Coronavirus news highlights: Covid-19 infections in Telangana cross 1L-mark; Odisha records highest spike of cases in 24 hrs

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. Testing over eight lakh samples for six days in a row, India's total Covid-19 tests have touched 3.52 crore, while the average daily positivity rate has come down from 9.67 per cent during August 3-9 to 7.67 pc over the last week, the Centre said on Sunday.

. A consistently increasing number of recoveries has pushed India's Recovery Rate amongst the Covid-19 patients to nearly 75%. With the recoveries of 57,989 Covid-19 patients in the last 24 hours, the total number of recoveries has reached 22,80,566 today.

. Using a novel technique that enables high-resolution imaging of damaged lung tissues, scientists have found the changes caused by severe Covid-19 in the structure of the organ's blood vessels and air sacs, findings that may support the development of new treatment methods against the disease.

. Humans are not the only species facing a potential threat from the novel coronavirus that causes Covid-19, according to a new study which says several critically endangered primates such as the Western lowland gorilla, Sumatran orangutan, and Northern white-cheeked gibbon may be susceptible to infection with the virus.

. India’s top medical research body, the Indian Council of Medical Research is scheduled to roll out a comprehensive portal on the various developments on the coronavirus vaccine. The website will be launched and made available for public access next week.

. Of the coronavirus’s many side effects, perhaps the least appreciated are psychological. Those who’ve had a bad case and survived, like people who’ve been in war or accidents, may suffer post-traumatic stress for years.

. Odisha reports a highest single-day spike of 2,993 Covid-19 cases, taking the tally to 78,530; toll rises to 409 with 10 more deaths: Official

. 412 new Covid-19cases, 350 discharged cases & 8 deaths reported in Puducherry today. Total number of cases in the state stands at 10,522, including 3,706 active cases, 6,657 recovered cases & 159 deaths till date: State Health Department, Government of Puducherry

. 2,384 new Covid-19cases, 1,851 recoveries & 11 deaths reported in Telangana yesterday, taking the total number of cases to 1,04,249 in the State. The total number of cases includes 22,908 active cases, 80,586 recoveries & 755 deaths so far: State Health Department

. We now have 12,50,000 dedicated beds & more than 2,000 Covid-19treatment facilities. We have achieved a testing capacity of 10,00,000 a day. The recovery rate has reached 74%: BJP President JP Nadda addresses Bihar BJP State Karyasamiti via video conferencing

. The shooting of films and tv serials can be resumed now while following the norms of social distancing and wearing of masks except for the people who are being recorded on camera: Prakash Javadekar, Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting

. Rajasthan reports 697 new Covid-19cases and 6 deaths today, taking the total cases to 69,961 including 950 deaths, 54,252 recoveries and 14,759 active cases: State Health Department

. I am happy to announce that we are releasing standard operating procedure for film and TV programme shooting: Prakash Javadekar, Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting

. India's Covid-19case tally crosses 30 lakh mark with 69,239 fresh cases and 912 deaths in the last 24 hours. The Covid-19 case tally in the country rises to 30,44,941 including 7,07,668 active cases, 22,80,567 cured/discharged/migrated & 56,706 deaths: Ministry of Health

. Andaman and Nicobar Islands records 61 more Covid-19 cases, bringing Union Territory's tally to 2,808; active case count now 923: Official

. Jharkhand's Covid-19 tally mounts to 29,103 as 907 more people test positive, 13 fatalities push death toll from the disease to 310; the number of active cases stands at 9,607: Health bulletin

. Haryana registers another big spike of 1,161 Covid-19cases, pushing tally to 53,290, death toll now 597 with 12 more fatalities; active case count 8,680: State health department bulletin

. The global death toll from the new coronavirus has surpassed 800,000, according to an AFP count on Saturday, with numerous countries ramping up restrictions in an effort to battle an eruption of new cases.

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. The Covid-19 and grim flood situation in certain parts of Karnataka have cast their shadow on the Ganesha festival this year with lacklustre celebrations across the state.

. India has the "best" Covid-19 recovery rate of about 75 per cent, which is improving every day, and the "lowest" mortality rate of 1.87 per cent in the world, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Saturday.

After inaugurating a 10-bed makeshift hospital of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in Ghaziabad near Delhi, he said India began formulating its strategy against coronavirus from January 8 as soon as the world came to know about the outbreak of the disease.

Vardhan said "many intelligent people, scientists and naysayers" had estimated that India, with a population of about 135 crore, will see 300 million Covid-19 cases and about 5-6 million people will die by July-August, and the country's healthcare system was "incapable" to combat the disease.

"However, I am happy to say that in the eighth month of the battle, India has the best recovery rate of 75 per cent and against an estimate of 300 million affected we have not even reached 3 million cases."

(PTI)

. Tamil Nadu on Saturday recorded 5,980 new Covid-19 cases, taking the tally to 3,73,410 cases, while 80 fatalities pushed the death toll to 6,420, the health department said.

After reporting more than 100 fatalities daily since August 3, the fresh death cases in the state was in double digits today.

Active cases stood at 53,710 with 5,603 discharges from various health care facilities and in total 3,13,280 have recovered, a health department bulletin said.

. West Bengal records 3,232 new COVID-19 cases today, taking the total number of cases to 1,35,596 including 27,900 active cases and 2,737 deaths. The state now has 1,04,959 recoveries: State Health Department

. A low-cost saliva test that will enable people to collect their own samples with minimal discomfort, without invasive nasal or throat swabs, could well be the way forward to detect the novel coronavirus, say scientists.

Giving a thumbs up to the alternative testing technology that is yet to be introduced in India, scientists said it would deliver results faster and more accurately and also minimise the risk for healthcare workers collecting samples.

The saliva-based COVID-19 diagnosis offers an improvement over standard nasopharyngeal swab methods because people can collect their own samples with ease -- simply spit into a sterile tube and mail it to a lab for processing.

"It is also unique because it does not require a separate nucleic acid (RNA) extraction step. This is significant because the extraction kits used for this step in other tests have been prone to shortages in the past,” A R Anand, senior associate professor.

(PTI)

. With the support of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), researchers are developing an aptamer-based affordable diagnostic kit that will differentiate various types of coronavirus infection, a statement said on Friday.

The Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi, with the support of the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a body under the DST, has initiated a research with the detection of a target protein using bioinformatics tool against which the diagnostic kit has to be developed.

This study has taken a special domain of spike protein in consideration for the development of the diagnostic kit.

"The researchers are developing an aptamer-based diagnostic kit for detection of SARS-Co-V2 infection. Their study will first ensure the detection of coronavirus infection, while subsequently the kit will also differentiate the various types of coronavirus infection (SARS Co-V1, MERS), including COVID-19 infection," the statement said.

(PTI)

. 14,492 new Covid-19 cases and 297 deaths reported in Maharashtra today. The total number of positive cases now stands at 6,61,942 including 4,80,114 recoveries and 1,69,516 active cases

9,241 patients discharged today; 4,80,114 Covid-19 patients discharged after full recovery until today. Recovery rate in the state is 71.45%

14,492 new cases in the state today.

297 Covid-19 deaths reported in the state today. Case fatality rate in the state: 3.27%.

Out of 35,66,288 laboratory samples, 6,61,942 have been tested positive (18.84%) for Covid-19 until today.

Currently 12,11,608 people are in home quarantine and 35,371 people are in institutional quarantine.

. "The fight against COVID19 has been a long and hard one. But saving the lives of our citizens has always been Congress' TOP PRIORITY," tweets Congress.

"These numbers are reflections of Congress' dedication towards its citizens," the party said on Twitter.

. Total infected so far: 56,354 Now under treatment: 19,538 Recovered so far: 36,539 218 died 2172 fresh cases today 1292 recovered today 1.63 lakh in home and institutional quarantine 16,511 in hospital observations 13.86 lakh samples tested so far

. Delhi reports 1,412 new Covid-19 cases, 1,230 discharges/recoveries/migrated and 14 deaths today.

Total number of cases now at 1,60,016 including 1,44,138 recovered cases, 11,594 active cases & 4,284 deaths.

. The number of deaths from the new coronavirus has surpassed 800,000 around the world, according to an AFP tally based on official sources at around 1100 GMT on Saturday.

In total, 800,004 fatalities have been recorded globally, out of 23,003,079 declared infections.

Latin America and the Caribbean is the region the most affected with 254,897 deaths. More than half of global fatalities have been reported in four countries: the United States with 175,416, Brazil with 113,358, Mexico 59,610 and India 55,794.

. Bollywood stars Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Karan Johar, Madhuri Dixit-Nene and others on Saturday sent their best wishes to fellow countrymen on the beginning of the ten-day Ganesh Chaturthi festival, urging them to maintain social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Many celebrities flocked to social media to mark the festival, which is being celebrated across the country amid curtailed festivities due to the pandemic.

Taking to Twitter, Bachchan posted several photos of him and his son, actor Abhishek Bachchan, taking part in the festivities in the last few years.

. The C&AG Report No 20 of 2019...Defence Offset Performance was scheduled to be tabled in the Parliament during the budget session (2020). The session ended, before date, due to #COVID. Now the report will be placed in the next session, tweets FM Nirmala Sitharaman.

. Total number of Covid-19 cases till date rises to 4,789 in the state including 1,434 active cases, 3,280 cured cases & 26 deaths reported so far: State Health Department, Himachal Pradesh

. "While the world continues to grapple with economic bloodbath with major economies projected to register negative growth in the aftermath of #COVID pandemic, India will be a shining spot with positive growth in 2020. It will also retain its status of the fastest growing economy," tweeted the BJP.

. Hospitals should drop using the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine altogether to treat Covid-19 patients, even if it’s in a clinical trial, according to new medical guidelines.

The Infectious Diseases Society of America revised its Covid-19 treatment<a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.idsociety.org%2Fpractice-guideline%2Fcovid-19-guideline-treatment-and-management%2F&data=02%7C01%7Cjbaumann%40bloombergindustry.com%7C02ef6be79dfe45aa96db08d8461807b6%7C97be21fdc6014b169920f5accc69da65%7C0%7C0%7C637336416302433041&sdata=jxSQySpVqIwB59h9cPHJFObwGEFmGDppbm0xYPZ9yjs%3D&reserved=0" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">guidelines Friday, toughening its stance against the use of the anti-malarial drug that’s been widely touted by President Donald Trump as a way to deal with the pandemic.

. Puducherry posted 520 fresh coronavirus cases and eight related deaths on Saturday, raising the overall tally to 10,112 in the union territory.

Director of Health and Family Welfare S Mohan Kumar said in a release that eight more people including a 52-year-old woman succumbed to the infection during the last 24 hours ending 10 am pushing the toll to 151. Most of those who died had co-morbidities and were in the age group ranging between 38 and 84 years old.

(PTI)

. Former Jharkhand chief minister and JMM president Shibu Soren and his wife Roopi, along with seven others in their household, have tested positive for COVID-19, official sources said.

All of them are undergoing home quarantine, they said.

Samples of 29 people in Soren's household were collected for examination, of which seven were found to have contracted the disease.

. The Centre has asked all states to ensure that there should be no restrictions on inter-state and intra-state movement of persons and goods during the ongoing unlocking process.

In a communication to chief secretaries of all states and Union Territories, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla said there were reports that local level restrictions on movement were being imposed by various districts and states.

. Hospitals should drop using the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine altogether to treat Covid-19 patients, even if it’s in a clinical trial, according to new medical guidelines.

The Infectious Diseases Society of America revised its Covid-19 treatment guidelines Friday, toughening its stance against the use of the anti-malarial drug that’s been widely touted by President Donald Trump as a way to deal with the pandemic.

. ndia reported a record daily jump ofcoronavirusinfections on Saturday, bringing the total near 3 million and piling pressure on authorities to curb huge gatherings as a major religious festival began.

The 69,878 new infections - the fourth straight day above 60,000 - take India's total cases to 2.98 million, behind only the United States and Brazil. Covid-19 deaths increased by 945 to 55,794, data from the federal health ministry showed.

(Reuters)

. Scientists have developed a vaccine against Covid-19 that can be given in one dose via the nose, and is effective in preventing infection in mice susceptible to the novel coronavirus, an advance that may lead to protective candidates that can curb the pandemic.

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. Puducherry posted 520 fresh coronavirus cases and eight related deaths on Saturday, raising the overall tally to 10,112 in the union territory.

. The coronavirus pandemic cast its shadow on theGaneshfestivalinGoa, as the 10-day long celebrations started on Saturday in a muted manner.

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. In an ongoing survey , British agency Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) which specialises in the analysis of higher education institutions, 61 per cent students stated that their plans to study abroad were affected due to the coronavirus.

