Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said the Ministry was not tracking the number of post-COVID syndrome cases in India, but it was following reports of re-infection confirmed in Hong Kong earlier this week. A technical body of experts is gathering data to develop a guideline for addressing post-COVID complications, he said.
“This is still a relatively new virus — only about 7-8 months old. We aren’t alarmed with the development but are following it closely. We still are understating the time period of immunity that the infection provides,” ICMR director general 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:
Clinical trials of Covishield vaccine to be launched at 2 Chennai institutes
The clinical trial of Oxford University’s COVID-19 vaccine - Covishield - will be launched at two institutions in Chennai - Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH) and Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (SRIHER), Porur. The trial will recruit 300 persons in all, according to Health Minister C. Vijayabaskar.
In a press release issued on Wednesday, he said studies on the vaccine’s efficacy were on full swing. As a part of this, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Drug Controller General of India selected Chennai to take up the vaccine trial.
The Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Government of Tamil Nadu was appointed as principal investigator. It would engage healthy individuals above 18 years of age.
- Tamil Nadu Bureau
Educational institutes will remain closed in West Bengal till September 20: Mamata
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Wednesday that educational institutes will remain closed in West Bengal till September 20. Centre should distribute money from PM CARES fund to states to tackle COVID-19 pandemic, she said.
- PTI
Indian scientists find N95 masks to be most effective at stopping COVID-19 spread
N95 masks may be the most effective at reducing the spread of the novel coronavirus, according to a study by researchers, including those from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), which suggests that any mask is better than no mask at preventing COVID-19.
The researchers noted that airborne transmission by respiratory aerosol droplets produced during coughing and sneezing is the dominant mode of spreading for infectious diseases such as COVID-19.
- PTI
Phase II human trial of Oxford vaccine begins in Pune
The Phase II clinical trial of the Oxford COVID-19 vaccine, being manufactured by the city-based Serum Institute of India (SII), began at a medical college and hospital here on Wednesday.
Two male volunteers were administered the vaccine at Bharti Vidyapeeth’s Medical College and Hospital, a senior office-bearer of the hospital said.
Five volunteers had enrolled themselves for the trial after the doses were received from the SII on Tuesday.
SII, the world’s largest vaccine maker, has signed an agreement to manufacture the potential vaccine developed by the Jenner Institute of Oxford University in collaboration with British-Swedish pharma company AstraZeneca.
COVID-19 test results to be communicated through SMS, Tamil Nadu Health Minister says
In two weeks, all government medical college hospitals in the State will communicate COVID-19 test results through SMS in 24 to 36 hours. Work for uploading the software to facilitate this system Is in full swing, Health Minister C. Vijayabaskar said.
After hospitals in Madurai and Salem, the facility was launched at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH), Chennai on Wednesday. Launching the automated system at RGGGH, the Minister said through this, the test results -- whether positive or negative for COVID-19 -- would be communicated to the people through SMS, and those who have tested positive can approach hospitals.
Karnataka's degree colleges to re-open in October
Deputy Chief Minister and Higher Education Minister C.N. Ashwath Narayan on Wednesday announced that full-time online classes for degree students will commence from September 1 and colleges will be reopened from October.
He told mediapersons here that the State government was awaiting guidelines from the Centre regarding reopening of colleges. “As per the guidelines of UGC, exams for final year students, be it degree, diploma or engineering, will be held before September. Exams for students who have backlogs will also be held.”
Mr. Ashwath Narayan also said that those opposing the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), scheduled to be held on September 13, had “vested interests” and that the State would coordinate with the Centre for conducting NEET successfully.
UP sees highest single-day spike of 5,898 cases
Uttar Pradesh reported 82 COVID-19 fatalities taking the death toll due to the disease to 3,141, while highest single-day spike of 5,898 new cases took the infection tally to 2,03,020. “In the past 24 hours, 5,898 fresh COVID-19 cases were found. There are a total of 51,317 active cases in the state, while 1,48,562 people have been treated and discharged,” Additional Chief Secretary (medical and health) Amit Mohan Prasad told reporters.
