The nationwide lockdown had a significant negative impact on inpatient care utilisation under the where claim volumes fell by over 50%, with wide variation across the States and procedure types. The steepest decline (over 75%) was registered in Assam, followed by Maharashtra and Bihar, while much smaller declines (about 25% or less) were observed in Uttarakhand, Punjab and Kerala.

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:

 

Bihar, Gujarat, U.P., West Bengal and Telangana need to increase testing: Health Secretary

Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said, "The Prime Minister also specifically referred to the fact that there are States, including Bihar, Gujarat, U.P., West Bengal and Telangana, where there is a need to increase the testing rate, as the positivity rate in these States are on the higher side."

"24 States/UTs have better tests per million than the national average of 18,320," he added

 

States should ensure contact tracing, isolation and treatment of COVID-19 patients: Health Secretary

At a press conference, Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said: "The Prime Minister today reviewed the ground situation with the Chief Ministers of 10 States, which account for 80% of active cases and about 81% of deaths related to COVID-19."

He added: "Chief Ministers of the 10 States shared their experiences with the Prime Minister, who then gave directions to the States and the Health Ministry. The Prime Minister said that containment, contact tracing and surveillance are key in the fight against COVID-19."

The Health Secretary appealed to the State governments to ensure that the close contacts of COVID-19 patients be traced subsequently tested, isolated or hospitalised in the first 72 hours, to check spread of the virus. He echoed the Prime Minister when he said that the efforts should be made to keep the fatality rate below 1%. Right now it is 1.99%

"Prime Minister also said that the three measures (containment, contract tracing and surveillance) could be implemented effectively and it had worked well in the National Capital Region," stressed Mr. Bhushan

— Delhi Bureau

Cochin International Airport incurs loss of ₹72 crore in first quarter on account of COVID-19 restrictions

Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) registered a profit of ₹204.05 crore during 2019-20.

The holding company, having 100 per cent shares in subsidiaries like Cochin Duty Free and Retail Services Ltd (CDRSL) registered a consolidated turnover of Rs. 810.08 crore.

However, the company registered a loss of around ₹72 crore in the first quarter of 2020-21 "owing to the travel restrictions imposed globally due to the covid-19 pandemic".

— Special Correspondent

Delhi HC asks State govt. to treat as representation, petition seeking to restrain company from selling 'Corona Oven'

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday asked the government to treat as representation a petition seeking to restrain a company from selling its product 'Corona Oven' which claims to sterilize household items and consumables from COVID-19.

A bench of Chief Justice D.N. Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan asked the government to expeditiously decide on the representation after giving a hearing to all the parties including the company.

The petition filed by Green Dream Foundation, an NGO, said 'Corona Oven' claimed to sterilize PPE kits so that they can be reused by medical personnel while treating COVID-19 patients.

— Delhi Bureau

Coronavirus breaks out again in New Zealand after 102 days

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Tuesday said authorities have found four cases of the coronavirus in one Auckland household from an unknown source, the first reported cases of local transmission in the country in 102 days.

Ardern said Auckland, the nation’s largest city, will be moved to Alert Level 3 from midday Wednesday through midnight Friday, meaning that people will be asked to stay at home, while bars and many other businesses will be closed.

— AP

Coronavirus transmission risk increases along wildlife supply chains, says study

Coronaviruses, the family of viruses which includes the COVID-19 causing SARS-CoV-2, is amplified along wildlife supply chains from traders to large markets to restaurants, according to a study which says the maximal risk is for end consumers of such products, likely explaining how these viruses jump species to humans.

In the research, published in the journal PLOS ONE, coronaviruses were detected in a high proportion of bats and rodents in Vietnam from 2013 to 2014, with an increasing proportion of positive samples found along the wildlife supply chain.

— PTI

COVID-19 recovery rate nears 70%, case fatality rate falls below 2%: Govt.

Successful implementation of containment strategy, aggressive testing coupled with standardized clinical management of critical patients have resulted in the rise of COVID-19 recovery rate to nearly 70% while the case fatality rate has fallen below 2%, the Union Health ministry said on Tuesday.