. As far as Covid-19 numbers are concerned, our fatality rate (1.87%) is really low and we have the best recovery rate (75%) in the world. We have around 1500 testing labs now. It is a great achievement in itself: Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan

. The total tally of Covid-19positive cases rises to 4,780 in Himachal Pradesh, including 1,438 active cases, 3,268 recovered cases & 25 deaths till date: State Health Department, Himachal Pradesh

. 288 more police personnel found Covid-19 positive & 2 died in the last 24 hours in Maharashtra. Total number of Corona positive police personnel in Maharashtra reaches 13,468 including 2,478 active cases, 10,852 recoveries & 138 deaths till date: Maharashtra Police

. 2,819 new Covid-19 cases, 1,927 recoveries & 9 deaths reported in Odisha in the last 24 hours. Total number of cases in the state stands at 75,537, including 50,503 recoveries, 24,582 active cases & 399 deaths: State Health Department, Odisha

. Amid the coronavirus pandemic and restrictions on public movement, the 10-day Ganesh festival started in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra on Saturday, although the usual pomp and glory was missing this year.

. Sixty more people, including 14 security personnel, have tested positive for Covid-19 in Arunachal Pradesh, raising the state's tally to 3,126, a health department official said on Saturday.

. South Korea has announced it will ramp up coronavirus restrictions across the country starting Sunday to try and control a growing outbreak.

. Vinayaka Chaturthi festival in Puducherry was a low-key affair on Saturday as the current Covid-19 situation coupled with various curbs deprived the celebration with the usual festivity and fervour.

. Spike of 69,878 cases and 945 deaths reported in India, in the last 24 hours. The Covid-19 tally in the country rises to 29,75,702 including 6,97,330 active cases, 22,22,578 cured/discharged/migrated & 55,794 deaths: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

. Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden says he would do whatever was needed to keep the country safe amid the coronavirus pandemic even if that meant shutting down the country.

. Getting an antibody test to see if you had Covid-19 months ago is pointless, according to guidelines issued this week by a major medical society.

. On the first day of school in Camden County, Georgia, local Facebook groups were already buzzing with rumours that a teacher had tested positive for the coronavirus. The next day, a warning went out to school administrators: Keep teachers quiet.

. The World Health Organization on Friday recommended that children over 12 should wear masks in the same contexts as adults in the bid to rein in the Covid-19 pandemic.

. Total number of samples tested up to 21st August is 3,44,91,073 including 10,23,836 samples tested yesterday: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

. All voters will have to come with masks on faces, but whoever will forget to do so should not worry as they will get ones while waiting in the queues before entering polling booths – maintaining six feet distance from each other. They will also get gloves to put on before pressing the buttons on the Electronic Voting Machines.

Read more here

. 1,203 new Covid-19 cases, 620 cured cases & 7 deaths reported today in Haryana. Total number of cases stands at 52,129 in the state till date, out of which 8,131 are active cases, 43,413 are recovered cases & 585 people have died so far: State Health Department, Haryana.

. 3,245 new Covid-19 cases, 3,082 recovered cases and 55 deaths reported in West Bengal today. Total number of cases stands at 1,32,364 in the state, including 27,804 active cases, 1,01,871 discharged cases and 2,689 deaths so far: Department of Health, Govt of West Bengal.

. 14,161 new Covid-19 cases, 11,749 recoveries & 339 deaths reported in Maharashtra today. Total number of COVID cases rises to 6,57,450 in the state, which includes 4,70,873 recovered cases, 1,64,562 active cases & 21,698 deaths till date: State Health Department, Maharashtra.

. Voters will be provided with gloves to press the EVM button and Covid-19 patients in quarantine will be allowed to vote at the last hour of the polling day, according to broad guidelines issued by the EC on Friday for holding elections during the coronavirus pandemic.

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. 5,995 new Covid-19 cases, 5,764 recoveries & 101 deaths reported today in Tamil Nadu taking the total number of cases to 3,67,430 in the state including 53,413 active cases, 3,07,677 discharged cases and 6,340 deaths till date: National Health Mission, Tamil Nadu.

. People of Mumbai and the coastal Konkan coast and elsewhere in Maharashtra on Friday welcomed Lord Ganesha to their homes amid the shadow of Covid-19 pandemic and heavy rains.

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. "With deep sorrow I inform you all that my mother Honnuramma passed away on Thursday night due to age related issues. At the ripe age of 95, my mother had completely recovered from coronavirus and just returned home from the Bowring Hospital in Bengaluru," Sriramulu tweeted.

Read more here

. 9,544 new Covid-19 cases, 8,827 recoveries and 91 deaths reported in Andhra Pradesh in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of cases to 3,34,940 including 87,803 active cases, 2,44,045 recoveries and 3,092 deaths: State Health Department, Andhra Pradesh.

. A retired Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel has approached the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC) against the Nagpur civic body for revealing his identity to an outfit affiliated to the RSS after he tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

Read more here

. Nirmal, who hails from Melli in Sikkim, organised a three-day-long sanitisation drive in his home town, terming it as his "duty".

Read more here

. Millions of migrant workers made arduous journeys to their villages after India imposed the world’s largest lockdown in March. Back in the rural hinterland, many say caste discrimination is reversing even the small economic and social gains they eked out in the cities.

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. The Supreme Court Friday allowed devotees to offer Paryushan prayers in three Jain temples in Mumbai amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

. Researchers at Birla Institute of Technology, Ranchi are developing an aptamer-based diagnostic kit for detection of Covid-19.It can detect a number of infections in precise & efficient manner, besides making detection of Covid-19 less costly: Ministry of Science & Technology

. Himachal Pradesh records 34 new Covid-19positive cases, 36 recovered cases & 2 deaths in the last 24 hours, pushing the state's COVID tally to 4,572 cases including 1,383 active cases, 3,121 recoveries and 21 deaths: State Health Department, Himachal Pradesh

. India has touched another peak of posting highest recoveries of Covid-19cases in a single day with 62,282 people being discharged in the past 24 hours. Total recoveries cross 21.5 lakh-mark, recovery rate soars past 74 per cent: Government of India

. Puducherry reports 313 new Covid-19cases and 6 deaths in the last 24 hours, taking the total positive cases to 9,594 including 3,517 active cases, 5,934 recoveries ad 143 deaths: Union Territory Health Department

. ICMR undertaking study in Mumbai to evaluate whether BCG (Bacille Calmette- Guerin) vaccine, primarily used against tuberculosis, effective in preventing Covid-19 in elderly people: Civic body.

. 2,698 new cases in Odisha take the total number of Covid-19cases in the state to 72,718, out of which 48,576 people have recovered while there are currently 23,699 active cases. Death toll at 390: State Health Department, Odisha

. Maharashtra Police records 303 new Covid-19 cases and 5 deaths over the last 24 hours. Total cases in the force stand at 13,180, including 2,389 active cases and 136 deaths.

. Rajasthan reports 695 Covid-19cases and 5 deaths today; 237 patients recovered and 189 discharged. The total positive cases in the state stand at 67,314 including 926 deaths, 51,427 recovered and 50,749 discharged: State Health Department

. Just a few months after arriving in Sydney for a planned two-year stay, university students Maggie Zhang and boyfriend Sunny Gu sat down to make a "pros and cons" list about life in Australia.

. Australia's virus hot spot state of Victoria recorded its lowest number of new infections in five weeks on Friday, as Prime Minister Scott Morrison prepared to build a framework for state borders to reopen.

. Still reeling from a deadly port blast that ravaged their Beirut homes and businesses, Lebanese wearily braced themselves for a new coronavirus lockdown due to start on Friday.

. West Bengal: Police patrols in areas around Kharagpur as bi-weekly lockdown is being observed to contain Covid-19. The state will observe complete lockdown for 2 days every week until the end of August. There are 1,29,119 Covid-19 cases, as per the latest state health dept bulletin.

. Aslam Khan, younger brother of veteran actor Dilip Kumar passed away early morning today. He had diabetes, hypertension and ischaemic heart disease and had tested positive for Covid-19: Lilavati Hospital, Mumbai

. Total number of samples tested up to 20th August is 3,34,67,237 including 8,05,985 samples tested yesterday: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)

. Testing in India has steeply increased to more than 9 lakh tests per day. This is bolstered with all States/UTs testing more than 140 tests/day/million population as advised by the WHO (World Health Organisation): Ministry of Health & Family Welfare

. 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 affected over 29lakh people since the first positive case was confirmed on January30 in Kerala.

. Amid strict guidelines to contain the epidemic, Bengaluru’s oldest and biggest cultural festival — Bengaluru Ganesh Utsava — will be held virtually this time.

. The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday said with its inputs and support, the national expert group on vaccine administration for Covid-19 will help Indian firms interested in any candidate vaccines, and facilitate the process of ensuring that relevant testing data is made available to India's regulatory agencies.

. Anti-bodies against Covid-19 infection have been found in 29.1 per cent people in the latest sero-prevalence survey in the national capital, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said on Thursday.

Interacting with reporters, he said, 15,000 representative samples were taken in the August 1-7 survey from 11 districts, and the next exercise will begin from September 1.

"In the previous survey, it was found that over 22 per cent people had developed anti-bodies. Now, the August survey shows it is 29.1 per cent, meaning they had got infected and recovered," Jain said.

(PTI)

. Legendary playback singer S P Balasubrahmanyam, who tested positive for Covid-19 on August 5, continues to be critical, even as doctors attending him are “actively collaborating” with national and international experts on the treatment protocol.

The playback singer is on a ventilator and Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) support in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), while his condition continues to be critical.

74-year-old Balasubrahmanyam, who has sung over 40,000 songs in 16 languages, was moved to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a private hospital here and put on life support on August 13.

. Gargled water samples may be viable alternative to swabs for detection of Covid-19, enabling easy self-collection and removing the need for trained healthcare workers for sample collection, according to a study published in the ICMR's Indian Journal of Medical Research.

Adoption of gargle lavage for sample collection will have a significant impact as it also leads to substantial cost savings by reducing the need for swabs and personal protective equipment, the study highlighted.

. Kerala, which received much attention for effectively containing the spread of Covid-19 during the initial stages of the pandemic, is now facing embarrassment due to a spurt in cases across the state.

While the government often blames people for not adhering to social distancing norms, experts maintain that flaws in testing strategy, ineffective enforcement of social distancing norms and insufficient social support systems are the major factors triggering spurt in cases.

. Russia plans to start international clinical trials of its Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine that it has already approved for use as it ramps up the number of domestic volunteers to more than 40,000 people as early as next week.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the Philippines will participate in trials, and Brazil and India are also in talks to provide volunteers, said Kirill Dmitriev, head of the sovereign Russian Direct Investment Fund that is backing the vaccine, without specifying the timing. The testing will adhere to international standards at home and abroad, he said.

. Uttar Pradesh registers record 95 Covid-19 deaths, toll rises to 2,733; 4,991 fresh cases push state's infection count to 1,72,334, according to state official data.

411 new Covid-19 cases reported in Uttarakhand today, 301 patients treated/cured. Total cases in the state rise to 13,636 including 187 deaths and 9433 recovered patients. Active cases stand at 3966, according to Uttarakhand State Control Room Covid-19.

Highest single-day spike of 1,175 cases take Gujarat Covid-19 tally to 83,262; toll up to 2,855 as 16 die, the Health department said.

Total number of Covid-19 positive cases stands at 70,020 in Odisha till date, out of which 48,576 persons have already recovered while there are currently 21,010 active cases & 380 people have died so far, as per the State Health Department, Odisha.

1,142 new Covid-19 cases, 1065 recovered cases and 12 deaths reported in Madhya Pradesh today. The total number of cases now at 49,493 including 10,782 active cases, 37,540 recoveries and 1,171 deaths, accordint to the State Health Department, Govt. of Madhya Pradesh.

29 new Covid19 cases, 39 recoveries reported in Ladakh . Active cases in Ladakh has gone up to 623, as per the data given by the Department of Information & Public relations, Ladakh.

As many as 424 persons tested positive for coronavirus infection in Goa on Thursday, taking the tally to 13,099, an official from the health department said. While 350 patients were discharged from treatment facilities in the coastal state, two persons succumbed to the infection, the official said.

