Coronavirus Updates: Maharashtra postpones all MPSC exams as state records 14,888 new COVID-19 cases

Coronavirus in Himachal Pradesh LATEST Updates

Himachal Pradesh reports 167 new cases, two deaths

Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday recorded 167 fresh COVID-19 cases, raising the infection tally to 5,322, while the death toll from the disease climbed to 31 with two more fatalities. The total number of active cases in the state stands at 1,428, Shimla Additional Chief Secretary (Health) R D Dhiman said. Of the latest fatalities, one each was reported from Kangra and Chamba districts.

PTI

Coronavirus in Assam LATEST Updates

Tarun Gogoi admitted to hospital

Former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, who tested positive for coronavirus, was admitted to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) on Wednesday and a nine-member committee has been constituted to monitor his health. Minister for Health and Family Welfare Himanta Biswa Sarma said that a committee under the chairmanship of head of Pulmonary Medicine department Dr Jogesh Sarma has been constituted to monitor the health status of the former chief minister. Gogoi, who had tested positive Tuesday was initially advised home isolation by the doctors, but was admitted to GMCH Wednesday after he was found to be mildly symptomatic.

PTI

Coronavirus in Maharashtra LATEST Updates

Second jumbo facility launched in Pune

A second jumbo COVID-19 hospital  was inaugurated in Pimpri Chinchwad area near Pune on Wednesday, the Pune district administration said. Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar virtually inaugurated the facility set up at Annasaheb Magar Stadium. Thackeray appreciated the efforts of the district as well as civic administrations of Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad for setting up the facilities in short time. Last week, the first COVID-19 jumbo facility was inaugurated at the College of Engineering, Pune. While inaugurating the facility, Thackeray said that “chase the virus” campaign to break the chain of infection will be extended across the state.

PTI

Coronavirus in India LATEST Updates

Health ministry recommends COVID tests for all tuberculosis patients and vice versa

Tuberculosis is associated with a 2.1-fold increased risk of a severe COVID-19 disease, the health ministry said on Wednesday, recommending that all newly-diagnosed tuberculosis patients or those currently on treatment should be tested for COVID-19 and vice versa.  The prevalence of tuberculosis among COVID-19 patients has been found to be 0.37 to 4.47 percent in different studies, the ministry said and highlighted that there has been an overall decline in tuberculosis notification by 26 percent during January to June, as compared to the previous year, due to the coronavirus pandemic. In its “Guidance note on Bi-directional TB-COVID screening and screening of TB among ILI/SARI cases” issued on Wednesday, the ministry said studies have shown that a history of active as well as latent tuberculosis is an important risk factor for the SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Coronavirus in Punjab LATEST Updates

With two days for Punjab Assembly session, 23 MLAs are COVID-19 positive, says CM

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Wednesday said 23 MLAs and ministers are coronavirus positive with just two days to go before the state assembly session. Three of the 23 MLAs are cabinet ministers. Another minister who had tested positive earlier has recovered. The chief minister gave the number during a video conference with Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who had held a virtual meeting with CMs of opposition-ruled states to discuss a range of issues faced by them. “As of today, two days before the scheduled Punjab Vidhan Sabha session, 23 ministers/MLAs were COVID positive,” said the CM according to an official release. “If this is the state of the legislators and ministers, one can only imagine how grave the situation on the ground is,” he said. 

PTI

Coronavirus in Odisha LATEST Updates

Schools, Colleges in Odisha to remain shut till Durga Puja vacations, announces Naveen Patnaik

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen  Patnaik Wednesday announced that all educational institutions in the state till end of Durga Puja vacation in view of the prevailing pandemic situation. The announcement was made by Patnaik after reviewing the situation due to COVID-19 in the state. Keeping in view the concerns expressed by students and parents, it has been decided to close schools and colleges till the end of Durga Puja holidays, Pataik said in a statement. The five-day Durga Puja festival is slated to be held between 22 to 26 October .

Coronavirus in Maharashtra  LATEST Updates

Toll in Mumbai crosses 7,500

Mumbai’s COVID-19 tally rose to 1,39,532 with the addition of 1,854 new cases, while the death toll crossed the 7,500-mark on Wednesday, the Brihanmumbai

Municipal Corporation (BMC) said. With 1,854 new cases, the number could have been the highest-ever in a single-day in Mumbai, but the civic body

clarified that the figure was due to Indian Council of Medical Research’s (ICMR) portal update following a “glitch”. According to the BMC, the tally of COVID-19 cases in the city rose to 1,39,532 with 1,854 new infections, while the toll increased to 7,502 after 28 more patients succumbed to the infection in the last 24 hours.

