Covid update: Pranab Mukherjee infected; WHO on virus; Yediyurappa recovers

Watch: Former President Pranab Mukherjee tweets, says he's Covid-19 positive

Former President Pranab Mukherjee has tested positive for Covid-19. 84-year-old Mukherjee took to Twitter and announced the news. He found out about his positive status when he went for routine check up. Mukherjee has requested people who have come in contact to self-isolate. Leaders, cutting across party lines, have wished Mukherjee a quick recovery. Union Minister Piyush Goyal and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis wished Mukherjee a speedy recovery. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also wished the former president a quick recovery. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed concern over the development. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge also wished for a speedy recovery. Pranab Mukherjee had cancelled all his engagements and stopped going out for public functions for the last few months. In the wake of raging coronavirus epidemic, the government had asked all senior citizens to stay at home. Mukherjee, President between 2012 and 2017, was invited for the at home programme at Rashtrapati Bhavan. However, he will not attend the event in the wake of this development. Last year, Mukherjee was awarded Bharat Ratna - country's highest civilian award. He is a Congress veteran with stints in the Indira Gandhi cabinet as well.

Former President Pranab Mukherjee tests COVID positive

Former President Pranab Mukherjee tested coronavirus positive on August 10. Mukherjee had gone to the hospital for separate procedure, where he was diagnosed with coronavirus. He announced the news on his Twitter handle. Meanwhile, Home Minister Amit Shah is also undergoing treatment for coronavirus.

Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa tests negative for COVID-19

Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa got discharged from Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru on August 10 after he tested negative for the virus. CM had tested positive for the disease on August 02.

WHO doctor: Lifting restrictions in Europe will cause Covid-19 to bounce back

World Health Organisation's Dr Michael Ryan explains how Covid-19 is notshowing signs of seasonal patterns, and that lifting restrictions is what willcause it to "bounce back". He warns Europe to keep the pressure on the virusin order to avoid this bounce back.

What is the science behind Covid-19 and schools ?

As the Government faces calls to boost Covid-19 testing in order to makereturning to schools safe, we look at the research driving the decisions.

Hospital beds and ventilators- a new challenge in Nepal's fight against COVID-19

Nepal government allocated hospitals in Kathmandu valley are now running short of beds for COVID-19 patients, along with life-saving ventilators which stand low in number. Slowdown in number of COVID-19 cases due to government induced lockdown was short-lived as cases have started to emerge at an alarming rate. Due to the rapid spike in the new cases in Kathmandu valley, all the beds and intensive care units available at hospitals are already occupied for COVID-19 patients. Kathmandu valley, which comprises Bhaktapur, Lalitpur and Kathmandu District, in total has reported 485 cases. Flow of patients from outside Kathmandu valley is also increasing with ease of lockdown and people attempting for pre-lockdown schedule which has raised the infection rate in capital of the Himalayan Nation. On a daily basis, about 1000 people returning back from districts outside Kathmandu pour into the hospital for tests but only 300 of them get tested as per the cap fixed on by the hospital administration. Ministry of Health and Population on Friday released its plans and estimated a steady rise in cases in coming days. The Ministry has planned to take the total number of ICU beds in the nation to 2, 600 and number of ventilators to 900. In lack of proper bed, 68 infected ones on Friday were asked to keep themselves under home isolation while 25 only were admitted to the hospital. According to the Health Ministry, about 30 percent of the confirmed infected ones are on loose.

WHO warns of need to fight new flare-ups

The coronavirus sweeping the world has shown no seasonal pattern and if health authorities take the pressure off fighting it, it will bounce back, the World Health Organization warned on Monday.

WHO to ship supplies to Lebanon - Tedros

The World Health Organization said on Monday (August 10) it will send protective equipment worth 1.7 million U.S. dollars and other medical and humanitarian support to Beirut in the aftermath of the blast that devastated the Lebanese capital.

Independence Day 2020: Security tightened, Armed Forces band wows spectators

Delhi police stepped up security in  and around the capital ahead of the Independence day celebration on August 15. Police were seen checking vehicles in the India gate and Connaught place region. Similar checks are also underway in other regions of the capital. Meanwhile, on Sunday, the Indian Armed Forces (Tri-Service) Band gave a musical performance at the North Block. The Defence Ministry has said that the Independence Day event will be marked by musical performances by the bands from the Army, Navy and the Indian Air Force. 'These performances are intended as gestures of gratitude and appreciation of the nation towards the Corona warriors who have been steadfastly fighting to stop the spread of the Coronavirus in the country even at the risk of their lives,' said the Ministry of Defence in a press statement. Military and Police Bands will also perform in Imphal, Bhopal and Jhansi on August 12. The final performance of the series will be held on August 13 in Lucknow, Faizabad, Shilong, Madurai and Champaran, it stated. Watch the full video for all the details.