. 3,197 new Covid-19 cases, 3,126 recovered cases & 53 deaths reported in West Bengal today. Total number of COVID cases stands at 1,29,119 in the state, including 27,696 active cases, 98,789 discharged cases & 2,634 deaths so far: Department of Health, Govt. of West Bengal

. 14,492 new Covid-19 cases, 12,243 recoveries & 326 deaths reported in Maharashtra today. Total number of COVID cases rises to 6,43,289 in the state, which includes 4,59,124 recovered cases, 1,62,491 active cases & 21,359 deaths till date: State Health Department, Maharashtra

. 7,385 new Covid-19 cases, 6,231 recovered cases & 102 deaths reported in Karnataka in the last 24 hours. Total number of positive cases stands at 2,56,975 including 82,149 active cases, 1,70,381 recovered cases & 4,429 total deaths till date: State Health Department, Karnataka

. In your evening news brief, From The Newsroom, Indore was adjudged India's cleanest city for a fourth straight year; Congress leader Rahul Gandhi slams the Narendra Modi government; The Supreme Court gives advocate Prashant Bhushan two-three days time to think over his statement and Harley-Davidson motorcycle may not be produced in India anymore.

Listen to today's DH Radio episode here

. The tally of COVID-19 cases in the slum-dominated Dharavi area of Mumbai increased to 2,697 on Thursday after 17 more people tested positive for the infection, a senior BMC official said.

It is after a gap of more than a fortnight that Dharavi has recorded double digit COVID-19 case count in a day.

On August 3, a total of 12 positive cases were recorded in Dharavi and since then the daily count has been in single digits.

. Assam Rifles has accused the Mizoram government of violating the directions of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) by "restricting" the "operational movement" of its personnel, the central paramilitary force has said in a statement.

The allegation came days after media reports said 15 personnel of the Assam Rifles forced their way through a check gate at Vairengte on the Mizoram-Assam border in defiance of the entry and screening protocol put in place to contain the spread of Covid-19.

. 411 new Covid-19 cases reported in Uttarakhand today, 301 patients treated/cured. Total cases in the state rise to 13,636 including 187 deaths and 9433 recovered patients. Active cases stand at 3966: Uttarakhand State Control Room COVID-19

. Doctors and clinical investigators involved in treating coronavirus infection have claimed that there was no evidence of the disease recurring in people who have recovered from it.

However, Dr Giridhar Babu, who is part of ICMR's research task force on Epidemiology and Surveillance, said it is difficult to say confidently where or not there is relapse in recovered patients as some signs post-recovery can be confused with Covid-19 symptoms.

. Almost 30% of the population in India's capital of New Delhi likely have been infected by the novel coronavirus, according to a serological survey of 15,000 people conducted by the local government, a figure that indicates infection numbers are much higher than those recorded.

The survey, which tested a sample of the population for the presence of antibodies, was done in the national capital territory in the first week of August, its health minister Satyendra Jain told a news conference on Thursday.

"We found that 29.1% of the population of Delhi had antibodies, which means that they were infected and have been cured," Jain said.

. Total infected so far: 52,199 Now under treatment: 18,123 Recovered so far: 33,828 191 died 1,968 fresh cases today 1,217 recovered today 1.58 lakh in home and institutional quarantine 14,646 in hospital observations 13.12 lakh samples tested so far

. Delhi reports 1,215 new Covid-19 positive cases, 1,059 discharges/recoveries and 22 deaths. Total number of cases now at 1,57,354 including 1,41,826 recovered cases, 11,271 active cases & 4,257 deaths.

6,010 RTPCR/CBNAAT/TrueNat tests and 10,994 Rapid antigen tests conducted today. So far, 13,75,193 tests have been conducted so far & Tests Per Million (TPM) stands at 72378, according to the Health Department, Government of Delhi

. Recoveries among Covid-19 patients in the country surged to 20,96,664 on Thursday, pushing India's recovery rate to 73.91 per cent, while only 0.28 per cent people of 6,86,395 active cases are on ventilator support, the Union health ministry said.

Of the active cases of coronavirus infection, 1.92 per cent are in ICU and 2.62 per cent on oxygen support. The country's case fatality rate has further declined to 1.90 per cent, it said.

. The Chinese Super League will allow 1,000 fans into a high-profile match on Saturday, the first time spectators can attend a game since the coronavirus pandemic.

It is a major step towards normalising football in China, where the virus was first detected last year, and paves the way for a limited number of supporters to attend selected future fixtures.

. As the race to find the coronavirus vaccine continues, India on Thursday said that it would not be following the existing benchmark for vaccine selection and would explore all options for mass immunisation against Covid-19, Mint reported.

The novel coronavirus has killed more than 53,000 people, while the total infections in the country mounted past 28 lakh.

. Early identification through testing, surveillance & contact tracing along with focus on timely and appropriate clinical treatment of Covid-19 patients have ensured that a small proportion of active cases are on ventilator support, the Ministry of Health said.

Image Credit: PIB

. Antibodies against coronavirus infection have been found in 29.1 per cent of people in the latest sero-prevalence survey in the national capital, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said on Thursday.

Interacting with reporters, he said, 15,000 representative samples were taken in the August 1-7 survey from 11 districts here, and the next exercise will begin from September 1.

Out of a total number of samples, 25 per cent were taken from the age group of fewer than 18 years, another 50 per cent from 18-49 years age bracket and remaining 25 per cent from those in the age group of 50 years or more, the Delhi health minister said.

. Top actor Rajinikanth and a host of others have appealed to fans and the general public to join a mass prayer scheduled to be held at 6 pm on Thursday to pray for the speedy recovery of veteran playback singer S P Balasubrahmanyam.

As the 74-year old star singer battles Covid-19 at a hospital here with the support of ventilator and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support (ECMO), a heart- lung assistance machine, Rajinikanth said: '...let us pray together for SPB's recovery from 6 to 6.05 pm."

The top star hailed the singer as "Padum Nila," which means a 'singing moon,' a pointer to Balasubrahmanyam's cool, captivating voice and urged his fans and people to join the prayer.

. Pakistan has reported 513 new cases of coronavirus, taking the number of infections in the country to 290,958, the health ministry said on Thursday.

The Ministry of National Health Services also said the death toll in the country due to the coronavirus reached 6,209 after eight patients died due to the infection in the last 24 hours.

The ministry said that 272,804 people have recovered so far while 725 were in critical condition.

So far Sindh province has detected 127,060 patients, Punjab 95,800, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 35,468, Islamabad 15,425, Balochistan 12,403 and Gilgit-Baltistan 2,583 and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir reported 2,219 cases, according to local Pakistani media reports.

So far 2,363,725 tests were conducted, including 23,670 in the last 24 hours.

(PTI)

. India will not be able to provide employment to youth. Media made fun of me when I warned the country that there will be heavy loss due to Covid-19. Today I am saying our country won't be able to give jobs. If you don't agree then wait for 6-7 months: Rahul Gandhi, Congress

. 117 more police personnel found Covid-19positive & 2 died in the last 24 hours in Maharashtra. Total number of Corona positive police personnel in Maharashtra reaches 12,877, including 2,255 active cases, 10,491 recoveries & 131 deaths till date: Maharashtra Police

. Impact of Covid-19 has been beyond our collective imagination. Current estimates put the cumulative loss in the range of $5.8 to $8.8 trillion or approx 6.5 or 9.7% of the global GDP. The contraction of the world economy being predicted will surely be largest since great depression: EAM

. 8 deaths and 2,898 fresh Covid-19 cases reported in Odisha in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of confirmed cases in the state to 70,020 including 22,651 active cases, 46,935 recovered cases and 380 deaths: State Health Department

. The second serological survey which was conducted between 1-7 August shows that 29.1% of people have developed antibodies against Covid-19. A total of 15,000 samples were collected during the survey: Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain

. Rajasthan's Covid-19case tally now stands at 65,979 with 690 new infections reported today till 1030 hours. The total numbers of active and recovered cases in the state are 14,671 & 50,393 respectively. Death toll 915: State Health Department

. 18 junior government doctors working for containing the spread Covid-19 pandemic have approached the Kerala High Court, seeking a direction to the government to disburse their salaries along with arrears immediately

. Spike of 69,652 cases and 977 deaths reported in India, in the last 24 hours. The Covid-19 tally in the country rises to 28,36,926 including 6,86,395 active cases, 20,96,665 cured/discharged/migrated & 53,866 deaths: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

. India has promised to give priority toBangladeshwhen it would start producing the Covid-19 vaccines — a move, which is apparently aimed at stopping one of its friendliest neighbours from drifting towards China.

. President Donald Trump has blasted universities that have cancelled in-person classes amid coronavirus outbreaks, saying the move could ultimately cost lives rather than saving them.

. The Covid-19 death toll in Assam mounted to 213 on Wednesday after 10 people succumbed to the disease, while the state's coronavirus caseload has gone up to 84,317 with 2,116 fresh infections, Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

. Haryana's Covid-19tally nears 50,000 as state records its highest one-day jump of 994 cases, death toll mounts to 567 with 10 more fatalities; the number of active cases now 7,307: Health dept

. Anthony Fauci, the United States' top infectious diseases official, said Wednesday the government wouldn't make any future Covid-19 vaccine obligatory for the general public -- through local jurisdictions could make it mandatory for some groups, like children.

. India continues on its path of high testing: more than 8 lakh tests/day for 2nd day in a row. Tests Per Million (TPM) continue to rise, cross 23,002 while positivity remains stable at around 8%.

. Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Wednesday urged Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu to give members an option to participate “virtually” in the upcoming monsoon session of the Parliament.

Chidambaram said it would be “nearly impossible” to avoid the spread of the virus when 245 members of the Rajya Sabha gather in one place, with nearly 300 officers, staff and security personnel in attendance.

“It should be quite easy to employ technology to enable members to participate either physically or virtually in the proceedings of the House,” Chidambaram said, adding that the secretariat may choose an application to enable virtual participation of members in the proceedings.

. Hyderabad alone had about 2.6 lakh active Covid-19 cases as of 6 August, a study by two premier central research institutions has revealed.

The figure is in stark contrast with the 21,417 cases shown as active in the whole of Telangana on the said date in the Covid-19 bulletin issued by the Chandrasekhar Rao government.

The collaborative study of the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology and the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology also estimated the overall number of potentially infected people in Hyderabad to be about 6.6 lakh, i.e., around 6.6 percent of the city’s population.

. West Bengal reports 3,169 new Covid-19 cases and 53 deaths today. The total number of cases rises to 1,25,922 and the death toll stands at 2,581. There are 27,678 active cases: State Health Department

. 8,642 new Covid-19 cases (including 2,804 cases from Bengaluru Urban), 7,201 discharges and 126 deaths reported in Karnataka today. The total number of cases rises to 2,49,590 including 81,097 active cases, 1,64,150 discharges and 4,327 deaths: State Health Department

. Thirty-three legislators, including five ministers, and four parliamentarians, who were actively involved in meeting people and distributing aid to the needy during Covid-19 lockdown, from Tamil Nadu have so far contracted the novel Coronavirus.

In all 37 lawmakers have tested positive for the virus since its outbreak in March – one DMK MLA, J Anbazhagan died of the infection – probably the highest number among elected representatives who have contracted the infection in the country.

. 13,165 new Covid-19 cases and 346 deaths reported in Maharashtra today; 9,011 patients discharged. The total cases in the state rise to 6,28,642, including 21,033 deaths and 4,46,881 recovered patients. Active cases stand at 1,60,413, according to the Public Health Department, Maharashtra.

9,011 patients discharged today; 4,46,881 COVID-19 patients discharged after full recovery until today; Recovery rate in the state is 71.09%. 346 COVID-19 deaths reported in the state today. Case fatality rate in the state: 3.35%. Out of 33,37,848 laboratory samples, 6,28,642 have been tested positive (18.83%) for Covid-19 until today. Currently 11,62,450 people are in home quarantine and 37,094 people are in institutional quarantine.

. The Jammu and Kashmir administration has so far evacuated over three lakh residents of the union territory stranded in other parts of the country due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown, according to official data.

A total of 119 special trains arrived at Jammu and Udhampur railway stations from different parts of India with about 1,01,244 passengers, while about 2,27,976 people from other states and UTs, including 906 from abroad, have been evacuated by the government via road till date, the data showed.

As many as 1,059 passengers reached Jammu from Delhi on Wednesday in the 98th special train.

A total of 85,548 stranded passengers belonging to different districts have reached Jammu in these 98 special trains, while 15,696 passengers have reached Udhampur in 21 special trains.

(PTI)

. As companies and countries across the globe rush to discover a vaccine for the novel coronavirus, that has killed over 7 lakh people, DH brings you a compilation of the different potential vaccines across the world and the stage of trials they are at.

Different stages of vaccine testing and development

A vaccine normally works by the introduction of a pathogen into the body. The aim is to train the immune system to fight the pathogen. Before a vaccine is made available for mass use, it must go through a series of stages to deem its safety and efficiency.

Preclinical trials - the vaccine is tested on animals to see if it produces a response

Phase I or safety trials - the vaccine is given to a small group of people

Phase II or expanded trials - the vaccine is shared with hundreds of people who belong to different subgroups to see how the vaccine works with different types of people

Phase III or efficiency trials - thousands of people are vaccinated and results compared with others who received a placebo.