PTI

Coronavirus in West Bengal LATEST Updates

West Bengal’s recovery rate climbs to 79.75%

The COVID-19 toll in West Bengal on Wednesday reached 2,964 after 55 people succumbed to the disease, a bulletin issued by the state health department said. The state’s caseload also went up to 1,47,775 with 2,974 fresh cases of infection were reported, it said. Since Tuesday, 3,314 people were recovered from the disease. The discharge rate is now 79.75 percent. The number of active cases stood at 26,954.

PTI

Coronavirus in West Bengal LATEST Updates

West Bengal’s recovery rate climbs to 79.75%

The COVID-19 toll in West Bengal on Wednesday reached 2,964 after 55 people succumbed to the disease, a bulletin issued by the state health department said. The state’s caseload also went up to 1,47,775 with 2,974 fresh cases of infection were reported, it said. Since Tuesday, 3,314 people were recovered from the disease. The discharge rate is now 79.75 percent. The number of active cases stood at 26,954.

PTI

Coronavirus in Tamil Nadu LATEST Updates

Maharashtra sees spike of 14,888 new cases

Maharashtra on Wednesday reported a single-day highest spike of 14,888 coronavirus cases which took the case count to 7,18,711, a health official said. The toll in Maharashtra due  to the pandemic reached 23,089 with addition of 295 fatalities. On the other hand, 7,637 patients were discharged from hospitals, taking the number of recovered cases to 5,22,427. There are 1,72,873 active cases in the state now, the health official said.

In state capital Mumbai, 1,854 new cases and 28 deaths were reported during the day while Pune reported 1,640 new cases along with 37 deaths.

PTI

Coronavirus in Tamil Nadu LATEST Updates

Two Tamil Nadu hospitals to join ‘Covishield’ trials

Amid the scramble to produce a vaccine against the deadly COVID 19,Tamil Nadu’s Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital and Sri Ramachandra Hospital, will join the Oxford University in conducting human clinical trials of ‘Covishield’ on nearly 300 health volunteers aged 18 and above  This will be part of the multi-centric clinical trial in India, according to state health minister Dr C Vijaya Bhaskar. This vaccine, developed in collaboration with AstraZeneca, is considered the most promising of all the vaccine candidates and is undergoing phase-3 trials in some other countries. The Phase-2 trials of the Oxford University vaccine for novel Coronavirus began in India on Wednesday, with the first doses administered to some volunteers at Pune’s Bharti Vidyapeeth Medical College and Hospital.

PTI

Coronavirus in Andhra Pradesh LATEST Updates

Andhra Pradesh sees record spike of 10,830 new cases

A new record high of 10,830 fresh cases of COVID-19 were reported in a day in Andhra Pradesh as the states aggregate tally shot up to 3,82,469 on Wednesday.Results from 61,838 sample tests in 24 hours ending 9 am on Wednesday turned out the record number of positives in a single day so far, surpassing the 10,820 reported on August 9. A state health department bulletin said 81 more coronavirus patients succumbed in the 24
hour period while another 8,473 got cured and discharged from hospitals.The state now has 92,208 active cases after a total of 2,86,720 patients recovered and 3,541 died.

Coronavirus in Kerala LATEST Updates

Kerala records 2,476 fresh infections

Kerala on Wednesday added 2,476 fresh COVID-19 cases, the highest ever single day surge, taking the total infection count to 64,354. The state recorded 13 deaths as the toll mounted to 257, Health minister K K Shailaja said. As many as 69 healthcare workers were among the fresh cases of whom 2,243 were infected through contacts while the source of infection of 175 was not traceable, she said.

PTI

Coronavirus in Maharashtra LATEST Updates

Maharashtra postpones state public service commission exams

All examinations of the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) have been postponed till a further date, said the Chief Minister’s Office adding that a revised schedule would be announced in due course. The exams were scheduled to be held from September.

Due to the COVID crisis, all examinations of the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) stand postponed till a further date. The revised schedule will be announced in due course.

— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) August 26, 2020

Coronavirus in Tamil Nadu LATEST Updates

Tamil Nadu reports 5,958 new cases, 118 fatalities

Tamil Nadu reports 5,958 fresh cases of the coronavirus infection, taking the cumulative case count in the state to 3,97,261. With 118 more succumbing to the disease, the toll has climbed to 6,9839 while the number of recoveries has reached 3,38,060 with 5,606 persons getting discharged today. The state now has 52,362 active cases, said the state health department.