Cambridge University kicks off vaccine race to fight all coronaviruses
The University of Cambridge on Wednesday confirmed plans to begin trials of a potential new vaccine not only against COVID-19 but all coronaviruses that may spill over from animals to humans in the future.
The new vaccine candidate, DIOS-CoVax2, uses banks of genetic sequences of all known coronaviruses, including those from bats, believed to be the natural hosts of many relatives of human coronaviruses.
A vaccine that clears all trials can then be delivered pain-free without a needle into the skin through a spring-powered jet injection.
KSLU law degree exams postponed
The Karnataka State Law University’s law degree examinations, which are scheduled to be held from September 25, have been postponed to October owing to COVID-19.
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister J C Madhuswamy held a meeting with officials of the university and announced that examinations would be held in October.
Increase daily COVID tests to 1.50 lakh: Adityanath
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday expressed satisfaction over daily 1.46 lakh novel coronavirus tests being done in Uttar Pradesh and issued directions for increasing the capacity to 1.50 lakh per day.
In a meeting with senior officials, Adityanath said there was a need to think “two steps ahead” to effectively check the coronavirus spread.
Work on enhancing the testing capacity should be continued, he said.
Tamannaah’s parents test positive for COVID-19
Tamannaah Bhatia | Photo Credit: AKSHAY PAWAR
Actor Tamannaah Bhatia on Wednesday said her parents have tested positive for COVID-19.
The “Baahubali” actor shared the news on social media, saying that her father Santosh and mother Rajani were showing “mild COVID-19 symptoms” last week after which everyone at their residence got tested for the virus.
“The rest of the family members, including myself and the staff have tested negative,” Tamannaah said in a statement.
Odisha slashes school syllabus by 30%
The Odisha government on Wednesday announced that school syllabus up to class 12 will be reduced by 30 per cent for the current academic session.
The decision was taken as schools are closed across the state due to the COVID-19 pandemic, said School and Mass Education Minister Samir Ranjan Dash.
The new syllabus will be available on the official websites of the Board of Secondary Education (BSE), Council of Higher Secondary Education (CHSE) and State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT).
COVID recoveries exceed active cases by 3.5 times
The total number of COVID-19 recoveries in India has surged to 24,67,758 and exceeds the active cases of the infection by 3.5 times as on date, pushing the coronavirus recovery rate to over 76 per cent, the Union health ministry has said.
The record high recoveries have ensured that the number of active cases of COVID-19, which is the “actual caseload” of the country, comprises only 21.87 percent of the total cases.
“With this, India’s recovery rate amongst COVID-19 patients has risen to 76.30 per cent today,” the ministry.
There are 7,07,267 active cases of coronavirus infection presently, it said.
The ministry credited the coordinated efforts of Centre and state and UT governments for the feat. - PTI
West Bengal Assembly session to begin on September 9
A session of the West Bengal Assembly will begin on September 9, Speaker Biman Banerjee said.
An all-party meeting has been convened on September 7 to discuss the business of the House, he said.
“As per the norms, there can’t be a gap of more than six months between two sessions. The last session was adjourned in March this year, so by September, you have to hold the next session. Most likely this will be a short session,” a senior leader of the Trinamool Congress said.
West Bengal has a 295-member Assembly, including one nominated from the Anglo-Indian community. - PTI
Padmanabha Swamy temple opens for devotees
The Lord Padmanabha Swamy temple opened for devotees adhering to strict COVID-19 protocols, for the first time since March 21.
Floor markings had been made for devotees to ensure social distancing.
Congress MLA V D Satheeshan was among those who offered worship to Lord Vishnu, the presiding deity.
Puducherry inches closer to 12,000 cases
The number of COVID-19 deaths in Puducherry went up to 180 with eight new deaths. The overall tally in the U.T. approached the 12,000 mark with 511 new admissions on Wednesday.