. 5,795 new Covid-19 cases, 6,384 recoveries & 116 deaths reported today in Tamil Nadu. The total tally of COVID cases rises to 3,55,449 including 53,155 active cases, 2,96,171 recovered cases & 6,123 deaths till date: State Health Department, Tamil Nadu

. 2,333 new Covid-19 cases, 1,217 recoveries & 7 deaths reported in Kerala today. There are 17,382 active cases in the state & 32,611 recovered cases in the state till date: State Health Department, Kerala

. Delhi reports 1,398 new Covid-19 cases, 1,320 recoveries and 9 deaths over the last 24 hours.

Total number of cases now at 1,56,139 including 1,40,767 recovered/migrated patients, 11,137 active cases and 4,235 deaths.

. Number of COVID-19 active cases reaches 1,306 in Himachal Pradesh; death toll stands at 19: State Health Department

. Focusing on the "test, track and treat" strategy, India has tested more than 8 lakh samples for Covid-19 for the second consecutive day in a row, taking the cumulative tests to 3,17,42,782 so far, the Union Health Ministry said on Wednesday.

With a strong resolve to rapidly increase the number of tests done per day to touch 10 lakh per day testing capacity, 8,01,518 samples were tested in a span of 24 hours on Tuesday.

The total recoveries from Covid-19 have surged to 20,37,870 in the country, pushing the recovery rate to 73.64 per cent, according to the Health Ministry data updated at 8 am.

Photo Credit: A health worker collects samples for antigen tests from nasal swabs of residents during a COVID-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai on August 19, 2020. Photo by AFP

(PTI)

. Pakistan reported 613 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, taking the country's Covid-19 tally to 2,90,445.

Apart from the new cases, 11 people died due to coronavirus-related complications in the last 24 hours, the Ministry of National Health Services said. Now, the virus death toll stands at 6,201.

The ministry said 2,72,128 people have recovered from the virus so far. There are 12,116 active cases with 743 people in critical condition.

. With China nearing completion of tests on a Covid-19 vaccine, top Chinese officials and some of its drugmakers have promised countries of strategic interest that they will have early access to the vaccine, according to the Wall Street Journal.

China’s Foreign Ministry has vowed to provide the Philippines with priority early access to the vaccine while Chinese firm Sinovac Biotech will be working with Brazil and Indonesia to manufacture several millions of doses of a vaccine candidate for use in those countries.

Pakistan, one of China’s closest allies in South Asia, would be given doses sufficient for a fifth of the country’s population. Earlier, the two nations signed a deal that allowed China National Pharmaceutical Group, also known as Sinopharm, to conduct clinical trials of its vaccine candidate in Pakistan.

. Scientists have uncovered how the immune system is altered in a rare Covid-19 related illness in children which can cause severe inflammation and heart damage, findings that may lead to better treatment for some of the youngest patients infected with the novel coronavirus.

According to the researchers, including those from King's College London in the UK, the rare disease, referred to as paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome (PIMS-TS), has emerged in a small number of children during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a study, published in the journal Nature Medicine, they noted that the condition causes severe inflammation in blood vessels and can lead to heart damage.

. 2,884 new Covid-19 cases reported on 18th August in Bihar, taking the total number of active cases in the state to 31,460: State Health Department, Bihar

. Karnataka has gone live with an online service that allows citizens to check their Covid-19 test result by entering the specimen referral form (SRF) ID.

The portal - www.covidwar.karnataka.gov.in/service1 - has been developed by the Karnataka State Covid-19 War Room headed by IAS officer Munish Moudgil.

. Forty-five more people, including three Army jawans, have tested positive for Covid-19 in Mizoram, taking the northeastern state's tally to 860 on Wednesday, a health official said.

Two of the new patients have no travel history, he said.

. High humidity can extend the airborne lifetime of medium-sized virus-laden droplets by as much as 23 times, according to a study which suggests that maintaining physical distancing would significantly remediate the spread of Covid-19.

. The US Govt, through US Agency for International Development (USAID), in coordination with the Govt of India & the Indian Red Cross Society, donated the second shipment of 100 new, state-of-the-art ventilators to assist India in its fight against Covid-19: US Embassy in India

. The head of Germany's vaccines regulator said some groups of people living in Germany could be vaccinated early next year against the coronavirus that has killed almost 800,000 worldwide and wreaked havoc on the global economy.

. Although Covid-19 patients may lose their sense of smell, they can breathe freely, do not tend to have a runny or blocked nose, and cannot detect bitter or sweet tastes, a study published on Wednesday has found.

. A total of 18.9 million (1.89 crore) salaried people have lost their jobs in India since April, a little after the Covid-19 lockdown began. In July alone, five million salaried people have been rendered jobless, according to data released by Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE).

. Evidence shows that food is an unlikely route of transmitting the coronavirus across borders, but contaminated items continue to grab the spotlight, deepening the uncertainty over whether the $220 billion cold chain industry could be implicated in the spread of Covid-19.

. 1,763 new Covid-19 cases, 1,789 recoveries & 8 deaths reported in Telangana on August 18, taking the total number of cases to 95,700 in the state. The total number of cases includes 20,990 active cases, 73,991 recoveries & 719 deaths so far.

. The Covid-19 tally in the country rises to 27,67,274 including 6,76,514 active cases, 20,37,871 discharged or migrated & 52,889 deaths

. The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday urged countries to join a global pact aimed at ensuring less wealthy countries have access to Covid-19 vaccines, warning about the risks from so-called "vaccine nationalism." Here is a look at the WHO's plan and the approaches by wealthier nations.

. Follow the tally here

. The gross merchandise value (GMV) of Flipkart has exceeded the pre-Covid-19 levels, global retail major Walmart Inc, which owns a majority share of India’s leading e-commerce platform, said.

. With nearly nine lakh Covid-19 tests being held per day, the government on Tuesday said it would review the guidelines for testing to see if it can be made available on an on-demand basis for the people.

Responding to a question on why on-demand testing is not being implemented for those who are willing to pay for it even as the testing capacity has been significantly ramped up, NITI Aayog member Dr V K Paul, at a press briefing on Tuesday, said the government would review the guidelines for testing.

"Practically it is already on demand in many ways. We will review this looking at the capacity and access to people. We are almost there. We have to make sure that the resources are used for the very best purpose.

(PTI)

. Delhi recorded 1,374 fresh Covid-19 cases pushing the city's total caseload to 1,54,741 on Tuesday, while the death toll rose to 4,226, authorities said.

Twelve fresh fatalities were recorded in the last 24 hours, according to the health bulletin of the Delhi government issued on Tuesday.

As many as 5,419 RT-PCR, CBNAAT and TrueNat tests and 14,857 rapid antigen tests were conducted in the last 24 hours bringing the number of tests conducted per million population to 70,388.

The total number of tests conducted in the national capital till date was 13,37,374, the bulletin said.

The number of active cases in the city was 11,068 with 1,39,447 patients having been either recovered, migrated out or discharged, it said.

(PTI)

. A record single-day high of 422 Covid-19 deaths has been reported in Maharashtra on Tuesday. With this jump, the state's Covid-19 toll has surged to 20,687.

In the last 24 hours, 11,119 fresh coronavirus cases have been reported in Maharashtra, pushing the state's tally of positive cases to 6,15,477.

. 11,119 new Covid-19 cases and 422 deaths reported in Maharashtra today; 9,356 patients discharged today. The total cases in the state rise to 6,15,477 including 20,687 deaths and 4,37,870 recovered patients. Active cases stand at 1,56,608: Public Health Department, Maharashtra

. Gujarat reported 1,126 new Covid-19 cases on Tuesday, raising its tally of to 80,942, the state health department said.

With 20 more patients succumbing to the virus, the death toll in the state rose to 2,822, it said.

The number of recovered cases rose to 63,710 with 1,131 more patients getting discharged from hospitals, the department said.

Tests were conducted on 57,234 samples in the last 24 hours at the rate of 880.52 tests per day per million population, the department said in a release.

With this, the total number of samples collected so far in the state rose to 14,15,598, it said.

(PTI)

. India's official coronavirus death soared past 50,000 on August 17 as the pandemic rages through smaller cities and rural areas where health care is feeble and stigmatisation rife.

Image:A medical staff (R) takes a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) for the COVID-19 coronavirus from a migrant worker as he arrived from another state, at the Anand Vihar bus terminal before boarding on city buses along with others, in New Delhi on August 18, 2020.

Credit: AFP Photo

. 89 new Covid-19 cases reported today in Chandigarh, taking the total number of cases to 2,305, including 1,030 active cases, 1243 cured cases and 30 deaths till date: Health Department, UT Chandigarh

. Tamil Nadu reports 5,709 new Covid-19 cases and 121 deaths today taking the total number of cases to 3,49,654 including 6,007 deaths and 53,860 active cases: State Health Department

. Thousands of people were evicted across India during lockdowns to contain the coronavirus pandemic, with millions more at risk of being uprooted as authorities push infrastructure projects to spur economic growth, housing rights campaigners said.

. Government considersthe need for further relaxation of visa & travel restrictions for more categories of foreign nationals who want to travel to India.

Accordingly, in addition to the categories of foreign nationals who are permitted to enter India, thoseholding Journalist (J-1) visa and their dependents holding J-1X visa to enter India.

If they have J-1 or J-1X visas, which have been suspended, such visas shall stand restored with immediate effect to facilitate their entry into India, the Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement.

. 1,758 new Covid-19 cases reported in Kerala today. There are 16,274 active cases and 31,394 people have recovered so far: State Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan

. As many as 41 lakh youths in the country lost jobs due to the Covid-19 pandemic while construction and farm sector workers account for the majority of job losses, according to a joints report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

"For India, the report estimates job loss for 4.1 million youth. Construction and agriculture have witnessed the major job losses among seven key sectors," said the ILO-ADB report, titled 'Tackling the Covid-19 youth employment crisis in Asia and the Pacific', released on Tuesday.

. Mild cases of Covid-19 can trigger the immune system's memory T cells even in the absence of detectable virus-specific antibodies, according to a study which says the response may play a significant role in preventing reinfection with the novel coronavirus.

According to the research, published in the journal Cell, there is limited evidence of reinfection in humans with previously documented Covid-19.

. A total of 3,09,41,264 tests for detection of Covid-19 have so far been conducted in India with record 8,99,864 tests done in a single day, even though the positivity rate remained low at 8.81 per cent compared to the weekly national average of 8.84 per cent, the health ministry said on Tuesday.

The total number of recoveries crossed the 19 lakh-mark with57,937 patients having recuperated in a span of 24 hours, the highest recorded in a day so far, it said.

"A total of 8,99,864 samples have been tested on Monday, the highest in a day, taking the cumulative tests conducted so far to 3,09,41,264," the ministry said.

"Even with such high level of testing, the positivity has remained low i.e. 8.81 per cent compared to the weekly national average of 8.84 per cent," it said.

. Pakistan's drug regulator greenlit the country's first Phase 3 clinical trial for a potentialCOVID-19vaccine, which is being developed by China's CanSino Biologics (CanSino) and Beijing Institute of Biotechnology.

The trial is slated to begin next month, according to an official who will coordinate the exercise.

Government-run National Institute of Health (NIH) will be leading the trial for the candidate Ad5-nCoV along with pharmaceutical company AJM - the local representative of CanSino.

China has already approved the vaccine for use by its military after early and mid-stage trials, and further late-stage trials are being lined up for Mexico and Saudi Arabia.

CanSino last month said it was in talks for opportunities to launch Phase 3 trials in Saudi Arabia, Russia, Brazil and Chile.

(PTI)

. Cases of type 1 diabetes among children in a small UK study almost doubled during the peak of Britain's Covid-19 epidemic, suggesting a possible link between the two diseases that need more investigation, scientists said on Tuesday.

While the study is based on only a handful of cases, it is the first to link Covid-19 and new-onset type 1 diabetes in children, and doctors should be on the look-out, the Imperial College London researchers said.

. The Election Commission (EC) would come up with "broad" guidelines within three days for holding elections during the Covid-19 pandemic.

An EC statement said the matter of issuing broad guidelines for elections and by-elections during "Covid-19 period" was discussed at the commission meeting on Tuesday.

The commission considered the views and suggestions given by the political parties. It also considered the suggestions and recommendations made by chief electoral officers of states and union territories.

. Our next edition, slated for August 21, focuses on 'Physical and mental wellness in the time of Covid-19'.

