Coronavirus news highlights: India's tally of Covid-19 positive cases rises to 83,10,733; death toll stands at 1,23,541

In its most recent update, the Union Health Ministry placed the total number of coronavirus cases at 82,67,623 and the death toll at 1,23,097. The Ministry said that 76,03,121 people have so far recovered from the infection. According to Deccan Herald tally count, India's Covid-19 toll has crossed 83-lakh mark. Stay tuned for more updates.

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Andaman and Nicobar reports 20 new Covid-19 cases and 21 recoveries today. Total number of cases in the Union Territory now at 4,372 including 159 active cases, 60 deaths and 4,153 recoveries: Andaman and Nicobar Administration.

1,684 new Covid-19 cases, 7 deaths and 1,258 discharges reported in Haryana today.Total cases at 1,72,130 including 13,338 active cases, 1,56,975 discharges and 1,817 deaths: State Health Department.

Pakistan PM Imran Khan directs authorities to strike balance between livelihood and Covid-19 control measures

The surge in the number of cases and lack of regard for the Covid-19 guidelines by the public has led to fears among authorities that the situation could get worse, making it hard to turn the tide against the second wave.

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Maharashtra reports 4,909 new Covid-19 cases, 6,973 discharges and 120 deaths, as per the State Health Department. Covid-19 tally of the State rises to 16,92,693 including 15,31,277 recoveries and 44,248 deaths. Active cases is at 1,16,543.

Delhi records 6,725 new Covid-19 cases, daily infection tally crosses 6,000-mark for first time

Delhi recorded over 6,700 fresh Covid-19 cases for the first time on Tuesday taking the infection tally in the national capital to over 4 lakh, even as the positivity rate stood at11.29 per cent amid festive season and rising pollution in the city.

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Delhi govt mulling collecting Covid-19 samples from restaurants, markets after huge surge: Sources

The Delhi government is mulling to collect samples from people while they are at restaurants, markets, and other public places in a bid to strengthen its Covid -19 surveillance mechanism amid a massive surge in daily cases in the last few days, sources said on Tuesday.

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Mumbai reports 746 new Covid-19 cases, 939 recovered cases and 15 deaths today. Total cases in Mumbai now at 2,59,860 including 2,31,541 discharges and 17,444 active cases. The death toll is at 10,320: Municipal Corporation, Greater Mumbai.

Covid-19 situation improving in West Bengal: Chief secretary

"Though people had come out on the streets to celebrate the Durga puja, the weekly death rate, positivity rate as well as the infection rate have been falling. This has helped build our confidence, though we are aggressively working to develop the (health) infrastructure," he said.

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Face masks can be worn during morning walk or exercise: ICMR

Face masks can be worn during exercises and morning walks as they don’t lower the oxygen levels in the blood, ICMR chief Balram Bhargava said here on Tuesday, countering unsubstantiated claims on the dangerous effects of such protective clothing while exercising.

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3,981 new Covid-19 cases and 56 deaths reported in West Bengal today. The total number of positive cases in the State now stands at 3,85,589 including 36,443 active cases, 3,42,133 discharges and 7,013 deaths: West Bengal Government.

Restaurants sector in Delhi gets a boost after Covid-19 slump

The move comes as a major relief to therestaurantindustry in Delhi, especially after a major economic downfall due to the Covid-19 lockdown. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had earlier directed officials to take steps to remove hassles faced by therestaurantindustry in the capital.

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Kerala, Delhi, Bengal, Manipur showing increase in Covid-19 cases from October 3 to November 3: Health Ministry

"More than 11 crore Covid-19 tests have been conducted so far. The cumulative, weekly and daily positivity rate is constantly declining and stands at 7.4 per cent, 4.4 per cent and 3.7 per cent respectively," the health secretary said.

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6,725 new Covid-19 cases, 3,610 recoveries, and 48 deaths recorded in Delhi today.Total cases now at 4,03,096 including 3,60,069 recoveries, 36,375 active case and 6,652 deaths: Delhi Govt.

