of COVID-19 infection. This work should be conducted in a systematic and effective manner. In Lucknow, Prayagraj and Kanpur, contact tracing should be increased,” a statement quoted the chief minister as saying. He was speaking at a COVID-19 review meeting here.
He said the state government was committed to protect the people from the infection and provide better treatment to all.
Coronavirus in India LATEST Updates
Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra, UP account for 61% of India’s active case
The Union health ministry says Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu account for 61% of the total active cases in the country.
#IndiaFightsCorona
— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) September 9, 2020
60% of the total cases are recorded only in 5 states.
Of the total 89,706 new cases, which have been reported in the last 24 hours, Maharashtra has alone contributed more than 20,000 and Andhra Pradesh has contributed more than 10,000. pic.twitter.com/jnLx6OToKN
Coronavirus in India LATEST Updates
Journalist Rana Ayyub tests positive for COVID-19
Journalist Rana Ayyub tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday,. She took to Twitter to share her test result and inform that she was has found a hospital bed in Navi Mumbai.
I have got a hospital bed. To each one of you who reached out and to those who made this possible, my gratitude https://t.co/CqMHlc3wQT
— Rana Ayyub (@RanaAyyub) September 9, 2020
Coronavirus in Europe LATEST Updates
EU reserves 200 million more coronavirus vaccines
The European Commission announced Wednesday it has reached a deal with a sixth pharmaceutical firm, this time BioNTech-Pfizer, to reserve a further 200 million doses of a potential coronavirus vaccine.
“Our chances to develop and deploy a safe and effective vaccine have never been higher, both for Europeans here at home, or for the rest of the world,” European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said.
“To defeat coronavirus anywhere, we need to defeat it everywhere.”
-AFP
Coronavirus in India LATEST Updates
Lockdown not an attack on coronavirus, but on poor: Rahul Gandhi
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said the lockdown was not an attack on coronavirus but on the poor people and proved to be a “death sentence” for the unorganised sector as it “finished” jobs and small businesses. Everyone should stand against the attack, he said.
“The lockdown was not an attack on corona. The lockdown was an attack on the poor of India. It was an attack on the future of our youth,” Gandhi said in a video series on the lockdown triggered by the coronavirus pandemic.
“The lockdown was an attack on labourers, farmers and small shopkeepers. It was an attack on our unorganised sector. We have to understand this. We all have to stand against this attack,” he said. “Whatever was done in the name of Corona was the third attack on the unorganised sector,” he also said.
This is the fourth part of the video series launched by the former Congress president on the economy and the lockdown.
-PTI
Coronavirus in Delhi LATEST Updates
Arvind Kejriwal directs authorities to take steps to prevent spread of COVID-19 in Delhi
Amid a rise in the number of COVID-19 cases, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday directed medical superintendents and senior officials to take every possible step to prevent the spread of the virus in the city.
The chief minister held a review meeting with Health Minister Satyendar Jain, Chief Secretary Vijay Dev, senior officials and medical superintendents of Delhi government-run hospitals.
Had a review meeting with Health Minister, Chief Secretary, senior officials and MS of govt hospitals.
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) September 9, 2020
I have directed all MS and authorities to take all possible steps to prevent the spread of Corona and assured the hospitals of full support in this regard. https://t.co/JV3KkYE7wA
Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates
Over Rs 10 cr released during COVID-19 period, says transport ministry
A sum of Rs 10,339 crore has been released during COVID-19 period under the simplified payment process as envisaged in ambitious Aatm-Nirbhar Bharat scheme. Another sum of Rs 2,475 crore is being processed and likely to be released soon," ANI quoted Ministry of Road Transport and Highways as saying.
Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra Latest Updates
Thane reports over 1.36 lakh COVID-19 cases
With the addition of 1,392 fresh cases of COVID-19, the tally in Maharashtra’s Thane district has reached 1,36,429, an official told news agency PTI. Apart from this, the district also recorded 24 fatalities on Tuesday that has taken the toll to 3,774, the official said.