Covid-19 has left many people with unspoken fears and anxiety issues. The manifestations of the pandemic have triggered a profound sense of loneliness, hopelessness and depression among people. Will the uncertainty of the future take a serious toll on our mental health? How does one brave through the turmoil? Is there a healthy way to cope with stress? Should mental health be treated as a public health crisis? We debate with our experts in this edition of DH Sparks.

Date : August 21, 2020

Time : 5:00 PM

You can register for the webinar by clicking on this link: bit.ly/DHsparks

Speakers: 1. Anna Chandy, Chairperson, Board of Trustees, The Live Love Laugh Foundation 2. Prakriti Poddar, Expert in mental health; MD, Poddar Foundation 3. Swetha Subbiah, Founder, Sweat by Swetha 4. Y G Muralidharan, Founder Trustee, Consumer Rights Education and Awareness Trust, Bengaluru 5. Dr. K Sekar, Professor, Department of Psychiatric Social Work, NIMHANS

This show will be moderated by Prakriti Poddar.

. A spike of 55,079 cases took India's Covid-19 tally past 27 lakh on Tuesday just a day after it crossed the 26-lakh mark, while 19.77 lakh people have so far recuperated from the disease pushing the recovery rate to 73.18 per cent, according to the Union Health Ministry data.

Case fatality rate stands at 1.92 per cent. There are 6,73,166 active cases of coronavirus infection in the country which is 24.91 per cent of the total caseload, while the number of recoveries has risen to 19,77,779.

. Chief Electoral Officers of the election going states shall prepare a comprehensive plan for State/district concerned for Covid-19 related measures, taking into account the local conditions, during the conduct of elections: Election Commission of India

. Keeping religious sentiments in mind, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Tuesday announced revised guidelines for celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi on August 22, allowing public installation of idols with a limited number of participants.

. Number of recoveries top total confirmed cases reported in the same period

. Air India's Vande Bharat Mission flights have been banned from flying to Hong Kong for two weeks starting August 18,according to a report by South China Morning Post.

. Government invokes emergency public health powers after linking 11 imported coronavirus infections to New Delhi flight, and sources says officials believe lab tests in South Asian nation are ‘not very reliable’ reports South China Morning Post

. 9 deaths and 2,239 fresh Covid-19 cases reported in Odisha in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of confirmed cases in the state to 64,533 including 20,339 active cases, 43,779 recovered cases and 362 deaths

. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has been admitted to AIIMS after he complained of fatigue and body ache for the past few days.

. 112 new Covid-19 positive cases and two deaths recorded in Maharashtra Police force, in the last 24 hours. Total positive cases stand at 12,495 including 10,111 recoveries, 2,256 active cases & 128 deaths

. Facing flak from residents, especially apartment dwellers,on containment procedures, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has decided against sealing individual houses from now on.

. Focused implementation of Centre-led strategies has ensured prompt identification, timely isolation and effective clinical treatment, leading to reduced case fatality rate. 30 States and Union Territories performed better than the national average, says Ministry of Health

. Here 's DH's state-wise Covid-19 case tally and death toll

. Executive chairperson of Bengaluru-headquartered Biocon Ltd Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw said on Monday night that she has tested positive for Covid-19.

. Doctors on the front lines of the global pandemic say they are fighting not just the coronavirus, but also increasingly combating a never-ending scourge of misinformation about the disease that is hurting patients.

. With 57,981 new cases, India's Covid-19 tally rose to 26,47,663 on Monday, while the death toll due to the disease crossed the 50,000-mark with 941 fresh fatalities, according to the Union health ministry.

Read more here.

. The state's coronavirus count rose to 6,04,358 after 8,493 fresh cases were reported, while 228 new deaths took the fatality tally to 20,265, he said.

Read more here.

. Since 1893, public Ganesh festival celebrations have been part of the identity of Mumbai. But with Covid-19 pandemic, things have changed in the new normal.

Read more here.

. The PIL filed by the NGO 'Centre for Public Interest Litigation' through advocate Prashant Bhushan sought a direction to prepare a well-thought-out national plan to deal with the pandemic and transfer money received in the PM CARES fund to the National Disaster Response Fund.

Read more here.

. India's Covid-19 recoveries have reached closer to 2 million (19,19,842), while the actual caseload of the country stands at 6,76,900 on date and currently comprises only 25.57 percent of the total positive cases.

Read more here.

. Fresh cases today: 1,725

Total infected so far: 46,140

Total deaths:169 Now under treatment : 15,890

Recoveries today: 1,131 Recoveries so far: 30,029 In home and institutional quarantine: 1.50 lakh In hospital observations: 13,697 Samples tested so far: 12.05 lakh

. Earlier this month, the Delhi government-run Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital saw two instances of patients with relapse of coronavirus, almost one-and-a-half months after they were cured of the infection. In both the instances of relapse, the patients had moderate symptoms.

Read more here.

. A total of 61,989 people have been tested positive in the state so far and the number of active cases at present is 14,451.

Read more here.

. Almost a week after the discovery of New Zealand's first locally transmitted coronavirus outbreak in more than three months, its origin remains a mystery.

. Top actor Rajinikanth on Monday said renowned playback singer S P Balasubrahmanyam, being treated for Covid-19 at a private hospital here has crossed the critical phase and prayed for his speedy recovery.

. India reports highest-ever single day recoveries with as many as 57,584 Covid-19 patients getting cured & discharged in the last 24 hours. Recoveries have reached 19,19,842.

. 302 new Covid-19 cases, 184 recoveries & 4 deaths reported in Puducherry today. The total number of cases stands at 8,029 in the state till date, including 4,627 recovered cases, 3,288 active cases & 114 deaths so far:

. 2 new Covid-19 cases, 9 cured cases reported in Himachal Pradesh today morning. Total number of cases stands at 4,158 in the state till date, including 1,370 active cases, 2,729 recovered cases and 17 deaths so far

. Supreme Court dismisses a PIL for postponing NEET-UG and JEE exam, as the National Testing Agency says all precautions for Covid-19 would be taken up during tests.

. 894 new Covid-19 cases, 2,006 recoveries & 10 deaths reported inTelanganaon August 16, taking the total number of cases to 92,255 in the state. The total number of cases includes 21,420 active cases, 70,132 recoveries & 703 deaths so far:

. 2,244 new Covid-19 cases, 1,550 recoveries reported in Odisha on 16th August. Total number of cases stands at 62,294 including 19,612 active cases and 42,276 recovered cases

. 93 new Covid-19 positive cases and one death recorded in Maharashtra Police force, in the last 24 hours. Total positive cases stand at 12,383 including 9,929 recoveries, 2,328 active cases & 126 deaths

. Trinamool Congress MLA Samaresh Das from Egra constituency in East Medinipur district of West Bengal succumbedto Covid-19on Monday.

. Protect your family against Covid-19. Do Maatam of Muharram at home. Similarly, Ganesh puja has to be done at home. No idol installation or any event will be held at public places as directed by Government: Anjani Kumar, Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad

. The Covid-19 tally in the country rises to 26,47,664 including 6,76,900 active cases, 19,19,843 discharged/migrated & 50,921 deaths: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

. To the immune system, not all germs are equally memorable. But our body’s cells seem to be seriously studying up on the coronavirus.

. Undergoing a Covid-19 test is becoming a painful ordeal for people in Bengaluru.The state government, which hasramped up its Covid-19 testing mechanism, claims RT-PCR test results are delivered within 48 hours. But the reality seems to be different, withsome reporting anerve-shreddingwait lasting between threeand eight days.

. Focussing on timely and aggressive testing, India has exceeded 3 crore tests. Enhanced and timely testing is not only keeping the positivity rate low but also the fatality rate low.

. For some time now, the state government has been considering conducting a sentinel survey to help evaluate earlier estimates of how many Covid-19 cases can be expected in the future while determining if there were any unknown sources of transmission.The survey (also known as a serosurvey) is a key tool used by epidemiologists to determine the prevalence of a disease in a population.

. Chanting "freedom", hundreds of people rallied Sunday in Madrid to protest against the mandatory use of facemasks and other restrictions imposed by the Spanish government to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

. Undergoing a Covid-19 test is becoming a painful ordeal for people in Bengaluru.

. 3,066 new COVID-19 positive cases, 2,935 discharges and 51 deaths reported in West Bengal today. Total number of cases rise to 1,16,498 including 86,771 discharges, 27,299 active cases and 2,428 deaths: State Health Department

. After a gap of nearly five months, state-run TASMAC retail liquor outlets would reopen here and in suburbs from August 18, the Tamil Nadu government said on Sunday.

. The Covid-19 death toll crossed the 50,000-mark in India on Sunday, the 200th day of the pandemic striking the nation.

. Russia’s decision to approve a coronavirus shot before crucial tests have shown it’s safe and effective raises worries that politics will trump public health in the quest for a vaccine.

The country’s plan to start mass inoculations as soon as October could put pressure on other governments to rush ahead of regulators and skip key steps, putting people who get the jabs at risk. Any major setback in Russia could damage confidence in vaccines.

. Maharashtra's Covid-19 toll crossed the 20,000-mark on Sunday even as the total positive cases is set to cross six lakh.

On Sunday, 288 deaths and 11,111 cases were reported taking the toll to 20,037 and cases to 5,95,865.

The total active cases stand at 1,58,395.

On Sunday, 8,837 patients discharged taking the total to 4,17,123 Covid-19 patients discharged after full recovery. The overall recovery rate in the state is 70 per cent.

. 7040 new Covid-19 positive cases (including 2131 cases from Bengaluru Urban), 6680 discharges and 124 deaths reported in Karnataka today. Total number of cases rise to 226966 including 81512 active cases, 141491 discharges and 3947 deaths: State Health Department.

. Legendary playback singer S P Balasubrahmanyam is still on life support but has shown signs of improvement and is on the road “towards getting better”, his son and film producer S P Charan said on Sunday.

SPB, as he is popularly known as, tested positive for coronavirus on August 5.

The 74-year-old playback singer, who was moved to the ICU of a Chennai private hospital and put on life support following a deterioration in his health, is now “able to recognize people” and even “showed thumbs up” sign to doctors.

. 11,111 new Covid-19 positive cases, 8,837 discharges and 288 deaths reported in Maharashtra today. Total number of cases now at 5,95,865 including 1,58,395 active cases, 4,17,123 discharges and 20,037 deaths: Public Health Department, Maharashtra

. Hit by disruptions due to the coronavirus pandemic, the launch of India's unmanned space mission under the first leg of Gaganyaan, planned for December 2020, is likely to be delayed, sources said.

It was part of the two unmanned missions to be undertaken by the Indian Space Research Organisation ahead of the planned launch of India's maiden human spaceflight under 'Gaganyaan' in December 2021.

The likely delay in the first unmanned mission was recently conveyed to the Space Commission, the apex policy-making body on space-related issues.

. To give a boost to the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, the Aam Aadmi Party will set up centres for testing saturation of oxygen content in blood in 30,000 villages across the country, said AAP national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal along with his spouse Sunita Kejriwal offers prayers at Hanuman Temple in Connaught Place on his birthday, in New Delhi.

Image Credit: PTI Photo

. "Saddened to hear about the demise of Chetan Bhai.He always had encouraging things to say to me & shared plenty of stories from his cricketing days with the Indian team," says Sachin Tendulkar.

Follow all the latest updates here

. Former India Test opener Chetan Chauhan, who forged a prolific opening partnership with Sunil Gavaskar, has died aged 73 from coronavirus, his brother told AFP Sunday.

Chauhan, who tested positive last month, was put on ventilator support at a hospital in Gurgaon, but his condition worsened after he suffered multiple organ failure.

. Total infected so far: 44,415 Now under treatment : 15,310 Recovered so far: 28,878 156 died 1,530 fresh cases today 1099 recovered today 1.48 lakh under home and institutional quarantine 13,424 in hospital observations 11.82 lakh samples tested so far 8,256 results pending

Image Credit:Representative image/Credit: PTI Photo

. Delhi reports 652 new Covid-19 positive cases, 1310 discharges/recoveries and 8 deaths. Total number of cases now at 152580 including 137561Recovered/Discharged/Migrated cases, 10823 active cases and 4196 deaths.

3024 RTPCR/CBNAAT/TrueNat tests and 7685 Rapid antigen tests conducted today. So far, 1302120 tests have been conducted: Health Department, Delhi

. 5,950 new Covid-19 positive cases, 6,019 discharges and 125 deaths reported in Tamil Nadu today. Total number of cases rise to 3,38,055 including 54,019 active cases, 2,78,270 discharges and 5,766 deaths: State Health Department

. 6 new Covid-19 cases reported in Himachal Pradesh till 5 pm today, taking the total number of cases to 4,057. Total of 1,358 active cases, 2,640 recovered cases and 17 deaths have been reported in the state till date: State Health Department, Himachal Pradesh

. Using standard parts that cost less than $400, scientists have developed an emergency ventilator which could be an affordable option when more sophisticated technology is not available, or in short supply, an invention that may help save the lives of those suffering from Covid-19.