Punjab reports 415 new Covid-19 cases and 18 deaths today. Total number of cases now at 1,34,786 including 1,26,315 discharges, 4,226 active cases and 4,245 deaths: State Government.

Scientists develop 'ultrapotent' Covid-19 vaccine candidate

According to the researchers, including those from the University of Washington (UW) School of Medicine in the US, the nanoparticle vaccine produces virus-neutralising antibodies in mice at levels much greater than is seen in people who have recovered from the disease.

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Gujarat reports 954 new Covid-19 cases, 6 deaths and 1,197 recoveries today. Total tally at 1,75,633 including 1,59,448 recoveries and 3,734 deaths. Total active cases are at 12,451, as per State Health Department.

Karnataka reported 2,756 new Covid-19 cases, 7,140 discharges, and 26 deaths in the last 24 hours. Total number of cases now at 8,32,396 including 40,395 active cases, 7,80,735 discharges and 11,247 deaths: State Health Department.

Dubai ruler joins coronavirus vaccine trial

"While receiving the Covid-19 vaccine today," Sheikh Mohammed captioned a photograph of himself he posted on Twitter with his sleeve rolled up, as a healthcare worker in full protective equipment administered the injection.

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6,862 new Covid-19 cases and 8,802 recoveries and 26 deaths have been reported in Kerala today.Number of active cases now at 84, 713, death toll is at 1,559 and 3,64,745 patients have recovered so far.

Rajasthan detects 1,725 new Covid-19 cases and 10 deaths today. Total positive cases in the state stand at 2,02,220 with 1,936 deaths, 1,83,899 recoveries/discharges and 16,385 active cases: State Health Department.

Andhra Pradesh reports 2,849 new Covid-19 cases taking total positive cases in the State to 8,30,731. There are 21,672 active cases and 8,02,325 recovered cases in the State; the death toll is at 6,734, as per State Health Department.

It has been decided unanimously that classes for Standard X and XII will resume from November 21 following all Covid-19 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister of Goa.

Indian archery team's support staff member tests positive for Covid-19, training resumes

A support staff member of the Indian archery team training at the Army Sports Institute (ASI) here has tested positive for Covid-19 but the camp resumed after a two-day break, the Sports Authority of India said on Wednesday.

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India plans to operate more Vande Bharat Mission flights: China

Asked whether China will delay the approvals after reports that 19 Indian passengers tested positive for Covid-19 in the VBM flight from Delhi to Wuhan on October 30, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told a media briefing here that according to a report by Hubei Health Commission four confirmed cases of coronavirus and 19 asymptomatic cases were reported following tests of the passengers in that flight.

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Bahrain announces emergency approval for use of Covid-19 vaccine candidate

Bahrain has granted emergency approval for the use of a Covid-19 vaccine candidate on frontline workers from Tuesday, state news agency BNA said, reporting an announcement by the health minister.

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Festival season is still not over so it is important to continue following Covid-19 guidelines so that there is no surge in cases: Rajesh Bhushan.

Weekly positivity rate is at 4.4% while daily positivity rate is at 3.7%: Rajesh Bhushan.

It is important to follow the strategy of Test - Track - Trace - Treat. Let us keep our focus on this strategy even if our numbers are coming down: Rajesh Bhushan.

We've observed a declining trend for weekly new cases over last 7 weeks: Rajesh Bhushan

We've observed a declining trend for weekly new cases over last 7 weeks. There's major fall in weekly new cases. Health care systems are not unnecessarily burdened with Covid-9 cases. There's less pressure on network of hospitals: Rajesh Bhushan.

Recovery rate is near 92% and cumulative positive rate is 7.4%. Cases per million population are at 5991: Rajesh Bhushan

Covid-19 deaths are at 89 deaths/million population which is lower if compared globally. Active cases are around 5,41,000 now: Rajesh Bhushan.

