Coronavirus Updates: Delhi sees 43% rise in number of COVID-19 patients under home isolation in August

Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates

Delhi govt issues SOPs for reopening bars

The Delhi Disaster Management Authority on Thursday issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the resumption of bars in the National Capital.

“The SOP states that bars in containment zones will remain closed, and only asymptomatic staff and customers will be allowed entry. Not more than 50% of the approved seating capacity will be allowed,” News18 reported.

Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates

Delhi sees rise of 43% in COVID-19 patients under home isolation

According to Delhi government data, the number of coronavirus patients in home isolation has risen to 8,119, while active cases rose to 15,870 by 1 September, reports said.

Coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh Latest Updates

COVID-19 toll in UP rises to 3,691

The coronavirus toll in Uttar Pradesh rose to 3,691 on Thursday with 75 more fatalities, while 5,776 fresh cases pushed the state’s infection tally to 2,47,101.

There are 57,598 active cases in the state, while 1,85,812 patients have been discharged after recovering from the infection, Additional Chief Secretary, Medical and Health, Amit Mohan Prasad told reporters.

“The state reported 5,776 fresh cases in the past 24 hours and the COVID-19 tally in the state has risen to 2,47,101,” a health bulletin said.

Coronavirus in India Latest Updates

62% of India’s active cases are in 5 states

The Centre said that 62 percent of the total active cases in the country are reported in five states currently. The states are Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, the health ministry said in a briefing on Thursday.

Coronavirus in Pune Latest Updates

Pune mayor says focus is on increasing oxygen beds, ventilators

Pune Mayor Murlidhar said that there are over one lakh COVID-19 patients in the city.

“Our focus is to increase oxygen beds and ventilators, and recruit staff members who know how to use these equipment properly. There is no shortage of funds. The PMC has already used Rs 300 crore towards this,” he said.

Coronavirus in India Latest Updates

About 7% decline in active cases in Maharashtra, says Centre

Union health ministry said that Maharashtra has seen a decline of around 7 percent in #COVID19 active cases in the last three weeks (week on week basis).

He added, “Daily positive numbers increasing. It has to be seen in context of total population. Govt has adopted a graded approach of opening the economy, ensuring adequate testing capacity, clear guidelines of clinical treatment protocol and enhanced hospital infrastructure.”

Coronavirus in India Latest Updates

Positivity rate in health workers highest in Telangana, says Centre

The Centre said 6 states have registered a high COVID-19 positivity rate among healthcare workers.I

In addition to Telangana (18 percent) and Maharashtra (16 percent), Delhi reported 14 percent, Karnataka 13 percent,  Puducherry 12 percent and Punjab registered 11 percent.

" These are the states where positivity rate among healthcare workers are on a higher side," the statement added.

Coronavirus in India Latest Updates

Centre says engaging with Delhi govt over rise in cases

The Union health ministry said that the Centre is “engaging with the Delhi government” over the rise in the number of active cases and deaths in the National Capital.

“We have given some specific instructions to the government, if those are followed, number of cases can be brought under control,” said Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary, Union Health Ministry.

Coronavirus in India Latest Updates

Per million population in India is among ’lowest in the world’, claims Centre

Union health ministry secretary Rajesh Bhushan on Thursday said, “Per million COVID-19 cases in the country is much lesser when compared to other countries in the world. Deaths per million (population) of India is among the lowest in the world; 49 deaths per million population.”

He was also quoted by PTI as saying, “India has 2,792 cases of COVID-19 per million population which is amongst lowest in the world.”

Coronavirus in India Latest Updates

ICMR says 2nd sero-survey underway in 70 districts

The second countrywide sero-survey has started in all 70 districts, the ICMR said in a health ministry briefing on Thursday. “We should get the results in the next two weeks,” said DG ICMR Dr Balram Bhargava.

Coronavirus in India Latest Updates

Case fatality rate in 5 states:

Union health ministry secretary Rajesh Bhushan said that there has been a 4.5 percent weekly decrease in case fatality rate in Andhra Pradesh, 11.5 percent decrease in Maharashtra and 18.2 percent decrease in Tamil Nadu.

However, there is an increase in the case fatality trajectory in two states — Karnataka and Delhi, Bhushan added.

“Delhi has seen 50 percent and Karnataka has seen 9.6 percent increase in average daily case fatality,” he said.

Coronavirus in India Latest Updates

Centre says five states account for 62% of active cases

Union health ministry secretary Rajesh Bhushan on Thursday addressed a press briefing on the COVID-19 situation in the country.