. There was a time when the dreaded C stood for Cancer. But now, C has been taken over by the equally (or more) dreaded coronavirus. Not only doesthe virus instill in us the fear of mortality, but it has also economically impacted our lives greatly.Since the pandemic made its grim entry in our lives in March, 12.2 crore Indians have lost their jobs. Many have folded up their businesses.

. The last thing that Geetha (32), a Covid-19 counsellor working in the city, wanted was to become infected with the disease. But in the course of doing her job, that is exactly what happened.

Geetha (name changed) said shecontracted the disease whenwas assigned to oversee swab collection and testing at her workplace, an urban family welfare centre in Wilson Garden.

She was among 26 Covid-19 survivors specially invited to attend the Independence Day celebrations at the Manekshaw Parade Ground on Saturday.

. Continuing the downward trend, India's Covid-19 case fatality rate on Sunday dropped to 1.93 per cent, which is one of the lowest globally, the Union health ministry said.

This is a result of coordinated efforts of the Centre and state and UT governments, it said.

"The USA crossed 50,000 deaths in 23 days, Brazil in 95 days and Mexico in 141 days. India took 156 days to reach this national figure," the ministry underscored as the number of fatalities due to coronavirus infection in the country reached 49,980.

Implementation of testing aggressively, tracking comprehensively and treating efficiently through a plethora of measures have contributed to the existing high level of recoveries as well, it said.

. Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam on Sunday prayed for the speedy recovery of renowned singer S P Balasubrahmanyam, on life support after being hospitalised for Covid-19, saying the voice of his "dear brother" should once again echo in the silver screen.

Admitted to city-based MGM Healthcare on August 5 after testing positive for the coronavirus, the singer-actor continues to be on life support and stable, the hospital had said on Saturday.

In a statement, Panneerselvam, also AIADMK Coordinator, recalled Balasubrahmanyam, popularly known as SPB, crooning the evergreen hit "Ayiram Nilave vaa" for the late Chief Minister and party founder M G Ramachandran in the hit "Adimai Penn" in the 1960s.

The singer only tasted success in his career, he said, adding, the former had won the hearts of "lakhs" of fans across the world with his songs.

"I was saddened to know he is severely affected by the coronavirus," he said. A song sung by Balasubrahmanyam welcoming the late chief minister J Jayalalithaa would be played in all party meetings, he recalled.

"I pray God Almighty dear that brother S P Balasubrahmanyam should recover soon and return home and his honey-like voice should once again echo in the silver screen," Panneerselvam added.

(PTI)

. Indian equities in the coming week will watch out for fresh triggers amid surging coronavirus cases in the country and also take cues from global developments and corporate earnings, analysts said.

With last week's key macro data showing slow economic recovery and high inflation, experts are of the view that volatility may continue in the market going ahead due to subdued sentiment and participants would expect the government to step in with next round of measures for growth revival.

Official data last week showed that India's retail inflation for July stood at 6.93 per cent, compared to 6.23 per cent in June 2020; while exports slipped 10.21 per cent to $23.64 billion in July.

(PTI)

. Russia reported 4,969 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Sunday, bringing its nationwide tally to 922,853, the fourth highest caseload in the world.

Russia's coronavirus crisis response centre said that 68 people had died over the past 24 hours, pushing its official coronavirus death toll to 15,685, adding that 732,968 people have recovered.

(Reuters)

. This combination of photos shows Edmond Kok, a Hong Kong theater costume designer and actor, wearing a variety of face masks he made to protect against the coronavirus in Hong Kong Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020. With little theater work because of the coronavirus pandemic, Kok has found a way to turn the now ubiquitous face mask into a creative opportunity. Since February, he has created more than 170 face masks inspired both by the pandemic and Hong Kong‚Äôs political problems - not for actual use but as pieces of art. Credit: AP/PTI Photo

. One of the lowest globally, India’s Case Fatality Rate below 2% and sliding, according to the Ministry of Health.

Covid-19 tests nearly 3 crore.

. 1,102 new Covid-19 cases, 1,930 recovered cases & 9 deaths reported in Telangana on 15th August, Saturday. Total number of cases in the state stands at 91,361, including 22,542 active cases, 68,126 recovered cases & 693 deaths.

. India's Covid-19 tally rose to25,89,682with a single-day spike of63,490infections, while the total number of recoveries rose to 18,62,258 pushing the recovery rate to 71.91 per cent on Sunday, according to the Union Health Ministry data.

. 384 new Covid-19 cases & 4 deaths reported in Puducherry today, taking the total number of positive cases to 7,732, including 3,179 active cases, 4,443 recovered & 110 deaths .

. 687 new Covid-19 cases and 13 deaths reported in Rajasthan. Total number of cases now at 60,666 including 14,265 active cases, 44,048 recoveries and 875 deaths.

. 2,924 new Covid-19 cases &1,521 new recoveries reported in Odisha on 15th August. Total number of positive cases in the state stands at 60,050, including 18,928 active cases & 40,726 recovered cases till date.

. Delhi recorded 1,276 fresh coronavirus cases on Saturday, taking the caseload to over 1.51 lakh, while the death toll rose to 4,188 with 10 new fatalities, authorities said.

. The last thing that Geetha (32), a Covid-19 counsellor working in the city, wanted was to become infected with the disease. But in the course of doing her job, that is exactly what happened.

. Here's the state-wise tally

. The last thing that Geetha (32), a Covid-19 counsellor working in the city, wanted was to become infected with the disease. But in the course of doing her job, that is exactly what happened.

. According to Sunday's health bulletin by the Delhi government, 5,667 RT-PCR/CBNAAT/TrueNat and 12,604 rapid antigen tests were conducted in the last 24 hours. A total of 18,721 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours while the positivity rate stands at 6.81 per cent.

Read more here.

. Noting that 1.29 lakh beds were already set up to serve Covid-19 patients across the state, he said, special focus was being given to enhance the facility with beds equipped with oxygen supply to the patients.

Read more here.

. The latest bulletin said after a cumulative 28,12,197 sample tests, the infection positivity rate touched 10.02 per cent, the highest so far.

Read more here.

. Former cricketer and UP Minister Chetan Chauhan is admitted to Medanta Hospital in Gurgaon. His condition is stated to be critical. He had tested positive for Covid-19.

ANI

. "Our scientists are working very hard on it.Three vaccines against Covid-19 are in various stages of testing. And, if we do succeed in getting a vaccine, our Covid warriors will be the first one to receive the dose," the minister of state for health said.

Read more here.

. India's 'test, track and treat' strategy has achieved another peak with 8,68,679 Covid-19 tests done in 24 hours taking the cumulative tests done till Friday to more than 2.85 crore, the ministry said.

Read more here.

. The Chief Minister said that home isolation was a measure that helped them in fighting the battle against Covid-19. Kejriwal said that Delhi was presently in a far better situation than it was 2 months ago.

"For instance, if there are 10,000 cases, only 1,000 are severe & taken to hospitals, the remaining get cured at home. It saves 9000 beds, this can be followed in villages," said Kejriwal.

"I would appeal people to donate oximeters to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and we will send these oximeters to the villages where locals can use them as per need," he added.

ANI

. "I want to tell people, the talent of our scientists is like that of 'rishi munis' and they are working very hard in laboratories. Three vaccines are in various stages of testing. When scientists will give us the green signal, it will be produced on a mass scale and all preparations have been made for it," Modi said while addressing the nation on its 74th Independence Day.

Read more here.

. Over 57,000 people in the country recovered in the last 24 hours,the highest number of recoveries from in a single day.

With this, India's cumulative recoveries from Covid-19 inched closer to touch the 2-million mark.

. Russia has said the vaccine, developed by Moscow's Gamaleya Institute and the first for the coronavirus to go into production, will be rolled out by the end of this month. Some scientists said they fear Moscow may be putting national prestige before safety.

. Using state-of-the-art computer simulations, scientists have identified a pre-existing drug, used to treat multiple diseases, including bipolar disorders and hearing loss, that could prevent the novel coronavirus from replicating in host cells, an advance that may lead to a therapeutic solution against Covid-19.

. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said mass production of Covid-19 vaccine will begin in India once scientists give their nod, and a roadmap was ready to ensure it reaches everyone in the country in the shortest possible time.

. Arunachal Pradesh's Covid-19 caseload rises to 2,607 as 95 more people, including an MLA, test positive for the infection. One more fatality pushes death toll to five, says Health official.

. JUST IN | India reports a spike of 65,002 Covid-19 cases and 996 deaths in the last 24 hours. With this, the Covid-19 tally in the country rises to 25,26,193 including 6,68,220 active cases, 18,08,937 discharged/migrated and 49,036 deaths, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

. Three coronavirus vaccines are in various stages of trial in India. Large-scale productions will begin once we get the nod from scientists, says PM Modi.

. The spread of the novel coronavirus in India has quickened in the last few days with new cases of Covid-19 and deaths reported every day. The epidemic has expanded its footprint in the country and has affected over 24 lakh people since the first positive case was confirmed on January 30 in Kerala.

. Since June 23, 6,485 bills have been raised by private hospitals across the state who have treated the government quota of Covid-19 patients.

. As financial anxietybrought on bythe pandemiccontinues, people are flocking to stock trading, with Indian stock brokeragesseeinga significant increase in their client base, especially female participation.

. 1,278 fresh Covid-19 cases reported in the state. The total number of positive cases in the state is now 58,692 including 13,949 active cases, 41,963 recovered cases and 846 deaths: Rajasthan Health Department

. "He was somewhat critical in the afternoon but stable now. No need for anyone to be anxious. Your wishes, prayers are his strength," says SPB's sister.

SPB is critical but is in safe hands at MGM healthcare, said S P Balasubrahmanyam's son Charan.We are all confident that SPB will be back with all of us sooner than later, he said.

. Highest single-day spike of 3,035 Covid-19 cases push West Bengal's tally to 1,10,358; death toll rises to 2,319 with 60 more fatalities: Health Dept

. Tamil Nadu CM E K Palaniswami unveils 'Amma COVID-19 Home Care Kit' for people who have tested positive and been advised home isolation. Costing Rs 2,500, the kit comprises pulse oximeter, digital thermometer, packs of herbal immunity boosters: State govt

. Punjab records 1,077 new Covid-19 cases and 25 deaths today, taking the total number of cases to 29,013 including 9,954 active cases and 731 deaths: State Health Department

. 12,608 new Covid-19 cases, 10,484 recoveries & 364 deaths reported in Maharashtra today, taking the total number of cases in the state to 5,72,734, including 1,51,555 active cases, 4,01,442 cured cases and 19,427 deaths till date: Public Health Department, Maharashtra

. 86 new Covid-19cases & 65 recoveries reported in Manipur in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of cases to 4,198 in the state. There are 1,825 active cases & 2,360 recovered cases till date. The death toll stands at 13: Government of Manipur

. Tamil Nadu reports 5,890 new Covid-19 cases and 117 deaths today taking the total number of cases to 3,26,245 including 5,514 deaths and 53,716 active cases: State Health Department

. 540 new Covid-19 cases reported from Jammu and Kashmir today; 119 from Jammu division and 421 from Kashmir division, taking the total number of cases in the Union Territory to 27,489. Death toll rises to 520: Govt of J&K

. Kerala reported 1,569 new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, taking active cases to 14,094. A total of 26,996 patients have recovered from the disease in the state so far: Chief Minister's Office

. A record high of 8,48,728 Covid-19tests was conducted in the last 24 hours. This has taken the cumulative tests to 2,76,94,416: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

. Delhi reports 1,192 new Covid-19cases and 11 deaths today. Total number of cases now at 1,50,652 including 11,366 active cases, 1,35,108 recovered/discharged/migrated cases and 4,178 deaths: Delhi government

. Kerala likely to see a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases in August and September with daily infections expected between 10,000 and 20,000: State Health Minister KK Shailaja.

. Arunachal Pradesh reported its fourth Covid-19 fatality, even as 82 new cases were detected in the state, a Health Department official said on Friday. The state's tally rose to 2,512 with the detection of the new cases, he said.

. Scientists have developed a new low-cost nasal swab test that can accurately diagnose the presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes Covid-19, in just 20 minutes.

The findings, published in the Journal of Medical Microbiology, show the test called N1-STOP-LAMP, is 100 percent accurate in diagnosing samples containing SARS-CoV-2 at high loads.

