With a record 60,091 people recuperating from coronavirus (COVID-19) infection in a day, the total recoveries on Wednesday crossed two million pushing the recovery rate to 73.64%, while the COVID-19 case fatality rate hit a new low of 1.91%, the Union Health Ministry said.
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:
Union Jal Shakti minister Gajendar Singh Shekhawat tests positive for COVID-19
Union Jal Shakti minister Gajendar Singh Shekhawat on Thursday joined a growing list of ministers who have tested positive for COVID19 amid the ongoing pandemic. Mr Shekhawat gave news of his contracting the Coronavirus himself over twitter, stating: “On getting some symptoms, I got the corona test done and my report came back positive. I am hospitalised on the advise of doctors. I request that those who came in contact with me in the last few days isolate themselves and get themselves examined. May all of you be health and take care of yourself.”
Mr Shekhawat, the fifth Union minister to be diagnosed thus was to be admitted to hospital for treatment according to sources.
Before getting diagnosed, the minister had held two meetings on Tuesday, one with regard to the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) with Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh who had joined it virtually while Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar and minister of state for Jal Shakti Rattan Lal Kataria being physically present and another virtual conference on Wednesday with Tamil Nadu chief minister E K Palaniswami where again Mr Kataria was physically present.
- Nistula Hebbar
Nepal registers 707 new coronavirus cases
Nepal on Thursday recorded 707 new coronavirus cases, taking the country’s COVID-19 tally close to 30,000, a senior health ministry official said.
During tests conducted through Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) in the last 24 hours, 707 people were found COVID-19 positive, Dr. Jageshwar Gautam, spokesperson of the ministry, said in the daily press briefing. Nepal has so far recorded 29,645 COVID-019 cases.
— PTI
234 COVID-19 patients cured with Siddha medicine: Minister
A total of 234 COVID-19 patients in the district have been cured with the use of Siddha medicine, Municipal Administration Minister S P Velumani said on Thursday.
The government has opened a special ward here for Siddha system at the Codissia Centre, where 317 patients were admitted in the last one month, Velumani said after a review meeting on the coronavirus situation.
— PTI
Scientists develop prototype coronavirus breathalyser test
Scientists have developed a prototype device that non-invasively detects the novel coronavirus in the exhaled breath of COVID-19 patients, an invention if validated with further studies, may lead to a reduction in the number of unneeded confirmatory tests, and lower the burden on the hospitals.
According to the researchers, including those from the University of Science and Technology of China, current COVID-19 testing is a time-consuming laboratory procedure in addition to being uncomfortable.
— PTI
Bihar imposes rate caps on private hospitals treating coronavirus patients
Bihar imposes rate caps on private hospitals treating coronavirus patients. Different rates have been stipulated and notified as per area — category A applicable to Patna, category B to Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur, Gaya, Purnia and Darbhanga and category C applies to other parts.
Kerala’s shrimp production hit by COVID-19, farmers incur loss of ₹308 crore: CIBA
Hit by COVID-19 pandemic, Kerala’s shrimp farmers have suffered losses to the tune of Rs 308 cr, the Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA) said.
A survey by CIBA to study the impact of COVID-19 induced lockdown on shrimp aquaculture, found that the unprecedented circumstances following the pandemic led to significant reduction of shrimp production in the state up to 500 tonnes, leaving thousands jobless.
— PTI
No proof of COVID-19 relapse in recovered patients: Experts
Doctors and clinical investigators involved in treating coronavirus infection have claimed that there was no evidence of the disease recurring in people who have recovered from it.
However, Dr Giridhar Babu, who is part of ICMR’s research task force on Epidemiology and Surveillance, said it is difficult to say confidently where or not there is relapse in recovered patients as some signs post-recovery can be confused with COVID-19 symptoms.
— PTI
U.N.: Discussions with Russia on COVID-19 vaccine under way
The World Health Organization’s Europe office said it has begun discussions with Russia to try to obtain more information about the experimental COVID-19 vaccine the country recently approved.
Last week, Russia became the first country in the world to license a coronavirus vaccine when President Vladimir Putin announced its approval.
— PTI
AIADMK MLA B. Arumugam tests positive for COVID-19
B. Arumugam, AIADMK MLA representing Gandharvakottai constituency in Pudukottai district, has tested positive for COVID-19.
The MLA came to the Pudukottai Government Medical College Hospital complaining of fever on Wednesday, following which a test was done. Hospital authorities said the report came on Thursday morning, confirming that Mr. Arumugam has been infected by the novel coronavirus. His son has also tested positive for the viral infection.