He said that the five states of Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra account for 62 percent of total active cases in the country:

Coronavirus in India Latest Updates

Over 11 lakh tests conducted in the last 24 hours, says Centre

The Union health ministry said that around 4.50 crore tests have been conducted for coronavirus in India so far. The statement added that over 11 lakh tests have been conducted in the last 24 hours.

Coronavirus  in Delhi LATEST Update

AIIMS clarifies that OPD services will continue in hospital

All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi has clarified that OPD services will continue to function as usual. It was earlier reported that the hospital administration had temporarily suspended routine OPD admissions at the hospital for two weeks.

Coronavirus  in Delhi LATEST Update

Can’t say it is a second wave: Jain on rise in COVID-19 cases in Delhi

It can’t be said that Delhi is witnessing a second wave of COVID-19, Health Minister Satyendar Jain said on Thursday, a day after the national capital recorded 2,509 fresh cases – the highest single-day spike in nearly two months.

Speaking to reporters, he said people “should not stress about numbers”. The minister said the Delhi government is increasing the testing for COVID-19 and it wants that there should be no positive case in the city.

Asked if Delhi is heading towards a second wave of coronavirus infections, Jain said, “You cannot say it is a second wave. We could have called it a second wave if there were no positive cases for one or two months and then cases would have started coming again. The virus is still there in Delhi. You should not stress about numbers.”

He said Delhi’s case fatality ratio was 0.75 per cent on Wednesday, which is a good sign. “Overall, it is 2.5 per cent. Yesterday, it was less than one per cent, which is a good sign. At one time, it was 3.5 per cent,” he added.

After a brief lull, Delhi has seen a rise in the number of COVID-19 cases over the last few days.

Coronavirus  in Haryana LATEST Update

Haryana govt issues guidelines for film shootings in state

The Haryana government on Thursday issued standard operating procedures (SOPs) and guidelines for resuming film shootings in the state that include measures such as social distancing and mandatory use of face covers or masks for cast and crew, except for actors in front of the camera.

As per the guidelines, the duration of the shooting should be restricted to the minimum possible time and not more than 50 people should be allowed to be present at a spot.

“Locations will be chosen taking into consideration whether the locality falls in or near containment zones. Permissions and approvals will be given only for safe zones,” an official spokesman of the Home Department said while detailing the guidelines for film shootings.

-PTI

Coronavirus  in India LATEST Update

BJP using COVID-19 as excuse to cancel Question Hour: NCP

The NCP on Thursday accused the BJP of using the COVID-19 pandemic as an excuse to cancel the Question Hour in the forthcoming monsoon session of Parliament to “hide its failures” on multiple fronts, reports PTI.

“The BJP is using the coronavirus pandemic as an excuse to cancel the Question Hour in the monsoon session of Parliament to hide its failures on multiple fronts,” NCP spokesperson Mahesh Tapase alleged.

“The BJP should use other electronic media to enable the MPs to question the government,” he added.

Coronavirus  in UK LATEST Update

UK working on 20-minute coronavirus test

The British government says it is investing in a coronavirus test that gives results in as little as 20 minutes, as critics say tests for the virus are being rationed because the system can’t cope with demand.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock says the government is expanding trials of two new tests a no-swab saliva test and another that gives results in minutes. It’s also running a trial on the benefits of repeat testing of people without symptoms.

Britain has hugely expanded its testing capacity since the start of the pandemic, but critics say it is still not doing enough to find and isolate people with the coronavirus.

-AP

Coronavirus  in Delhi LATEST Update

Over 70% of COVID-19 beds empty, says Delhi health minister

Delhi health minister Satyendar Jain on Thursday said that 14,000 beds were allocated for COVID-19 in Delhi. “Over 70 percent of them are vacant as of now. We sought information from five-six hospitals and got to know that 70-80 percent patients there have come from outside Delhi. There might be issues in particular hospitals, but there is no issue of beds.” he said.

Coronavirus  in Puducherry LATEST Update

Puducherry reports 431 new COVID-19 cases, 7 deaths

Puducherry on Thursday registered 431 fresh COVID-19 cases taking the overall tally to 15,581. Seven people including four women succumbed to the virus in the last 24 hours ending 10 am on Thursday, Director of Health and Family Welfare S Mohan Kumar said in a press release.

Also, 311 patients were discharged during the last 24 hours, he added.

The release said of the total 15,581 COVID-19 cases in the union territory, 5,042 were active, while 10,279 patients had recovered and were discharged. The death toll stood at 260.

Coronavirus  in Maharashtra LATEST Update

NCP MP Supriya Sule demands resumption of restaurant business in Maharashtra

NCP MP Supriya Sule on Thursday urged Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to allow resumption of restaurant business in the state on the condition of adherence to social distancing norms.

