Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari Tests Positive for Covid-19, Isolates Self

Rajasthan Covid-19 Cases Update | As per Rajasthan Health Department, 1,782 new Covid-19 cases, 1,479 recoveries, 15 deaths reported in Rajasthan today, taking total cases to 1,07,680 including 1,279 deaths and 17,049 active cases. 

Gadkari is the latest Union minister to have tested positive for the infection. Home Minister Amit Shah, who had earlier contracted the virus, has recovered and was discharged from AIIMS Delhi…

IMA Criticises Govt Over Covid-19 Crisis | Indian Medical Association has criticised the Union Government for not maintaining the statistics of doctors who have lost their lives while treating Covid-19 patients. The IMA has demanded "martyrs" status for healthcare workers who have died during Covid-19 duty, reported by ANI. 

The development comes a week after the government confirmed it was in talks with the Russians for production of the vaccine in India and conducting Phase-III clinical trials of the same.

Nitin Gadkari Tests Covid-19 Positive | Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has been tested positive for Covid-19. Taking to Twitter, Gadkari said that he has isolated himself and requested everyone who has come in his contact to follow the protocol.

Yesterday, I was feeling weak and consulted my Doctor. During the course of my check up, I have been tested COVID 19 positive. I am at present doing well with the blessings and good wishes of all. I have isolated myself.

— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) September 16, 2020

The minister also said that the number of Covid-19 cases in the Army, Navy and Air Force stands to 16,758, 1,365 and 1,716, respectively.

MP Reports 2,462 New Covid-19 Cases | Madhya Pradesh reported 2,462 new Covid-19 cases and 24 deaths today. The total cases now at 95,515 including 1,844 deaths and 22,136 active cases, as per state health department. 

In a statement, the Commerce Ministry said that export of diagnostic kits and N-95 and FFP2 masks is restricted, with only a limited monthly quota being allowed to be shipped overseas.

23,365 New Covid-19 Cases in Maharashtra | According to Maharashtra Public Health Department, 23,365 new Covid-19 cases and 474 deaths reported in Maharashtra today, while 17,559 patients have discharged. The total cases in the state rise to 11,21,221 including 30,883 deaths and 7,92,832 patients discharged. The active cases are at 2,97,125.

PM Modi Expresses Grief Over Demise of Balli Durga Prasad | Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief over demise of Lok Sabha MP, Balli Durga Prasad due to Covid-19.

Saddened by the demise of Lok Sabha MP, Balli Durga Prasad Rao Garu. He was an experienced leader, who made effective contributions towards the progress of Andhra Pradesh. My thoughts are with his family and well-wishers in this sad hour. Om Shanti.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 16, 2020

Uttarakhand Covid-19 Cases Update | As per Uttarakhand government, 1,540 fresh Covid-19 cases reported in Uttarakhand today. The total number of cases in the state is now 35,947 including 24,277 recoveries, 11,068 active cases and 447 deaths. 

In the event that an asymptomatic migrant workers develops symptoms like cough, fever, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of sense of smell or taste or breathlessness, he or she should be referred to a Covid…

Manipur Reports 110 New Covid-19 Cases | Manipur Health Department said that the state reported 110 new Covid-19 cases, 103 recoveries and one death in over last 24 hours. The total number of cases in the state stands at 8,320, including 1,751 active cases, 6,521 recovered cases and 48 deaths.

Today's graphic came a day after a Google Doodle expressed gratitude towards the frontline soldiers, the corona warriors who are helping the world survive and combat Covid-19.

Balli Durga Prasad Dies Due to Covid-19 | YSRCP MP from Tirupati, Balli Durga Prasad, today died due to Covid-19. He was admitted in a hospital in Chennai.

Active Covid-19 Cases Cross 30,000-mark in Delhi | The total number of Covid-19 cases in Delhi rises to 2,30,269 with 4,473 new positive cases and 33 deaths reported today. The numbers of active and recovered cases are 30,914 and 1,94,516 respectively. The death toll is at 4,839, as per health bulletin issued by Delhi government.

3,830 New Covid-19 Cases in Kerala | According to Kerala Chief Minister Office, 3,830 new Covid-19 cases, 2,263 recoveries and 14 deaths reported in the state in the last 24 hours. The count of active cases now stands at 32,709, while 84,608 patients have recovered till now.

8,835 New Covid-19 Cases in Andhra Pradesh | As per Andhra Pradesh Health Department, 8,835 new Covid-19 cases, 10,845 recoveries and 64 deaths reported in the state today. The total number of cases now at 5,92,760 including 90,279 active cases, 4,97,376 recoveries and 5,105 deaths so far.

100-year-old Woman Recovers from Covid-19 in Guwahati | A 100-year-old woman named Mai Handique has recovered from Covid-19 with the help of doctors at Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital in Guwahati. "...she is giving us a lesson in having right will power," tweets Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Steely resolve of 100-year-old Mai Handique is monumental. With brilliant support of doctors at MMCH, she defeated #coronavirus, giving us a lesson in having right will power.

As she gets back to Mother's Old Age Home, Hatigaon, Guwahati, I join my team in wishing her the best. pic.twitter.com/5PTutoSjXO

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) September 16, 2020

Mizoram Covid-19 Update | Seven new Covid-19 recoveries reported in Mizoram today, taking the total number of recoveries to 929. The total number of positive cases stands at 1,480 so far, including 551 active cases in the state till date, as per state health department. 

DMK MP Speaks on Covid-19 Crisis in Parliament | "I would like to give a warning to this House. We have crossed 50 lakh Covid-19 cases, and mark my words, by the end of Parliament session there'll be 65 lakh cases. Being a doctor I know the country is short of beds. Worst is yet to come. We have to gear up," said DMK MP, Dr DNV Senthilkumar in the Lower House.

Abu Asim Azmi Tests Covid-19 Positive | Samajwadi Party's Maharashtra unit president and MLA Abu Asim Azmi has been tested positive for Covid-19. He has requested all those who came in his contact to take precautions and follow all medical procedure.

I have been unwell for past 3 to 4 days; and have tested positive for #COVID19. I am well now without any discomfort yet I request to all those who came into my contact past 4 days to kindly take precautions and follow all medical procedure.

— Abu Asim Azmi (@abuasimazmi) September 16, 2020

Alluding to Home Minister Amit Shah's 'chronology' comment, O'Brien in a scathing remark said the Central government had inadequately handled the Covid-19 situation by not discussing the lockdown with…

Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai also told the Rajya Sabha that 13 clinical trials of repurposed drugs have been undertaken to build a portfolio of therapeutic options for COVID-19…

AstraZeneca has resumed British clinical trials of the vaccine, one of the most advanced in development for COVID-19, after they were paused earlier this month following a serious side effect in a…

The development comes a week after the government confirmed it was in talks with the Russians for production of the vaccine in India and conducting Phase-III clinical trials of the same.

India's COVID-19 cases jumped from 10 lakh to 20 lakh in 21 days. Then it took 16 more days to race past 30 lakh, 13 days more to cross the 40-lakh mark and 11 days to go past 50 lakh. It took 110…

UP Schools May Remain Closed This Month | Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma has said that chances of the partial reopening of schools from September 21 were "very bleak" due to the rising number of coronavirus cases in the state. "It is very unlikely that schools can be allowed to function partially. It is not possible to run schools, even partially, at least, for this month. Safety of the students is a big issue and it cannot be compromised," Sharma said.

Singapore Reports 27 New Covid-19 Cases | Singapore's Covid-19 cases reached 57,515 today after 27 new coronavirus infections, including six who arrived from India, were recorded, according to the health ministry. Among the new cases, two are imported infections and the other two are from the community involving foreigners holding work passes.

While there’s no clear definition of what constitutes an epidemic wave, a wave by definition would imply a rising number of sick individuals, a defined peak, and then a decline.