— Special Correspondent
Australia govt faces public backlash over virus restrictions
Australia’s coronavirus hot spot of Victoria state has backed down in the face of a public backlash against a decree that barred residents of Melbourne from taking a short drive to get to an exercise place.
The Victoria government said late Wednesday that residents of Australia’s second-largest city can now drive up to 5 kilometers (3 miles) from their homes to exercise.
— PTI
Mizoram govt violating MHA directions by denying entry to security personnel: Assam Rifles
The Assam Rifles has accused the Mizoram government of violating the directions of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) by allegedly restricting the .“operational movement” of the paramilitary force in the state, a statement said.
The allegation came days after a section of media reported that 15 personnel of the Assam Rifles forced their way through a check gate at Vairengte on the Mizoram-Assam border by allegedly refusing to comply with the entry and screening protocol in place to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the state.
— PTI
Kiran Bedi wants experts from Centre to oversee COVID-19 management in Puducherry
Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry Kiran Bedi on Thursday requested the Centre to depute an expert team to oversee the management of COVID-19 in the Union Territory.
“The management of the pandemic situation in Union Territory requires expertise of the Centre. I appeal to the Central government to urgently depute an inspection team to review the management, includingcomprehensive and optimum use of existing resources, as people are suffering,” she said.
— PTI
0.28% of India's active coronavirus cases on ventilator support: Health Ministry
Recoveries among COVID-19 patients in the country surged to 20,96,664 on Thursday, pushing India’s recovery rate to 73.91%, while only 0.28% people of 6,86,395 active cases are on ventilator support, the Union health ministry said.
Of the active cases of coronavirus infection, 1.92% are in ICU and 2.62% on oxygen support. The country’s case fatality rate has further declined to 1.90%, it said.
— PTI
190 fresh COVID-19 cases push Tripura’s tally to 7,853
As many as 190 more people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Tripura, taking the northeastern state’s tally to 7,853 on Thursday, a health official said.
The fresh infections have pushed the number of active COVID-19 cases in the state to 2,205, while 5,565 people have recovered from the disease so far, and 18 patients have migrated to other states, the official said.
— PTI
Pranab Mukherjee’s respiratory parameters show slight improvement: Hospital
Respiratory parameters of former president Pranab Mukherjee have shown a slight improvement, though he continues to be on ventilator support, the hospital said on Thursday.
Mr. Mukherjee, who was admitted to the Army’s Research and Referral Hospital on August 10, developed a lung infection on Wednesday.
— PTI
Revised guidelines for containment and buffer zones in Karnataka
The Karnataka government has revised the guidelines for containment and buffer zones in view of there being "too many containment zones" with a large number of cases being reported from houses and apartments located close to each other.
The revised circular has said that the large number of containment zones has made it difficult for authorities to conduct surveillance activities and ensure perimeter control, prompting the need for denotification of containment and buffer zones.
— Special Correspondent
Observe Muharram in simple manner: Maharashtra govt
The Maharashtra government has issued a circular saying Muharram should be observed in a simple manner and that processions will not be allowed in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis.
Muharram is observed by Muslims with abstinence and prayers to mourn the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain in the battle of Karbala in the seventh century. It marks the first and one of the sacred months of the Islamic calendar.
— PTI
Coronavirus | West Bengal has over 2300 containment zones
West Bengal has over 2300 containment zones even as recovery percentage of COVID-19 patients in the state is better than the national rate, acoording to government said.
The highest number of containment zones are in Nadia district followed by East Burdwan and North Dinajpur districts, as per the state government’s website ‘Egiye Bangla’
— PTI
COVID-19: Rajasthan reports 690 fresh infections, 5 deaths
Rajasthan reported 690 fresh COVID-19 infections and five deaths due to the disease on Thursday, taking the caseload to 65,979 and the number of fatalities to 915, according to an official report.
Three deaths were reported from Jaipur and one each from Ajmer and Bikaner.
— PTI
Man caught by Gujarat ATS tests COVID-19 positive
The 23-year-old man, who was caught by the Gujarat ATS following a tip-off that he was sent by gangster Chhota Shakeel to kill BJP leaders, tested positive for coronavirus on Thursday, an official said.
He has been shifted to a city-based hospital for treatment and will be formally arrested only after he recovers and is given discharge, a senior official of the Anti- Terrorist Squad (ATS) said.
— PTI
Another BJD MLA tests positive for COVID-19 in Odisha
Another ruling Biju Janata Dal MLA has tested positive for COVID-19, taking the number of lawmakers infected by the virus to eight in Odisha.
Bhubaneswar (Central) MLA Ananta Narayan Jena on Thursday announced that he has tested positive for COVID-19 and is on home quarantine.