With more patients recuperating and being discharged from hospitals and home isolation (in case of mild and moderate cases), the total recoveries have jumped to 15,83,489 with 47,746 patients getting discharged in a span of 24 hours, it said.

— PTI

No parade during Independence Day celebration in Odisha this year

In view of the outbreak of COVID-19, the Odisha government has decided to keep the Independence Day celebration a low-key affair by not organising parade or march past this year.

A letter written by the Home Department to the district collectors said, the state government is in favour of discouraging large gatherings to contain the spread of the disease.

— PTI

Virus surge makes U.S. weak link in global economic recovery

People in China are back to buying German luxury cars. Europe’s assembly lines are accelerating. Now the global economy is waiting for the United States to get its coronavirus outbreak under control and boost the recovery, but there’s little sign of that.

The United States’ fumbling response to the pandemic is casting doubt on its economic prospects and making it one of the chief risks to a global rebound.

— PTI

Coronavirus breaks out again in New Zealand after 102 days

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Tuesday that authorities have found four cases of the coronavirus in one Auckland household from an unknown source, the first cases of local transmission in the country in 102 days.

Ardern said Auckland, the nation’s largest city, will be moved to Level 3 from midday Wednesday, meaning that people will be asked to stay at home and bars and many other businesses will be closed.

— AP

Cop issuing challans for not wearing masks fined as he himself was without one

A police officer issuing challans to people for not wearing masks here, even as he himself did not have one on, got a taste of his own medicine when the superintendent of police pulled him up for it.

The incident took place on Monday when Baundi police station SHO Subhash Chandra Singh was handing out challans to villagers, cyclists and pedestrians and also advising them to wear masks.

Some villagers claimed they were fined even though they had their faces covered with ‘angocha’ towels.

— PTI

Shivraj Singh Chouhan tests negative for coronavirus

Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan has tested negative for COVID 19. In a tweet on Tuesday, the Chief Minister stated: "My COVID-19 report is negative. On the advice of doctors, I will be in isolation till tomorrow. I sincerely thank the doctors, nurses and the entire team."

On July 25, Mr. Chouhan had announced on Twitter that he had tested positive for COVID-19. He was admitted to Chirayu Hospital, a private COVID-19 facility, for treatment.

 

’Blood test may tell if you are at risk of severe COVID-19 infection’

A simple blood test may predict the risk of severe COVID-19 infection, say scientists who have identified a particular molecular signature in the blood that increases the chances of hospitalisation by 5 to 10 times in people infected by the novel coronavirus.

The test can be used to identify people who’ll need special precautions to avoid infection and prioritise those in most need of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to the scientists at Nightingale Health, a biotechnology company in Helsinki, Finland.

— PTI

Maharashtra: Man escapes COVID-19 facility, found dead on road

Hours after he escaped from a COVID-19 centre in Amalner in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon district on August 10, a 32-year-old man was found dead on road, police said on Tuesday.

The patient, a resident of Wawade village in the north Maharashtra district, located over 400 kms from here, was admitted in the facility in Amalner tehsil on Monday morning, an official said.

— PTI

Russia registers virus vaccine, Putin’s daughter given inoculated with it

Russian President Vladimir Putin says that a coronavirus vaccine developed in the country has been registered for use and one of his daughters has already been inoculated.

Speaking at a government meeting Tuesday, Putin said that the vaccine has proven efficient during tests, offering a lasting immunity from the coronavirus.

Putin emphasized that the vaccine underwent the necessary tests. He added that one of his two daughters has received a shot of the vaccine and is feeling well.

— AP

Pranab Mukherjee in critical condition, former President on ventialtor support

Former President Pranab Mukherjee continues to remain critical and is on ventilator support, the Army’s Research and Referral (R&R) hospital said on Tuesday, a day after he underwent a brain surgery.

The 84-year-old was admitted to the military hospital around noon on Monday, and had also tested positive for COVID-19 prior to the surgery.

— PTI

COVID-19: ‘Focused testing’ strategy paying dividends, says A.P. CM

A “focused testing” strategy to detect COVID-19 cases early was paying dividends as Andhra Pradesh succeeded in keeping the peak positivity rate below 20 per cent, while “rigorous clinical management” ensured the mortality rate remained below one per cent, Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy said.

