The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has given nod to the Serum Institute of India (SII) for conducting phase 2 and 3 human clinical trials of a COVID-19 vaccine candidate, developed by the University of Oxford, in the country.
Government officials told PTI that the approval for conducting phase 2 and 3 clinical trials by the SII was granted by DCGI Dr.V.G. Somani late Sunday night after a thorough evaluation based on the recommendations of the Subject Expert Committee on COVID-19.
You can track coronavirus cases, deaths and testing rates at the national and State levels here. A list of State Helpline numbers is available as well.
Here are the latest updates:
Four deaths in Puducherry
Four more COVID-19 deaths were recorded in Puducherry on Monday, taking the toll to 56.
The UT also saw 178 new cases from tests on 782 swabs in the past 24 hours---representing a positivity rate of 22.8 per cent. The case fatality remained at 1.4 per cent.
Puducherry accounted for 125 of the new cases taking the case load across city institutions to 1,032.
Yanam enclave saw 42 new admissions and Karaikal nine while Mahe moved out of green zone status with the detection of two cases.
The tally in the UT is 56 deaths, 1,515 active cases, a cumulative total of 3,982 cases and 2,411 patients discharged. - Dinesh Varma
Restrictions imposed in Kashmir Valley, markets shut
Restrictions were imposed in the Kashmir valley on Monday, with officials saying that the curbs have been enforced as part of efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19.
The restrictions come two days ahead of the first anniversary of the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status.
No movement of people, except essential services and medical emergencies, was being allowed, the officials said.
Karthi Chidambaram tests positive
Congress MP from Sivaganga Karthi Chidambaram has tested positive for COVID-19 and has been under home quarantine.
"I have just tested positive for #Covid. My symptoms are mild and as per medical advice I am under home quarantine. I would urge all those who have recently been in contact with me to follow medical protocol," Mr. Karthi tweeted.
Bihar State CPI secretary Satya Narain Singh succumbs to infection
Bihar State secretary of the Communist Party of India (CPI) and two-time former MLA Satya Narain Singh died of COVID-19 late on Sunday.
Suffering from the pandemic, he was admitted to All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, on July 30 where he died.
“He breathed his last at 9.30 p.m. on Sunday. Before being admitted to AIIMS, Patna, he was undergoing treatment for COVID-19 infection at a private hospital of the State capital,” said an AIIMS doctor.
'Yediyurappa may have to remain in hospital for 8-10 days'
Medical Education Minister Sudhakar K said Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa might have to stay in the hospital for 8 to 10 days.
Dr. Sudhakar said Mr. Yediyurappa has “very mild cough and his chest is clear.”
“All those who met the Chief Minister in the last 3-4 days...ideally they should be quarantined till they receive their results/report. Those who came in contact with him in the couple of programmes will have to isolate themselves and subject themselves for testing,” the Minister said.
Four southern States account for 3,86,171 COVID-19 cases
The cumulative tally in the pandemic for four southern States excluding Tamil Nadu stood at 3,86,171 cases reported as of Sunday.
People throng the Beach Road in Visakhapatnam on Sunday, August 02, 2020. | Photo Credit: K.R. DEEPAK
- Kerala’s case tally was 25,911 on Sunday, with the reporting of 1,169 new cases.
- Telangana’s cases stood at 66,677 as 1,891 more samples tested positive on Saturday (reported on Sunday).
- In Andhra Pradesh, 67 new deaths and 8,555 new cases were reported on Sunday. The overall tally rose to 1,58,764 and the death toll to 1,474. There were 74,404 active cases.
- In Karnataka, 5,532 new positive cases were detected on Sunday; the total was 1,34,819. Also, 84 new deaths were reported, touching a total of 2,496.
Fatality rate in Kalyana Karnataka is lower than State, national average
Even though Kalyana Karnataka region opened India’s COVID-19 fatality account by reporting the country’s first death from one of its cities — Kalaburagi — in the second week of March this year, the region continues to maintain lower death rate as compared to State and national average.
An analysis of COVID-19 data showed that the region recorded a 1.48 % death rate as against the national average of 2.1 % and the State average of 1.86 % as on July 31, 2020.
NGOs join hands with the govt. in the fight against pandemic
Volunteers from Anjuman-e-Islam preparing oxygen cylinders to be distributed free to COVID-19 patients in Belagavi.
Some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are helping poor patients battle COVID-19 by providing them free oxygen cylinders.
The Anjuman-e-Islam committee in Belagavi has tied up with industrial gas industries and plans to provide oxygen cylinders to the needy. The committee will provide 120 cylinders in the first phase. It plans to increase the numbers in the next few weeks.
Assam unlocks as COVID-19 positivity rate declines
The Assam government on Sunday announced a slew of lockdown relaxations but as an experiment for 12 days in view of the decline in the COVID-19 positivity rate. This follows the decision on reopening schools and colleges from September 1 if the situation improves and the Centre gives the go-ahead.
Callers offer BCG vaccine to elderly without mentioning trial
Disinfectant sprayed on buildings in Raja Street, Coimbatore on Sunday during the complete lockdown to check the spread of COVID-19 | Photo Credit: S. SIVA SARAVANAN
In the ongoing BCG vaccine trial, a few elderly residents of Chennai have been receiving calls from persons representing the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), offering the vaccine as a “protection” and “immunity booster”. But these residents, who had tested negative for COVID-19, are not being appropriately informed that this is a “trial”.
BCCI advises individuals over 60 to stay away from cricket training
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has advised coaches and support staff members above 60 years of age to be discouraged from participating in training. The suggestion is included in the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for resumption of domestic cricket, which were shared with all the 38 affiliate units of the BCCI on Sunday.
CM warns of action against overcharging pvt. hospitals
A day after the Health Department suspended the recognition of Be Well Hospitals in Kilpauk, Chennai, as a COVID-19 facility after it overcharged a patient, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami has warned of strict action against private hospitals charging in excess.
In a tweet on Sunday, Mr. Palaniswami said that all private hospitals treating COVID-19 patients should display government-recognised treatment costs for the benefit of the people.