— PTI
Boris Thangjam, international footballer, tests COVID-19 positive
International footballer, Boris Thangjam, was found on Thursday to be COVID-19 positive. The test report was delivered at his home on Thursday morning. He hails from Polem Leikai in Imphal's west district.
Boris had participated in some international football tournaments. He was in the under 17 Indian team for the international event hosted by India in 2017.
— Iboyaima Laithangbam
Egypt to soon allow worshipers at Friday prayers
The Egyptian government has announced that worshipers will soon be able to attend mosque for Friday prayers now that the daily tally of confirmed new virus cases is plateauing at below 200.
Egypt’s Minister of Religious Endowment Mohamed Mokhtar Gomaa said that weekly congregational prayers may be held starting August 28.
— PTI
Two South Africa players test positive for COVID-19
Two players of the South African men’s cricket team have tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss a specially-arranged culture camp, the country’s cricket board said on Thursday.
Cricket South Africa (CSA), though, did not disclose the names of the two players, according to ESPNCricinfo
— PTI
Pakistan reports 513 new cases of coronavirus: Ministry
Pakistan has reported 513 new cases of coronavirus, taking the toll tally of infections in the country to 290,958, the health ministry said on Thursday.
The Ministry of National Health Services also said the death toll in the country due to coronavirus reached 6,209 after eight patients died due to the infections in the last 24 hours.
— PTI
Encourage teleconsultations, eye care facilities in containment zones to remain closed
To minimise the spread of COVID-19 in eye care facilities, the Health Ministry has issued guidelines that encourage teleconsultations and following an appointment system for those needing investigations and procedures.
The Ministry also said that eye care facilities in containment zones shall remain closed.
— PTI
Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat tests positive for COVID-19
Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. File | Photo Credit: Sandeep Saxena
Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat announced on Twitter that he has been diagnosed with COVID-19. "I am hospitalized on the advice of doctors. I request that those who have come in contact with me in the last few days, isolate themselves and get themselves examined," he tweeted.
One held for selling used medical gloves in Navi Mumbai
The Navi Mumbai police have arrested a man for allegedly cleaning and selling used medical gloves collected from hospitals amid the COVID-19 pandemic, an official said on Thursday.
Acting on a tip-off, the police on Monday evening conducted a raid in Pawne MIDC, where they found that used gloves collected from hospitals were being washed, dried and packaged to be sold in the market, the official said.
— PTI
49 security personnel among 63 fresh COVID-19 cases in Meghalaya
Sixty-three more people, including 49 security personnel, have tested positive for COVID-19 in Meghalaya, taking the northeastern state’s tally to 1,598, a health official said on Thursday.
Fifty fresh infections were reported in East Khasi Hills district, seven in West Garo Hills, five in Ri-Bhoi and one in East Garo Hills, Health Services Director Aman War said.
— PTI
Ambassador Sandhu urges students not to panic as COVID-19 pandemic is temporary
India’s Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu has given a pep talk to Indian students here and urged them not to panic over the “uncertainties” surrounding their academic sessions, saying the COVID-19 pandemic is temporary.
Speaking to over 50 Indian students in a virtual interaction, Sandhu said such unprecedented situations should instead inspire them to work harder and contribute towards a self-reliant modern, prosperous and happy India.
— PTI
75 fresh COVID-19 cases in Andamans push its tally to 2,604
Seventy-five more people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, taking its tally to 2,604, a health official said on Thursday.
All the new cases were detected during contact tracing, he said.
The fresh infections have pushed the total number of active cases in the Union territory to 1,045, the official said.
— PTI
India conducts more than 9 lakh tests in single day; recovery rate improves to 73.91%
According to ICMR, Delhi — India achieved a record number of 9,18,470 COVID-19 tests in a single day on August 19. The positivity rate has also declined below 8%. "National Recovery Rate is now 73.91% as the number of patients cured so far is 20,96,664 The total number of active cases in the country is 6,86,395," tweeted Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan.
MSRTC resumes inter-district bus services after five months
Inter-district bus services of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) resumed on Thursday morning after a gap of almost five months, officials said.
The Maharashtra government on Wednesday permitted the state-owned undertaking to re-start inter-district bus operations, which were stopped in March after the enforcement of lockdown to contain the spread of COVID-19.
— PTI
Odisha’s COVID-19 tally rises to 70,020; toll mounts to 380
Odisha’s COVID-19 caseload crossed the 70,000-mark on Thursday as 2,898 more people tested positive for the infection, while eight fresh fatalities pushed its coronavirus death toll to 380, a health official said.