. Odisha on Friday reported record 1,977 new Covid-19 cases, taking the state's tally to 54,630, a Health Department official said. Ten more Covid-19 patients also lost their lives, following which the death toll rose to 324, he said.

Of the new cases, 1,241 cases were reported from among the people lodged in different quarantine centres. The remaining 736 cases were detected during contact tracing of people who have already tested positive for Covid-19. ( PTI )

. With 17,51,555 people defeating the disease, the recovery rate has surged to 71.17 per cent. The caseload increased to 24,61,190, while the death toll climbed to 48,040 with 1,007 people succumbing to the disease in 24 hours, the Ministry data updated at 8 am showed.

. Any potential Covid-19 vaccine backed by the Trump administration's "Operation Warp Speed" program is unlikely to receive a green light from regulators any earlier than November or December, given the time needed for a large-scale clinical trial, the National Institutes of Health director said on Thursday.

. India reports spike of 64,553 cases and 1,007 deaths in the last 24 hours. The Covid-19 tally in the country rises to 24,61,191 including 6,61,595 active cases, 17,51,556 discharged/migrated and 48,040 deaths, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

. At least 2,76,94,416 samples tested for Covid-19 up to August 14. Of these, 8,48,728 samples were tested yesterday, says India Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

. Himachal Pradesh reports highest single-day spike of 180 new Covid-19 cases. The tally rises to 3,817 with 1,328 active cases. The toll rises to 18 with another death.

. The Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent response is something we haven’t seen for a hundred years. In a relatively short time, over 15 million people have been infected and 650,000 have died. This virus has captured the attention and imagination of governments, scientists, the media, and most importantly the common man like no other viral infection I have seen in my five-decade-long medical career.

. Mexico and Argentina aim to have a coronavirus vaccine available for Latin America early next year under a production agreement with drugs giant AstraZeneca, the Mexican government said Thursday.

The vaccine, being developed in collaboration with the University of Oxford, is one of the most promising of dozens that researchers around the world are racing to prove safe and efficient.

. Total number of confirmed positive cases in India reaches 24,57,769; death toll stands at 48,082 as of August 14.

Track state-wise confirmed Covid-19 cases on August 14 here

. The Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent response is something we haven’t seen for a hundred years. In a relatively short time, over 15 million people have been infected and 650,000 have died. This virus has captured the attention and imagination of governments, scientists, the media, and most importantly the common man like no other viral infection I have seen in my five-decade-long medical career.

. A visit to any of the high streets in the city gives you the impression that the pandemic is over and there’s no need for social distancing. If stories of patients losing their lives because they couldn’t get a hospital bed or ambulance in time aren’t enough, two papers published recently in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) on strong evidence of Covid-19 causing damage to the heart should be a wake-up call.

. The WHO on Thursday urged countries to invest billions of dollars in searching for Covid-19 vaccines and treatments -- calling it a snip compared to the vast economic cost of the coronavirus crisis.

. Eight more Covid-19 patients succumbed to the virus in Assam on Thursday, pushing the death toll to 169, Minister for Health and Family Welfare Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

. India sees the highest ever 56,383 recoveries in a single day.Recovery Rate scaled another high of 70.77%

The country also conducted 8.3 lakh tests in one day.More than 2.68 crore samples tested as on today.Week-wise average daily tests conducted increased to more than 6.3 lakh in the current week.

More than 3 crore N95 Masks, 1.28 crore PPEs and 10 crore HCQ distributed to States/UTs since March 11.

. The government on Thursday said a price monitoring and resource unit (PMRU) has been set up in Karnataka under the aegis of the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA).

The unit will function at the state level under the direct supervision of the state drug controller for increasing outreach of the NPPA, the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers said in a statement.

The primary function of PMRUs is to assist the NPPA in monitoring prices of drugs, ensuring the availability of drugs and raising consumer awareness, it added.

. Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju to launch unique Fit India Freedom Run on August 14.

The event is targeted to encourage fitness among the masses while following Covid-19 protocols.

. 1014 new Covid-19 positive cases and 17 deaths reported in Madhya Pradesh today. Total number of cases now at 42618 including 9718 active cases, 31835 recoveries and 1065 deaths: State Health Department.

. 2,997 new Covid-19 positive cases, 2,497 discharges and 56 deaths reported in West Bengal today. Total number of cases now at 1,07,323 including 26,447 active cases, 2,259 deaths and 78,617 discharges: State Health Department

. The assessment is based on the data collected by the Atmanirbhar Skilled Employee Employer Mapping portal (ASEEM) which showed that about 64,689 jobs were offered across sectors. The Covid-19-induced lockdown and the economic slowdown that followed left many workers jobless.

. The UK began trials of a new smartphone app on Thursday designed to track Covid-19 infections within the community, with versions also available in Indian languages such as Punjabi, Gujarati, Bangla and Urdu in order to reach ethnicities not well-versed in English.

. A record 24-hour total of 413 deaths of Covid-19 patients was reported in Maharashtra on Thursday. This is for the first time that a day's toll has crossed 400.

On Thursday, 413 deaths were reported in 24 hours taking the toll to 19,063.

As far as the fresh Covid-19 cases are concerned, the total stands at 5,60,126 with the addition of 11,813 new cases.

. The property buying is never an easy task and to make it lucrative, the property developers, which have been hit hard by the Covid-19-induced lockdown, are doling out a slew of offers and cash discounts.

Besides cash discounts up to 10% on the gross value, many real estate developers are offering freebies that include EMI waivers, cashback schemes, flexible payment options, 5-gram gold coins and even a car on bookings of houses with a certain value among others across the country.

"There were discounts even during the pre-Covid-19 times. But these are abnormal times and builders have increased their discounts up to 10% on selected properties to clear their inventories," Rajani Sinha, Executive Director, Knight Frank India told DH. According to her, realtors are also offering one-year exemption on clubhouse charges, free car parking area and even absorbing stamp duty and GST in some cases.

. A decision of Kerala police to collectcall details record (CDR) of individuals as part of Covid-19 contact tracing and surveillance activities have triggered a row of infringement of privacy.

While Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan justified the move as a Covid-19 containment measure, cyber experts said that there was not much use of CDR in contact tracing.

. 536 new Covid-19 positive cases reported from Jammu and Kashmir today; 98 from Jammu division and 438 from Kashmir division, taking the total number of cases to 26949. Death toll rises to 509 after 11 deaths were reported today: Govt of J&K

. 6706 Covid-19 cases, 8609 cases of discharge and 103 deaths reported in Karnataka today. Total cases in the state stand at 2,03,200, including 1,21,242 cases of discharge and 3613 deaths: Department of Health and Family Welfare, Karnataka

. 1035 new Covid-19 positive reported in Punjab today, taking the total number of cases to 27,936. Death toll rises to 706 after 36 deaths were reported today: State Govt

. Image Credit: AFP

. Several Indian ministers in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet have tested positive for Covid-19 in the past few days, underscoring the spread of the virus in the nation.

. Total infected so far: 39,708 Now under treatment: 13,839 Recovered so far: 25,692 129 died 1,564 fresh cases today 766 recovered today 1.40 lakh under home and institutional quarantine 12,683 in hospital observations 10.87 lakh samples tested so far 5,999 results pending

. Until quite recently, the pandemic had remained strangely faint in the public sphere, compared with other momentous events of the 20th century. Monuments and federal holidays commemorate people lost in both World Wars. Many popular museums and blockbuster movies recount the sinking of the Titanic and the Apollo moon missions. But the same cannot be said for the 1918 flu (often referred to as the “Spanish flu” because of mistaken beliefs about its origin). Of course, the pandemic was not forgotten entirely: many today are aware it occurred or even know of ancestors who succumbed to it. But the event seems to form a disproportionately small part of our society’s narrative of its past.

. Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who was undergoing treatment at a private hospital here for Covid-19 infection has been discharged after recovery, his office said in a statement on Thursday.

He has been discharged after reports of the second test also came out negative, it said.

The statement said Siddaramaiah was admitted to hospital on August 3 for urinary infection and subsequently he had tested positive for the coronavirus infection.

. 5,835 new Covid-19 positive cases, 5,146 discharges and 119 deaths have been reported in Tamil Nadu today. Total number of cases now at 3,20,355 including 53,499 active cases, 2,61,459 discharges and 5,397 deaths: State Health Department

. The Covid-19 recovery rate has risen to 70.77 per cent on Thursday with the total number of patients recuperating from the disease reaching nearly 17 lakh, while the case fatality rate has further declined to 1.96 per cent, the Union Health Ministry said.

It said "record-high" recoveries have led to a decline in the "actual caseload" of the country, which is the number of active cases, and currently is only 27.27 per cent of the total cases.

The number of recoveries from Covid-19 exceed active cases by more than 10 lakh.

(PTI)

. 996 new Covid-19 positive cases and 82 deaths have been reported in Andhra Pradesh in the last 24 hours. Total number of cases now at 264142 including 90840 active cases, 170924 recovered cases and 2378 deaths: State Covid-19 Nodal Officer

. A news agency has reported that the Central Government has decided to not reopen schools until December.

PIB Fact Check: Government has not made any such decision.

. China reported several cases of frozen food packaging contaminated with the novel coronavirus this week, while New Zealand said it is investigating the possibility that its latest Covid-19 cases could be traced to imported freight.

New Zealand reported its first Covid-19 cases in more than three months on Wednesday, prompting a swift reimposition of movement restrictions. Health officials raised the possibility that the virus had arrived in New Zealand via freight, given one of the infected people works at a cool store that takes imported frozen goods from overseas.

. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday discussed the Covid-19 situation and vaccine cooperation with his German counterpart Heiko Maas.

The two leaders also reviewed developments in Europe and Asia.

"Good conversation with FM @HeikoMaas of Germany. Discussed the #COVID19 situation and vaccine cooperation. Reviewed the developments in Europe and Asia. Reaffirmed our multilateral partnership, including in the UN," Jaishankar said in a tweet.

. Tripura's COVID-19 tally rose to 6,621 with 121 fresh cases, while the death toll climbed to 44 as one patient succumbed to the disease, a health department official said on Thursday.

The fatality was reported from West Tripura district, he said.

"A 40-year-old man from Lefunga, about 25 km from here, was admitted to the Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) a few days ago. He died of COVID-19 on Wednesday. The patient was also suffering from liver disease," the official said.

With 121 new patients, the number of active cases in Tripura now stands at 1,647, while 4,912 people have recovered from the disease, he said.

Eighteen patients have migrated to other states.

(PTI)

. Tamil Nadu Government bars installation of Lord Vinayagar statues and procession of the same on the occasion of Vinayagar Chathurthi which falls on August 22 due to Covid-19 lockdown. Asks people to celebrate the festival in their homes.

. Research suggests that making direct payments to poor households can contributeto higher savings and better health and education outcomes than other forms of social assistance. Since the start of the pandemic, more than 1 billion people have received direct government money transfers of some kind, including some 140 million informal workers.

. The United States has urged its citizens not to travel to Pakistan due to the Covid-19 pandemic and terror threat.

. A team led by an Indian-origin scientist has used artificial intelligence (AI) to identify hundreds of new potential drugs that could help treat Covid-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, or SARS-CoV-2.

. New Zealand rushed to track the source of a sudden return of the coronavirus Thursday as the number of new cases in its biggest city rose to 17 and officials warned more infections were inevitable.

. A committee of seven Supreme Court judges is learnt to have recommended holding physical hearings in at least two or three of its 15 benches in the apex court as early as next week with some additional safety measures.

. The Mahant had shared the stage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Ram Temple groundbreaking ceremony at Ayodhya on August 5. RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were also on the stage with him.

. The government has distributed more than 3.04 crore N95 masks and over 1.28 crore personal protection equipment (PPE) kits among the states, Union territories and central institutions for free since March 11, the Health Ministry said on Thursday.

. With a record single-day increase of 66,999cases, India's Covid-19 tally mounted to 23,96,637 on Thursday, while the number of patients who have recovered from the disease surged to 16,95,982, pushing the recovery rate to 70.77 per cent in the country, according to the Union health ministry.

. Drug firm Zydus Cadila launched India's cheapest generic version of antiviral drug remdesivir to treat Covid-19. Priced at Rs 2,800 for a 100 mg vial of the injection, Remdac is the most cheapest Remdesivir brand in the country.

. The announcement Tuesday by Russian President Vladimir Putin that his country was the first to approve a coronavirus vaccine did not provoke the awe and wonder of the Soviet Union's launch of the first satellite into orbit in 1957. Instead, it was met by doubts about the science and safety.

. The Project Coswara team from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) is building a diagnostic tool for Covid-19 based on respiratory, cough and speech sounds. It requires users to provide a recording of breathing sounds, cough sounds, vowel sounds andcount for five to seven minutes.