The state government on Monday allowed hotels and lodges to operate at 100 per cent capacity, as part of its efforts to ease the restrictions imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Sule, whose party is an ally of the Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government, said only parcel service is allowed at present as far as the restaurants are concerned, and noted it is not enough to bring the business back on track.

-PTI

Coronavirus  Outbreak LATEST Updates

Steroids can be lifesaving for seriously ill COVID-19 patients, new studies suggests

International clinical trials published Wednesday confirm the hope that cheap, widely available steroid drugs can help seriously ill patients survive COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus.

Based on the new evidence, the World Health Organization issued new treatment guidance, strongly recommending steroids to treat severely and critically ill patients, but not to those with mild disease.

“Clearly, now steroids are the standard of care,” said Dr Howard C. Bauchner, the editor-in-chief of JAMA, which published five papers about the treatment.

Coronavirus  in Rajasthan LATEST Update

705 new COVID-19 cases take Rajasthan’s tally to 85,379

Rajasthan recorded 705 fresh COVID-19 cases on Thursday, taking the state’s tally to 85,379, while seven more fatalities took the toll to 1,087, according to a health department bulletin.

A total of 13,421 patients are under treatment in the state, the bulletin said. As many as 69,697 people have been discharged after treatment till now, it said.

-PTI

Coronavirus  Outbreak in Maharashtra LATEST Updates

Over 16,000 cops infected with COVID-19 in Maharashtra, toll rises to 163

With 424 more COVID-19 infections in Maharashtra Police, the total number of confirmed cases in the force climbed to 16,015 on Thursday. Five more deaths were reported in the past 24 hours, said the Maharashtra Police department. 

With this, the COVID-19 toll rose to 163. Of the total cases, there are 13,014 recoveries and 2,838 active cases.

Coronavirus  Outbreak in Delhi LATEST Updates

Protocols formed in Delhi to restart metro services: Satyendar Jain

Delhi health minister Satyendar Jain said protocols are being formulated for restarting Metro services in the National Capital. “Dry run is also being done so that it can be ensured that social distancing is maintained, people wear mask and clean their hands – that they follow a COVID appropriate behaviour,” said the health minister on Thursday.

Coronavirus  Outbreak in Delhi LATEST Updates

Rajiv Chowk metro station gears up to resume ops from 7 Sept 

Preparations underway at Rajiv Chowk metro station as Delhi Metro rail gears up to resume services from September 7 as part of #Unlock4. pic.twitter.com/XWLVCvl64A

— ANI (@ANI) September 3, 2020

Coronavirus  in India LATEST Update

Cumulative tests for detection surge to 4,55,09,380, says Centre

India’s cumulative tests for detection of COVID-19 surged to 4,55,09,380 with a record 11,72,179 tests being conducted in a single day on Wednesday, ICMR officials said. India’s per day testing capacity has crossed 10 lakh, they said.

Coronavirus  in India LATEST Update

BCCI contingent member tests positive for COVID-19: IPL source

A member of the BCCI contingent, which is here to oversee the conduct of IPL, has tested positive for COVID-19, a league source told PTI on Thursday. The event is scheduled to start on 19 September.

“There is one positive case in the BCCI contingent. I can’t tell you whether it’s from cricket operations team or the medical team. But testing is on and everyone else is healthy and asymptomatic,” a senior IPL official told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

“There is no cause for concern,” he added.

Coronavirus  in Karnataka LATEST Update

Former JDS MLA Appaji Gowda succumbs to COVID-19

Former JD(S) MLA M J Appaji Gowda died at a private hospital in Shivamogga, a Health department official said. The 69-year old leader had tested positive for coronavirus three days ago and died on Wednesday evening, the official added.

“He had fever for the past three days and was rushed to the McGann Hospital after he complained of a severe respiratory problem,” the District Health Officer Nagaraj Naik told PTI.

Coronavirus  in Arunachal Pradesh LATEST Update

148 new cases take Arunachal’s COVID-19 tally to 4,360

The total number of COVID-19 cases in Arunachal Pradesh rose to 4,360 as 148 more people, including 47 security personnel and two health workers, tested positive for the disease on Thursday, an official said.

A total of 2,248 patients have been cured of the disease in August, while 2,757 people, including 1,036 security personnel, have been diagnosed with the infection during this month, the official said. The recovery rate among COVID-19 patients in the state stands at 70.52 percent, he said.

Coronavirus  in India LATEST Update

India’s recovery rate rises to 77%

The total number of coronavirus cases in the country mounted to 38,53,406, while the death toll climbed to 67,376 as 1,043 people succumbed to the disease in a span of 24 hours, the data updated at 8 am showed.