There are few states where active cases are on a rise in Nov as compared to Oct. Manipur has now 3500 cases from previous 2000. Cases in Delhi have increased to 33000 from 26000. In Kerala, cases have increased to 86000 from 77000: Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary, Union Health Ministry

Liverpool to pilot first UK city-wide coronavirus test scheme

The programme will offer hundreds of thousands of new, rapid turnaround tests to all residents and workers, even if they are not displaying symptoms.

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Kolkata hospital waiting for DGCI nod to begin Phase-II trial of Sputnik V

If all goes well, Phase-II clinical trials of Russian vaccine Sputnik V will commence at state government-run College of Medicine and Sagore Dutta Hospital by the end of this month, a senior official of the health department said on Tuesday.

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India's active Covid-19 cases fall below 5.5 lakh; recoveries exceed active cases by 70 lakh

Achieving a significant milestone in the fight against coronavirus, India's active Covid-19 cases have fallen below 5.5 lakh and now comprise merely 6.55 per cent of the total infections as the number of recoveries crossed 76 lakh, the Union Health Ministry said on Tuesday.

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Zydus Cadila files investigational new drug application for Covid-19 treatment

Zydus Cadila said ZYIL1 will bridge a critical unmet healthcare need in several inflammatory diseases including the current pandemic of Covid-19 and address complications caused by chronic and uncontrolled inflammation.

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Hot or cold weather may have no significant effect on Covid-19 spread: Study

The study, published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, suggests that the transmission of Covid-19 from one person to the next depends almost entirely on human behaviour, irrespective of hot or cold weather.

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'Seven different forms of mild Covid-19 identified'

Scientists have shown that there are seven "forms of disease" in mild Covid-19, and that the novel coronavirus infection leaves behind significant changes in the immune system even after 10 weeks, findings which may aid in the treatment of patients, and in the development of a potent vaccine.

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UP additional chief secretary tests positive for Covid-19

Uttar Pradesh Additional Chief Secretary, Health, Amit Mohan has tested positive for Covid-19 and admitted to the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGI), a senior official said on Tuesday.

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SC defers hearing on pleas related to loan moratorium scheme to November 5

The Reserve Bank of India and the Finance Ministry have already filed separate additional affidavits in the apex court saying that the banks, financial and non-banking financial institutions will credit into the accounts of eligible borrowers by November 5 the difference between compound and simple interest collected on loans of up to Rs 2 crore during the moratorium scheme period.

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Puducherry reports 149 new Covid-19 infections taking total cases to 35,325 out of which 2,445 are active patients. Total of 596 deaths reported.

Delhi airport starts Covid-19 testing for passengers before departure

Domestic and international passengers taking their flights from the Delhi airport can now get themselves tested for Covid-19 right before their departure, its operator DIAL said on Tuesday.

The Covid-19 testing facility at the Delhi airport started on September 12 and it was available for international arrivals only till date.

The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), in association with Genestrings Diagnostic Centre Pvt Ltd, on October 28 had set up a Covid-19 sample collection booth in front of gate no. 8 of Terminal 3 for passengers who were taking international or domestic flights, according to a statement.

French church attacker tests positive for Covid-19

The Tunisian assailant who killed three people at a church in France has tested positive for Covid-19, which could further delay his questioning, a source close to the inquiry said Tuesday.

Brahim Issaoui, 21, remains hospitalised after being shot several times by police after the knife rampage at Nice's Notre-Dame basilica on Thursday.

Odisha reports 1,201 new Covid-19 cases, tally at 2,94,415

Odisha's Covid-19 caseload mounted to 2,94,415 on Tuesday as 1,201 more people tested positive for the infection, while 12 fresh fatalities pushed the coastal state's coronavirus death toll to 1,352, a health official said.

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No poster shall be posted outside the residence of any Covid-19 patient under home-isolation and all the posters which are already posted are to be immediately removed, Delhi govt tells Delhi High Court

74% of the new confirmed cases are from 10 States and UTs. Kerala, Delhi and Maharashtra have contributed the maximum to the new cases with more than 4,000 cases. West Bengal follows with more than 3,000 new cases.

The active cases have declined below 5.5 lakh. The total positive cases of the country are 5,41,405 and now comprise merely 6.55% of the total cases. The Recovery Rate has escalated to 91.96%.

