Coronavirus LIVE Updates: India's Covid-19 Tally Crosses 50 Lakh-mark, 1,290 Deaths in 24 Hours; Serum Institute to Resume Vaccine Trial

Mexico Reported 4,771 Fresh Cases | Mexico reported 4,771 new confirmed cases of coronavirus infection and 629 additional fatalities, bringing its totals to 676,487 infections and 71,678 deaths, according to updated Health Ministry data. The government has said the real number of infected people is likely to be significantly higher than the confirmed cases.

The DCGI, however, put certain conditions like taking extra care during screening, providing additional information in informed consent and close monitoring for adverse events during follow-up of the…

Mainland China Reported 12 New Covid-19 Cases | Mainland China reported 12 new Covid-19 cases on September 15, up from 8 a day earlier, the country’s national health authority said. The National Health Commission said in a statement that all of the new cases were imported infections involving travellers from overseas. The number of new asymptomatic infections rose to 16 from nine a day earlier, but China does not count them as confirmed cases.

Reaching Herd Immunity in a Viral Pandemic | The novel coronavirus pandemic has brought "herd immunity" to the public consciousness, kindling hope the phenomenon can help slow or even end the outbreak. Herd immunity refers to a large portion of a community developing a degree of immunity to a virus, thereby reducing person-to-person spread. As a result, the whole community gains protection, not just those who are immune.

Today's Data Highlights

- India crosses 5 million cases. 4 million to 5 million in 13 days. 4 states (Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka) account for 53% of total cases in India. 

- New cases again over 90k after 83.8k the previous day.

- 1290 new deaths of which 515 from Maharashtra alone. 15th consecutive day of more than 1k daily deaths 

- High of about 83k new recoveries. India's recovery rate is now at 78.5%

- Over 2 lakh COVID-19 deaths in USA (21% of global deaths)

Telangana recorded 2,273 COVID-19 cases, 2,260 recoveries and 12 deaths yesterday, taking total cases to 1,62,844 including 1,31,447 recoveries, 996 deaths and 30,401 active cases

Restrictions to Curb the Spread of Coronavirus in UK | Restrictions to curb the spread of coronavirus in the UK has driven stress, anxiety and depression far above normal levels and may do again in coming months if widespread lockdowns are re-imposed, researchers say. A major study into the mental health impact of the pandemic found that in the early stages of lockdown 57% of those who took part reported symptoms of anxiety, with 64% recording common signs of depression.

Here's the state-wise distribution of cases

India's Covid-19 Tally Crosses 50 lakh-mark, 1,290 Deaths Recorded in 24 Hours | India's case tally crosses 50-lakh mark with a spike of 90,123 new cases & 1,290 deaths in last 24 hours. The total case tally stands at 50,20,360 including 9,95,933 active cases, 39,42,361 cured/discharged/migrated & 82,066  deaths. 

5,94,29,115 samples tested up to 15th September for COVID19. Of these, 11,16,842 samples tested yesterday stated the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)

Half the World’s Schoolchildren are Still Unable to Attend Classrooms | Around 872 million – more than half of whom have not been able to study remotely – are not allowed to attend school in person due to Pandemic, UNICEF executive director Henrietta Fore said.

Gyms, Yoga Centre Reopens in National Capital, Owners Exercise Precautions | Gyms re-opened in the national capital on September 14, months after they were closed across the country in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. 

Delhi: Gyms re-opened in the national capital on 14th Sept, months after they were closed across the country in the wake of #COVID19 pandemic. Trainer of a gym in the city says, "Gyms were closed for a long time so we were facing problems. The charges are a little high now." pic.twitter.com/76NFdCfAus

— ANI (@ANI) September 16, 2020

U.N. Aviation Task Force Eyes Recommendation on Covid-19 Testing by Late October |  UN-led aviation task force aims to make a recommendation by late October on the use of COVID-19 testing to reduce long quarantine requirements that have decimated air travel, two sources said, following a meeting of the group on Tuesday. Airlines and airports have asked the task force to recommend countries accept a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test from passengers within 48 hours of traveling from countries with high COVID-19 infection rates as an alternative to 14-day quarantines.