Coronavirus in Jammu and Kashmir LATEST Updates

Jammu and Kashmir reports over 700 new cases, 19 deaths

Over 700 new cases of coronavirus were detected in Jammu and Kashmir during the past 24 hours, taking the tally to 34,480 while the death toll reached 657 with 19 more fatalities, officials said on Wednesday.Fifteen deaths were reported from Kashmir and four from the Jammu region, they said. “Nineteen persons infected with coronavirus have died in Jammu and Kashmir in the past 24 hours till  5 pm on Wednesday,” the officials said. Meanwhile, 704 fresh cases of COVID-19 were reported from the Union Territory, taking the total number of infected persons to 34,480 in Jammu and Kashmir, the officials said. Among the new cases, 195 were from the Jammu region, while 509 were from Kashmir, they said.

PTI

Coronavirus in West Bengal LATEST Updates

Flights from six states to Kolkata to resume from 1 September

Announcing complete Lockdown across West Bengal on September 7, 11 and 12, Banerjee said Metro Railway can resume services by observing social distancing and other precautionary norms. “We have received several requests to resume flight

operations from six COVID hotspot states. So from September 1, flight services from these six states can resume thrice a week,” she said after a Cabinet meeting. To combat the spread of coronavirus, the state government had imposed a ban till August 31 on passenger flights to Kolkata from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Pune, Nagpur and Ahmedabad.

Coronavirus in West Bengal  LATEST Updates

Total Lockdown in West Bengal on 7,11 and 12 September

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday announced that there will be a total lockdown in West Bengal on 7,11 and 12 September, reports PTI. The chief minister also said that all education institutions would remain closed till 20 September.

Coronavirus in Tamil  Nadu  LATEST Updates

Tamil Nadu cancels all exams apart from final semester exams

Except final semester, other exams for UG, PG students are cancelled in view of COVID-19 pandemic, announces Tamil Nadu CM E  Palaniswami.

PTI

Coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh LATEST Updates

Uttar Pradesh sees record spike of 5,898 new cases

Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday reported 82 COVID-19 fatalities taking the death toll due to the disease to 3,141, while highest single-day spike of 5,898 new cases took the infection tally to 2,03,020.  “In the past 24 hours, 5,898 fresh COVID-19 cases were found. There are a total of 51,317 active cases in the state, while 1,48,562 people have been treated and discharged,” Additional Chief Secretary (medical and health) Amit Mohan Prasad told reporters .   He said that the state made a record by testing 1,44,802 samples on Tuesday and added that over 49 lakh tests were conducted in the state till now since outbreak of pandemic.  “Soon, the target of doing 1.5 lakh tests per day, set by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, will be achieved,” he said.

PTI

Colleges in Karnataka to resume from 1 October, says minister

Deputy Chief Minister and Higher Education Minister CN Ashwath Narayan on Wednesday announced that full-time online classes for degree students will commence from 1 September while classes in offline mode will be resume in October, said reports.

Puducherry witnessed job loss by 40%, says Naranswamy

Like minded political leaders should meet the Prime Minister and President and urging them to fund states liberally during the COVID-19 crisis, said Narayanswmay. “Puducherry has seen a job loss of around 40 percent”, he claimed

Coronavirus in India LATEST Updates

Holding NEET, JEE will lead to rise in COVID-19 cases, says Narayanswamy

V Narayanswamy, the chief minister of Puducherry said that the state government  as also DMK was also opposed to the JEE, NEET exams as it would hamper the interests of SC,ST, OBC children. “Last year seven exam in Tamil Nadu died by suicide due to the pressure of the exams. We has asked for the exams to be scrapped,” he said. He also said that holding the exams would lead to a rise in the COVID-19 cases in the country. “Who will be responsible?” he asked.

Coronavirus in India LATEST Update

Mamata Banerjee urges all CMs to move SC for postponing JEE, NEET

Mamata Banerjee urged all Chief Ministers to together move Supreme Court for postponing NEET, JEE exams, claiming that students are not prepared.“This will be my request to all state govts, let us do it together, let us go to Supreme Court & postpone the exam for the time being until and unless the situation allows students to sit for exam (JEE/NEET).” the Indian Express wuoted her as saying.

" State govternments are getting ‘bulldozed’ by the Centre in name of cooperative federalism; we are fighting the battle," PTI quotes her saying.