Coronavirus Outbreak in Haryana Latest Updates
Haryana education minister tests COVID-19 positive
Haryana Education Minister Kanwar Pal said on Wednesday that he has tested positive for coronavirus. He requested all those who might have come in his contact during the past few days to isolate themselves and get their tests done.
“After some symptoms, I got my Covid test done and it returned positive. I request all those who might have come in my contact to isolate themselves and get their tests done,” the minister tweeted.
The minister’s aide said that Kanwar Pal’s report came positive in the morning and he was currently in Chandigarh.
Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates
More than 11.5 lakh COVID-19 samples tested in past 24 hrs: health ministry
Over 11.5 lakh COVID-19 samples have been tested for the first time in single day, the Union health ministry said on Wednesday. So far, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has tested over 5 crore samples.
#IndiaFightsCorona
— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) September 9, 2020
India continues to scale new heights in COVID-19 tests.
Over 11.5 lakh tests conducted in the last 24 hour.https://t.co/Vn2LXxEWPR pic.twitter.com/w0A8m6yEWl
Coronavirus Outbreak in Rajasthan Latest Updates
Rajasthan records seven more COVID-19 deaths, toll at 1,171
Rajasthan recorded seven more fatalities due to the novel coronavirus on Wednesday, taking the toll in the state to 1,171, according to a health department bulletin.
The state also reported 728 new cases taking the total number of infected people to 94,854. As per the bulletin, 76,624 people have been discharged after treatment till now
Coronavirus Outbreak in Delhi Latest Updates
Over 45,000 international passengers request Delhi airport for quarantine exemption
Delhi airport’s online portal has received approximately 45,288 applications from international passengers since 8 August to avail exemption from seven-day institutional quarantine, said its operator DIAL on Wednesday.
The government had said last month that from 8 August, if any arriving international passenger has a negative report from an RT-PCR test done 96 hours prior to the journey, he or she need not undergo institutional quarantine in India. Delhi airport had launched an online portal for this purpose.
Over 78,700 international passengers submitted their self-declaration form through the portal, the DIAL said in a press release.
Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra Latest Updates
Nearly 18,000 cops in Maharashtra test COVID-19 positive
With 533 more cops testing positive for the novel coronavirus in Maharashtra, the overall count in the police force has risen to 17,972 on Wednesday. The death of three more police personnel has increased the COVID-19 toll to 180.
“Total number of positive cases in the police force rises to 17,972, including 3,523 active cases, 14,269 recoveries and 180 deaths so far,” said the Maharashtra Police.
Coronavirus Outbreak in Himachal Pradesh Latest Updates
COVID reaches community spread phase in Himachal
Shimla Chief Medical Officer Surekha Chopra said the recent data of COVID-19 cases established community spread of the virus.
“The coronavirus cases are increasing day by day and neither their index cases nor travel history is being found which establishes its community spread,” she added.
The COVID-19 cases in Himachal Pradesh, with just about 70 lakh population, have reached 7,832, according to the data provided by the state health department till Tuesday.
Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates
Five states contribute 60% of total COVID-19 cases: health ministry
The health ministry on Wednesday said that 60 percent of the total 43.7 lakh COVID-19 infections in India were reported in five states. This included Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh.
The number of people recovered from COVID-19 in India has surged to 33,98,844, further improving the recovery rate to 77.77 percent, while the case fatality rate has dropped to 1.69 percent, the Union Health Ministry said Wednesday.
Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra Latest Updates
More than 20,000 new COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra: health ministry
Maharashtra reported more than 20,000 COVID-19 cases alone of the total 89,706 fresh infections reported in past 24 hrs, said the health ministry on Wednesday. This was followed by Andhra Pradesh for recording more than 10,000 cases.
Sixty percent of the total cases are recorded only in five states, said the health ministry.
60% of the total cases are recorded only in 5 states. Of the total 89,706 new cases, which have been reported in the last 24 hours, Maharashtra has alone contributed more than 20,000 and Andhra Pradesh has contributed more than 10,000: Ministry of Health pic.twitter.com/0Ab5xilXf9
— ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2020
Coronavirus in US Latest Updates
Illinois university quarantines all student body
Bradley University in central Illinois had directed its entire student body to quarantine for two weeks because of clusters of COVID-19 on campus and is reverting to remote learning, officials announced Tuesday.