Puducherry recorded five deaths, Yanam two and Karaikal one.
Puducherry currently has 4,624 active and a cumulative total of 11,930 cases. 7,486 patients have so far been discharged.
Holding NEET, JEE will risk exposing 28 lakh students to COVID: Sisodia
Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia reiterated his demand that medical and engineering entrance exams NEET and JEE be postponed and the Central government work on alternative methods for selecting students.
“They (Centre) are saying protocols will be followed. Following the same protocols that the Centre wants 28 lakh students to follow, lakhs of Indians have tested positive,” Mr. Sisodia told reporters.
He said the Union Home Minister tested positive for coronavirus despite staying in a very safe environment, and that many other leaders including Delhi Health Minister have also contracted the contagious disease.
- PTI
Will increase number of tests to 40,000 per day in a week: Kejriwal
"The Coronavirus situation has been under control so far but over the last few days there has been a slight increase in cases. We do not want the situation to worsen," Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said to reporters after an emergency meeting organised to take stock of the COVID-19 situation in Delhi.
"We have decided to double the number of tests per day. We intend to increase these to 40,000 per day in a week. Our strategy will remain the same: test and isolate," he said.
Oximeters will be provided for free to patients who have recovered and returned home and are continuing to exhibit symptoms, so that they don’t need to go to hospital, he said.
He added that enforcement will be stepped up and strict adherence to wearing masks and social distancing norms maintained.
- Jatin Anand
Karnataka clocking over 50,000 COVID-19 tests per day: Minister
Steadily ramping up its testing capacity, Karnataka is clocking more than 50,000 tests per day, and has conducted more than 25 lakh so far, State Medical Education Minister K. Sudhakar said.
“Karnataka has steadily ramped up it’s testing capacity increasing the number of labs from 02 to 108 today. In the last five days, we conducted 3,23,753 tests clocking more than 50,000 tests per day. Yesterday we crossed 25 lakh tests and so far we conducted 25,13,555 tests (sic),” Mr. Sudhakar tweeted.
- PTI
NSUI members begin hunger strike demanding postponement of NEET-JEE
Members of the Congress-affiliated NSUI began an indefinite hunger strike demanding the postponement of the NEET-JEE and fee waiver for six months for students during the pandemic.
The president of National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), Neeraj Kundan and president of the Delhi wing of the students’ body commenced the hunger strike along with eight other members.
They are also demanding that varsities not hold exams during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
- PTI
Centre ‘hiding behind RBI’ without making its stand clear on loan moratorium scheme: SC
The Supreme Court on Wednesday criticised the Centre for “hiding behind the Reserve Bank of India” without making its stand clear on the loan moratorium scheme introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The court wanted to know whether the deferment of loan interest to prop up borrowers through their financial crisis during the national lockdown would lead to accrual of further interest once the freeze was lifted on August 31. The government is yet to file its affidavit.
Telangana continues to increase number of tests
Over the last few months, Telangana Health department has steadily increased the number of tests to detect COVID-19 cases. On Tuesday, 61,040 tests were conducted and 3,018 cases were detected, which is the highest number of cases recorded in a day till now.
Over 40,000 tests a day hve been initiated from August 21. In the last five days (August 21-25), 2,34,016 samples were tested and 12,297 of them were found positive for coronavirus. Results of 1,176 more samples are awaited.
Officials from the State Health department said that they will continue to conduct more tests till the virus is completely contained, and for early identification, isolation, and treatment of COVID-19 cases.
AIADMK MLA tests positive
AIADMK MLA from Panruti assembly constituency, Sathya Panneerselvam, has tested positive for COVID-19.
According to sources, as Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami is scheduled to visit Cuddalore on Thursday, the AIADMK MPs, MLAs, government officials and party members likely to participate in the COVID-19 review meeting at the Collectorate, were asked to undergo screening for the infection.