The fresh infections reported from all the 30 districts have taken the state’s COVID-19 tally to 70,020, he said.
— PTI
Record single day high 554 fresh COVID-19 cases pushes tally in Pondy past the 9,000 mark
Puducherry on Thursday reported a record single day spike of 554 fresh COVID-19 cases taking the overall tally in the union territory past the 9,000 mark, a top Health department official said.
The 554 new infections took the cumulative number to 9,292, Director of Health and Family Welfare S. Mohan Kumar said in a release.
— PTI
Telangana reports 1,724 new COVID-19 cases, 10 deaths
Telangana reported 1,724 new COVID-19 cases, pushing the state’s overall tally of positive cases to 97,424.
The death toll rose to 729 with 10 more fatalities, a state government bulletin said on Thursday, providing data as of 8 pm on August 19.
The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) recorded 395 fresh infections, followed by Rangareddy (169), Medchal-Malkajgiri (105) and Karimnagar (101) districts.
— PTI
COVID-19: Antibodies found in 29% people in August sero-survey
Antibodies against COVID-19 infection have been found in 29.1% of people in the latest sero-prevalence survey in the national capital, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said on Thursday.
Interacting with reporters, he said, 15,000 representative samples were taken in the August 1-7 survey from 11 districts here, and the next exercise will begin from September 1.
— PTI
Cop dies of COVID-19, toll in Mumbai Police force reaches 60
A 35-year-old sub-inspector of Mumbai Police died of COVID-19 on Thursday, an official said. With this, the COVID-19 death toll in the Mumbai Police force has gone up to 60, he said.
The sub-inspector, who was posted at Deonar police station, underwent a test on August 9 and it came out positive for coronavirus.
— PTI
Kerala reaches a dismal milestone of over 50,000 cases
Kerala’s engagement with COVID-19 crossed a major milestone when the cumulative case burden of the disease reached 50,231 in the State on Wednesday.
The exponential case graph of the State post lockdown has been no different from that of the rest of the world, indicating that none of the public health interventions could stop or even slow down the epidemic tide.
Pune’s doubling rate improves to 41 days
Even as Pune continues to report an average daily surge of over 1,100 COVID-19 cases, a silver lining is that the city’s doubling rate has improved to 41 days — the highest since the outbreak of the pandemic in March.
Rubal Agarwal, Additional Municipal Commissioner, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Pune Smart City Development Corporation Ltd. (PSCDCL), said the number of days it took for positive cases to double had improved to 41.83 days.
Hotels, weekly markets to reopen in Delhi
The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) on Wednesday gave approval for reopening of hotels and weekly markets in the city. The weekly markets will be opened on a trial basis to assess the situation on the ground.
Stricter quarantine for people visiting Chennai
Tehnicians segregating samples collected for COVID-19 testing in Puducherry on August 19, 2020. | Photo Credit: T. Singaravelou
The Greater Chennai Corporation is set to intensify measures to quarantine people who reach the city from other districts and States.
Municipal Administration and Water Supply Secretary Harmander Singh on Wednesday ordered civic officials to intensify efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in zones with a rise in number of visitors from other parts of the country.
MSRTC to resume inter-district services today
The Maharashtra government on Wednesday announced the resumption of inter-district bus services of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) from Thursday. Transport Minister Anil Parab said passengers would not require an e-pass for travel and ticket rates will remain unchanged.
Half of inmates in Kadpa central jail test positive
Almost half of the total inmates of the Kadapa Central Prison have been tested positive for coronavirus.
As the authorities have made testing mandatory for every inmate after sample tests done a fortnight ago found symptoms in many. Now, 337 of the total 700 inmates have been confirmed positive for the infection during the second round of testing.
Maharashtra records highest single day spike in COVID-19 cases
Maharashtra reported its highest single-day case jump on Wednesday. With 13,165 new COVID-19 cases, the State’s the total case tally has risen to 6,28,642 of whom 1,60,413 are active cases.
This is the first time the State has recorded over 13,000 cases in a single day. The earlier highest spike was 12,822 cases reported on August 8.
New portal promises to reduce waiting time to know COVID-19 test results
AAP volunteers spray disinfectant and check temperature of Auto rickshaw drivers at Seshadri road, in Bengaluru on August 19, 2020. | Photo Credit: K. MURALI KUMAR
The State government has developed the portal where people can check their test results by feeding the 13-digit specimen referral form (SRF) ID. The portal, https://www.covidwar.karnataka. gov.in/service1, has been developed by senior IAS officer Munish Moudgil and his team at the State COVID-19 War Room. This procedure allows public to access their results without comprising their privacy.