More than half of COVID-19 cases reported in India are in the 18-44 years age group, according to data from the Union Health Ministry.
Experts said that depression is a common finding in patients which may be because of a number of reasons including staying in isolation, anxiety related to disease and social stigma.
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:
Himachal minister tests COVID-19 positive
Himachal Pradesh Jal Shakti Minister Mahender Singh Thakur said he has tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday, four days ahead of the monsoon session of the assembly.
Mr. Singh, 70, in a Facebook post urged people who came in his contact recently to quarantine themselves and get tested for the dreaded disease.
The legislator from Mandi’s Dharampur assembly segment said he had got himself tested after observing primary symptoms. The seven-time MLA expressed hope that he would be cured soon.
The Himachal Pradesh Assembly will have a 12-day session from September 7. - PTI
In the COVID-19 press conference, DG ICMR Balram Bhargava says: "This is a new disease, only seven-month old, we do not know how long the immunity (anti-bodies) will persist. For respiratory viruses, for instance in flu, vaccination is given every year, as the immunity does not last beyond a year. There are several examples across the world."
Health Secretary says, "Health Ministry has not issued any direction mandating that a single person travelling in a car should wear mask."
"Delhi's positive cases are increasing, but then these numbers have to be seen in the context of total population of India. We the second most populous country in the world, we are conducting on an average 9.5 lakh tests every day, which was not happening six weeks ago. Last day, we conducted 11.70 lakh tests, in which the positivity remained 7.2. The government has adopted a graded approach to unlock and to open up various economic activities. Prior to graded opening of economic activities, the government has ensured that all prerequisites are in place: testing capacity is adequate, there are clear cut guidelines on standard clinical treatment protocol, we have also ensured enhanced hospital infrastructure. All these things have firmed up and shared with States. At the end of the day, the government firmly believes that while lives are important, livelihoods are equally important."
He says, "There are States where optimal capacity of RTPCR, of late, is not being utilised. We have drawn the attention of such States."
"We maintain the data on number of patients getting recovered in home isolation."
DG ICMR says, "The second sero-survey in the whole country is under way in 70 districts, it's completed in 50 districts. The entire sero-survey results may be out in two weeks."
On the world's largest study conducted in 39 hospitals in different parts of the country to examine the efficacy of plasma therapy, conducted on 450 patients (250 administered plasma, 250 not given), Dr. Bhargava says final results are being compiled and they may be out by early next week.
The National Expert Committee on Vaccine Administration has met four times and its sub-committees have met twice. It has engaged with five major domestic producers of vaccines, also engaged with the overseas manufacturers, they have also looked into financial mechanisms, adds the Health Secretary.
- Devesh K. Pandey
Over 11 lakh tests done in the past 24 hours: Health Ministry
At the COVID-19 press conference, the Health Ministry lists the details of the tests conducted.
Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan says: "More than 4.5 crore tests conducted so far. Over 11 lakh tests done in the past 24 hours, the number of recovered patients is now about 29.70 lakh, the highest single day recovery was 68,584 was recorded yesterday.
There has been progressive increase in the number of recovered cases. The exact number of recovered cases are 29,70,492, the active cases are 8,15,538. The recovered cases are more than 3.6 times the current active cases. Cases per million population is 2,792 among the lowest in the world. The world average is 3,359 cases per million population. The death per million population is 49 compared to the global average of 111.
Five States account for 62% of the total active cases, they include Maharashtra (24.77%); Andhra Pradesh (12.64%); Karnataka (11.58%); Uttar Pradesh (6.92%) and Tamil Nadu (6.42%).
Decrease in daily active cases
In the past three weeks, there was an almost 13.7% decrease in daily active cases in Andhra Pradesh; in Karnataka also there is 16.1% decrease; in Maharashtra there is 6.8% decrease; in Tamil Nadu about 24% decrease is there and in UP it is 17.1% decrease in daily active cases.
These are week on week basis analyses of average daily active cases.
Five States account for 70% of total deaths in the country, Maharashtra: 37.9%; Tamil Nadu: 11.16%; Karnataka: 8.83%; Delhi: 6.65%; and Andhra Pradesh: 6.12%
In the past three weeks, there has been an increase in case fatality trajectory in Karnataka (9.6%) and Delhi (50%). There has been a sudden spike in number of active cases and deaths in Delhi.
We are actively working with the Delhi government to take fresh measures, there have been meetings at the Lieutenant-Governor level as well.
Guidelines for Unlock 4.0 guidelines issued, in which all the activities, barring a few, are permitted outside the containment zones. State/UT governments not to impose any lockdowns outside containment zones without prior consultation with the Central government.
Clinical Guidance on Diabetes Management at Covid-19 patient management facility. Guidance note on bi-directoral TB-Covid screening and screening of TB among ILI/SARI cases also given."