Community-basedtargeted testing, testing of every primary and secondary contact of positive cases and testing of all high-risk category patients in containment zones have been the governments focus in combating the pandemic, he noted.

— PTI

Ban on flights to Kolkata from six cities extended till Aug 31

Suspension of passenger flights to Kolkata from six metros with high prevalence of COVID-19 cases has been extended till August 31, a senior government official said on Tuesday.

Earlier, the temporary restriction on the arrival of flights to Kolkata airport from Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Nagpur and Ahmedabad was extended till August 15, amid the surge in coronavirus cases in the state.

— PTI

Separate containment zones, 100% screening, isolation, tracing and treatment key to tackling pandemic: Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi went on to stress on the need for social distancing, usage of masks etc. He urged people to undergo coronavirus testing within 72 hours of coming in contact with individuals diagnosed with the virus.

"With the help of Aarogya Setu app, contact tracing can be done. We saw in 5 districts in Haryana and even in Delhi the situation was dire but we set up a new committee under Home Minister Amit Shah and turned the situation around," said the Prime Minister.

He added: "The template for this is the same for all, to separate containment zones, 100% screening, isolation, tracing and treatment The most effective thing is your experience in your States and success have been based on your good models of containment."

"The 10 states who have met today where maximum cases exist, are key to our success in combating the disease," he expressed.

— Delhi Bureau

Bihar, U.P., Gujarat, West Bengal and Telangana need to increase testing: Narendra Modi

Narendra Modi firmly stated that his government's aim is to reduce the fatality rate to less than 1% can also be achieved

"We have been able to get much clarity on the route ahead. For instance, in the states where testing rates are low, and positivity rate is high. Thus, testing has to increase in such states. This includes Bihar, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Telangana," the Prime Minister said.

Mr. Modi added: "Contact tracing is the biggest strategy here. Experts are now saying that if we can identify and trace the infection in the first 72 hours, the disease treatment is easier"

— Delhi Bureau

Centre and states have been able to foster a team spirit in fight against coronavirus: Narendra Modi

In his address to the Chief Ministers of ten states, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: “Discussing the (coronavirus) situation with all gives us in-depth knowledge of the situation and on the way ahead.”

He added that the virus is bringing new challenges in its wake. "However, I’m relieved to see that all States are fighting the disease to the best of their abilities and the Centre and states have been able to foster a team spirit in this fight," the Prime Minister claimed.

"This sense of unity is a big thing. Today, 80% of active cases are in the 10 states whom you represent," he told the Chief Ministers.

"Across the country, there are more than 6 lakh active cases which are mostly in these 10 states. Therefore it is important that we talk and exchange best practices and learn from each other’s experience," urged Mr. Modi.

 

— Delhi Bureau

’COVID Bandhus’ of Odisha’s Ganjam provide succour in fight against virus

Around 700 people whorecovered from COVID-19 in Odisha’s Ganjam district have come forward to assist the administration in persuading symptomatic people to go for testing and also helping them with counselling to drive out the anxieties related to coronavirus, officials said on Tuesday.

Ganjam, considered the coronavirus hotspot in the state as it has reported over 13,000 cases, launched a programme named ‘COVID Bandhu’ to rope in those who have recovered, they said.

— PTI

Punjab CM asks Narendra Modi for liberal financial package to fill collection gap caused by pandemic

Amid surge in COVID-19 cases and 50% revenue decline for the first quarter of this fiscal in Punjab, Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh sought from Prime Minister Narendra Modi a liberal financial package for states to fill the collection gap caused by the pandemic, and also flexibility on COVID-19 related terms of expenditure in SDRF

 

 

Two more die of coronavirus in Puducherry; toll mounts to 91

Two more people succumbed to COVID-19 and 276 fresh cases were reported on Tuesday in Puducherry, where the aggregate touched 5,900.

Health Minister Malladi Krishna Rao told a virtual press conference that while one patient aged 44 died at Indira Gandhi Government Medical college (IGGMC) hospital here, the other aged 69 passed away at a private hospital in the last 24 hours.

— PTI

Advocate in Uttar Pradesh’s Banda dies due to COVID-19

An 59-year-old advocate here has succumbed to COVID-19, an official said on Tuesday.

Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Banda, Santosh Kumar, said the advocate, also a Samajwadi Party worker, was referred to Kanpur for treatment of COVID-19. He succumbed to the disease during treatment on Monday, the CMO said.

— PTI

Coronavirus | Narendra Modi interacts with CMs of 10 States

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday is holding consultations with Chief Ministers of around 10 States on the coronavirus situation.

Chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Punjab, Bihar, Gujarat, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh have been invited for the virtual meet.

— PTI

Poet Rahat Indori tests coronavirus positive, hospitalised

Noted poet and lyricist Rahat Indori on Tuesday said he has tested positive for coronavirus. He is admitted in the ICU of a hospital in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore city, an official said.

“After initial symptoms of COVID-19, my corona test was done yesterday which came out positive. Pray that I defeat this disease as soon as possible,”  Mr. Indori, 70, tweeted.

— PTI

PM’s virtual meet on COVID-19: T.N. CM urges Centre to share 50% RT-PCR test cost

During a video conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, T.N. Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami requested the PM to fund 50% of the cost of the PCR tests from the PM CARES fund.

He also requested the Centre to provide funds to Tamil Nadu for procuring high-end ventilators.

The CM also informed that orders have been placed by the Tamil Nadu government for

    *5.25 crore triple-layer face masks

    *48.05 lakh N-95 masks

    *41.3 lakh PPE kits

    *43.26 lakh RT-PCR testing kits

- Dennis S. Jesudasan

Sabarimala pilgrimage: COVID-19 negative certificate must for darshan

The Sabarimala temple festival beginning November 16 will be held as per the COVID-19 protocol and pilgrim flow will be regulated through the virtual queue system, Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran has said.

 

5 staffers test positive; Meghalaya HC to be shut till Aug 12 for sanitisation

The Meghalaya High Court was closed on Monday and it would remain so for two more days as the court premises was being sanitised after five of its officials tested positive for coronavirus, an official said in Shillong.

The high court will be shut till Wednesday following COVID-19 sanitisation protocols, High Court Registrar General B. Mawrie said.

“The (five) officials are asymptomatic and otherwise healthy. For the present, they are undergoing self isolation at the High Court Guest House. They are being monitored round the clock,” Mawrie said in a statement.

She said that there is a need to sanitise the entire high court premises as it is a public place.

- PTI

COVID cases among TTD staff touch 743

The number of COVID-19 cases among TTD employees has touched 743. While three succumbed to the virus, 402 employees have recovered and are attending to their duties. The remaining 338 staff are undergoing treatment at the TTD rest houses – Srinivasam, Vishnunivasam and Madhavam at Tirupati – that have been converted into COVID centres.

 

Central govt. pats Telangana for innovative HITAM app

 

The State government’s initiative in introducing Home Isolation Telemedicine and Monitoring (HITAM) app for monitoring and providing telemedicine facilities to patients in home isolation has received appreciation from the Central government.

 

Asymptomatic, those with mild symptoms to get home quarantine

Only those who are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms will be allowed to be in home isolation or home care as per the revised guidelines for COVID 19 patients issued by the State government on Monday. The guidelines were revised following the evolving situation of COVID-19 in the State and recent revision of guidelines by the Centre.

78% of rural India stopped work during lockdown, says survey

 

Almost 80% of rural Indians saw their work coming to a standstill during the COVID-19 lockdown, with only 20% getting work under the Centre’s employment guarantee scheme, according to a survey conducted by Gaon Connection Insights and the Lokniti-Centre for the Study of Developing Societies about two months into the lockdown.

CM discharged from hospital, advised home quarantine

Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa was discharged from hospital on Monday evening after winning the fight against COVID-19. The 77-year-old had been admitted to Manipal Hospital on HAL Airport Road on August 2 after he tested positive.

 

Gyms open with restrictions

 

Gyms in T.N. reopened on Monday, after a gap of five months, with a lot of restrictions to prevent spread of COVID-19.

The fitness industry which was on the verge of collapse, is now back on the road to recovery and the government’s decision has brought cheer to gym owners and trainers. However, not many members turned up for workout on the first day and some owners have delayed the reopening due to safety concerns.