Ms. Panneerselvam gave her throat swab samples for testing and the results came positive on Tuesday evening. She has been admitted to a private hospital in Chennai.
Former CM of Assam Tarun Gogoi tests positive
Veteran Congress leader and former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has become the 13th legislator in Assam to have tested COVID-19 positive.
“I have been tested Covid-19 positive yesterday (August 25). People who came in contact with me during last few days they should go for Covid test immediately,” the three-time Chief Minister tweeted on Wednesday.
Haryana Agriculture Minister tests positive
Haryana Agriculture Minister J.P. Dalal has tested positive for COVID-19, he said in a tweet, making him the eighth legislator of the ruling BJP in the State to contract the infection.
Mr. Dalal said he got himself tested three days ago and the report was negative. However, he got himself tested one more time, in which he tested positive.
The Minister said he was in isolation at home and appealed to all those who had come in his contact to get themselves examined.
- PTI
Odisha records steepest single-day surge
Odisha’s COVID-19 tally jumped by 3,371 cases, recording the steepest single-day surge so far. With this, the State’s total cases soared to 87,602. After recovery of 59,470 patients, active cases stood at 27,638. Thirteen persons died of COVID-19 taking the death toll to 441.
- Satyasundar Barik
Face coverings mandatory for many secondary schools in England
The U.K. government has made face coverings compulsory for staff and pupils aged 12 and over in secondary schools of England in areas subject to local lockdowns to control the spread of coronavirus.
In a u-turn after mandatory face masks had been ruled out, the Department for Education said that as schools in England prepare to reopen for the new term in the coming weeks, it is updating its advice on face coverings in schools in line with the World Health Organisation guidance on face masks.
- PTI
67,151 new COVID-19 cases; 1,059 deaths in country
India’s COVID-19 tally rose to 32.34 lakh with 67,151 more people testing positive for the infection, while the recoveries have surged to 24,67,758, the Health Ministry said.
The death toll from the pathogen climbed to 59,449 with 1,059 more fatalities. There are 7,07,267 active cases of COVID-19, comprising 21.86% of the total 32,34,474 cases, the Ministry said.
The case fatality rate has declined to 1.83%, the Ministry data stated.
- PTI
At least two cases of re-infection detected in Telangana
At least two cases of reinfection with coronavirus have come to the notice of Telangana State Health department officials. Citing research, senior health officials said the symptoms in the second bout were mild.
The officials found out about one such case among their colleague who was closely involved in COVID management work in the State Health campus, Koti. Another is a dean of a prominent central government hospital in Hyderabad. More such cases have come to the notice of the health officials.
KFC suspends 'Its Finger Lickin' Good' slogan amid pandemic
Don’t lick your fingers! That’s what Kentucky Fried Chicken signalled to customers Monday as the company suspended its “It’s Finger Lickin’ Good” tagline after 64 years, deeming it “the most inappropriate slogan for 2020” amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The suspension will affect the slogan’s use in global advertising “for a little while,” the company said in a statement.
New cases decline in the U.S.
The number of Americans newly diagnosed with the coronavirus is falling — a development experts credit at least partly to increased wearing of masks — even as the outbreak continues to claim nearly 1,000 lives in the U.S. each day.
About 43,000 new cases are being reported daily across the country, down 21 per cent from early August, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
German coalition agrees to extend coronavirus relief for economy
German coalition parties agreed on Tuesday to extend measures to cushion the effects of the coronavirus crisis on Europe's biggest economy, including prolonging a short-time work scheme and a freeze on insolvency rules.
The German economy contracted at its steepest rate on record in the second quarter and the government is desperate to mitigate the effects of the pandemic as much as possible, especially in the run-up to elections in the autumn of 2021.
West Bengal's discharge rate at 79.10%
West Bengal on Tuesday recorded 2,964 new cases of COVID-19, taking the total case tally to 1,44,801.
