Coronavirus LIVE Updates: SC Dismisses Plea Seeking Postponement of NEET, JEE After NTA Assures Precautions Will be Taken

Fusion Health Care Launches COVID-19 Drug Favipiravir and an Immunity Booster | Fusion Health Care Pvt Ltd, a leading innovative pharmaceutical company based at Hyderabad, has announced the launch of its Favipiravir drug under the brand name XARAVIR, for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 cases.

Thailand's Economy Suffers Worst Contraction Amid Pandemic | Thailand’s economy suffered its worst contraction since the Asian financial crisis more than two decades ago, data showed today, as the coronavirus shattered the country’s crucial tourism industry. The kingdom has largely escaped the worst of the disease - registering 3,300 cases and 58 deaths despite being the first country outside China to register an infection in January.

Director General of Health Noor Hisham Abdullah said that the strain could mean that existing studies on vaccines might be incomplete or ineffective against the mutation.

UPDATE | Lebanon should be locked down for two weeks after a spike in COVID-19 infections, the caretaker government’s health minister was quoted as saying on Monday. “We declare today a state of general alert and we need a brave decision to close (the country) for two weeks,” Hamad Hassan told Voice of Lebanon radio.

As many as 894 new COVID-19 cases, 2,006 recoveries and10 deaths reported in Telangana on August 16, taking the total number of cases to 92,255 in the state. The total number of cases includes 21,420 active cases, 70,132 recoveries & 703 deaths so far: State Health Department, Telangana

Over 2,000 Fresh Cases Recorded in Odisha, Total Tally Crosses 60,000-mark | As many as 2,244 new positive cases were recorded in Odisha, taking the total to 62,294 in the state.

South Korea warned on Monday of tighter novel coronavirus restrictions as new outbreaks appeared, including one linked to a church where more than 300 members of the congregation have been infected…

TMC Lawmaker Samaresh Das Dies of Coronavirus | Trinamool Congress (TMC) lawmaker Samaresh Das (74) died at a hospital in Salt Lake in the early hours of Monday around a month after he had tested coronavirus disease (Covid-19) positive on July 18.

Australian State Bans Choirs and Wind Instruments in Groups | Australia suffered its deadliest day of the pandemic with 25 deaths being reported in the southern state of Victoria, 22 of which were in aged care homes. In order to reduce the spread of the virus in the community, there is a ban on all singing and chanting and the playing of wind instruments in group settings.

As many as 693 new COVID-19 cases and 10 deaths were reported in Rajasthan. Total number of cases now at 61,989 including 14,451 active cases, 46,652 recoveries and 886 deaths. 

All the inmates are asymptomatic and they have been quarantined at the two-storied home. A team of doctors is regularly visiting the place and providing medicine.

Australian State Premier Apologises for Cruise Ship Failures After Covid-19 Spike | The leader of Australia's New South Wales state apologised for failing to stop people carrying the novel coronavirus from disembarking from a cruise ship in Sydney in March, triggering what was at the time Australia's worst outbreak. The apology from NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian for her government's poor handling of the outbreak aboard the Ruby Princess came as the number of deaths from a second wave of infection in Victoria state hit a record 25.

China Grants Country's First Covid-19 Vaccine Patent to CanSino | China's vaccine specialist CanSino Biologics Inc has won a patent approval from Beijing for its COVID-19 vaccine candidate Ad5-nCOV, state media reported, citing documents from the country's intellectual property regulator. It is the first COVID-19 vaccine patent granted by China, state-owned newspaper People's Daily reported. 

The Innovation Challenge Fund invites tech innovators with connections to AI-Data cluster in Karnataka & the Future Mobility cluster in Maharashtra to submit research & development proposals for tackling COVID-19 or which promote a greener planet, said the British High Commission in India. 

