As India enters the fourth phase of the post-pandemic ‘unlock’ process, the Indian Railways plans to start more special passenger trains in high-demand sectors, for which it is in discussions with various State governments. These trains will be run in addition to the 230 special trains that are currently operational.

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:

Goa CM Pramod Sawant tests coronavirus positive

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday said he has tested positive for coronavirus.

Sawant, 47, said he is asymptomatic and under home isolation.

“I wish to inform that I have been detected COVID-19 positive. I am asymptomatic and hence have opted for home isolation. I shall continue to discharge my duties working from home. Those who have come in my close contact are advised to take the necessary precautions,” he tweeted.

- PTI

COVID-19 serosurvey to be launched

An employee of MTC cleaning and spraying disinfectant into the buses which were parked at parking bay, Pallavan house MTC depot in Chennai on August 31, 2020   | Photo Credit: B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM

The Health Department is preparing to launch a serosurvey across the Union Territory to gain a more accurate and illustrative picture of the prevalence of COVID-19 in the community.

The survey will lift samples from adults (18 years and above) spanning areas and age groups, gender, occupations by risk exposure and economic class in Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam.

Airlines see uptick in demand ahead of festival season

Airlines are seeing an uptick in demand due to a multitude of factors including further relaxation of lockdown rules, the upcoming festive season and the promise of a vaccine, holding a sliver of hope for the sector as resumption of domestic flights in the country turned 100 days on Tuesday.

Highest single-day spike in 59 days with 2,312 cases

The Capital saw its highest single-day spike in 59 days with 2,312 new cases of COVID-19 reported in the past 24 hours, according to a health bulletin released by the Delhi government on Tuesday. The last time a higher number of new cases was reported was on July 4 — 2,505 cases. The total number of cases now stands at 1,77,060.

The young getting infected in greater numbers

Students attending preparatory classes ahead of their final exams, as the teacher wears a PPE kit, at Maharani Science College, in Bengaluru on Tuesday.  

Contrary to what was earlier projected by experts that the elderly, especially those with comorbidities, are most susceptible to COVID-19, those in the age group of 21-30 seem to be driving the pandemic in the State.

Diversion of staff for COVID-19 duties, transport curbs hobble immunisation programme

Full immunisation for infants had been majorly hit in urban areas of Madhya Pradesh, more remarkably grappling with COVID-19, in April-July when the lockdown was in force and staff diverted to combat the pandemic, said the National Health Mission (NHM).