Coronavirus in Odisha LATEST Updates

Odisha govt to slash school syllabus by 30%

The Odisha government on Wednesday announced that school syllabus up to class 12 will be reduced by 30 percent for the current academic session. The decision was taken as schools are closed across the state due to the COVID-19 pandemic, said School and Mass Education Minister Samir Ranjan Dash. The announcement was made based on the recommendation of three committees set up for the purpose, he said.

The new syllabus will be available on the official websites of the Board of Secondary Education (BSE), Council of Higher Secondary Education (CHSE) and State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT). Block Education Officers and District Education

Coronavirus in India LATEST Updates

Students issues dealt ‘uncaringly by’ the Centre: Sonia Gandhi

At the meeting of Opposition chief ministers on the issue of JEE, NEET, Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi alleged that students problems and the issues of the exams were being dealth uncaringly by the Centre.  “We have to work and fight together against Central government,”  PTI quotes her as saying.

Coronavirus in India LATEST Updates

Ashok Gehlot lashes out at Centre over economic situation in the country

States are leading the fight against COVID-19 and the Centre has not even considered suggestions given by states, alleges Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot. He also lashed out at the economic package announced by the Centre saying that it was mostly in the form of loans. The economic situation further worsened due to the extended lockdown and states had to cut down on their expenditures, he claimed. “We are also facing problems at the border, we are surrounded from all sides but the ruling party is only interested in bringing down state governments”, he alleged,

Coronavirus in Australia LATEST Updates

Australian COVID-19 vaccine shows promising results in animal trials

A COVID-19 vaccine candidate being developed by Australia’s University of Queensland has shown “positive” results against the novel coronavirus in preclinical tests, raising hopes for its potential effectiveness and manufacturability, the varsity said on Wednesday, reports PTI.

According to the yet-to-be published findings, the vaccine combined with the Seqirus MF59 adjuvant, provided protection against virus reproduction in hamster models, and reduced lung inflammation, following exposure to the virus.

Coronavirus in Rajasthan LATEST Updates

Rajasthan reports six more COVID-19 deaths, 610 new cases

Rajasthan reported six more COVID-19 fatalities on Wednesday, taking the death toll in the state to 986 as 610 new cases of the infection pushed the overall tally to 73,935. Of the total number of cases reported in the state, 14,607 are currently active, a health department official said.

He added that 57,592 patients have been discharged after treatment until now.

Coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh LATEST Updates

Increase daily COVID tests to 1.50 lakh, says UP CM Yogi Adityanath

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday expressed satisfaction over daily 1.46 lakh novel coronavirus tests being done in Uttar Pradesh and issued directions for increasing the capacity to 1.50 lakh per day.

In a meeting with senior officials, Adityanath said there was a need to think “two steps ahead” to effectively check the coronavirus spread.

He said 1.46 lakh tests were done in the state on Tuesday and it should be increased to 1.50 lakh per day, adding that testing plays the most important role in controlling the infection. Work on enhancing the testing capacity should be continued, he said.

Coronavirus in Puducherry LATEST Updates

Puducherry reports over 500 new cases, takes total to 11,930

With Puducherry logging 511 new COVID-19 cases today, the aggregate number of those infected by the viral infection shot up to 11,930. Eight more people succumbed to the novel coronavirus infection, taking the toll to 180, reports PTI.

Coronavirus in Maharashtra LATEST Updates

Delay in testing led to rise in COVID-19 deaths in Palghar, says district collector

Delay in testing and admission of critical patients has led to an increase in the COVID-19 death toll in Maharashtra’s Palghar district, collector Dr Kailash Shinde said on Wednesday.

In an official statement, the collector said that 60 per cent of COVID-19 deaths were of patients who succumbed to the infection within 72 hours of being admitted to hospitals.

This indicates that majority of COVID-19 suspects don’t come forward for testing at the right time and are admitted to hospitals in a critical condition at the eleventh hour, he said.

Coronavirus in Kerala LATEST Updates

Padmanabha Swamy temple opens for devotees with strict COVID- 19 protocols

The Lord Padmanabha Swamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram opened for devotees on Wednesday morning adhering to strict COVID-19 protocols. The temple had not allowed worshippers inside since March 21 in view of the pandemic.

As many as 200 devotees offered worship this morning, temple sources said. Floor markings had been made for devotees to ensure social distancing.

