Coronavirus live: Record 8.3 lakh samples tested in a day

3-day-old boy 'bleeds to death' after nasal swab test at Agartala hospital

A three-day-old baby died in Tripura on Wednesday, barely an hour after his swab sample was collected for testing at Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC). His father has alleged that the baby suffered a nasal injury while his swab was being collected, which caused his death, reports Biswendu Bhattacharjee. The mother of the baby had tested positive for Covid-19 in a rapid antigen test on August 10. Following doctors' advice, health workers collected swabs from the baby. "But soon afterwards, my son started bleeding profusely from the nose and died," the father said.

Centre distributed 3cr masks, 1.2cr PPEs

In a move to strengthen health infrastructure across the country to combat Covid-19, the Centre has dispersed more than 3.04 crore N95 masks and over 1.28 crore personal protection equipment (PPE) kits among states and central institutions since March. Besides, over 10.83 crore hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) tablets have also been given for prophylactic use and in treatment of patients, the health ministry said. Read more

Covid-19 vaccine will be free for Americans: officials

If a COVID-19 vaccine is proven effective, the US will ensure it's distributed for free to all Americans, officials said Thursday, underscoring there will be no shortcuts on safety."We are not at all reducing the regulatory rigor with which we will evaluate and hopefully approve vaccines," Paul Mango, a senior health department official, told reporters.

Mexico surpasses 500,000 coronavirus cases: official (AFP)

Mexico's health ministry on Thursday reported 7,371 new confirmed cases of coronavirus and 627 additional fatalities, bringing the total in the country to 505,751 cases and 55,293 deaths.

Mexico, nearing 500,000 coronavirus cases, to help with vaccine

Mexico, on the cusp of half a million official coronavirus cases and 55,000 deaths as the pandemic rages across Latin America, will help produce a vaccine that could be distributed in the region next year, authorities said on Thursday.

Covid-19 cases in Brazil rise to over 3.2 mn

The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Brazil has increased by 60,091 to 3,224,876 within the past 24 hours, the national Ministry of Health said on late Thursday.The death toll has risen by 1,262 to 105,463 people within the same period of time.

Trump, Biden trade barbs on coronavirus response

President Donald Trump on Thursday attacked Joe Biden for calling on governors to mandate that all Americans wear masks for the next three months, accusing the Democratic presidential candidate of politicizing an issue Trump himself has used for political gain in recent months.

West Bengal: Ahead of Independence Day, flag sellers in Siliguri say demand is low this year due to Covid-19.

A flag seller says, "Sales are down compared to the previous year as schools are closed due to Coronavirus pandemic."

J&K: Vaishno Devi yatra will resume from August 16, nearly 5 months after it was suspended due to Covid-19.

A local in Katra says, "Only 500 pilgrims will be allowed per day. Govt should allow more people with a condition that they produce COVID-19 negative certificate.

1,000 prisoners and 292 jail staff tested positive for Covid-19 in prisons across Maharashtra so far. Six prisoners died of the disease: State Prison Department

Eight more Covid-19 patients succumb to disease in Assam, pushing death toll to 169; state's tally climbs to 71,795: Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma