Coronavirus news highlights: Andhra Pradesh records new single-day high of 1,933 Covid-19 cases, taking the aggregate tally to 29,168

Hi, and thanks for following DH's coverage on the coronavirus so far. For more updates, follow this link for latest news on the pandemic.

To ensure smooth movement of vehicles during Covid-19 pendemic, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has decided to ensure capturing of FASTag details while registering or issuing fitness certificate to vehicles all over the country.

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Hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, the life insurance sector witnessed an 18.6 per cent drop in the first year premium to Rs 49,335 crore in the April-June quarter of the current financial year, according to a report by CARE Ratings.

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The number of coronavirus cases in Karnataka may double in the next 15 to 30 days and the coming two months would emerge as a big challenge for the government in tackling the pandemic, state Health Minister B Sriramulu has said.

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Scientists, including those of Indian-origin, have provided the first extensive review of Covid-19's effects outside the lungs, and have recommended that physicians treat it as a multisystem disease with manifestations including blood clots, kidney failure, and neurological symptoms like delirium.

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TVS Motor Company expects the business environment to remain challenging for the most part of the current financial year due to the coronavirus pandemic with chances of some revival only in the later part of the year, according to the company's annual report for 2019-20.

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Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and her daughter Aaradhya Bachchan test positive for #COVID19. Jaya Bachchan tests negative: Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope pic.twitter.com/lpLvLGufxk

— ANI (@ANI) July 12, 2020

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath issues fresh #UNLOCK guidelines for the state; all markets are allowed to remain open from Monday to Friday, sanitization process in markets will be done on weekends. pic.twitter.com/lpo48EnsdI

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) July 12, 2020

“In view of a major spike in Covid-19, we'll have to carve out containment zones for effective restrictions in different areas of Srinagar. Local cooperation is solicited in the best interest of public health. Notified (sic),” Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Shahid Choudhary, tweeted.

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Russia on Sunday reported 6,615 new coronavirus cases, taking its nationwide tally of infections to 727,162.

The country's coronavirus crisis response centre said 130 people had died from Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the death toll to 11,335.

Russia said 501,061 people have recovered from the virus. (Reuters)

After Pune's Shankar Kurhade popularised the gold mask, a jewellery shop in Surat, sold diamond-studded face masks costing between Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 4 lakhs.

Dipak Choksi, the owner of the jewellery shop in Surat told ANI said he got the idea after a customer demanded unique masks for his wedding, which was to be held at home.

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I requested Telangana govt to increase Covid-19 testing, give proper treatment for poor & middle-class people & assured them that Center will provide all medical equipment required to fight Covid-19. Center will provide 1200 ventilators to Telangana: Union Minister G Kishan Reddy.

Pinarayi government has messed up the Covid-19 crisis. They tried to suppress actual figures, even Indian Medical Association (IMA) and doctors came out saying that we should increase testing but the state government's attitude was always negative: JP Nadda, BJP President

Soon after megastar Amitabh Bachchan and his son Abhishek Bachchan tested positive for Covid-19 and were admitted to a city hospital on Saturday, rumours started to spread that even Neetu and the "Sanju" actor are infected with the novel coronavirus.

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South Korea has reported 44 additional cases of the coronavirus over the past 24-hours, maintaining an uptick in new infections in the greater Seoul area and central cities.

The additional figures released Sunday took the country's total to 13,417 with 289 deaths. The Korea Centres for Disease Control and Prevention says 21 of the newly reported cases were local transmissions, all of them recorded either in the densely populated Seoul metropolitan area or two central cities.

The agency says the 23 other cases were linked to international arrivals. South Korea has been reporting roughly 30-60 cases every day since it eased social distancing rules in early May. (AP)

This is to inform all that my mother Dulari is found Covid + (Mildly). We have admitted her into Kokilaben Hospital. My brother, bhabhi & niece inspite of being careful have also tested mildly positive.I got myself tested as well & I have tested negative. @mybmc is informed.!🙏 pic.twitter.com/EpjDIALft2

— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) July 12, 2020

Maharashtra: Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation officials put a banner outside 'Jalsa', the residence of actor Amitabh Bachchan in Mumbai, to define it as a containment zone.

Actor Amitabh Bachchan & son Abhishek Bachchan tested #COVID19 positive & both admitted to a hospital. pic.twitter.com/2xHxsmbjwQ

— ANI (@ANI) July 12, 2020

In India's battle against #COVID19, all of our security forces are playing a huge role, nobody can deny it. Today, I salute these corona warriors. They have proved that they not only know how to fight terrorism but also against COVID with help of people: Home Minister Amit Shah https://t.co/gM9R7O2RaB pic.twitter.com/YgwhFiqjeq

— ANI (@ANI) July 12, 2020

US President Donald Trumphad on a black mask as he walked through the corridors of Walter Reed military hospital outside Washington to meet with wounded veterans.

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28,637 Covid-19 cases and 551 deaths reported in India in the last 24 hours. Total positive cases stand at 8,49,553 including 29,22,58 active cases, 5,34,621 cured/discharged/migrated 22,674 deaths: Ministry of Health.

The 77-year-old Bollywood icon was admitted to the Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital at Vile Parle after he and Abhishek Bachchan tested positive for the virus.

"Amitabh Bachchan is stable with mild symptoms and is currently admitted at the isolation unit," a Nanavati Hospital spokesperson said.

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When the Covid-19 pandemic stuck India, private hospitals and nursing homes shut their doorson scores of hapless patients, who had nowhere to go. In an interview with DH’s Kalyan Ray, Association of Healthcare Providers (India) director-general Girdhar Gyani explains the reason for such a reaction by hospitals. Excerpts:

Read the full interview here

The parents of an 18-year-old man, who was diabetic and tested positive for Covid-19 before his death in a government hospital in Kolkata, on Saturday alleged that he succumbed because of negligence as he was refused a bed by three medical facilities.

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These days, I can’t make out where one activity ends and the next begins. There are mornings when I am stuck between a sink of unwashed dishes, an article that requires editing on the double and a homework submission that is not even mine to finish. I feel like I’ve fallen headlong into one long, unbroken activity with neither beginning nor end.

Read more of this fascinating piece here

Mexico's Health Ministry on Saturday reported 6,094 new confirmed coronavirus infections and 539 additional fatalities, bringing the total in the country to 295,268 cases and 34,730 deaths.

The government has said the real number of infected people is likely significantly higher than the confirmed cases. (Reuters)

There is much to criticise the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) over for its recent diktat to deliver a vaccine against Covid-19 by August 15. The direction is so deeply and obviously flawed that there is no gainsaying that the ICMR has made itself and India lose respect and credibility. That the purpose was political gains, rather than a genuine scientific effort and advancement is obvious from the proposed date itself.

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Brazil, the world's No. 2 coronavirus hotspot after the United States, recorded 1,071 new deaths from the outbreak on Saturday, with a total of 1,839,850 confirmed cases, the Health Ministry said.

Brazil has now recorded a total of 71,469 deaths, the ministry said. (Reuters)

Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan has been admitted to Saturday evening after testing positive for the coronavirus.

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A majority of people prefer government jobs for employment security and higher salary, amid uncertainties due to the disruptions caused by Covid-19, according to a study.

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Several state governments have resorted to localised lockdowns to combat Covid-19 as fresh infections recorded the highest ever increase prompting Prime Minister Narendra Modi directing real-time national monitoring of the pandemic.

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State Govt has issued detailed guidelines where the asymptomatic & mild symptomatic COVID-19 positive persons have been allowed "home isolation". The health team from district health authority/BBMP shall visit & assess the suitability of 'house' for home isolation: Karnataka Govt pic.twitter.com/BtxkAATGPE

— ANI (@ANI) July 11, 2020

Karnataka CM B S Yediyurappa orders complete lockdown in Bengaluru and Bengaluru Rural districts, on Saturday, from on July 14 to July 22.

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Maharashtra's coronavirus case count rises to 2,46,600 with highest single-day spike of 8,139, death toll rises by 223 to 10,116: health department

Complete lockdown in Bengaluru Urban and Rural districts from 8 pm on 14th July to 5 am on 23rd July in view rising Covid-19 cases. Essential services exempted: Karnataka Chief Minister's Office (CMO)

Manipur reported 11 fresh Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of cases to 1593 including 843 recoveries and 750 active cases: State Health Department

45 Covid-19 cases and 12 discharged/cured reported in Uttarakhand today. Total number of cases in the state is now at 3,417, including 2,718 recovered, 623 active cases & 46 deaths: State Health Department

872 Covid-19 cases and 10 deaths reported in Gujarat in the last 24 hours. The total number of cases in the state is now at 41,027, including 28,685 cured/discharged and 2,034 deaths: State Health Department

1,781 Covid-19 cases, 2,998 recovered, & 34 deaths reported in Delhi today. Total number of cases in the national capital is now at 1,10,921, including 87,692 recovered/discharged/migrated, 19,895 active cases, & 3,334 deaths: Delhi Health Department

488 new Covid-19 cases and two deaths have been reported in Kerala in the last 24 hours. Sixteen more areas have been designated as Covid-19 hotspot, taking the total number of hotspots to 195 in the state: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has demanded the setting up of an Indian Medical Service (IMS), on the lines of IAS, IPS and IFS, to bring about a drastic change in the healthcare sector, the doctors' body said.

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1,813 Covid-19 cases, 1,168 discharged & 17 deaths in Andhra Pradesh in the last 24 hours. Total number of cases in the state is now at 27,235, including 12,533 active cases, 14,393 discharged & 309 deaths: State's COVID Control Room

For the sake of our youth, I urge Hon’ble PM to personally intervene and cancel final year exams of DU and other central govt universities and save the future. pic.twitter.com/V7iinytR9O

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) July 11, 2020

The emergencies chief of the World Health Organization says the agency believes an unexplained pneumonia outbreak in Kazakhstan is likely due to the coronavirus.

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MoHFW released white paper by TIFAC to strategize revival of post-Covid-19 economy.

Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today reviewed Covid-19 situation in the country in a meeting attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, Member of NITI Aayog, Cabinet Secretary and other senior officials of the central government.

PM directed that we must reiterate the need to observe personal hygiene & social discipline in public places. Awareness about coronavirus should be disseminated widely & a continuous emphasis on preventing spread of the infection should be laid.

Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today reviewed #COVID19 situation in the country in a meeting attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, Member of NITI Aayog, Cabinet Secretary and other senior officials of the central government. pic.twitter.com/x8A5DbuTfd

— ANI (@ANI) July 11, 2020

The Indian economy has started showing signs of getting back to normalcy in response to the staggered easing of restrictions, Das said.

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Centre's Make-in-Indiapush for medical equipment is facing bumps asserious concerns have been raisedregarding the quality of locally-made ventilators, according to a report byBusiness Standard.

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"If we just let drugs and vaccines go to the highest bidder, instead of to the people and the places where they are most needed, we'll have a longer, more unjust, deadlier pandemic," Gates, a founder of Microsoft, said in a video released on Saturday during a virtual Covid-19 conference organized by the International AIDS Society.

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Scientific Secretary, Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Indian government Dr Arabinda Mitra, delivering a joint statement at a session on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) here on Friday, said that Japan and India organised a series of bilateral and multi-stakeholder meetings last month.

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The Department of AYUSH is playing its role in boosting the health of frontline Covid-19 warriors through remedies available under different systems of medicine like Ayurveda, Homeopathy and Unani.

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PM directed that we must reiterate the need to observe personal hygiene & social discipline in public places. Awareness about COVID should be disseminated widely & a continuous emphasis on preventing spread of the infection should be laid. https://t.co/RykjmcGP1R

— ANI (@ANI) July 11, 2020

Delhi govt has decided to cancel all Delhi state university exams including final exams in view of #COVID19. The degree will be awarded based on evaluation parameters decided by the universities: Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia pic.twitter.com/wtXs6cK2Ns

— ANI (@ANI) July 11, 2020

Documents including Aadhar card, doctor’s prescription, consent form, a Covid-19 positive report and the contact details of the purchaser was made mandatory by the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration to buy antiviral drug, Remdesivir, anti-inflammatory medicine Tocilizumab, reportedTimes of India.

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It took a pandemic and a lockdown to highlight the precarious existence of the country’s blue-collar workers. Left without jobs and shelter, an estimated 30 million — roughly a fifth of the urban labour force — have gone back to their villages, with many completing long, hazardous journeys on foot when trains and buses shut down.

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The largest slum cluster of Asia, Dharavi is sandwiched between the Central and Western suburban lines in Mumbai. Spread over 2.1 sq km, Dharavi is a sort of mini-India, with over 7 to 10 lakh people staying and working here.

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"Coronavirus pandemic will result in high NPAs and capital erosion of banks and other financial institutions. It is obvious. It happens after every calamity. But the primary focus now should be to identify the vulnerability and take necessary corrective measures,” Das said addressing the Banking and Economic Conclave of State Bank of India.

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Rajasthan reports 170 new Covid-19 positive cases and 2 deaths today, taking the total number of positive cases and deaths to 23,344 and 499 respectively: State Health Department.

According to Deputy Commissioner Sindhu B Rupesh, many of them were primary contacts of the infected individuals, were suffering from ILI and SARI. On the positive note, as many as 51 persons had recovered and were discharged from the hospitals. The total person's discharge in the district so far is 753. As many as 1057 cases were undergoing treatment at different Covid-19 hospitals in the district.

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From February 2019 onwards, on a cumulative basis, we had cut the Repo rate by 135 basis points till the onset of Covid-19. That was done mainly to tackle the slowdown in growth which was visible at that time and we had elaborately touched upon its in our MPC Resolutions: RBI Governor.

Coronavirus is the worst health and economic crisis in the last 100 years with unprecedented negative consequences for output, jobs and well being. It dented the existing world order, global value chains, labour and capital movements across the globe: RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das at 7th SBI Banking and Economics Conclave.

India's Covid-19 case tally crosses 8 lakh mark with 519 deaths and the highest single-day spike of 27,114 new cases in the last 24 hours. Total positive cases stand at 8,20,916 including 2,83,407 active cases, 5,15,386 cured/discharged/migrated 22,123 deaths: Ministry of Health.

Brenda Del Hierro was not so thrilled with distance learning when her kids were sent home in March to when the novel coronavirus pandemic hit, yet the Los Angeles mom said she was not convinced it would be safe to send them back to the classroom this fall.

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The committee was also told that India is to play a key role in either developing or manufacturing of Covid-19 vaccine as the country is a leading manufacturer of vaccines and generic medicines. Nearly 60 percent of the world’s vaccines are developed here.

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Following a big surgein casessinceJune 27,the contact and travel history of patientsis no longer being releasedinthedailybulletinissuedby the health and family welfare department.

There have been 8,592 positive cases in the city between July 2 and July 9.Till June 26, all the contact and backgrounddetailsof patients were up to date, with the city reportingonly 114 cases.

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It is the first time scientists have been able to confirm that patients with hyperglycemia, but not diagnosed with diabetes, are at higher risk of death from COVID-19, they wrote in the journal Diabetologia.

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Looking to move away from traffic and congestion and start your new working-from-home life in a roomier house in a leafy area? You might get paid to do so. As the coronavirus pandemic boosts remote working and interest in suburban living around the globe, some places are offering incentives for people to move in, seeking to tackle dwindling populations and drive growth.

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Brazil surpassed 70,000 coronavirus deaths on Friday, the health ministry said, though the number of daily fatalities appears to be stabilizing.

The ministry said there had been 45,000 new infections and 1,200 deaths over the last 24 hours, taking the totals to 1.8 million cases and 70,400 deaths.

Brazil is the second-worst affected country in the world after the United States. (AFP)

India has forever had a complex relationship with handshakes. For some, it’s not even an option while greeting others. There are quite a few though, who reserve a smirk for it, and associate it with a certain loss of ‘culture’ especially when any other gender than that of the male is involved in it.

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As dengue season sets in across large parts of India with the onset of the monsoon, scientists warn that Covid-19 and the mosquito-borne disease have overlapping symptoms and worry the country’s healthcare infrastructure won’t be able to cope with this double whammy.

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The company, which had initially released the data from the trial in April, said the finding requires confirmation in clinical trials.

Remdesivir has been at the forefront of the battle against Covid-19 after the intravenously administered medicine helped shorten hospital recovery times in a clinical trial.

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5366 patients discharged today; 1,32,625 Covid-19 patients discharged after full
recovery until today; Recovery rate in the state is 55.62%
7862 new cases in the state today
226 Covid-19 deaths reported in the state today. Case fatality rate in the state: 4.15%
Out of 12,53,978 laboratory samples, 2,38,461 have been tested positive (19.01%) for
Covid-19 until today.
Currently, 6,74,025 people are in home quarantine and 46,560 people are in institutional
quarantine.

Owing to concerns of community spread of coronavirus in Thiruvananthapuram, the Kerala government has announced an extension of the ongoing week-long triple lockdown in the city for one more week.

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From 2.82 percent a month earlier, India's Covid-19 case fatality rate has declined to 2.72 percent which is lower than that of many other countries, the Union Health Ministry said on Friday.

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Tamil Nadu reports 3,680 new Covid-19 positive cases and 64 deaths today, taking the total number of positive cases to 1,30,261 including 46,105 active, 82,324 discharges and 1,829 deaths: National Health Mission, TamilNadu

As many as 99.34 per cent students cleared the Class 10, while the success rate for Class 12 was a bit lower at 96.74 per cent in the Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations (CICSE), results of which were declared on Friday.

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From tomorrow, 20,000 samples to be tested with antigen test kits in Bengaluru, said Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar

Total infected so far: 6950
Now under treatment: 3100
Recovered so far: 3820
27 died
416 fresh cases today
112 recovered today
1,84,112 underhome and institutional quarantine
3,517 in hospital observation
3.18 lakh samples tested so far
4,525 results pending

Close on the heels of reports of spurt in online child pornography material during the lockdown, Kerala is witnessing another disturbing trend of increasing number of children ending their life.

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Deccan Herald's new webinar series, DH Sparks, brings together opinion-leaders, experts and stakeholders to discuss the unprecedented circumstances we find ourselves in.

The first discussion, slated on July 10, focuses on the surge in content and consumption on OTT platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney + Hostar, Voot, Zee5, Sony Liv, Hulu etc.

Producers have been bypassing movie halls and releasing their films through these channels. Is the shift from big screen to small screen here to stay? What are the implications for movie halls and multiplexes, actors, directors and technicians? How will it impact movie making? And what can movie buffs expect in the coming months?

Speakers
1. Baradwaj Rangan, Film Critic
2. Nitin Datar, VP, Film Federation of India
3. Pawan Kumar, Director
4. Pramod Arora, Chief Growth Officer, PVR
5. Samyukta Hornad, Actor

Watch DH's webinar LIVEhere

Complete lockdown announced for Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad and some parts of Rural Pune from July 13 to July 23. Only shops related to essential services like dairy and medical stores & and hospitals will remain open: Pune Divisional commissioner Deepak Mhaisekar

Universities coming under the purview of Higher Education Department are required to complete the examinations for final year students by end of September 2020 in offline/online/blended (offline + online) mode following protocols related to Covid-19 pandemic, according to a statement issued by the Karnataka government.

Next academic session in the universities will be through online classes tentatively from September 1, 2020, for the first and higher semester and offline (classroom) teaching from October 1 or as may be directed by state government/MHA/UGC guidelines, as perKarnataka government.

Next academic session in the universities will be through online classes tentatively from September 1, 2020, for the first and higher semester and offline (classroom) teaching from October 1 or as may be directed by state government/MHA/UGC guidelines: Karnataka government https://t.co/QTJbXCXH8Q

— ANI (@ANI) July 10, 2020

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami today held a meeting with the Central Committee at the Chief Secretariat regarding the preventive measures taken against #COVID19 in Tamil Nadu and the treatment provided to the infected persons: Tamil Nadu CMO pic.twitter.com/gPN02WPX3h

— ANI (@ANI) July 10, 2020

ICSE Class 10 and ISC Class 12 results has been declared on Friday at 3 pm, the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE) said.

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A 62-year-old man with Covid-19, died at a hospital in Chikkamagaluru on Friday

The man hailing from Shankarapura was tested positive for the viruseight days ago and was undergoing treatment at the designated Covid-19hospital.

He failed to respond to the treatment and passed away onFriday. (DHNS)

Accusing the University Grants Commission (UGC) of creating confusion, Gandhi said it is unfair to conduct examinations during the Covid-19 pandemic and the UGC should listen to the voice of students.

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Yediyurappa, 78, said he will work from his official residence Cauvery for a few days.

“I will hold video conferences to issue directives and provide suggestions,” he said in a statement.

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Russia's death toll from the novel coronavirus edged past 11,000 on Friday, as the country reported 174 new deaths in the past 24 hours.

The country's coronavirus crisis response centre reported 6,635 new cases, bringing its nationwide tally of infections to 713,936, the world's fourth-highest caseload.

The death toll now stands at 11,017. Russia says 489,068 people have recovered. (Reuters)

With nearly 2.30 lakh Covid-19 progressive cases and total deaths inching towards 10,000, Maharashtra is the worst-affected state of India.

The Covid-19 mortality rate in Maharashtra stands at4.19 percent.

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Around 2.7 lakh tests are being done daily. Despite being such a large country, we have not reached the community transmission stage of Covid-19. Though there are some small pockets where there could be slightly higher transmission locally: Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan.

The recovery rate among Covid-19 patients stands at about 63%, the mortality rate is just 2.72%. We are not concerned about the number of cases. We are ramping up testing so that maximum cases can be detected and treated: Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan. (ANI)

There are enough indications, both from the Election Commission (EC) and key political actors, that the Bihar Assembly elections will happen in a few months’ time, as scheduled.

Cognisant of the risks of Covid-19 spread during electioneering and voting, the EC is said to be considering the following:

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In the heart of the Brazilian Amazon, the advance of Covid-19 presents indigenous people with a cruel cultural dilemma -- remain in their villages with little medical help, or seek safety in the city and risk being deprived of their ancestral funeral rites.

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She is one among the 200 caregivers of Covid suspects or Covidpositive patients who have procured an oxygen cylinder from voluntarygroups for their family members because they are unable to procure abed in any of the city's hospitals. Despite the state's assurancesthat all is well, even to the central team that visited the city onTuesday, this is how much thecrisis has exacerbated in the capital.

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Bolsonaro, 65, appeared in his weekly Facebook Live post at his official residence. He appeared to be in good shape and was not accompanied, as is often the case, by ministers or senior officials, and the usual sign language interpreter was not present.

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Voters will wear masks and gloves, and go through temperature checks before casting their ballots, following a short nine-day campaign that took place mostly online as rallies were banned to reduce infection risks.

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In January, as a frightening new virus filled hospital wards in Wuhan, China, Stephanie Giordano, a 25-year-old researcher at the drugmaker Regeneron, in a suburb of New York City, began working on a treatment for the disease.

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India reports 475 deaths and the highest single-day spike of 26,506 new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours. Positive cases stand at 7,93,802 including 2,76,685 active cases, 4,95,513 cured/discharged/migrated and 21,604 deaths: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Stranded migrant labourers with their belongings wait to board a special train to Howrah station in Kolkata after the government eased a nationwide lockdown imposed as a preventive measure against the coronavirus, at MGR Central railway station in Chennai. Credit: AFP

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In an open letter published this week in a journal, two scientists from Australia and the US wrote that studies have shown “beyond any reasonable doubt that viruses are released during exhalation, talking and coughing in microdroplets small enough to remain aloft in the air.”

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However, other details about Rohit Kirni, the Jammu district Youth NC president, like his exact age and medical history did not immediately know.

With his death, a total of six people died due to Covid-19 in the Union Territory on Thursday.

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Rajesh Bhushan, the Officer on Special Duty, Union Health Ministry, told an online media briefing Thursday that it has been noticed that certain drugs are not available freely in the market.

Therefore, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has written letters to companies manufacturing them with two specific suggestions, he said.

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"The president has always said that he sees hydroxychloroquine as a very promising prophylactic but that every person should not take it unless they get a prescription from their doctor," White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany said at a news conference.

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With scientists from several countries claiming that coronavirus is airborne, the Health Ministry on Thursday said it is an "evolving situation" and the government is "keeping abreast" with the information coming from the WHO.

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The wife of a 48-year-old Covid patient had procured four oxygen cylinders before her husband passed away after failing to get a hospitalbedfor three days.

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The ICMR on Thursday said a nationwide sero-survey to determine the exposure of the novel coronavirus among the population will be carried out as a follow-up to a similar study conducted in May, the results of which are yet to be released.

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The total number of Covid-19 infections in Karnataka on Thursday breached the 30,000 mark as the state reported its biggest single-day spike of over 2,200 new cases and 17 related fatalities, taking the death toll to 486, the Health department said.

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The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) on Thursday postponed the Asia Cup tournament, scheduled for September this year, until June 2021 owing to an upsurge in Covid-19 cases in the region.

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Bringing to the fore the dangers frontline workers face in combating the deadly coronavirus, 395 policemen have tested positive for the infection since the outbreak of the pandemic in Bengaluru.

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India is witnessing “localised outbreaks” of Covid-19 and the highly infectious disease has not entered the “community transmission” phase, the Health Ministry said on Thursday as the total cases were galloping towards the eight-lakh mark.

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With India now one of the world’s top threeCovid-19 hotspots, the country is focused on controlling its pandemic and reviving stalled economic growth, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday.

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Uttar Pradesh Government imposes lockdown in the State from 10 pm July 10 till 5 am onJuly 13.

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In a new game plan to tame Covid-19, the Cabinet on Thursday decided to form a ministerial team to manage the pandemic in each of the eight municipal zones in Bengaluru, the state capital where cases have been rising rapidly.

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West Bengal recorded highest single day spike of a whooping 1,088 Covid-19 cases in 24 hours on Thursday taking the total number of cases 25,911. Currently there are 8,231 active cases in the state.

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Chinese state media has offered a rare glimpse of the lab at the heart of coronavirus conspiracy theories, as it seeks to push back against claims the facility was the source of the global pandemic.

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Fresh Cases: 2,187
Total: 1,07,051
In July: 19,691 (18.39% of total)

Deaths: 45
Total:3,258

Discharged: 4,027
Total: 82,226

Under treatment: 21,567 (12,543 in home isolation)

Samples tested 7,24,148 (22,289 new - 9,719 RTPCR+1,2570 Rapid Antigen Tests)

Iran reported a new single-day record death toll of 221 from the novel coronavirus on Thursday, amid a rise in cases in recent weeks.

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The World Health Organization, which faced criticism for its handling of the coronavirus crisis, said Thursday it had launched an independent pandemic response panel headed by former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark and former Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

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Amid a spurt in coronavirus cases, the government on Thursday said India has not yet reached the community transmission stage of Covid-19 and asserted that there have been localised outbreaks in some geographical areas.

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4067 patients discharged today; 1,27,259 Covid-19 patients discharged after fullrecovery until today; Recovery rate in the state is 55.19%

6,875 new cases in the state today

219 Covid-19 deaths reported in the state today. Case fatality rate in the state: 4.19%

Out of 12,22,487 laboratory samples, 2,30,599 have been tested positive (18.86%) forCovid-19 until today.

Currently, 6,49,263 people are in home quarantine and 48,191 people are in institutional quarantine.

The Centre has defended before the Supreme Court the creation of PM Cares Fund during the Covid-19 pandemic, saying existence of statutory funds like the NDRF did not prohibit setting up a fund with voluntary donations.

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Karnataka new record: State tally: 2,228 cases
Bengaluru: 1,373 cases
17 deaths
18,952 tests today
957 recoveries on Thursday
457 in ICU

The number of recovered cases has overshot the number of Covid-19 active cases by 2,06,588. The number of recovered cases is 1.75 times (almost twice) the number of active cases, and the recovery rate among Covid-19 patients has increased to 62.09% today: Government of India - ANI

Total infected so far: 6,534
Now under treatment : 2,795
Recovered so far :3,708
27 died
339 fresh cases today
149 recovered today
1,85,960 in home and institutional quarantine
3,261 in hospital observation
3,07,019 samples tested so far
4,854 results pending

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, a Southern Railway Signal & Telecommunication engineer has developed a device to remind people to maintain at least a three metre distance from each other.

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African countries urgently need to scale up coronavirus testing and the use of face masks, a regional disease control body said on Thursday, as the epidemic gains traction across the continent with confirmed cases topping half a million.

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India has approved a plan to develop affordable rental housing for migrant workers after millions of labourers fled the nation's cities for villages amidst coronavirus lockdowns that left many of them without jobs and homes.

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A 53-year-old assistant sub-inspector of Delhi Police died on Thursday morning at a hospital here, weeks after he tested positive for Covid-19, officials said.

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The Assam government has decided to impose a "total lockdown" in Golaghat town from Thursday evening for eight days to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease, an official said.

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Just one person in a South Korean survey of more than 3,000 people showed neutralizing antibodies to the novel coronavirus, health authorities said on Thursday, indicating the virus has not spread widely in the community.

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As many as 3,000 antigen testing kits have been given to Maharashtra's Palghar district and 10,000 more will be procured for the detection of Covid-19 infections, collector Dr Kailash Shinde said on Thursday.

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The number of tests has increased, on an average, we are testing more than 2.6 Lakhs of samples per day. We hope to see a further rise by the use of the antigen test: ICMR Senior scientist Nivedita Gupta - ANI

When we talk of case load of Covid-19 in India, it is 2,69,000 people. This tells us that at the end of the day we've managed a situation where our health care infrastructure is not unduly burdened&is not creaking due to the pressure: Rajesh Bhushan, OSD, Ministry of Health - ANI

We are the second-most populous country of the world. Despite a population of 1.3 billionn people, India has been able to manage Covid-19relatively well. If you look at cases per million population it still remains amongst lowest in the world: Rajesh Bhushan, OSD, Ministry of Health.

Today we have 538 cases per million population, it's as per WHO situation report. Case per million population in some countries are at least 16-17 times more than what it is in India. We have 15 deaths per million population whereas we have countries where it is 40 times as much- ANI

Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray has called for setting up of citizen's vigilance committee to combat and check the spread of Covid-19 pandemic.

"The fight against Covid-19 is not alone of the government... there has to be citizen's vigilance committees in hamlets, villages,colonies," Thackeray said while reviewing the pandemic situation of Thane district.

Around 8 employees of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) have tested positive for Covid-19.

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The Delhi High Court, on Thursday, directed Delhi University to file an affidavit detailing the schedule of final year undergraduate exams which have been postponed from July 10 to beyond August 15.

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Universities & colleges can opt to conduct exams through online, offline or blended mode. Guidelines for the conduct of exams have been issuedon the basis of Standard Operating Procedure suggested by the Health Ministry. All states should conduct exams for final year students: UGC Secy

I'm certain that India will have an important role in developing and in scaling up production of the vaccine once it is discovered: Prime Minister Narendra Modi at India Global Week 2020.

Vaccines made in India are responsible for 2/3rd of the vaccine needs of the world's children. Today also, our companies are active in international efforts for development and production of Covid-19vaccine: Prime Minister Narendra Modi at India Global Week 2020

3 deaths and 1555 new Covid-19 cases reported in Andhra Pradesh in the last 24 hours; the total number of positive in the state is now 23,814: State Health Department

Indians are natural reformers. History shows that India has overcome every challenge be it social or economic. On one hand, India is fighting a strong battle against the global pandemic. With an increased focus on people's health, we are equally focussed on the health of the economy: PM Modi

In these times, it is natural to talk about revival. It is equally natural to link global revival and India. There is faith that the story of global revival will have India playing a leading role: PM ⁦Narendra Modi delivers the inaugural address at India Global Week 2020

India Tourism Development Corporation signs MoU with AIIMS to strengthen health protocols and monitor Covid-19 preventive practices across all its properties, including hotels, according to a statement from the PSU under tourism ministry

The global comparison between the five most affected countries clearly depicted that India has one of the lowest cases per million (538) and deaths per million (15) compared the global average of 1453 and 68.7, respectively: Government of India.

Hospital authorities have informed me that misinformation is being spread. Hospital is following all protocols: Bihar Health Minister Mangal Pandey on a video posted by RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav alleging mishandling of bodies in Nalanda Hospital in Patna.

A number of Covid-19 cases reaches 1101 in Himachal Pradesh, active cases stand at 256. Total of 821 patients has recovered so far. The death toll stands at 9: State Health Department

Karnataka: Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa calls State Ministers, MPs, MLAs and Corporators from Bengaluru for a meeting at Palace Grounds to discuss Covid-19 management in the city.

#WATCH Tamil Nadu: A restaurant in Madurai is serving parottas made in the shape of masks. Manager Poovalingam says, "People of Madurai are not very particular about wearing masks. We introduced mask parottas to spread awareness among people about #COVID19." pic.twitter.com/pmdCRNBtCo

— ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2020

We are seeing on TV that India has become the 3rd most Covid-19 affected country. It is necessary to see this in correct perspective, we are a country with the 2nd highest population in the world. Our cases per million are 538, while world average is 1,453: Union Health Minister

It is our humble request, education is our sacred duty towards our children. Let us leave politics out of education and make our politics more educated: Ramesh Pokhriyal, Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister

There has been a lot of uninformed commentary on the exclusion of some topics from CBSE syllabus. The problem with these comments is that they resort to sensationalism by connecting topics selectively to portray a false narrative: Ramesh Pokhriyal, Union HRD Minister

Highest single-day spike of 577 cases takes Odisha's Covid-19 tally to 11,201; toll rises to 52 with four more deaths: Health department

Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi tests negative for coronavirus, says Raj Nivas statement. She was tested for Covid-19 after Raj Nivas employee was found infected with the virus

All those who worked during this Covid-19crisis, it is not that they only carried out their responsibilities. There was a fear, in such a situation coming forward voluntarily, this is a new form of service: PM Modi interaction with Varanasi based NGOs

100 years ago, a similar pandemic happened, it is said that back then the population was not this big in India. Even then, at that time, India was one of the countries which had the most deaths. That is why whole world was concerned for India this time: PM Modi

149 Covid-19cases & 7 deaths reported in Rajasthan today. Total number of cases in the state is now at 22212, including 4846 active cases & 489 deaths: State Health Department

India reports the highest single-day spike of 24879 new Covid-19 cases and 487 deaths in the last 24 hours. Positive cases stand at 767296 including 269789 active cases, 476378 cured/discharged/migrated & 21129 deaths: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare

A total of 1,07,40,832 samples tested for Covid-19 till July 8. Of these, 2,67,061 samples were tested yesterday: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)

Beijing's city government reported no new confirmed coronavirus cases for July 8, the third straight day of no new cases as the city curbs the spread of the disease.

Brazil exceeded 1.7 million confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus as of Wednesday, and the disease has killed a total of 67,964 people, according to the country's Health Ministry.

In the last 24 hours, the country registered 44,571 new cases and an additional 1,223 deaths from the disease, ministry data showed.

The Delhi government has revised its 'Covid Response Plan' and will now enlist and screen for the novel coronavirus daily wagers, domestic help, auto drivers and food suppliers, according to an official order issued on Wednesday.

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Do not hold it against me if I talk about a visit to London. It was not recent, and hence there is no need for quarantine. I believe, the Tower is jinxed as many great people have fallen there since the days of William the conqueror, but I did not expect my wife to slip on the polished stone pathway.

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Karnataka on Wednesday reported 2,062 new Covid-19 cases, the highest single-day spike so far since the start of the pandemic. The state also reported a record 54 deaths, which raised the total toll to 474.

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Kerala became the toast of the international media for the effective way in which it tackled the Covid-19 pandemic early on. On May 14, The Guardian praised Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja for her leadership, calling her ‘The Coronavirus Slayer’ and ‘Kerala’s Rockstar Health Minister’.

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The spread of the novel coronavirus in India has quickened in the last few days with new cases ofCovid-19 and deathsreported every day. The epidemic has expanded its footprintin the country and has affectedmore than 7.64 lakh people since the first positive case was confirmed on January30 in Kerala.

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Globalcoronaviruscases exceeded 12 million on Wednesday, according to a Reuters tally, as evidence mounts of the airborne spread of the disease that has killed more than half a million people in seven months.

The number of cases is triple that of severe influenza illnesses recorded annually, according to the World Health Organization.

Karnataka on Wednesday reported 2,062 new Covid-19 cases, the highest single-day spike so far since the start of the pandemic. The state also reported a record 54 deaths, which raised the total toll to 474.

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Odisha reported six more Covid-19 fatalities on Wednesday, taking the death toll due to the disease to 48, while the state's total tally rose to 10,624 with 527 fresh cases, a health department official said.

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Insurance regulator Irdai on Wednesday set up a working group to examine the possibility of setting up a 'Pandemic Risk Pool' to deal with the risks associated with the disruption in economic activity following an outbreak of coronavirus-like health emergencies.

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As Covid-19 cases continue to surge, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on Wednesday began tele-consultation sessions for doctors across states with an aim to reduce mortality due to Sars-Cov-2.

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Taking the total number of cases to 29,536 including 11,933 active cases, 17,279 discharged cases and 324 deaths: State Government

The Madhya Pradesh government on Wednesday decided to enforce a complete lockdown across the state on Sundays after a spike in Covid-19 cases in some districts during the past one week.

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Fresh Cases: 2,033
Total cases: 1,04,864
Cases reported in July: 17,504 (16.69% of the total cases)

Fresh deaths: 48
Total deaths: 3,213

Discharged today: 3,982
Total number of people discharged 78,199

Under treatment: 23,452 (14,661 in home isolation)

Samples tested: 7,01,859 (22,028 fresh samples -- 9,461 RTPCR + 12567 Rapid Antigen Tests)

Total infections: 6195

Fresh cases today: 301
Total deaths: 27
Under treatment: 2605

Recovered so far: 3,559

Recovered today:107
In home and institutional quarantine: 1,82,409
In hospital observation: 3,137
Samples tested so far: 2,96,183
Results pending: 4,754

Operation 'Samudra Setu', which was launched on May 52020 as part of the national effort to repatriate Indian citizens from overseas during the Covid-19 pandemic has culminated after successfully bringing 3,992 Indian citizens back to their homeland by sea. Indian Naval Ships Jalashwa (Landing Platform Dock), and Airavat, Shardul and Magar (Landing Ship Tanks) participated in this operation which lasted over 55 days and involved traversing more then 23,000 kilometers by sea. Indian Navy has previously undertaken similar evacuation operations as part of Operation Sukoon in 2006 (Beirut) and Operation Rahat in 2015 (Yemen).

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has sought a detailed analytical report from the Delhi government's health secretary on factors responsible for Covid-19 deaths in the city in the last fortnight, officials said.

Delhi reported 736 deaths in the last two weeks, with 397 people succumbing to the disease in the first week of July.

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The total deaths in the district haverisen to three. The woman had arrived in Uppalige in Chikkamagaluru from Bengaluru and was tested positive. Shewas suffering from breathlessness, said doctors.

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1062 new Covid-19 positive cases, 12 deaths, 1332 discharged in the last 24 hours in the Andhra Pradesh. The total number of positive cases in the state rises to 22,259 including 11,101 discharged and 264 deaths: State Command Control Room.

The total number of cases of the novel coronavirus in Russia passed 700,000 on Wednesday, as the country reported 6,562 new infections in the past 24 hours.

The country's coronavirus crisis response centre said 173 people had died from the virus overnight, taking the official death toll to 10,667.

Total infections stand at 700,792. Russia says 472,511 people have recovered. (Reuters)

DCGI Chief VG Somani said that they had received complaints from an Uttar Pradesh-based community engagement group called LocalCircles.

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From world leaders and royals to sports stars and artists, and now Brazil's far-right leader Jair Bolsonaro... the coronavirus has hit millions around the world, including the rich and famous.

Marianne Faithfull, 73, a 1960s icon and celebrated singer-songwriter, was discharged from hospital on April 22, 22 days after being admitted with symptoms of coronavirus.

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Holding a high-level meeting with Bengaluru in-charge officials and ministers at his residence, CM Yediyurappa directed officials to add additional ambulances to ferry Covid-19 positive patients to designated care centres or hospitals on a real-time basis.

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A 32-year-old man, who recently returned from India and tested positive for the deadly coronavirus on Wednesday, will be charged with absconding from a managed isolation facility in Auckland to go to a supermarket, according to media reports.

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As the sun sets in the Japanese town of Tatsuno, thousands of fireflies begin glowing, producing a spectacle that usually draws crowds of delighted visitors.

But this year, the dance of the incandescent insects is being performed without spectators, after coronavirus prevention measures forced organisers of a popular firefly festival to cancel the event.

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The personal assistant (PA) of Mayor Goutham Kumar, a joint commissioner-rank officer, an office assistant, and a staff at the BBMP headquarters tested positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday.

Following the PA’s positive test, the mayor went into self-quarantine, while his office at the BBMP headquarters has been sanitised and sealed down for the next 48 hours. All the other staff at the mayor’s office have also been asked to quarantine themselves at home.

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Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has directed Delhi Health Secretary to share a detailed analysis of factors behind all Covid-19 deaths in the capital in the last two weeks. The objective is to take measures to further reduce Covid-19 deaths in the national capital.

India reports a spike of 22,752 new Covid-19 cases and 482 deaths in the last 24 hours. Positive cases stand at 7,42,417 including 2,64,944 active cases, 4,56,831 cured/discharged/migrated and 20,642 deaths: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa holds an emergency meeting with Deputy CM Dr Ashwath Narayan and other ministers over Covid-19 situation in the state.

Total number of positive cases in Karnataka stands at 26,815 including 11,098 recovered and 416 deaths, as per the last bulletin.

Scientists warned on Wednesday of a potential wave of coronavirus-related brain damage as new evidence suggested Covid-19 can lead to severe neurological complications, including inflammation, psychosis and delirium.

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The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the United States pushed past 3 million on Tuesday, according to a Reuters tally, roughly equal to the population of Nevada, stoking fears that hospitals will be overwhelmed.

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Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Tuesday tested positive for Covid-19, the latest victim of a disease that has wreaked havoc in Brazil, the world's No. 2 coronavirus hotspot after the United States.

Read the chronology of the key moments here

The use of hydroxychloroquine to treat coronavirus patients has become highly politicized in the US but it is used widely in India, a top White House official has said, asserting latest research showed the malaria drug is highly effective in early stages of Covid-19.

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The United States, the country hardest hit by the coronavirus, on Tuesday posted 60,209 new cases, a record for a 24-hour period, according to a tally from Johns Hopkins University.

The country was just shy of three million cases, at 2,991,351, the Baltimore-based university said in its latest data as of 8:30 pm (0030 GMT Wednesday).

The death toll stood at 131,362, with 1,114 additional deaths counted. (AFP)

They found that about 3% of more than 9,600 respondents in the United States said that they had changed their residence because of the coronavirus, and 6% said someone else had moved into their home. About 22% of respondents had either moved because of the pandemic or knew someone who did.

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Vaccine maker Serum Institute of India (SII) is hoping to develop a Covid-19 vaccine by the year-end as it is focusing on a "good and safe" product and is not in a "rush", the company's CEO Adar Poonawalla said on Tuesday.

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The World Health Organization on Tuesday acknowledged "emerging evidence" of the airborne spread of the novel coronavirus, after a group of scientists urged the global body to update its guidance on how the respiratory disease is spread.

Speaking at a briefing in Geneva, WHO expert Benedetta Allegranzi said the organization believed it had "been open to the evidence on modes of transmission" of the new virus.

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There are rumours and fake news that there is a lockdown in Shillong from July 10th; I would like to clarify that the Government of Meghalaya has taken no such decision: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma

It is hereby ordered to shutdown the entire Cuttack city (CMC area) till midnight of 10 July. Weekend shutdown restrictions will also apply to Cuttack city (CMC area) on July 11&12 as per previous order: Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC), Odisha

Some 400,000 new cases of Covid-19 were reported over the weekend and the new coronavirus pandemic shows no sign of slowing down, the World Health Organization said Tuesday.

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Vaccine maker Serum Institute of India (SII) is hoping to develop a Covid-19 vaccine by the year-end as it is focusing on a "good and safe" product and is not in a "rush", the company's CEO Adar Poonawalla said on Tuesday.

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People can now test themselves for #COVID19 at designated private laboratories in Mumbai without doctor's prescription: Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 7, 2020

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro says he has tested positive for Covid-19 after months of downplaying the virus' severity.

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The WestBengalgovernment on Tuesday decided to impose complete lockdown in all containment zones from Thursday, as Covid-19 cases and casualties continued to surge in the state.

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Gujarat reports highest single-day spike of 778 COVID-19 cases to take tally to 37636; toll 1,979 with 17 deaths: Health dept (PTI)

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palanisamy interacts with an anesthesiologist during his visit to a newly converted Covid-19 care centre, in Chennai, Tuesday, July 7, 2020. A building of the National Institute of Ageing has been converted into a dedicated Covid-19 care centre.

Dear FM,
We want to clear a misunderstanding - you flattened the GDP curve not the COVID curve.#BJPsDistractAndRule pic.twitter.com/fUxxRJ8Ujy

— Congress (@INCIndia) July 7, 2020

Karnataka Covid-19 update:

New cases: 1,498
Deaths: 15
Bengaluru: 800
Active: 14,385
ICU: 143
Total: 25,317
Recovered: 10,527

Total infected so far: 5894
Now under treatment: 2413
Recovered so far:3,452
27 died
272 fresh cases today
111 recovered today
1,86,576 underhome and institutional quarantine
3,034 in hospital observation
2,85,968 samples tested so far
5,456 results pending

Union Minister Harsh Vardhan discusses bilateral Health Co-operation with his Swedish counterpart in the background of Covid-19 pandemic.

Health Ministers discussed in detail status & containment measures for Covid-19 & future vision for handling it.

The meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology to discuss Covid-19 pandemic scheduled on Friday is staring at the possibility of being postponed, as a section of MPs expressing their inability to attend due to travel restrictions and quarantine measures in states.

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The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Uttar Pradesh government to file a status report on 57 minor girls, having been tested positive for Covid-19 in a shelter home in Kanpur.

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The total number of Covid-19 cases in Odisha crossed the 10,000-mark on Tuesday with 571 fresh infections, while the toll climbed to 42 as four more people succumbed to the disease, a health department official said.

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1,178 Covid-19 positive cases reported in Andhra Pradesh in last 24 hours. The total number of positive cases in the state now stands at 21,197. Death toll rises to 252 and a total of 9745 discharged: State Command Control Room, Andhra Pradesh

Govt to come up with standard operating procedure for shooting films in India in wake of Covid19 pandemic, set to provide incentives for production to accelerate restart of filmmaking: Information & Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar

In the last 24 hours, 1,346 new Covid-19 positive cases have been reported. Active cases in the state stand at 9,514. A total of 19,627 have been discharged after recovering from the disease. The death toll stands at 827: Uttar Pradesh Principal Health Secretary Amit Mohan Prasad

CM Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray inaugurated 3520 bed Corona treatment facilities. These facilities will be spread out across Mulund, Dahisar, Mahalaxmi Race course and Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC). pic.twitter.com/IsJGvOBLWG

— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) July 7, 2020

Covid-19 tests in India cross 1 crore-mark, as a result of continuously expanding network of 1,115 testing labs across the country.Recovered patients touch 4,39,947 today. 1,80,390 more recovered cases than active cases, taking India’s recovery rate to 61.13%:Union Health Ministry

In a trend that compounds concern, the total number of Covid-19 cases in Mumbai has overtaken that of China's.

The deadly virus was first reported in December 2019 at Wuhan in Hubei province of China and now it has turned into a global pandemic.

Read more here

Our ventilator is 5-10 times cheaper, normally it costs 10-15 lakh, ours is for 1.5 lakh. International vendor nexus is very strong in this market, will they appreciate the success of indigenous products?: Prof. Diwakar Vaish, Co-founder AgVa Healthcare, ventilators under PM CARES FuND.

“Let me make it clear: There’s no community spread. We’re in between stages two and three. We told the Central team this. They’ve asked us to ensure we don’t get into the third stage,” Health and Family Welfare Minister B Sriramulu told reporters.

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The annual tournament was originally scheduled to begin on March 29 but was postponed indefinitely due to Covid-19. India's death toll from the pandemic surpassed 20,000 on Tuesday.

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Tamil Nadu: National Institute of Ageing in Chennai's Guindy has been converted to a COVID Care hospital in view of rise in #COVID19 cases. Director Incharge says, "We have 750 beds in the hospital out of which 300 are oxygen beds, 200 ventilator beds and 250 normal beds." pic.twitter.com/R8PaZZLcFl

— ANI (@ANI) July 7, 2020

The fight against Covid-19 is more difficult than the mythological war of Mahabharata, an editorial in Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana' said, adding that the battle against the pandemic will continue till 2021 as the disease vaccine won't be available before that.

Read more here

The country also posted a worrying number of new daily infections, at 54,999 -- a few thousand shy of the record set just days ago -- and 357 new deaths.

The country has reported a total of 29,31,142 Covid-19 cases and 1,30,248 deaths, the university reported.

Read more here

In total 76,222 Covid-19 cases have been reported and 3,422 deaths, including 79 on Monday, the ministry said in a statement.

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#IndiaFightsCorona:

📍Day 62 of #VandeBharatMission:

➡️3937 Indian nationals reached India yesterday.

➡️ 29 repatriation flights of @airindiain and Al express are scheduled for today to evacuate Indian nationals stranded abroad. #StayAtHome @DGCAIndia pic.twitter.com/xQQzNmoGjp

— #IndiaFightsCorona (@COVIDNewsByMIB) July 7, 2020

To encourage Covid-19 warriors in auniqueway, Mumbai MP Gopal Shetty has felicitated 30 of them by gifting them Rs 5,000 in cash and a gold coin weighing one gram. These warriors include security guards, sanitation workers and administrative staff.

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Jawaid Akhtar, Additional Chief Secretary, Health, Karnataka, is under home quarantine and his office in Vikas Soudha has been sanitised and sealed. The development happened after a visitor who had visited his office tested positive.

Amid rising Covid-19 cases, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Govind Karjol on Monday asked the Kalaburagi and Bagalkotdistrict administrations not to permit weddings with gatherings as it could lead to the spread of the virus and instead hold it at the sub-registrar offices concerned.

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More than 200 scientists have called for the World Health Organisation and others to acknowledge that the coronavirus can spread in the air — a change that could alter some of the current measures being taken to stop the pandemic.

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India's Covid-19 case tally crosses 7 lakh-mark with 22,252 new cases and 467 deaths in the last 24 hours. Total positive cases stand at 7,19,665 including 2,59,557 active cases, 4,39,948 cured/discharged/migrated 20,160 deaths: Ministry of Health.

In the last three months, prices of refurbishedlaptopshave gone up by Rs 5,000 to 8,000, depending on the configuration. Newlaptopspowered by Intel processors have seen an average price rise of Rs 12,000 to Rs 15,000, according to retailers.

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President Donald Trump said on Monday that US schools must open in the fall - a decision over which he has limited power - as governors struggle with a nationwide rise in coronavirus infections and states reverse and pause attempts to reopen.

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The department also advised the hospitals that "before putting hypoxic patients on ventilators, high flow nasal oxygen therapy should be tried as per the guideline".

Earlier, it had advised all Covid-19 hospitals to opt for "prone awake ventilation" as and when possible before putting a patient on conventional mechanical ventilation.

Read more here

This risk is highest in crowded indoor spaces with poor ventilation and may help explain superspreading events reported in meatpacking plants, churches and restaurants.

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Over two dozen Covid-19 casualties, which had been declared asymptomatic by authorities, have now tested positive, in a strange U-turn which officials blamed on a statistical error.

Clarifying the matter, a government official said the patients had died due to late-stage effects of Covid-19 and had symptoms.

Read more here

The World Health Organization (WHO) is reviewing a report that suggested its advice on the novel coronavirus needs updating after some scientists told the New York Times there was evidence the virus could be spread by tiny particles in the air.

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The following is a brief roundup of some of the latest scientific studies on the novel coronavirus and efforts to find treatments and vaccines for Covid-19, the illness caused by the virus.

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The man (name withheld), a resident of Uttam Nagar, was discharged from the Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital (RGSSH) on July 3 along with his wife who had also contracted Covid-19.

"CM Kejriwal felicitated our 1000th patient to mark the milestone, and the recovered patient's wife was also present on the occasion," Director RGSSH, Dr B L Sherwal said.

Read more here.

University Grants Commission (UGC) issues revised guidelines on examinations and academic calendar for the universities in view of #COVID19. pic.twitter.com/XpdGBenh3g

— ANI (@ANI) July 6, 2020

** Number of Covid-19 tests crosses the 1 crore-mark.

** During the last 24 hours, 3,46,459 samples tested.

** The cumulative number of samples tested, as of now is 1,01,35,525.

** Recovery rate:60.86%.

** Over1105 labs have enabled people to undergo Covid-19 tests.

** Number of recovered cases among Covid-19 patients rise to 4,24,432 as of today.

** During the last 24 hours, a total of 15,350 Covid-19 patients have recovered.

** There are 2,53,287 active cases and all are under active medical supervision.

Ministry of Home Affairs, in a letter to Union Higher Education Secretary, today permitted universities and institutions to conduct exams.

The final Term Examinations are to be compulsorily conducted as per the UGC Guidelines on Examinations and Academic Calendar for the Universities; and as per the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) approved by the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

Delhi Covid-19 Update July 6:

Total cases: 1,00,823
Fresh Cases: 1,379
*On July 5 - 2,244

Fresh deaths: 48

Total deaths: 3,115

Total samples tested:6,57,383

Samples tested on July6:13,879

Samples tested on the other days:

July 1 - 19,956
July 2 - 20,822
July 3 - 24,165
July 4 - 23,673
July 5 - 23,136

Total discharged: 72,088

Discharged today: 749

Under treatment: 25,620 (17,141 in home isolation)

Total infected so far: 5,622
Fresh cases today: 193
Now under treatment: 2,252
Recovered so far: 3,341
Recovered today: 167
Total deaths: 27
In home and institutional quarantine: 1,83,291
In hospital observation: 2,075
Samples tested so far: 2,75,823
Results pending: 4,179

Covid-19 Positivity Rate indicates thenumber of people testing positive among those tested.

Opening hours to be rescheduled to 7 am to 6 pm (to avoid evening crowds). There will not be any consumption inside the shop premises of 0.S. liquor or ENA based country liquor shop, saysOdisha Excise Department

Hotels and other entities providing accommodation services including lodges, guest houses outside containment zones, with restricted entry will be allowed from 8th July. These establishments will operate at 33% capacity and certain conditions: Maharashtra Government pic.twitter.com/pGAMOa42Mz

— ANI (@ANI) July 6, 2020

The Covid-19 positive patient who jumped off the 4th floor of AIIMS Trauma Centre is critical and is admitted in ICU, saidDCP (Southwest) Devender Arya

The 37-year-old COVID19 patient ran out of trauma centre-1 where he was admitted. He ran to 4th floor where he broke window pane & jumped out. He was moved to ICU immediately and he later succumbed to his injuries, said AIIMS, Delhi

ANI

In the last 24 hours, 933 new Covid-19 positive cases and 24 deaths have been reported in the state. There are 8,718 active cases, 19,109 discharges so far and 809 patients have succumbed to the infection: UP Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Awanish Awasthi

About 4,24,400 have recovered from Covid-19 so far in India. There are over2.53 lakh active cases in the country.19,693 lost their lives due to the infection. Over 10 million Covid-19 tests done so far, said ICMR.

Kirana stores are emerging as the hub that helps maintain a regular supply of essentials as cities struggle to get back to their normal rhythm and many such neighbourhood stores are considering greater technology adoption, according to a report.

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Addressing an online media briefing, the Chief Minister said that there has been a spike in demand for plasma over the past 4-5 days, after the opening of a plasma bank in Delhi.

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A man photographed fleeing smoke and debris as the south tower of the World Trade Centre crumbled just a block away on Sept. 11, 2001, has died from coronavirus, his family said.

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The Covid-19 crisis in the city deepened on Sunday with as many as 1,235 more people contracting the virus. This brings the total number of cases to 9,580, out of which 8,167 (or 85.25%) are active.

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With Covid-19cases in Kerala, especially those through local spread, increasing alarmingly, the Kerala Government has made preventive measures more stringent by making wearing of masks and registration for entering Kerala mandatory under law.

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Three hundred unmanned aerial vehicles were programmed to form images above the Han river -- which runs through the South Korean capital -- for the eyecatching flash mob.

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A new human cell 'membrane on a chip' allows continuous monitoring of how drugs and infectious agents interact with our cells, an advance that may be employed to test potential drug candidates for Covid-19, scientists said on Monday.

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"Clinical and regulatory development of Desidustat in Covid-19 is being executed in Mexico by Avant Santé Research Center S.A. de C.V., a leading contract research organisation headquartered in Monterrey, Mexico," Cadila Healthcare said in a regulatory filing.

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A nationwide survey on the impact of Covid-19 on 250 Indian startups has found that nearly a fourth of them have cash reserves to meet expenses for up to six months, while almost one in three said they will lay off employees if the lockdowndrags on.

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President Donald Trump dismissed the severity of the coronavirus pandemic in the United States over the weekend, downplaying the impact of the disease and saying that while the testing of tens of millions of American had identified many cases, “99%” of them were “totally harmless.”

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BBMP East Zone has 2,004 cases, of which 1,694 were active, as on Sunday. But crowded market areas are not the problem, urban slums are. Crammed spaces act as incubators for the virus. The highest number of cases have been reported in the urban slums of DJ Halli, and in areas like KJ Halli and Robertson Road.

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The Goa government plans to expand the scope of Covid-19 testing in the state by designating special teams at the primary health centres and community health centres to collect samples of suspected coronavirus patients, health minister Vishwajit Rane has said.

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Avinash (name changed),34,is having his dinner when he gets an emergency call. He does not finish his meal, for he knows any delay could cost a person’s life. As a ‘108’ ambulance driver, he is always on his toes, but this time there is a lingering fear of contracting the deadly novel coronavirus.

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Anosmia -- the loss of one's sense of smell -- may be an invisible handicap, but is psychologically difficult to live with and has no real treatment, he says.

And it is the price that an increasing number of people are paying after surviving a brush with the coronavirus, with some facing a seemingly long-term inability to smell.

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India reports a spike of 24,248 new Covid-19 cases and 425 deaths in the last 24 hours. Positive cases stand at 6,97,413 including 2,53,287 active cases, 4,24,433 cured/discharged/migrated and 19,693 deaths: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

Local authorities issued a new advisory late on Sunday ordering an extension of lockdown curbs on monuments in and aroundAgra. The government order did not specify the duration of the lockdown for monuments that have been closed since March.

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A nationwide survey on the impact of Covid-19 on 250 Indian startups has found that nearly a fourth of them have cash reserves to meet expenses for up to six months, while almost one in three said they will lay off employees if the lockdowndrags on.

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The coronavirus is finding new victims worldwide, in bars and restaurants, offices, markets and casinos, giving rise to frightening clusters of infection that increasingly confirm what many scientists have been saying for months: The virus lingers in the air indoors, infecting those nearby.

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Scientists in 2013 sent frozen samples to the Wuhan lab from a bat-infested former copper mine in southwest China after six men who had been clearing out bat feces there contracted a severe pneumonia, the newspaper said.

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District authorities in South West Delhi have delinked three hotels serving as extended Covid care facilities from hospitals due to low occupancy, officials said on Sunday.

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More than six months into the pandemic, the coronavirus has infected more than 11 million people worldwide, killing more than 525,000. But despite the increasing toll, scientists still do not have a definitive answer to one of the most fundamental questions about the virus: How deadly is it?

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Virus samples sent to the Wuhan Institute of Virology seven years ago closely resemble Covid-19, according to a reportin the Sunday Times that highlights unanswered questions about the origins of the global pandemic.

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India on Sunday edged past Russia to become the third worst-hit country by the Covid-19 pandemic, powered by a surge in new infections in southern states of Karnataka and Telangana which have reported a jump in fresh cases over the past few days.

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As Covid-19 cases continue to rise in Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital is under heightened vigil.

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London : Drinkers in Soho congregate, as coronavirus lockdown restrictions eased across England, in London, Saturday July 4, 2020. England embarked on perhaps its biggest lockdown easing yet as pubs and restaurants reopened for the first time in more than three months. AP/PTI

At a virtual press conference, Congress spokesperson Gaurav Vallabh also questioned the government why only 1,340 ventilators could be procured till June 22 whereas it had placed order for 50,000 on March 31.

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There are 80 state-run labs that are testing samples in Karnataka. Private labs have not taken any testing load. Rules will be formed soon for private labs to test the samples sent by the government, he said.

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1,311 new Covid-19 cases and 69 deaths recorded in Mumbai today, taking total number of cases to 84,125 including 55,883 recoveries and 4,896 deaths: Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation

New Covid-19 cases in Karnataka--1,925
Total cases in Bengaluru --1,235
Total deaths today--- 37
Total deaths in Bengaluru ---16

Delhi Health Department issues an order, instructing all health care facilities to carry out compulsory rapid antigen detection testing of patients with ILI symptoms, patients admitted with SARI and others who visit their facilities. (ANI)

Maharashtra reported 6,555 new COVID-19 cases and 151 deaths today, taking total number of cases to 2,06,619 and death toll to 8,822. Number of active cases stands at 86,040: State Health Department (ANI)

Punjab reported 175 new Covid-19 cases and two deaths in the last 24 hours, taking total number of cases to 6,283 including 4,408 recoveries and 164 deaths. Highest 70 cases have been reported in Ludhiana: State Health Department

Indian Academy of Sciences, atop science bodyin the country,on Sunday strongly criticised the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for setting up a target of 42 days to roll out the first indigenous Covid-19 vaccine from the preclinical stage.

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Kerala Health Department has issuednotification, extending the enforcement of state's Covid-19 regulations till July 2021.

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Delhi reports 63 deaths and 2,244 new Covid19 positive cases today. Total number of positive cases stands at 99,444 including 71,339 recovered/discharged/migrated, 25,038 active cases and 3,067 deaths: Delhi Govt

In today's episode, The Indian Academy of Sciences has strongly criticised the Indian Council of Medical Research's Covid-19 vaccine target, the main aide of notorious gangster Vikas Dubey arrested, Kanye West to run for US presidency and Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu launches Elyments App.

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Total infected so far: 5429
Now under treatment : 2227
Recovered so far :3,174
26 died
225 fresh cases today
126 recovered today
177995 in home and institutional quarantine
2944 in hospital observation
268218 samples tested so far
5881 results pending

An emotional selfie video of Dr Sultana making a fervent appeal “for rescue from the hospital’s exploitation” has put focus on the huge mismatch between the rates fixed by the Telangana government for Covid-19 treatment in the private sector and the actual bills that the patients are forced to pay.

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Collective and focused efforts for containment and management of Covid-19 by the government of India along with the states and union territories have led to the number of recovered Covid-19 patients to rise to 4,09,082 so far, it said.

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His son Santhosh J Poojary had clarified that Poojary's condition is stable and is admitted to a private hospital for treatment.

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China's capital had two new cases, the seventh straight day of single-digit increase. Authorities have confirmed 334 infections during the city's outbreak, which was detected about three weeks ago and is the largest in the country since March.

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6,73,165 total confirmed cases
4,09,083 cases cured/recovered
97,89,066 samples tested

More than 4 lakh patients recovered

Recovery rate amongst Covid-19 is 60.77%.

In the last 24 hours 2,48,934 samples have been tested.

Close to 39 crore people covered in surveillance and awareness drives by ASHAs and auxiliary nurse midwives

They have played a critical role in spreading awareness about the symptoms and precautions against Covid-19. (PIB)

While the Delhi government has provided administrative support, the ITBP is the nodal agency operating the Centre under the name "Operation Corona Warriors".The centre is 1,700 feet long and 700 feet wide -- roughly the size of 20 football fields -- and has200 enclosures with 50 beds each.

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Here is theCPI(M)'s full statement:

Gilead Sciences’ anti-viral drug Remdesivir has shown efficacy in treating Covid-19 patients. Media reports indicate that the US, which is hoarding all drugs found to be useful in combatting the Covid pandemic, has bought the entire stock of Remdesivir from Gilead for the next three months. It will therefore not be available for the restof the world.

The price of Remdesivir in the US is $3,000 or Rs. 2.25 lakhs, for a 5-day course. Five Indian companies are in negotiations for manufacturing Remdesivir under Gilead’s license. After manufacturing in India, Remdesivir will be sold at a ‘concessional’ price of $400 or Rs. 30,000-35,000 for the same 5-day course. The cost of manufacturing Remdesivir for a full course - as worked out by experts—is less than $10 or Rs 750 in the US. And about Rs. 100 in India. Gilead, by virtue of its patent monopoly, is holding the world to ransom by asking a price that is hundreds of times its cost.

The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has accelerated theapproval for the use of Remdesivir in India for Covid-19 patients. But with the US buying up the entire stock of Gilead and the high cost due to its patent monopoly, Indian patients will either not get the drug, or if it is available, find the cost prohibitive.

Under Clause 92 of India’s Patent Act, in whose enactment the Left played a pivotal role, India has the right to issue a compulsory license to manufacture the drug in India. Indian generic drug manufacturers have the ability and the will to manufacture the generic Remdesivir version. Under Clause 92A of the Patent Act, compulsory license can even be issued for export to countries that may require the drug and not have the capability to manufacture it. Given Gilead’s
extortionate price for Remdesivir, the Government should immediately issue compulsory license to a number of Indian manufacturers.

Given that India is one of the largest generic drug manufacturers in the world, there should be no reason why this drug cannot be made available rapidly and at affordable prices to the Indian people.

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) calls upon the central government to immediatelyinvoke Clause 92 of the Patent Act and issue a compulsory licence for the manufacture of the generic version of this drug, vital to save lives and effectively combat the pandemic.

On Saturday evening, India had 6,59,496 confirmed cases of Covid-19 against Russia’s 6,73,564. While India had reported 18,655 deaths due to the infectious disease, Russia had reported far fewer fatalities at 10,027.

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Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and 14 staffers of the CMO tested negative for Covid-19 on Saturday, official sources said.

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The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Saturday that it was discontinuing its trials of the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine and combination HIV drug lopinavir/ritonavir in hospitalised patients with Covid-19 after they failed to reduce mortality.

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In this combo photo, clockwise from top left, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Minister for Textiles and Women and Child Development Smriti Irani, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar and Union Railways Minister Piyush Goyal are seen wearing a variety of masks as they attend 'Seva Hi Sangathan Abhiyan' meeting at BJP HQ, in New Delhi, Saturday, July 4, 2020. (PTI Photo)

In the last 24 hours, 7,074 positive cases and 295 deaths were recorded, the highest in a day's time since the outbreak of the pandemic in Maharashtra. The total number of cases now stand at 2,00,064 and deaths 8,671, according to the data of the Public Health department.

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With Covid-19 cases increasing in the state, the BJP leadership had earlier limited party activities such as protest demonstrations. But the state leadership has made the restrictions more stringent after MP Locket Chatterjee tested positive for Covid-19.

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With Covid-19 cases increasing in the state, the BJP leadership had earlier limited party activities such as protest demonstrations. But the state leadership has made the restrictions more stringent after MP Locket Chatterjee tested positive for Covid-19.

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On Saturday evening, India had 6,59,496 confirmed cases of Covid-19 against Russia’s 6,73,564. While India had reported 18,655 deaths due to the infectious disease, Russia had reported far fewer fatalities at 10,027.

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Maharashtra reported 7,074 Covid-19 cases and 295 deaths in the last 24 hours, taking total number of cases to 2,00,064 and death toll to 8,671. Number of active cases stands at 83,295, accordingState Health Department

1180 Covid-19 cases, 1071 recovered & 68 deaths reported in Mumbai today. Total number of cases in the city is now at 82814, including 53463 recovered/discharged, 24524 active cases & 4827 deaths, as per theBrihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

Gujarat reports highest single-day spike of 712 cases taking coronavirus case count to 35,398; death toll rises to 1,927 with 21 new fatalities: health department

The health department officials here went into a tizzy after the Bihar Legislative Council Chairman Awadhesh Narayan Singh tested coronavirus positive on Saturday. He has been admitted to the AIIMS-Patna.

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West Bengal records highest single-day spike of 743 Covid-19 cases and highest single-day increase in death toll with 19 more. Total cases: 21231. Active cases: 6329. Total deaths: 736. Discharged:14166. Samples tested: 530072.

Karnataka Government finally issues official circular/guidelines for home isolation of Covid-19 positive patients. Only those who are asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic shall be allowed to be in isolation at home.

The government has tweaked age criteria from less than 50 to less than 60 years. Now anybody who is not a senior citizen can be home quarantined if positive for Covid-19

Tamil Nadu reported 4,280 fresh Covid-19 cases and 65 deaths today, taking total cases to 1,07,001 and death toll to 1,450. Number of active cases stands at 44,956: State Health Department

Total infected so far: 5,204
Now under treatment : 2,129
Recovered so far :3,048
25 died
240 fresh cases today
209 recovered today
174844 in home and institutional quarantine
2915 in hospital observation
260011 samples tested so far
5092 results pending

2 new Covid-19 cases and 2 deaths reported in Dharavi area of Mumbai. Total number of cases in the area is now at 2311, including 519 active cases & 86 deaths: Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation

Senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday alleged that there was lack of coordination among the three constituents of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government and also between Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and his cabinet in the fight against Covid-19.

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Workers of Bihar BJP & the people deserve congratulations. Many people were saying that Covid-19 will spread faster in eastern parts of the country due to high temperatures. But you all have proved it wrong: PM Modi after reviewing relief works by Bihar BJP during lockdown

Relaxations in Chennai lockdown to come in effect from 6th July. Vegetable & grocery shops allowed to open from 6 am to 6 pm, textile & hardware shops from 10 am to 6 pm, and restaurants from 6 am to 9 pm: Edappadi K Palaniswami, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister

Archbishop Emeritus of Bangalore Bernard Moras has been diagnosed with mild symptoms of Covid-19 and his condition now is said to be stable.

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More than 45 per cent of the over 5.96 lakh Covid-19 tests in Delhi were conducted in the last 16 days after the government started testing through the rapid-antigen methodology in and around containment zones of the national capital.

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Researchers, led by an Indian scientist, have developed a cheap, electricity-free centrifuge to separate components in patient saliva samples for the detection of the novel coronavirus, an advance that may increase the accessibility of Covid-19 diagnostics in poor regions of the world.

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Lockdown extended till 12th July in Madurai and area limits of adjoining rural civic bodies of Paravai & Thiruparankundram panchayats, saidEdappadi K Palaniswami, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister

ICMR’s process is exactly in accordance with globally accepted norms to fast-track the vaccine development for diseases of pandemic potential wherein human and animal trials can continue in parallel, saidICMR on Covid19 vaccine candidate developed by Bharat Biotech International Ltd.

In the larger public health interest, it is important for ICMR to expedite clinical trials with a promising indigenous vaccine. Faced with the unprecedented nature of the Covid-19 pandemic, all other vaccine candidates across the globe have been similarly fast-tracked, ICMR said.

In the larger public health interest, it is important for ICMR to expedite clinical trials with a promising indigenous vaccine. Faced with the unprecedented nature of the #COVID19 pandemic, all other vaccine candidates across the globe have been similarly fast-tracked: ICMR https://t.co/gJiGKjZ2ku

— ANI (@ANI) July 4, 2020

Kolkata Airport authority on Saturday announced that no flights shall operate to Kolkata from Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Chennai and Ahmedabad from 6th to 19th July 2020 or till further orders, whichever is earlier.

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"India has a very vibrant tech and start up ecosystem, which has done India proud nationally as well as globally. Our youngsters have excelled in providing tech solutions across sectors. The Covid-19 Pandemic has also brought about a big disruption, which is being tackled through the use of technology to aid our day to day lives," said PM Modi in a LinkedIn post.

"To help our start-up and tech community achieve this objective, Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology along with Atal Innovation Mission are coming up with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Innovation challenge. This shall run intwotracks: Promotion of Existing Apps and Development of New Apps," he said.

"

For promotion of existing Apps and Platforms across the categories of E-learning, Work-from-Home, Gaming, Business, Entertainment, Office Utilities, and Social Networking, Governmentwill provide mentoring, hand-holding and support. Track-01 will work in mission mode for identifying good quality Apps for the leader-board and shall be completed in around a month.

For incubating new Apps and Platforms, Track-02 initiative will work to help create new champions in India by providing support in ideation, incubation, prototyping and roll out along with market access," he said.

237 police personnel found positive for Covid-19 & 4 died in Maharashtra in the last 72 hours, taking the total number of positive cases to 5,175 including active cases to 1,0140 and death toll to 64 in the force: Maharashtra Police

No flights shall operate to Kolkata from Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Chennai & Ahmedabad from 6th to 19th July 2020 or till further orders, whichever is earlier, according toKolkata Airport.

The decision was taken on the request of West Bengal Government in view of Covid-19, theKolkata Airport Director said.

Andhra Pradesh recorded 765 new Covid-19 cases and 12 deaths in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of cases to 17,699 out of which 9,473 cases are active and 8,008 have recovered. Number of deaths due to the disease rises to 218: State Health Department

The apex research body on Friday wrote to select medical institutions and hospitals to fast-track clinical trial approvals for the coronavirus vaccine candidate Covaxin being developed in collaboration with Bharat Biotech which it plans to release on August 15.

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