Congress MLA V D Satheeshan, who had moved the no confidence motion against the Pinarayi Vijayan government on August24was among those who offered worship to Lord Vishnu, the presiding deity.

Thiruvananthapuram: Padmanabhaswamy temple opens for devotees from today since it was closed in March due to #COVID19 induced lockdown.

Devotees will be allowed inside the temple from 8 am to 11 am in the morning & from 5 pm till the time of Deep Aradhana in the evening. #Kerala pic.twitter.com/GmMdc6G35h

— ANI (@ANI) August 26, 2020

Coronavirus in Delhi LATEST Updates

Testing to be doubled in Delhi, says CM Arvind Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said that his government will double coronavirus testing in the Capital since there has been a small increase in the number of new cases. At present, 20,000 tests are being conducted per day in the city.

पिछले कुछ दिनों में दिल्ली में कोरोना के केस में थोड़ी बढ़ोतरी हुई, हालांकि बाकी आंकड़े कंट्रोल में हैं। आने वाले दिनों में दिल्ली में टेस्टिंग डबल की जाएगी। Press conference | LIVE https://t.co/MQzp7NuIpG

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) August 26, 2020

Coronavirus in India LATEST Updates

Pranab Mukherjee’s renal parameters ‘slightly deranged’, still in deep coma, says hospital

Former President Pranab Mukherjee continues to be in deep coma and his renal parameters are “slightly deranged”, the hospital treating him said on Wednesday. Doctors attending to 84-year-old Mukherjee said he continues to be on ventilator support.

He was admitted to the Army’s Research and Referral Hospital in Delhi Cantonment on 10 August, where he was operated for removal of a clot in the brain. Thereafter, he developed a lung infection and is being treated for the same.

The former President had also tested positive for COVID-19 at the time of his admission, the hospital said.

Coronavirus in India LATEST Updates

Indian scientists find N95 masks to be most effective at stopping COVID-19 spread

N95 masks may be the most effective at reducing the spread of the novel coronavirus, according a study by researchers, including those from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), which suggests that any mask is better than no mask at preventing COVID-19.

The researchers noted that airborne transmission by respiratory aerosol droplets produced during coughing and sneezing is the dominant mode of spreading for infectious diseases such as COVID-19.

Coronavirus in Maharashtra LATEST Updates

Aurangabad records 123 new COVID-19 cases

As many as 123 persons tested positive for coronavirus in Maharashtra’s Aurangabad district, rising the tally of cases to 21,515 on Wednesday, an official said.

According to a release from the district authorities, of the fresh COVID-19 cases, 67 have been reported from the limits of Aurangabad city, while 56 are from rural areas. The district has recorded 21,515 cases so far, of which 4,430 patients are currently undergoing treatment, the data revealed.

Coronavirus in Telangana LATEST Updates

3,018 new COVID-19 cases in Telangana, 10 more deaths

Telangana posted 3,018 fresh coronavirus cases, the highest single day spurt so far, pushing the state’s total infection count to 1.11 lakh. With 10 more fatalities the toll rose to 780, a state government bulletin said on Wednesday, providing data as of 8 pm on 25 August.

The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corpoation (GHMC) registered 475 fresh infections, followed by Rangareddy 247, Medchal Malkajgiri 204), Nalgonda 190, Khammam 161, Warangal Urban 139 and other districts. All 33 districts in the state reported positive cases in double digits.

Coronavirus in India LATEST Updates

NSUI members begin hunger strike demanding postponement of NEET-JEE

Members of the Congress-affiliated NSUI today began an indefinite hunger strike demanding the postponement of the NEET-JEE and fee waiver for six months for students during the coronavirus pandemic.

The president of National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), Neeraj Kundan and president of the Delhi wing of the students’ body commenced the hunger strike along with eight other members. They are also demanding that varsities should not hold exams during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Coronavirus in Karnataka LATEST Updates

Karnataka is clocking over 50k COVID-19 tests per day, says state health minister

Steadily ramping up its testing capacity, Karnataka is clocking more than 50,000 tests per day, and has conducted more than 25 lakh so far, state Medical Education Minister K Sudhakar said on Wednesday.

“Karnataka has steadily ramped up it’s testing capacity increasing the number of labs from 02 to 108 today. In the last five days, we conducted 3,23,753 tests clocking more than 50,000 tests per day. Yesterday we crossed 25 lakh tests & so far we conducted 25,13,555 tests (sic),” Sudhakar tweeted.