Covid update: 100 virus-free days of New Zealand; Amit Shah's next test

From the testing of Union Home minister Amit Shah, to New Zealand completing 100 days without domestic transmission of the virus - here are the top news updates on the Covid-19 pandemic. Shah is likely to be tested for Covid infection again in the next couple of days. He is currently admitted in a private hospital, Medanta, in Haryana's Gurugram. He reportedly continues to be asymptomatic and is working from his hospital bed. Maharashtra saw another big jump in cases with over 12,200 new infections being reported. This took the state's total tally past the 5.15 lakh-mark. In Madhya Pradesh, minister Vishvas Sarang tested positive for Covid infection. The news came just days after MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan was discharged from hospital after recovering from the disease. India has so far reported a total of 21.53 lakh Covid cases with over 43,300 deaths. A little over 6.28 lakh cases are active, while over 14.8 lakh patients have been discharged. In international news, Paris has tightened rules regarding wearing of face masks. The French capital has reportedly made masks mandatory in certain crowded areas for people aged 11 and above. In the neighbouring United Kingdom, Prime Minister Boris Johnson called reopening of schools in September the government's moral responsibility. Watch the full video for other updates on the spread of the Sars-CoV-2 coronavirus.

Karnataka floods: State seeks aid of Rs 4000 crores from Centre

Karnataka Home Minister Basavaraj S Bommai after meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on flood situation in Karnataka via video conferencing said that we have given him an account of all damages. Home Minister said, "We spoke to PM Modi and gave him an account of all damages in the state due to excessive rainfall and flood. We have asked for an advance of the next installment of SDRF fund of Rs 395 crores and special assistance of Rs 4000 crores."

PM Modi holds meeting to review current flood situation via video-conferencing

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting on August 10, through video-conference with Chief Ministers of Assam, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala to review their preparedness to deal with south-west monsoon and current flood situation in the country. The meeting was also attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Health Minister Harshvardhan, both the Minister of State in Home Affairs and senior officers of the concerned Central Ministries and organisations

Covid update: Ayodhya priest worried; South Korea on India, vaccines; gym rules

From another Ayodhya priest testing positive days ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit, to the government issuing guidelines for gymnasiums and yoga centres ahead of their reopening from August 5 - here are the top news updates on the Covid-19 pandemic. The World Health Organisation has reportedly completed the groundwork in China for an investigation into the origin of the virus which causes the Covid-19 illness. WHO Director General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, also warned the world that although there is hope of development of an effective vaccine, there is also the possibility that we might never have a 'silver bullet' against the disease. Meanwhile, South Korean envoy to India, Shin Bong-kil, said that India has always been important when it comes to vaccines and the country also has a strong pharmaceutical industry. A controversy has broken out over the admission of Union Home minister Amit Shah to a private hospital in Gurugram after he tested positive for Covid infection. Congress' Shashi Tharoor said that patronage of the powerful is important to maintain public faith in government institutions. India also crossed a milestone in its fight against the virus. The country passed the landmark of 2 crore total tests on August 2. Watch the full video for the other updates regarding the spread of the Sars-CoV-2 coronavirus.

WHO warns there might never be a 'silver bullet' to defeat virus

The head of the World Health Organisation warned on Monday that althoughseveral coronavirus vaccines were in advanced stages of clinical trial, "thereis no silver bullet for the moment and there might never be". Speaking at amedia briefing on Monday, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said preventing outbreaksstill came down to public health measures such as testing, tracing andquarantining, as well as governments informing and listening to localcommunities.

World Health Organisation: Covid-19 is still accelerating

World Health Organisation director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warnedthat despite six months passing since WHO declared Covid-19 a global healthcrisis, the virus is continuing to accelerate around the world.

WHO Chief Says Lack of Unity Is a Bigger Threat Than COVID-19

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus gave a passionate speech at a COVID-19 briefing in Geneva on Thursday.

NDMC directed to ensure cleanliness near Bangla Sahib Gurudwara: CM Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal visited compost system near Bangla Sahib Gurudwara on August 08. He further planted a tree and later addressed the problems of the residents. People complained of foul smell to which Kejriwal assured that by August 20, the problem will be resolved.

Rs 10 lakh compensation to be transferred by today: CM Kejriwal on 12-year-old rape victim

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Delhi sexual assault case said that Rs 10 lakh compensation will be transferred into bank account of victim's family most likely by August 08. He said, "Police has already arrested the accused. Victim is still battling for her life and is in critical condition. Rs 10 lakh compensation will be transferred into bank account of victim's family most likely today."

Kozhikode plane crash: CM Kerjiwal extends condolences to bereaved families

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Kozhikode plane crash extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and injured. "It is a tragic incident," he added. An Air India Express plane carrying 190 passengers skidded while landing at Karipur Airport in Kozhikode leaving 18 dead.