- Devesh K. Pandey
Early vaccine results show no major safety issue
Early results from an experimental coronavirus vaccine show no major safety problems and suggest that it spurs the desired immune system responses, researchers reported on Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine.
The US government has awarded Novavax, a company based in Gaithersburg, Maryland, USD 1.6 billion to help develop and make the vaccine, which is given as two shots, three weeks apart. It includes a protein from the coronavirus to prompt the immune system to make antibodies to fight infection.
The study tested two dose levels in 108 healthy people and compared responses to 23 others who got placebo shots. Most of those given vaccine also received an adjuvant — a substance often included in vaccines to boost the immune system’s response and stretch a limited supply.
India’s daily COVID-19 testing numbers one of the highest in the world: Health Ministry
Cumulative tests for detection of COVID-19 surged to 4,55,09,380 in the country with a record 11,72,179 tests being conducted in a single day on Wednesday, said the Union Health Ministry underlining that “India’s daily testing numbers are one of the highest in the world”. Higher testing numbers subsequently result in lowered positivity rate, it said.
India has witnessed an unprecedented surge in testing. Over 11.7 lakh tests were done in 24 hours,” the ministry said.
From conducting merely 10 tests per day on January 30, the daily average has crossed more than 11 lakh, the ministry adding this demonstrates an exponential increase in the daily COVID-19 testing in the country.
“Such high levels of testing on a sustained basis over a period of time in widespread areas enables early diagnosis, and in turn facilitates seamless isolation and effective hospitalisation. This eventually leads to lower mortality rate.
“Higher numbers of testing also subsequently result in lowered positivity rate,” the ministry said.
India’s COVID-19 case fatality rate due to the disease has further dropped to 1.75% as on date, while the national recovery rate has risen to 77.09%.
There are 8,15,538 active cases of coronavirus infection in the country which comprises 21.16% of the total caseload, the data stated.
The surge in testing has been made possible by an equally speedy expansion in the testing lab network across the country. India has as on date 1,623 labs in the country with 1,022 labs in the government sector and 601 private labs, the ministry said.
With a record single-day spike of 83,883 infections, India’s COVID-19 caseload mounted to 38,53,406, while the death toll climbed to 67,376 with 1,043 people succumbing to the disease in a day, the ministry’s data updated at 8 am showed. - PTI
Can’t say it is a second wave: Jain on rise in COVID-19 cases in Delhi
It can’t be said that Delhi is witnessing a second wave of COVID-19, Health Minister Satyendar Jain said on Thursday, a day after the national capital recorded 2,509 fresh cases -- the highest single-day spike in nearly two months.
Speaking to reporters here, he said people “should not stress about numbers".
The minister said the Delhi government is increasing the testing for COVID-19 and it wants that there should be no positive case in the city.
After a brief lull, Delhi has seen a rise in the number of COVID-19 cases over the last few days.
Wednesday’s 2,509 fresh cases pushed the city’s tally to 1,79,569, while 19 more fatalities took the toll to 4,481, according to authorities. - PTI
Sanofi, GlaxoSmithKline in vaccine human trials
Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline say they are beginning human trials of a potential vaccine for COVID-19 after positive results from preclinical testing.
The drugmakers said they plan to test the vaccine on 440 adults at 11 sites in the US, with the first results expected in early December. If these tests are successful, the companies plan to begin large-scale trials later that month.
Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline say they plan to seek regulatory approval for the vaccine in early 2021 if data from the trials supports it.
The two companies in July announced plans to collaborate with the US government to produce up to 100 million doses of the vaccine, with the government taking an option to purchase up to 500 million more doses in the future. The British government has agreed to buy up to 60 million doses. - AP
HC allows breath analyser test through tube process on air traffic controllers
The Delhi High Court allowed a breath analyser test through tube process for air traffic controllers (ATC) that was earlier suspended in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The high court modified its March 23 interim order suspending breath analyser tests (BAT) through tube process for ATCs, saying the DGCA will be bound by the June 16 recommendations of the medical board.
Justice Navin Chawla allowed the application of DGCA seeking modification of the earlier order and to implement the medical report of Directorate General of Medical Services (DGMS).
As per the DGMS medical board’s recommendation, one machine would be used per person and not used again for the next 12 hours. - PTI
BCCI contingent member tests positive for COVID-19: IPL source
A member of the BCCI contingent, which is here to oversee the conduct of IPL, has tested positive for COVID-19, a league source told PTI on Thursday.
The event is scheduled to start on September 19.
“There is one positive case in the BCCI contingent. I can’t tell you whether it’s from cricket operations team or the medical team. But testing is on and everyone else is healthy and asymptomatic,” a senior IPL official told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
“There is no cause for concern,” he added.
The development comes after 13 members of the Chennai Super Kings contingent, including two players, tested positive for the dreaded virus last week. They are currently undergoing the mandatory 14-day quarantine.