Out of 25.13 lakh samples tested so far till last evening, 59,787 were tested on Tuesday alone, and among them 24,587 were rapid antigen tests.

The Minister had recently said that the government plans to further enhance the testing to 75,000 per day soon.

Karnataka has steadily ramped up it's testing capacity increasing the number of labs from 02 to 108 today. In the last 5 days, we conducted 3,23,753 tests clocking more than 50,000 tests per day. Yesterday we crossed 25 lakh tests & so far we conducted 25,13,555 tests @BSYBJP pic.twitter.com/8f6Aw2PFI2

— Dr Sudhakar K (@DrSudhakar_) August 26, 2020

Coronavirus in Arunachal Pradesh LATEST Updates

Arunachal reports 100 new cases of COVID-19

Arunachal Pradesh on Wednesday reported 100 new cases of COVID-19, taking the state’s tally to 3,412, a senior Health Department official told PTI. Among the fresh cases are 22 security personnel and a health worker, he said.

Seventeen Army men – 15 in East Siang and two in West Siang – along with three paramilitary personnel in Lower Siang and one in Tirap tested positive for COVID-19, Jampa said

Coronavirus in India LATEST Updates

India’s COVID-19 recovery rate rises to 76.3%; fatality at 1.84%

The recovery rate rose to 76.30 percent with 63,173 more people having recuperated, while the case fatality rate has declined to 1.84 percent, the ministry said. There are 7,07,267 active cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), comprising 21.87 percent of the total 32,34,474 infections, the ministry data stated.

According to the ICMR, 3,76,51,512 tests have been conducted so far, including 8,23,992 samples on Tuesday.

Coronavirus in Haryana LATEST Updates

Haryana Agriculture Minister JP Dalal tests positive for the COVID-19

मैने तीन दिन पूर्व अपना कोविड-19 का टेस्ट करवाया था जिसमें मेरी रिपोर्ट नेगेटिव थी लेकिन पुन: टेस्ट कराने पर मेरी रिपोर्ट पॉजिटिव आई है। मैं अपने आपको घर पर ही आईसोलेट कर रहा हूं। जो भी लोग गत कुछ दिनों में मेरे संपर्क में आयें हैं, कृपया वे स्वयं को आइसोलेट कर अपनी जाँच करवाएं।

— Jai Parkash Dalal (@JPDALALBJP) August 26, 2020

Coronavirus in Assam LATEST Updates

Ex-Assam CM Tarun Gogoi tests positive for COVID-19

Former Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi said on Wednesday that he has been diagnosed with COVID-19. The veteran Congress leader urged all those who came in contact with him recently to get tested.

“I have been tested COVID-19 positive yesterday. People who came in contact with me during the last few days, should go for Covid test immediately,” he tweeted.

His wife Dolly Gogoi has tested negative, party sources said.

I have been tested Covid 19 positive yesterday. People who came in contact with me during Last few days they should go for Covid test immediately.

— Tarun Gogoi (@tarun_gogoi) August 26, 2020

Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra LATEST Updates

At least 122 more cops in Maharashtra test COVID-19 positive, total over 14,000

After 122 more cops tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Maharashtra, the total number of cases climbed to 14,189 on Wednesday. The COVID-19 toll in the force is now at 144 after two more succumbed to the virus.

“Total number of confirmed cases reach 14,189, including 2,622 active cases, 11,423 recoveries and 144 deaths till date, said the Maharashtra Police.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India LATEST Updates

Plight of people must be priority, not business: SC tells Centre

Coming down heavily on Centre for not taking a stand on giving moratorium on charging interest on loan, the Supreme Court on Wednesday said, “the problem has been created by your (Centre’s) lockdown. This is also not the time to consider business. The plight of people has to be considered.”

Coronavirus Outbreak in Delhi LATEST Updates

Delhi CM holds COVID-19 review meet 

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday held a meeting with Health Minister Satyendra Jain and other officials over the increase in number of COVID-19 cases in the National Capital.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal holds a meeting with Health Minister Satyendra Jain and other officials over the increase in number of #COVID19 cases in the national capital, at his residence. pic.twitter.com/zzoFQ0xVGp

— ANI (@ANI) August 26, 2020

Coronavirus Outbreak in India LATEST Updates

Centre hiding behind RBI: SC

Directing the Centre to file an affidavit stating its stand on moratorium on loan repayment, the Supreme Court accused it of ‘hiding behind RBI decision’ on the issue.