UK Government has launched a £3 million Innovation Challenge Fund in India to support scientists in academia & industry to tackle the most acute global challenges of our time – #COVID19 and the threat to our environment: British High Commission in India

— ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2020

Russia Starts Production of Coronavirus Vaccine Despite Being Criticised For Putting People At Risk

Telangana Police Commissioner Urges Residents to Celebrate Festivals At Home | Protect your family against COVID19- Do Maatam of Muharram at home, celebrate Ganesh puja at home. No idol installation or any event will be held at public places as directed by Government, said Anjani Kumar, the Commissioner of Police. 

2 Security Staff of Sharad Pawar's Mumbai Bungalow Test Positive |  Two security staff members of Sharad Pawar's Mumbai bungalow Silver Oak tested positive for coronavirus. These security staffers aren't from the personal convoy of Sharad Pawar and they did not come in touch with Pawar. However, other staffers of the bungalow will be tested now. 

UPDATE | The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 561 to 224,014, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed. The reported death toll rose by one to 9,232, the tally showed.

Today's Data Highlights

- India crosses 3 crore tests. About 21.8k tests per million population. 

- Deaths in India over 50k now (50,921). 4th highest in the world, behind USA, Brazil and Mexico. Mortality rate at 1.9%. 

- Decline in active cases for the third time. 544 lower than the previous day.

- Major states reporting decline in active cases: Andhra Pradesh (-2193); Bihar (-1532); Assam (-619); Delhi (-666); Telangana (-1122)

- Delhi's recovery rate again over 90%; Maharashtra's recovery rate touches 70%.

- At 5.96 lakh cases, Maharashtra's cases more than South Africa (Ranked 5th in the world)

- Maharashtra deaths now over 20k (20,037). 22.5% of total cases in India but 39.3% of total deaths.

Complicated Fall Flu Season Ahead for US | The United States surpassed 170,000 coronavirus deaths on Sunday, according to a Reuters tally, as health officials express concerns over COVID-19 complicating the fall flu season. Deaths rose by 483 on Sunday, with Florida, Texas and Louisiana, leading the rise in fatalities. Read more here. 

No public processions are allowed while buying and installing private Ganesha idols or while immersing the idols in wells, said the government order issued on Friday.

Global Coronavirus Cases | Here is the list of Covid-19 cases across the world, by News18.

Here's a State-wise Breakup 

With Spike of 57,982 Cases in 24 Hours, India's Total Tally Mounts 26,47,663 | In the past 24 Hours, India reported a spike of 57,982 cases and 941 deaths, taking the total tally to 26,47,663. Of which, 6,76,900 active cases, 19,19,843 discharged/migrated & 50,921 deaths. 

The reason for the check-up was not immediately clear. Kyodo News said it was a regular check-up, citing people near to the prime minister.

Italy Garbage Dips With Virus Lockdowns, but Plastics Rise | Italy produced 10% less garbage during its coronavirus lockdown, but environmentalists warn that increased reliance on disposable masks and packaging is imperiling efforts to curb single-use plastics that end up in oceans and seas.

3,00,41,400 samples tested up to August 16 for COVID19. Of these, 7,31,697 samples were tested yesterday, said the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)

Work from Home Boosts Australian High-tech Retailers to Record Profit | Two of Australia's biggest tech-focused retailers posted record annual profits and raised dividends as a coronavirus-driven shift to working from home prompted a frenzy of purchases of computers, screens and other home goods. The results from No. 1 electronics retailer JB Hi-Fi Ltd and Amazon.com Inc peer Kogan.com Ltd reflect major changes in global spending patterns. 

Public health officials and authorities are concerned about a possible fall resurgence in cases amid the start of the flu season, which will likely exacerbate efforts to treat the coronavirus.

South Koreans Urged to Stay Home as Cases Jump | South Korea counted its fourth straight day of triple-digit increases in new coronavirus cases as the government urged people to stay home and curb travel. The government had drawn up a special holiday with hopes of spurring domestic consumption.