India logged 36,571new coronavirus infections, taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 3,23,58,829, while the national recovery rate improved to 97.54%, the highest since March 2020, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on August 20.
A reduction of 524 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.
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:
First vaccine approved for those 12 and above
The Drug Controller General has granted emergency approval to the Zycov-D, a COVID-19 vaccine developed by the Ahmedabad based Zydus Cadilla group, on Friday, making it the first vaccine in India that can be administered to adults as well as those 12 and above. It's also the only DNA-based vaccine in the world and can be administered without a needle, purportedly minimising chances of reactions.
Interim results from Phase-III Clinical Trials, in July, in over 28,000 volunteers, showed a primary efficacy of 66.6 per cent for symptomatic RT-PCR positive cases. "This has been the largest vaccine trial so far in India for COVID-19. This vaccine had already exhibited robust immunogenicity and tolerability and safety profile in the adaptive Phase I/II clinical trials carried out earlier. Both the Phase I/II and Phase III clinical trials have been monitored by an independent Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB)," the Department of Biotechnology said in a statement on Friday. - Jacob Koshy
Delta variant driving infections in India: labs consortium
The Delta variant remains most responsible for the continuing spread of infections in India, according to a weekly update from the India Sars Cov2 Genome Consortium (INSACOG), a repository of labs tasked with monitoring the coronavirus variants.
According to an August 16 report by the consortium, of the 49,867 coronavirus samples analysed for their genetic composition, about two thirds—30,230—were among the internationally classified Variants of Concern or Variants of Interest (VoC/VoI).
Of these nearly 20,000 were the Delta variant (AY.2) and about 5,000 its associated lineages (AY.1 and AY.3). - Jacob Koshy
Govt panel recommends emergency use authorisation to Zydus Cadila's 3-dose Covid vaccine
An expert panel of India's central drug authority has recommended granting emergency use authorisation to Zydus Cadila's three-dose COVID-19 vaccine ZyCoV-D, sources said.
The Subject Expert Committee (SEC) on COVID-19 of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) deliberated on the application given by Zydus Cadila on Thursday and recommended granting emergency use authorisation to its three-dose coronavirus vaccine.
The recommendations have been sent to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for final approval. - PTI
Johnson & Johnson files application to conduct study on its COVID-19 vaccine in adolescents
Johnson & Johnson (J&J) on Friday said it has submitted an application to the Indian drug regulator to conduct a study of its COVID-19 vaccine in adolescents aged 12-17 years.
The US-based pharmaceutical company noted that it is committed to facilitating global equitable access to its COVID-19 vaccine and recognise the unmet needs of children.
"On August 17, 2021, we submitted an application to the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) to conduct a study of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine in India in adolescents aged 12-17 years," a J&J India spokesperson said in a statement.
To ultimately achieve herd immunity, it is imperative that COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials continue to move forward in this population, the spokesperson added. - PTI
Hong Kong quarantine exemption for Nicole Kidman draws flak
Hong Kong's granting of a quarantine exemption to Hollywood star Nicole Kidman is drawing criticism from lawmakers as the city tightens entry restrictions for international travelers to control the coronavirus.
Kidman, who reportedly flew to Hong Kong last week from coronavirus-hit Sydney, was exempted from a weeklong quarantine and was spotted in the city this week filming a new Amazon Prime Video series titled Expats, according to local media reports.
The government said in a statement Thursday that it had granted the exemption “for the purpose of performing designated professional work.” It said the work was “conducive to maintaining the necessary operation and development of Hong Kong's economy.” Some Hong Kong lawmakers criticized the decision. - AP
National
Centre prepared to tackle possible third wave of COVID-19: Anurag Thakur
The Centre is fully ready to tackle a possible third wave of COVID-19 and a provision of Rs 23,123 has been made for this purpose, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said here on August 20.
He said special emphasis is being given to strengthening paediatric care amid apprehension that the third wave may affect children more than others.
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government is fully ready to tackle a possible third wave of COVID-19. A provision of Rs 23,123 has been made to deal with it, said Thakur, who is also the minister for youth affairs and sports.
Centre prepared to tackle possible third wave of COVID-19: Anurag Thakur
National
Active COVID-19 cases in country lowest in 150 days
India logged 36,571new coronavirus infections, taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 3,23,58,829, while the national recovery rate improved to 97.54%, the highest since March 2020, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on August 20.