China reports 49 new coronavirus cases vs 24 a day earlier

China reported 49 new COVID-19 cases for Nov. 2, up from 24 a day earlier, the national health authority reported on Tuesday.

The National Health Commission said in a statement 44 of the new cases were imported infections originating from overseas and the other five were locally transmitted cases in the northwestern Xinjiang region.

Among the 44 imported cases, four were on a flight to the central city of Wuhan from New Delhi, India. The South Asian nation has the second-most number of coronavirus cases in the world, after the United States.

They were the city's first imported cases since Aug. 1.

India records 82.67 lakh Covid-19 cases, recoveries surge to 76,03,121

The number of new coronavirus cases reported in India in a span of 24 hours dropped below 40,000, taking the country's Covid-19 tally to82.67 lakh, while the total recoveries crossed the 76 lakh-mark, according to the Union Health Ministry's data updated on Tuesday.

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Stubble burning is set to make Covid-19 fight deadlier

As winter sets in, the air hanging over north India thickens with smoke from burning fields, blocking out the sun and making it hard to breathe. This year, that could spell disaster for the country’s battle against the pandemic.

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In hunt for coronavirus source, WHO let China take charge

On a cold weekend in mid-February, when the world still harboured false hope that the new coronavirus could be contained, a World Health Organization team arrived in Beijing to study the outbreak and investigate a critical question: How did the virus jump from animals to humans?

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Total 11,17,89,350 samples tested for Covid-19 up to 2nd November. Of these, 10,46,247 samples were tested yesterday.

India reports 38,310 new coronavirus cases with 58,323 recoveries and 490 deaths in the past 24 hours

Australia records one local Covid-19 case, NZ quarantine worker tests positive

Australia on Tuesday reported one locally acquired case of Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, while New Zealand registered its first community transmission in more than two weeks after a worker at a quarantine facility tested positive.

Australia's most populous state, New South Wales, reported the one domestic case of Covid-19, though it and Queensland state said there were six infections among people returning from overseas and in quarantine.

The result means Victoria state, the epicentre of Australia's COVD-19 outbreak, has now gone four days without detecting any new infections.

Sri Lankan villagers defy coronavirus curfew to rescue stranded whales

Sri Lankan villagers have defied a novel coronavirus curfew to try to save about 100 whales stranded on their beach on the island's southwest coast.

Men waded into the breaking surf to push the small whales back out to sea on Monday while curious villagers gathered on the beach at Panadura, south of the capital, Colombo, to watch, ignoring a 24-hour coronavirus curfew.

Now, gangrene risk for some Covid-19 patients

Doctors are increasingly seeing Covid-19 survivors with digital ischemia (or blue-toe syndrome) which is a painful and often disfiguring condition. In the case of a 58-year-old woman, however, the “blue” toes actually signified a more serious and rare condition that nearly took her life.

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Post elections, BBMP to scale up Covid-19 testing in RR Nagar

With a week-long intense political action involving huge crowds in Rajarajeshwari Nagar in the runup to the bypolls, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagar Palike has decided to step up Covid testing in the zone, fearing a hikein cases post-elections.

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Delhi's inter-state bus services to resume from November 3, ISBTs to operate at 50% of their pre-Covid capacity

The Delhi government on Monday announced resumption of inter-state bus services from November 3 by allowing the three ISBTs here to operate at 50 per cent of their pre-Covid capacity.

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India’s poor hygiene standard turned beneficial to fight Covid-19: Study

With India having one of the world’s lowest Covid-19 case and death rates, two scientific studies have come out with an interesting proposition – India’s poor health and hygiene standards may be having a beneficial impact for lakhs of people as their immune system got naturally “trained” to fight the virus.

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Covid-19 antibodies present in 14.8% people in Haryana, reveals second sero survey

A seroprevalence survey conducted last month in Haryana has found that 14.8 per cent people have antibodies against the Covid-19 infection, state Health Minister Anil Vij said on Monday.

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