Rest of the teams have started training after their squad members and support staff completed the on-arrival quarantine and returned negative tests.
The IPL was moved out of India this year due to a surge in COVID-19 cases there.
The tournament will be played across three cities in the UAE -- Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. It will conclude on November 10.
The BCCI is yet to unveil the full schedule of the tournament. It is learnt that the match line-up could be out by the end of this week. - PTI
MNM Pondy unit president succumbs to COVID-19
Makkal Needhi Maiam state president and former legislator, Dr MAS Subramanian, died here of COVID-19, official sources said.
The 70-year old leader breathed his last at a private hospital here. He is survived by a daughter.
DMK President M.K. Stalin and MNM founder Kamal Haasan condoled the former MLA’s death. - PTI
Female poverty rate in South Asia projected to rise due to COVID-19: UN
The female poverty rate in South Asia will increase in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and more women than men in the 25-34 age group will be poorer in the next decade, according to new data released by the UN.
The UN Women and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) said that the COVID-19 pandemic will disproportionately affect women and push 47 million more women and girls into extreme poverty by 2021, reversing decades of progress to lift this demographic above the poverty line.
The report, ‘From Insights to Action: Gender Equality in the wake of COVID-19’, said that the gender poverty gap will worsen further still in South Asia.
Central and Southern Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, home to 87% of the world’s extreme poor, will see the largest increases in extreme poverty, with an additional 54 million and 24 million people, respectively, living below the international poverty line as a result of the pandemic.
The expected rise of poverty in South Asia as a result of the economic fallout of the pandemic showcases the vulnerability of women and girls living in households that have only recently been able to escape poverty, the report released on Wednesday said.
The pre-pandemic female poverty rate in South Asia was projected to be 10% in 2021 but is now expected to reach 13%.
Moreover, before the pandemic, projections for the region suggested that by 2030 only 15.8% of the world’s poor women and girls would be living in South Asia.
The revised projections now put that figure at 18.6%, the report said. - PTI
Thane COVID-19 tally crosses 1.26 lakh
The COVID-19 tally in Thane crossed 1.26 lakh on Thursday after detection of 1,487 new COVID-19 cases in the Maharashtra district, officials said.
An official said Kalyan town reported the highest number of 10 deaths in the district on Wednesday.
Kalyan also recorded the maximum number of 429 new COVID-19 cases, followed by Navi Mumbai-346, Thane city-273 and Mira Bhayander-191.
The new cases in all other civic limits and Thane rural were below 100. - PTI
Children can have both COVID-19 antibodies, virus in their system simultaneously: Study
Children may still have the potential to transmit the novel coronavirus even if they have a measurable immune response, according to a new study which says the virus and antibodies can coexist in young patients.
The study, published in the Journal of Pediatrics, used a retrospective analysis of 6,369 children tested for the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, and 215 patients who underwent antibody testing at the Children’s National Hospital in the U.S. between March 13 and June 21.
According to the scientists, including those from the hospital, 33 of the 215 patients had co-testing for both the virus and antibodies during their COVID-19 disease course, with nine of the 33 showing presence in their blood while also later testing positive for the virus. - PTI
India’s COVID-19 tally crosses 38-lakh mark with record single-day jump of 83,883 cases
India’s COVID-19 tally raced past the 38-lakh mark on Thursday with the sharpest single-day spike of 83,883 fresh cases, while the number of recoveries surged to 29,70,492, pushing the recovery rate to over 77%, Union health ministry data showed.
The total number of coronavirus cases in the country mounted to 38,53,406, while the death toll climbed to 67,376 as 1,043 people succumbed to the disease in a span of 24 hours, the data updated at 8 a.m. showed.
The national COVID-19 recovery rate has risen to 77.09% and the case fatality rate due to the infection has further declined to 1.75%.
There are 8,15,538 active cases of coronavirus infection in the country which comprise 21.16% of the total caseload, the data stated. - PTI
Actor Dwayne Johnson says he and family have recovered from COVID-19
Pro-wrestler turned Hollywood actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson said in a video message posted on social media on Wednesday that he, his wife and their two young children tested positive for COVID-19 in recent weeks but that they all have recovered and are healthy.
Johnson, 48, said in the Instagram post that he and his spouse, Lauren, 35, and their daughters, Jasmine, 4, and Tiana, 2, caught the virus about 2-1/2 weeks ago from “very close family friends” whom he said had no idea how they had become infected. - Reuters
Gujarat to bring bill on salary cut of MLAs, ministers
The Gujarat government has decided to bring a bill in the upcoming session of the State assembly to cut down the salaries of MLAs and ministers by 30% for one year due to COVID-19 pandemic.
The decision to bring this bill, which will replace an ordinance, was taken in the State cabinet meeting held on Wednesday. However, the schedule of the assembly session is yet to be announced. - PTI