With medical officers refusing to share COVID-19 reports with the government, there was under-reporting of cases in some districts on Tuesday, like- Bagalkote reporting zero cases, Udupi 1 and lesser…

UK's Creaking Covid-19 Test System Puts Health Services at Risk | Britain's testing system for COVID-19 was creaking as a bottleneck prevented people including medics from getting a test, with the government saying it may take weeks to resolve the problem. In an attempt to slow one of the highest coronavirus death tolls in the West, Prime Minister Boris Johnson promised in May to create a "world beating" system to test and trace people exposed to the virus.

China Suspends Poultry Imports from Second U.S. Plant Over Covid-19 | China has suspended imports from an OK Foods poultry plant in Fort Smith, Arkansas, because of coronavirus cases among workers, the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council said. China, the world's top meat importer, has blocked products from some plants in foreign countries as part of an all-out effort to control the spread of COVID-19.

Haryana reports 2,493 new Covid-19 cases and 26 deaths on September 15, taking the total number of cases to 98,622 including 77,166 recoveries and 1,026 deaths. There are 20,430 active cases. 

Trump Says Covid-19 will 'Go Way' Because of 'Herd Mentality' | US President Donald Trump has given a town hall in which he said that Covid-19 would go away without a vaccine. This would happen because of “herd mentality,” he said. It is unclear whether he meant herd immunity, as he repeated the phrase several times.

Serum Institute Gets a Nod to Resume Trials in India | Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) Dr VG Somani gave permission to Serum Institute of India to resume clinical trial of the Oxford COVID-19 vaccine candidate in the country while revoking its earlier order of suspending any new recruitment for phase two and three trial.

India is the second worst-hit nation in terms of COVID-19 cases after the US, while it is in the third spot in fatalities after the US and Brazil, according to Johns Hopkins University data.

No Idol Worship this Durga Puja in Assam | In a meeting, it was unanimously decided that 'Vedic ritual' will be performed instead of idol worship this Durga Puja. Temples with permanent idols would be allowed to carry on rituals but COVID-19 protocols are to be followed, said the Dibrugarh Dy Commissioner Pallav Gopal Jha. 

Canada Not Ruling Out Lockdown Amid Covid-19 Surge but Eyes 'Surgical Approach' | Canada's health minister said she could not rule out another full lockdown if needed amid a surge in new COVID-19 cases, but added Ottawa was significantly more prepared to manage the virus than during the first wave. Patty Hajdu's comments followed a pledge she made late Monday to take a "surgical approach" to tackling outbreaks. Canada reported 1,351 new cases on Sept. 14, the highest single daily addition since May 1, amid school re openings and flare-ups tied to group gatherings.

Trump Says Coronavirus Vaccine Could be Weeks Away | US President Donald Trump said a vaccine against the deadly coronavirus could be three or four weeks away, underscoring predictions made by U.S. public health officials and Pfizer Inc earlier this month. Trump, speaking at a town hall hosted by ABC News in Philadelphia, defended his handling of the coronavirus crisis, and said a vaccine could be ready for distribution soon.

New Zealand Sees Second Consecutive Day With No New Cases | New Zealand reported a second consecutive day of no new cases of Covid-19 spread in the community. A single new case diagnosed in the country on Wednesday, health officials said, was uncovered in a traveler returning to New Zealand who is in quarantine at a managed isolation facility.

LIFE IN A PANDEMIC |  Prakash Bhalani, a Surat-based builder has accommodated 42 families who are facing financial crisis due to COVID-19 and are unable to pay rent, at his constructed buildings. He says, "We are charging Rs 1500 as maintenance fee. People can stay here as long as they want."

World Still at 'Beginning of Pandemic', WHO Expert Warns | The world is still at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, a World Health Organization special envoy on Covid-19 has said. Dr David Nabarro described the situation as “grotesque” during a sitting of the UK’s foreign affairs committee. "t’s much worse than any of the science fiction about pandemics. This is really serious - we’re not even in the middle of it yet. We’re still at the beginning of it. And we’re beginning to see what damage it’s going to cause the world. And it’s getting nastier as we go into this particular phase in Europe of watching the thing come back again.”