It had ample powers under Disaster Management Act to decide whether it could stop banks from charging interest on deferred EMIs and stop interest on interest for moratorium period, the top court said.

Coronavirus Outbreak in India LATEST Updates

SC takes potshot at Centre for not making clear stand on giving moratorium

Supreme Court asked Centre to file a reply and make its stand clear on giving moratorium on charging interest on loan as well as interest-on-interest during moratorium period declared during COVID-19 pandemic. 

“You cannot be interested only in business and not about sufferings of people,” the top court said.

The next hearing on the matter will be on 1 September.

Coronavirus in Telangana LATEST Updates

Senior Telangana cop succumbs to COVID-19 days before retirement

A senior police officer in Telangana died of COVID-19 here on Wednesday, just days before his retirement from service, reports PTI.

Additional Superintendent of Police of Jagtial district, K Dakshina Murthy (58), contracted coronavirus and was admitted to a private hospital here a week ago, police said.

He died of a heart attack at about 5.30 am, while undergoing treatment for the viral infection, they said. The 1989 batch officer hails from Karimnagar and was due to retire by the end of this month.

Coronavirus in Maharashtra LATEST Updates

Over 1.16 COVID-19 cases in Thane; toll reaches 3,348

With the addition of 788 positive cases of coronavirus, the infection count in Maharashtra’s Thane district has gone up to 1,16,413, an official said on Wednesday.

These new cases were reported on Tuesday, the official from the district collectorate said. The fatality count in the district reached 3,348 with the death of 47 patients on Tuesday. Twelve of them were from the rural parts of the district, he said.

Coronavirus in India LATEST Updates

India’s COVID-19 total rises to 32.2 lakh; toll at 59,499

India’s COVID-19 total on Wednesday rises to 32,34,474 with 67,151 new cases in the last 24 hours. The country’s toll rises by 1,059 to 59,449. As many as 24,67,758 people have recovered from the infection in the country.

Coronavirus Outbreak LATEST Updates

COVID-19 reinfection cases in Hong Kong, EU, India don’t change vaccine agenda, experts say

Researchers in Hong Kong have reported what they say is the first confirmed case of COVID-19 reinfection. The patient supposedly fell ill with COVID-19 in August, after having recovered from an earlier infection by SARS-CoV-2 in March 2020.

Two patients in Europe have also been confirmed to have been re-infected with COVID-19. The evidence gathered for COVID-19 reinfection has raised questions around how durable our immunity really is against SARS-CoV-2 – either naturally or with a vaccine. People’s immunity to the coronavirus, and how best to tame the pandemic are still areas being explored, experts have said.

The Health Minister of Telangana announced the day after the Hong Kong case made news, that at least two cases of coronavirus reinfection have taken place in the state.

Coronavirus in Delhi LATEST Updates

Arvind Kejriwal calls urgent meet on COVID situation

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has called a high-level meeting to discuss the rising number of novel coronavirus cases in Delhi, sources told PTI on Wednesday.

Health Minister Satyendar Jain, Chief Secretary Vijay Dev and senior officials will attend the meeting, which will take place at 11 am, according to sources.

The city recorded 1,544 more COVID-19 cases and 17 deaths on Tuesday. It was the first time in over a month that the number of new infections crossed the 1,500 mark.

Coronavirus in Andaman & Nicobar LATEST Updates

Andaman & Nicobar reports 41 new COVID-19 cases, 2 fatalities

The COVID-19 tally of Andaman and Nicobar Islands rose to 2,945 on Wednesday as 41 more people tested positive for the infection, while two fresh fatalities pushed the Union territory’s coronavirus death toll to 37, a health official said.

Six new patients have travel history, while the remaining 35 infections were detected during contact tracing, he said.

Two COVID-19 patients — an 86-year-old woman suffering from coronary artery disease and a 79-year-old man suffering from paralysis — have died, the official said. The fresh infections have pushed the number of active cases in the Union territory to 677, he said.

Coronavirus in US LATEST Updates

Trump delivered on economy before COVID-19 hit US and will do it again: RNC speakers

President Donald Trump has successfully delivered on the economy in the first term of his administration before it was hit by the coronavirus pandemic, top Republicans said, urging Americans to give him another chance at the White House to deliver again post-COVID-19.

Coronavirus in Telangana LATEST Updates

Telangana Health Minister confirms two COVID-19 reinfections in the state

Health Minister of Telangana Eatala Rajender on Tuesday said there have been two cases of coronavirus reinfection in the state, reports Livemint.