Officials of the private university said they have linked a spike of the coronavirus to off-campus gatherings. The Peoria university is requiring students to limit nonessential interactions, stay in their off-campus apartments, residence halls and take classes remotely beginning Tuesday.
The Associated Press
Coronavirus Outbreak Latest Updates
Plasma therapy ineffective in reducing COVID-19 mortality: ICMR study
Convalescent plasma therapy (CP) as a treatment for COVID-19 has no effect in reducing mortality, a study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has found.
“CP was not associated with reduction in mortality or progression to severe COVID-19,” the study said, published in Medrxiv, a pre-print server for health sciences. The study has not been peer-reviewed yet.
Coronavirus in Mexico Latest Updates
Mexico warns setback in tests could delay vaccine
The Latin American roll-out of a potential COVID-19 vaccine made by AstraZeneca could be set back after the biotech company announced a pause in tests, the government of Mexico, which is involved in developing the drug alongside Argentina, said Tuesday.
Pausing vaccine trials “is not an unusual occurrence… and as a consequence the vaccine’s arrival may be delayed” across the region, said Hugo Lopez Gatell, Mexico’s undersecretary for health, at a press conference on the latest development.
AFP
Coronavirus Outbreak in India LATEST Updates
Svanidhi Samvaad scheme is for street vendors’ businesses hit by lockdown: PM
The lockdown due to COVID-19 has affected the businesses of street vendors. The purpose of this ‘Svanidhi Samvaad’ scheme is that those people can start afresh and begin their work again easily, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the Centre had launched the PM SVANidhi scheme on 1 June, 2020, to help poor street vendors, impacted by coronavirus, to resume livelihood activities.
“4.5 lakh street vendors were registered in Madhya Pradesh, with more than 4 lakh vendors having been given identification and vendor certification,” the press note stated.
#COVID19 lockdown affected the businesses of street vendors. The purpose of this ‘Svanidhi Samvaad’ scheme is that those people can start afresh and begin their work again: PM Modi https://t.co/0YnEECS27m
— ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2020
Coronavirus Outbreak in India LATEST Updates
SC refuses to entertain pleas seeking deferment of NEET exam
The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to entertain a batch of pleas seeking deferment or cancellation of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) scheduled for 13 September.
A bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan said that authorities will take all necessary steps for conducting the NEET-undergraduate exam amid the COVID-19 pandemic for admission in medical courses.
“Sorry, we are not inclined to entertain,” the bench said.
Coronavirus Outbreak in Odisha LATEST Updates
Over 1.35 lakh COVID-19 cases in Odisha
Odisha has reported 3,748 new COVID-19 cases, taking the total number of positive cases in the state to 1,35,130 on Wednesday. Of the total, there are 1,02,185 recoveries and 32,312 active cases, said the state health department.
Coronavirus Outbreak in India LATEST Updates
Centre issues SOP for partial reopening of schools for Classes 9-12 from 21 Sept
In the backdrop of the ongoing ‘Unlock 4’, partial resumption of activities in schools for students of Classes 9-12 will be allowed from 21 September, the union health ministry said on Tuesday.
However, only schools outside the containment zones will be allowed to open. Assemblies, sports and events, which can lead to overcrowding, are strictly prohibited in the schools that are opting to start operations.
The government also said that online or distance learning shall continue to be permitted and shall be encouraged.
“Students of Class 9 to 12 shall be permitted to visit their school on voluntary basis for taking guidance from their teachers. This will be subject to written consent of their parents/guardians. Such visits and teacher – student interaction must be organized in a staggered manner,” stated the guidelines issued by the health ministry.
News18 SheShakti 2025: Voices of cinema, sport and music redefine nation-building
At News18 SheShakti 2025 Delhi, women from sports, cinema, and music discussed breaking barriers. Kriti Sanon and Sanya Malhotra focused on equity in cinema, Mira Erda and Ashalata Devi on sports challenges, and Kavita Krishnamurti stressed humility and perseverance for lasting success.
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