India’s coronavirus (COVID-19) tests per million rose sharply to 26,016 as cumulative tests surged to 3.59 crore, the Health Ministry said on Monday underlining that a key component in India’s COVID-19 response has been early identification of cases by timely and aggressive testing.
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:
Social Welfare Minister tests positive
Nemcha Kipgen, the only woman minister in the BJP-led coalition ministry in Manipur tested COVID-19 positive, official reports said on Tuesday morning. Her samples were tested in Babina diagnostic centre in Imphal on Monday. She is the social welfare minister.
Health department sources said that her samples will be tested once again in J.N. Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal.
Officials said that she in charge of COVID-19 monitoring in Kangpokpi and Senapati districts. Experts have started inquiry to know how she had contracted this disease.
She is the first elected representative in Manipur to contract the COVID-19. Though the result of the second test is awaited she has started taking precautions.
- Iboyaima Laithangbam
Coronavirus most prevalent among those in 5-17 age bracket: Delhi Sero survey
Minors aged between 5 and 17 are most exposed to the novel coronavirus in Delhi, according to a serological survey conducted in the city this month.
Conducted between August 1 and August 7, the survey, second in the city, showed that 29.1 percent of the population in the national capital has now developed antibodies against SARS CoV-2.
Mamata refutes allegations of irregularities in purchase of medical equipment
Emphasising that her government is doing all purchases in a transparent manner, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday refuted allegations of irregularities in the purchase of medical equipment related to containing the COVID-19.
“Some are raising questions on the purchase of masks. I want to ask them how much has been deposited in the takecare [PM CARES] Fund, before asking others,” Ms. Banerjee said.
Govt. to shift focus on Salem, Coimbatore and Cuddalore
Following an increase in COVID-19 cases in Coimbatore, Salem and Cuddalore, the State government has decided to focus on these districts. The numbers in these districts were scrutinised in detail at a virtual meeting of District Collectors chaired by Chief Secretary K. Shanmugam on Monday evening.
Steps being taken by Collectors were reviewed and they were instructed on efforts needed to bring down the number of new positive cases as well as deaths.
Virus breaches another wall, four Bondas test positive
Health officials collect swabs from a local resident at a community health centre in Bhubaneswar on August 24, 2020 | Photo Credit: BiswaranjanRout
The COVID-19 pandemic has reached the Bondas, a tribal community residing in the hill ranges of Malkangiri district in Odisha. Four members of the community have tested positive for COVID-19. They have been isolated from the rest of the community members.
Bondas, a particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG), live in settlements comprising small hutments in the hills of the Khairaput block. Their population is around 7,000.
Doctors, medical staff demand ex-gratia, insurance
Various associations of healthcare professionals working in State-run hospitals have demanded ₹1 crore ex-gratia for their colleagues who died after contracting COVID-19, and insurance policy for those working under the current circumstances. The demand was raised after delay in extending help to family members of 35-year-old doctor G. Naresh Kumar who contracted the infectious disease and died on August 7.
With a 24-hour long lockdown to come into force from 6 a.m. on August 25, 2020 in Puducherry,shops on Jawahar Nerhru Street and other markets are witnessing crowds. A scence on August 24, 2020 evening. | Photo Credit: T. Singaravelou
Koyambedu market likely to reopen soon
The State government has assured traders that it will reopen the Koyambedu wholesale market complex and other markets across Tamil Nadu soon. The date of reopening of the Koyambedu complex, which was shut following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, is likely to be announced shortly.
Weekly markets open on trial basis with norms
Weekly markets in various parts of Delhi that have been shut since the beginning of the lockdown reopened on a trial basis on Monday with strict norms for maintaining social distancing, following directions of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority last week.