“The virus is new and we are learning about it daily. There is no guarantee that coronavirus will not come again in those who were infected before. Those who are not developing antibodies in enough amount might get infected again. Courage is the main drug for battling the pandemic,” Rajender told a news channel.

Coronavirus in India LATEST Updates

Russia seeks collaboration with India for manufacturing COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V

The Russian government has reached out to India seeking a collaboration for manufacturing its COVID-19 vaccine ‘Sputnik V’ and conducting its phase 3 clinical trial here, sources told PTI.

According to government sources, the matter was discussed by the national expert group on vaccine administration for COVID-19 in its last meeting held on 22 August.

Sputnik V has been developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology along with Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF). The vaccine has not been tested in phase 3 or larger clinical trials.

Coronavirus in Uttarakhand LATEST Updates

Uttarakhand CM isolates himself, tests COVID negative

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat has isolated himself for three days as a precautionary measure despite his novel coronavirus test report coming negative.

Sharing this information on the social media on Tuesday, Rawat said he and his family underwent a COVID-19 test along with the staff and the security personnel at the CMO as a precautionary measure.

Coronavirus in India LATEST Updates

India has scaled up testing from 1 lakh in Jan to 10 lakh per day now, says Centre

India has exponentially scaled its testing from one in January to 10 lakh/day in August 2020, said Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Twitter. With the positivity rate progressively falling, testing has worked as an effective tool to limit the spread of COVID-19 infection.

#IndiaFightsCorona

India has exponentially scaled its TESTING from one in January to 10 lakh/day in August 2020.@PMOIndia@drharshvardhan @AshwiniKChoubey @PIB_India @COVIDNewsByMIB @CovidIndiaSeva @DDNewslive @airnewsalerts @ICMRDELHI @mygovindia @PTI_News @ANI pic.twitter.com/LvmyFbPjZD

— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) August 26, 2020

Coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh LATEST Updates

Yogi Adityanath asks officials to take necessary precautionary measures for upcoming festivals

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Tuesday directed police and administration officials to take all necessary security measures for upcoming festivals such as Ganesh Utsav, Anant Chaturdashi and Muharram.

He said that religious and cultural events and programs are not allowed in public places in view of the COVID-19.

“If anyone is found violating protocol, strict action should be taken against them,” the CM said, emphasising on strict adherence to COVID-19 protocol.

Coronavirus in Brazil LATEST Updates

Jair Bolsonaro’s son Flavio tests positive for virus in Brazil

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s eldest son, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, said Tuesday he has tested positive for the new coronavirus but was asymptomatic, reports AFP.

The 39-year-old senator’s office said in a statement he was “feeling fine,” isolating at home and taking the anti-malaria drug chloroquine, which his father has aggressively pushed as a treatment for COVID-19 despite studies finding it is ineffective against the virus.

Coronavirus in US LATEST Updates

New virus cases decline in the US as experts credit masks

The number of Americans newly diagnosed with the coronavirus is falling – a development experts say most likely reflects more mask-wearing but also insufficient testing – even as the disease continues to claim nearly 1,000 lives in the US each day.

About 43,000 new cases are being reported daily across the country, down 21% from early August, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.

While the US, India and Brazil still have the highest numbers of new cases in the world, the downward trend is encouraging.

Coronavirus in US LATEST Updates

American Airlines plans 19,000 furloughs, layoffs in October

American Airlines said Tuesday it will cut more than 40,000 jobs, including 19,000 through furloughs and layoffs, in October as it struggles with a sharp downturn in travel because of the pandemic.

American executives said the furloughs can only be avoided if the federal government gives airlines another 25 billion to help them cover labor costs for six more months.

The airline said 23,500 employees have accepted buyouts, retired early or taken long-term leaves of absence, but that was not enough to avoid involuntary cuts. The furloughs of union workers and layoffs of management staff announced Tuesday will fall heaviest on flight attendants, with 8,100 being terminated in October.

Coronavirus in India LATEST Updates

JEE, NEET to be held in September as scheduled, say officials

The Joint Entrance Examination (Main) and the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG) will be conducted in September as scheduled, officials said on Tuesday, amid a growing chorus for postponing the crucial tests in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The National Testing Agency said it has planned several steps to conduct the papers safely which include increasing the number of examination centers, alternate seating plan, fewer candidates per room and staggered entry and exit.

“These steps have been introduced to ensure adherence to social distancing norms at the centres in view of the COVID-19 pandemic”, it said.