The State also recorded 58 fatalities in the past 24 hours taking the death toll to 2,909.
Kolkata recorded 16 deaths in and the North 24 Parganas 18. The district recorded more new infections than Kolkata. While the North 24 Parganas recorded 590 infections, Kolkata recorded 541.
The State, however, recorded more recoveries than infections taking the discharge rate to 79.10%.
Demands for relaxations surge, but Uddhav firm on going slow
While Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray is firm on not pushing the State government’s Mission Begin Again, demands, ranging from concessions to single-screen theatre owners and opening gymnasiums to seeking relaxations from e-pass, are increasing every day.
A delegation of the Cinema Owners and Exhibitors’ Association of India on Tuesday held a meeting with Nationalist Congress Party MP Supriya Sule and submitted a list of demands, including concessions in electricity bills, exemption from property tax, and soft loans with minimum rates.
T.N. records 5,951 fresh infections, 107 deaths
As many as 5,951 persons tested positive for COVID-19 in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday, taking the State’s tally to 3,91,303. While 6,998 persons were discharged after treatment, 107 deaths were recorded in the State.
A total of 52,128 persons are currently undergoing treatment. As many as 3,32,454 persons have been discharged till date, while the death toll stands at 6,721.
Kejriwal calls urgent meeting to discuss COVID-19 situation
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has called a high-level meeting to discuss the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Delhi, sources said.
Health Minister Satyendar Jain, Chief Secretary Vijay Dev and senior officials will attend the meeting, which will take place at 11 a.m., according to sources.
- PTI
Keep those with mild infections under isolation and not in health facilities: Mamata
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during an administrative meeting suggested that those with mild infections be released from health facilities and kept under isolation. She said a separate record should be kept for those from neighbouring States who are seeking treatment in the health facilities in W.B.
She directed police officials to make alternative arrangements for the stay of the personnel so that they do not crowd the barracks and the infection in the force can be contained.
Jagityal ASP dies of COVID-19
Jagityal district Additional Superintendent of Police K. Dakshinamurthy passed away in the early hours of Wednesday while undergoing treatment for COVID-19 at a private hospital in Karimnagar. He is the first ASP rank officer in Telangana State to die after having contracted COVID-19.
CPI(M) leader dies after contracting infection
Senior CPI(M) leader D. Lakshmanan, who played a major role in organising government employees, died on Monday after testing positive for COVID-19. He was 84.
Uttarakhand CM tests negative, to remain in isolation for three days
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat has isolated himself for three days as a precautionary measure despite a negative COVID-19 test report.
Sharing this information on social media on August 25, Mr. Rawat said he and his family underwent a COVID-19 test along with the staff and the security personnel at the CMO as a precautionary measure.
The Chief Minister chose to undergo the test after an officer on special duty tested positive for the infection recently.
- PTI
EU trade chief insists he broke no COVID-19 rules on Irish trip
The Irish government on Tuesday evening said there were clear breaches of COVID-19 public health guidelines during European Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan’s recent trip to his native Ireland.
Mr. Hogan attended a golf dinner last week that outraged the Irish public and led to the resignation of an Irish minister and the disciplining of several lawmakers. He insisted on Tuesday he had adhered to all rules during the trip.
U.S. agency spells out new COVID-19 testing mandate for nursing homes
Nursing homes in the United States will now be required to test staff for COVID-19 and offer testing to residents, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said on Tuesday.
The new rules also mandate nursing homes to share test results with the U.S. government and hospitals to provide data on COVID-19 cases to the Department of Health and Human Services.
Maharashtra's case tally crosses 7 lakh
Maharashtra on Tuesday reported 10,425 fresh COVID-19 cases , taking the State’s case tally to 7,03,823, a State health official said. With this, cases in Maharashtra crossed the seven lakh mark.
The death toll due to the pandemic in the State rose to 22,794 with 329 fatalities being reported during the day, the official said.