The national COVID-19 recovery rate has risen to 77.09 percent. The case fatality rate due to the infection has further declined to 1.75 per cent.

There are 8,15,538 active cases of coronavirus infection in the country which comprise 21.16 per cent of the total caseload, the data stated.

Coronavirus in Andaman and Nicobar  LATEST Update

26 new cases push COVID-19 tally of Andamans to 3,186; toll mounts to 47

The COVID-19 tally of Andaman and Nicobar Islands rose to 3,186 on Thursday as 26 more people tested positive for the infection, while one fresh fatality pushed the Union territory’s coronavirus death toll to 47, a health official said.

Four new patients have travel history, while 22 infections were detected during contact tracing, he said. Forty-four more people were cured of the disease, taking the total number of recoveries in the archipelago to 2,758, the official said.

There are now 381 active COVID-19 cases in the islands, he said.

-PTI

Coronavirus  in US LATEST Update

US cuts remaining dues payment to WHO after Trump pullout

The Trump administration has said it won’t pay more than USD 60 million in dues it owes to the World Health Organisation and will use the money instead to pay down other contributions to the United Nations.

The announcement on Wednesday came just a day after the White House announced the US would not participate in a WHO-run project to develop and distribute a COVID-19 vaccine.

The decision to withhold roughly USD 62 million in outstanding 2020 dues to the WHO is part of President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the organisation over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic and his allegations that the agency has been improperly influenced by China.

-AP

Coronavirus  in India LATEST Update

Dilip Kumar’s brother Ehsan Khan dies due to COVID-19

Veteran actor Dilip Kumar’s younger brother Ehsan Khan, who tested positive for coronavirus last month, has died, according to the Bollywood star’s family friend, Faisal Farooqui. He was 90.

The cinema icon’s two brothers, Ehsan Khan and Aslam Khan were admitted to Lilavati Hospital on August 15 after they complained of breathlessness and eventually tested positive for COVID-19.

While Aslam Khan, 88, passed away on August 21, Ehsan Khan breathed his last late Wednesday night due to coronavirus, Dr Jalil Parkar, who was treating the duo, told PTI.

Farooqui took to Kumar’s official Twitter account to confirm the news.

Coronavirus  in Jharkhand LATEST Update

Jharkhand reports 1,029 new COVID-19 cases, 10 deaths in past 24 hrs

Jharkhand’s COVID-19 caseload rose to 44,862 on Thursday as 1,029 more people tested positive for the infection, while 10 fresh fatalities pushed the state’s coronavirus death toll to 438, a health official said.

The fresh infections have taken the number of active cases in the state to 14,677, while 29,747 people have recovered from the disease so far, he said.The state has tested 20,846 samples for COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, the official added.

-PTI

Coronavirus  in Telangana LATEST Update

Telangana records 2,817 new cases; 10 deaths take toll to 856

Telangana reported 2,817 new COVID-19 cases, taking the tally to 1,33,406 while 10 more deaths pushed the toll to 856.

Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) accounted for the most number of cases with 452, followed by Rangareddy (216), Karimnagar (164) and Khammam and Nalgonda (157 each) districts, a government bulletin said on Thursday, providing data as of 8 pm on 2 September.

It said over one lakh patients had recovered so far from the killer virus. The cumulative recovered cases stood at 1,00,013 while 32,537 were under treatment.

-PTI

Coronavirus  in India LATEST Update

India register over 83,000 new cases, 1,043 deaths

India reports 83,883 new coronavirus cases and 1,043 deaths in the last 24 hours, according to health ministry data. With this, the country now has 38,53,407 cases and the toll has risen to 67,376. This is the highest rise in cases so far.

Coronavirus  in India LATEST Update

Nirmala Sitharaman to meet heads of banks, NBFCs on loan recast today

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will hold a review meeting with heads of banks and NBFCs today for smooth and speedy implementation of the one-time debt recast for resolution of COVID-19 related stress in bank loans.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had last month permitted one-time restructuring of both corporate and retail loans without getting classified as a non-performing asset.

-PTI

Coronavirus  in US LATEST Update

Dwayne Johnson reveals he, his family tested positive for COVID-19

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson shared some unfortunate news on his home front, he and his family tested positive for the coronavirus.

Johnson announced their diagnosis in an 11-plus minute video on Instagram on Wednesday. He said he was shocked after hearing their positive tests, calling the ordeal “one of the most challenging and difficult things we’ve ever had to endure.”

The actor said he along with his wife, Lauren Hashian, and two young daughters contracted the virus, but have now recovered. He said his daughters “bounced back” after having sore throats for a couple of days.