The death toll climbed to 4,33,589 with 540 fresh fatalities, according to the data updated at 8 a.m.
The active cases have declined to 3,63,605, the lowest in 150 days, and comprise 1.12% of the total infections, the lowest since March 2020, the ministry said.
A reduction of 524 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.
Active COVID-19 cases in country lowest in 150 days
Delhi
‘Help children orphaned due to COVID-19’
The Delhi government has urged people to sponsor the needs of a child or children or donate towards the Delhi Child Welfare Fund as many children have been rendered orphans due to COVID-19.
A public notice issued by the Women and Child Development Department of the Delhi government also said that people can contact the department to be foster parents.
The department said that during the pandemic, many children have been rendered orphan and deprived of family care having lost one or both parents and they need to be placed in foster care so that their right to grow in a family is restored.
‘Help children orphaned due to COVID-19’
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu sees a significant dip as fresh infections fall to 1,702
Tamil Nadu recorded a significant fall in fresh COVID-19 cases on August 20, as 1,702 people tested positive for the infection.
After recording a positivity rate of 1.1% on Wednesday, the State’s positivity rate reduced further to 1.05% on Thursday. A total of 1,62,173 samples were tested in the last 24 hours.
Tamil Nadu sees a significant dip as fresh infections fall to 1,702
Karnataka
COVID-19: Crowding at Janashirvada Yatra across State causes concern
The BJP’s ongoing Janashirvada Yatra, a series of public meetings across the State by the newly appointed Ministers, has been resulting in crowding in some instances violating COVID-19 guidelines.
Ministers A. Narayanaswamy, Bhagwant Khuba, Shobha Karandlaje, and Rajeev Chandrasekhar have been touring the State as part of the Janashirvada Yatra, a programme chalked out by the national unit of the party across the country.
Since the State government has barred large public gatherings, most Ministers have taken to holding roadshows, but people are thronging them with scant regard for social distancing and mask rule.
COVID-19: Crowding at Janashirvada Yatra across State causes concern
Andhra Pradesh
There won’t be a shortage of oxygen again, vows Collector
The administration is leaving no stone unturned to ensure a sufficient stock of liquid medical oxygen at hospitals in the district, be it in the city or in remote Agency areas, Collector A. Mallikarjuna said on Thursday.
The Collector’s remarks assume significance as fears of an imminent third wave of COVID-19 are yet to die down. The health machinery in the district was brought to its knees during the peak of the second wave of COVID-19 earlier this year with dozens of deaths being reported on a daily basis.
There won’t be a shortage of oxygen again, vows Collector
Delhi
City reports 25 fresh infections, two deaths
The Capital reported only 25 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, taking the total cases to 14,37,217, as per a bulletin released by the Delhi government.
There were two new deaths reported and the total number of deaths stood at 25,079.
A total of 69,160 tests were done in a day and that test positivity rate (TPR) was 0.04%.
City reports 25 fresh infections, two deaths
Kerala
52.69% of State’s population vaccinated
Kerala has so far administered COVID-19 vaccines, including first and second doses, to over 2.5 crore ( 2,55,20,478) people, Health Minister Veena George said on August 19.
Of this, 1,86,82,463 people received the first dose, while 68,38,015 people have received both doses.
This means that 52.69% of the State’s population has received the first dose and 19.31%, the second dose.
52.69% of State’s population vaccinated
Tamil Nadu
COVID-19 third wave: panel formed to assess facilities
The district administration has formed a four-member committee to assess infrastructure at the healthcare centres here for a likely COVID-19 third wave.
According to officials, the committee will assess the infrastructure available at the Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College Hospital, taluk hospitals, PHCs and other healthcare centres for availability of oxygen cylinders, concentrators, beds and safety gear.
COVID-19 third wave: panel formed to assess facilities
Tamil Nadu
Two COVID-19 patients recover after being on ECMO support
Two patients, who were diagnosed with COVID-19 and suffered lung complications, recovered after being on ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) support for several days in private hospitals.
Two COVID-19 patients recover after being on ECMO support
International
New Zealand extends nationwide COVID-19 lockdown
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern extended New Zealand's strict nationwide coronavirus lockdown on August 20, saying the full extent of the Delta outbreak was still unknown.
The lockdown will run until midnight on August 24, Ms. Ardern told a news conference.
New Zealand's COVID-19 outbreak widened beyond its largest city Auckland on August 20, 2021, as new infections were discovered in the capital Wellington and case numbers jumped to 31.