Coronavirus in Delhi LATEST Update

Delhi records highest daily rise in cases in two months

Delhi recorded the highest number of daily new coronavirus cases in over two months with 2,509 infections, pushing the total to 1,79,569. The last time the city reported more than 2,500 cases was on 3 July.

Coronavirus in Jharkhand LATEST Update

Bihar RJD MLA quarantined for 14 days in Ranchi

RJD MLA from Bihar’s Barachatti, Samta Devi, one of her associates and two security guards were quarantined by the Ranchi administration on Wednesday after they arrived at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) here to meet party president Lalu Prasad Yadav.

The order to quarantine the legislator was passed by Additional District Magistrate, Law and Order, Akhilesh Kumar Sinha. The MLA reached Ranchi by road from Gaya in Bihar.

State RJD president Abhay Kumar Singh said he did not have any information about the MLA’s arrival. He refused to comment on the action taken by the administration.

Coronavirus in India LATEST Update

Over 11 lakh tests done in past 24 hrs, says Centre

According to the ministry of health, India on Thursday witnessed an unprecedented surge in testing. Over 11,70,000 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours.

#IndiaFightsCorona

India witnesses an unprecedented surge in testing.

Over 11,70,000 tests done in the last 24 hours.@PMOIndia @drharshvardhan @AshwiniKChoubey @PIB_India @DDNewslive @airnewsalerts @COVIDNewsByMIB @CovidIndiaSeva @ICMRDELHI

— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) September 3, 2020

Coronavirus in US LATEST Updates

Budget deficit to hit record USD 3.3 trillion due to virus, recession

The federal budget deficit is projected to hit a record USD 3.3 trillion as huge government expenditures to fight the coronavirus and to prop up the economy have added more than USD 2 trillion to the federal ledger, the Congressional Budget Office said.

The spike in the deficit means that federal debt will exceed annual gross domestic product next year a milestone that would put the US where it was in the aftermath of World War II, when accumulated debt exceeded the size of the economy.

The USD 3.3 trillion figure is more than triple the 2019 shortfall and more than double the levels experienced after the market meltdown and Great Recession of 2008-09.

Government spending, fuelled by four coronavirus response measures, would register at USD 6.6 trillion, USD 2 trillion-plus more than 2019.

Coronavirus in UK LATEST Updates

Fresh virus restrictions across UK as cases rise

Coronavirus restrictions were tightened in the Scottish city of Glasgow and extended in parts of northern England on Wednesday following a surge in infection rates.

The new measures come amid a steady uptick in cases across Britain, which has suffered Europe’s deadliest outbreak of Covid-19, with more than 41,500 confirmed deaths.

Regional restrictions imposed on the towns of Bolton and Trafford in England’s Greater Manchester area were due to be lifted on Wednesday but at the last minute they were prolonged.

-AFP

Coronavirus in US LATEST Updates

US states told be ready to distribute Covid-19 vaccine by 1 Nov

The Trump administration has urged US states to get ready to distribute a potential Covid-19 vaccine by 1 November – two days before the presidential election.

Dallas-based wholesaler McKesson Corp. has a deal with the federal government and will be requesting permits to set up distribution centers when a vaccine becomes available.

“The normal time required to obtain these permits presents a significant barrier to the success of this urgent public health program,” Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told states in an 27 August letter.

“CDC urgently requests your assistance in expediting applications for these distribution facilities.”

-AFP

Coronavirus in Assam LATEST Updates

Assam reported 3,555 new COVID cases, 8 deaths yesterday

The COVID-19 death toll in Assam rose to 323 after eight more people succumbed to the disease, while 3,555 new infections increased the state’s caseload to 1,15,279, Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Wednesday.

Three of the fresh fatalities were reported from Dibrugarh, two each from Karimganj and Kamrup Metropolitan and one from Darrang, he said.

The 3,555 new positive cases, which is the second highest single-day spike in the state, include 924 from Kamrup Metropolitan, 236 from Nagaon, 213 from Dibrugarh and 200 from Baksa.

The steepest one-day spike of 4,593 cases was reported on 12 August. The new cases were detected out of 47,744 tests and the positivity rate is 7.44 percent.

Coronavirus in India LATEST Updates

International passengers can avail COVID-19 tests on arrival at entry airports

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, the Civil Aviation Ministry said on Wednesday.

If the RT-PCR test result is negative, the international passenger will be allowed to catch his or her connecting domestic flight and he or she will not need to undergo any institutional quarantine at the destination city, the ministry’s order said.

The test result will come in a maximum of seven hours. Till the results come, the passenger will have to remain in the waiting lounge of the entry airport, the order noted.