. An expert panel on Wednesday advised states against making independent efforts to procure vaccines against Covid-19, saying it planned to leverage the country’s manufacturing facilities for early deliveries in India and other low and middle income countries.

. When Vladimir Putin announced Tuesday that Russia had approved a coronavirus vaccine — with no evidence from large-scale clinical trials — vaccine experts were worried.

. With 10,904 active Covid-19 containment zones in the city as of Wednesday evening, the BBMP is spending a small fortune setting up and maintaining these containment areas. Consequently, it will phase out many smaller zones.

. The governor of Sao Paulo, the state with the highest Covid-19 death toll in hard-hit Brazil, said on Wednesday he had tested positive for the new coronavirus and would continue working from quarantine.

. Gujarat reported 1,152 coronavirus positive cases on Wednesday, which pushed the overall tally of the state to 74,390, the health department said.

. The world cycling championships, due to take place from September 20-27 in Aigle-Martigny in Switzerland, have been cancelled because of restrictions to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

. Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala on Wednesday alleged that there were 'critical flaws' in the government's Covid-19 response and containment strategies and even in the discharge policy, a charge dismissed by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

. Eleven members of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) were arrested on Wednesday for allegedly violating Covid-19 guidelines while protesting in central Delhi against the Draft Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2020, police said.

. Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy said that 60 fresh Covid-19 have been recorded in Kodagu district on Wednesday.

. One of Kings XIPunjab's primary middle-order batsmen tested positive for coronavirus a fortnight ago but has now recovered from the infection, it has been reliably learnt.

. State Health Minister Rajesh Tope says that maximum charges for testing now stand at Rs.1,900, Rs. 2,200 and Rs. 2,500 while no laboratory can charge above these prescribed rates.

. The minister of state for AYUSH and defence said he opted for self-isolation as he is asymptomatic and added his vitals are within normal limits.

Read more here.

. The National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration (NEGVA), chaired by V K Paul, member Niti Ayog, held its first meeting here and discussed procurement mechanisms for Covid-19 vaccine, both indigenous and international, along with guiding principles for prioritisation of population groups for vaccination.

Read more here.

. As of August 12 evening, cumulatively 1,96,494 Covid-19 cases have been confirmed in the state, which includes 3,510 deaths and 1,12,633 discharges, the health department said in its bulletin.

Read more here.

. Air India would immediately initiate action for closure in consultation with local lawyers & advise the timelines by which the stations will be closed, says the national carrier.

ANI

. The women inmates, including 13 undertrials and a convict, were shifted from Baidhan jail on August 9 as it was overcrowded, he said.

Read more here.

. Credit: AFP Photo

. The highest single-day recoveries at 56,110 are the result of the successful implementation of effective containment strategy, aggressive and comprehensive testing coupled with standardised clinical management of the critical patients based on a holistic standard of care approach, the ministry said.

Read more here.

. On August 7 and 8, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan interacted with officials of 29 districts reporting a high number of coronavirus cases. He found that the above mentioned four districts from Karnataka were reporting high number of cases, conducting low tests per million population and had a high confirmation percentage.

Read more here.

. Adhering to the social distancing guidelines, Dahi Handi mandals were not forming human pyramids this year to mark the birth of Lord Krishna. Instead, they were carrying out health and social welfare drives, like blood donation camps and removal of plastic.

Read more here.

. Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said on Wednesday allegations that Russia's Covid-19 vaccine was unsafe were groundless and driven by competition, the Interfax news agency reported.

. Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah has “fully recovered” and his latest throat swab result has come negative for Covid-19 , a statement from his office said Wednesday.

. Undisputedly, technology and data-driven tools are playing an indispensable role during this global emergency. Data analytics and AI are being deployed to prevent transmission of the novel coronavirus . When done on a large scale, these could serve as powerful instruments for health authorities to track coronavirus. A regulatory framework and privacy guardrails would further make these tools effective.

. 39 new Covid-19 cases & 19 recovered cases reported in Himachal Pradesh, pushing the tally in the state to 3,536, including 1,200 active cases, 2,292 recoveries and 16 deaths till date: State Health Department, Himachal Pradesh

. The efficacy and safety levels of the vaccine developed by Russia for treating COVID-19 patients is not predictable in the absence of data, a top official of theCSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology said on Wednesday.

His remarks come in the backdrop of Russian President Vladimir Putin's announcement that his country has developed the world's first vaccine against coronavirus. Director of CCMB, Rakesh K Mishra said if people are "lucky" then the Russian vaccine will work.

"Both, efficacy and safety of the vaccine is still unknown. They haven't conducted proper trials, whichis stage-III trials.

. German Health Minister Jens Spahn on Wednesday said Russia's COVID-19 vaccine had not been sufficiently tested, adding the aim was to have a safe product rather than just being first to start vaccinating people.

"It can be dangerous to start vaccinating millions, if not billions, of people too early because it could pretty much kill the acceptance of vaccination if it goes wrong, so I'm very sceptical about what's going on in Russia," Spahn told radio broadcaster Deutschlandfunk.

"I would be pleased if we had an initial, good vaccine but based on everything we know - and that's the fundamental problem, namely that the Russians aren't telling us much - this has not been sufficiently tested," he added.

. The Supreme Court has sought response from the Centre on a PIL seeking an immediate ban on use, installation, production and advertisement of disinfectant tunnels set up to curb the spread of coronavirus.

According to the plea, the World Health Organization (WHO) and many other scientific authorities across the world have warned about their ineffectiveness and dangerous after effects.

The petitioner sought ban on usage, installation, advertisement, production, and sale of such disinfection tunnels which seeks to spray or fumigate disinfectants on human beings or expose human beings to ultra violet rays with a belief to disinfect them.

. 481 new Covid-19 cases, 138 recoveries and 5 deaths reported in Puducherry today, taking the total number of cases to 6,381 cases, including 2,616 active cases, 3,669 recovered cases and 96 deaths: State Health Department, Government of Puducherry

. They say, "Some of us were shifted here from Khatima. We neither get proper food nor bathroom facilities."

. Total number of cases now at 55482 including 14103 active cases, 37917 discharged cases and 821 deaths: State Health Department

. 1,897 new Covid-19 positive cases, 1,920 and 9 deaths reported in Telangana on August 11, taking the total number of cases to 84,544, including 22,596 active cases, 61,294 recoveries and 654 deaths so far: Director of Public Health and Family Welfare, Telangana

. The Covid-19 tally rises to 23,29,639 including 643948 active cases, 1639600 cured/discharged/migrated & 46091 deaths: Ministry of Health

. Of these, 7,33,449 samples were tested yesterday: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)

. Russia has become the first country in the world to approve a vaccine for the coronavirus, President Vladimir Putin announced Tuesday, though global health authorities say the vaccine has yet to complete critical, late-stage clinical trials to determine its safety and effectiveness.

. Australia's worst-hit state of Victoria appears to be curbing a virus outbreak after a week of tougher restrictions, authorities said Wednesday, with new cases falling in recent days even as fatalities topped records.

Victoria state Premier Daniel Andrews announced 410 new cases and 21 fatalities -- marking Australia's deadliest day so far -- but said the state "certainly" seemed to be flattening the curve.

. Sri Lanka's coronavirus lockdown has helped reduce the death toll from clashes between elephants and humans, conservationists have said.

A record 405 elephants were killed by humans in the country last year, up from about 360 in 2018. A total of 121 people were killed by elephants, up from 96 the year before, according to government data.

. Credit: AFP

. Moscow is willing to discuss with New Delhi about the prospects of a bilateral cooperation on the new Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine that Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Tuesday.

New Delhi, however, is likely to tread cautiously, as it has taken note of the scepticism around the world over the Russian President’s announcement.

Sources told the DH that Moscow has already indicated to New Delhi its willingness to discuss terms of cooperation on the new coronavirus vaccine, including its production and distribution in India.

. On April 24 2020, the Ministry of AYUSH promoted a herbal formulation called AYUSH Kwath for ‘immunity boosting’ of the masses for the COVID-19 pandemic. However, can individual herbs or concoctions boost immunity against Covid-19?

. The LPGA Shanghai tournament has been cancelled because of health concerns and travel restrictions put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the elite women's professional golf circuit said on Tuesday.

The event was scheduled for Oct. 15-18 at Qizhong Garden Golf Club.

. New Zealand officials are investigating the possibility that its first COVID-19 cases in more than three months were imported by freight, as the country plunged back into lockdown on Wednesday.

The discovery of four infected family members in Auckland led Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to swiftly reimpose tight restrictions on movement in New Zealand's biggest city and travel limitations across the entire country.

The source of the outbreak has baffled health officials, who said they were confident there were was no local transmission of the virus in New Zealand for 102 days and that the family had not travelled overseas.

. Assam's Covid-19 tally rose to 64,406 with the detection of 2,669 new cases, while four more fatalities pushed its coronavirus death toll to 155, Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Tuesday.

. Following public outrage over the sealing of an apartment door with galvanised metal sheets, the BBMP has changed the guidelines.

. A fire engulfing any building with people in it is distressing. It is all the more so when the building is a hospital where patients have come to be cured of their illnesses. A fire at Ramesh Hospital in Vijayawada on Sunday morning claimed the lives of 10 Covid-19 patients.

. On April 24 2020, the Ministry of AYUSH promoted a herbal formulation called AYUSH Kwath for ‘immunity boosting’ of the masses for the COVID-19 pandemic. The ministry requested the State/UT governments to “direct the AYUSH Licensing Authorities to consider granting license/approval for manufacturing of AYUSH Kwath formulation to the interested licensed Ayurveda/Siddha/Unani drug manufacturers.”

. According to the bulletin issued by the Department of Health and Family Welfare, the total number of cases in the state has reached 1,01,390.

. The last time Miriam Castro saw her son Herman, he was in the hospital. A mask covered his face as he sobbed over a FaceTime call.

“He kept saying: ‘I love you, Ma, I love you, Ma. Take care of yourselves. This is no game,’” Castro recalled.

Herman J. Castro, a 32-year-old manager of a McDonald’s in central Florida, died two days later.

He is among the more than 100 adults ages 25-44 who died of Covid-19 in Florida last month.

. Nepal has decided to halve the number of designated entry points for Indian nationals to 10 from the existing 20 and extended the suspension of domestic and international flights until August 31 due to the spike in coronavirus cases in the country.

A Cabinet meeting held at the Prime Minister's Official Residence in Baluwatar on Monday evening made the decisions on the recommendations made by the Covid-19 Crisis Management Centre (CCMC).

The government had partially lifted the lockdown 120 days after it was first enforced on March 24 to contain the spread of Covid-19. The government had then announced its plans to resume long-distance public transportation services, domestic and international flights from August 17.

. India striker Mandeep Singh, who tested positive for coronavirus on Monday, was admitted to a hospital late in the night after his condition turned from mild to moderate.

"During night monitoring of vitals on August 10 (Monday) it was found that Mandeep Singh's blood oxygen level was dropping below normal which indicated that he is moving from mild to moderate severity of Covid," said a statement from the Sports Authority of India.

"SAI authorities on campus took an immediate decision to shift him to SS Sparsh multispeciality hospital as a precautionary measure. His condition is currently stable."

. The Centre on Tuesday released Rs 6,195 crore to 14 states as the monthly instalment of post-devolution revenue deficit grant.

“The government on August 11, 2020, released Rs 6,195.08 crore to 14 states as the fifth equated monthly instalment of the Post Devolution Revenue Deficit Grant as recommended by the 15th Finance Commission. This would provide them additional resources during the Corona crisis,” the Office of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in a tweet.

. Religious places/places of worship within the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir to open from August 16. Installation and use of Aarogya Setu App mandatory for allvisitors. Touching statues, idols or holy books not permitted: J&K Government

. The Railways has stated that all regular passenger train services will remain suspended till further notice, but 230 special trains will continue to be in service.

“This is to bring to the notice of all concerned that as decided and informed earlier as well, regular passenger and suburban train services will continue to remain suspended till further notice," a statement from the Railways said.

“It may be noted that 230 Special Trains, which are running at present, will continue to operate. Local trains in Mumbai, which are presently being run on limited basis only on the requisition of state government, will also continue to run,” it said.

. 11,088 new COVID-19 cases reported in Maharashtra taking the total number of cases in the State to 5,35,601. There are 1,48,553 active cases and the death toll is at 18,306: State Health Department

. As Russia rolled out its first coronavirus vaccine on Tuesday, a panel of top Indian health experts is scheduled to meet on Wednesday to chart out guidelines on who should get the first injections and how to ensure adequate stocks of the vaccines.

. The World Health Organization said any WHO stamp of approval on a Covid-19 vaccine candidate would require a rigorous safety data review, after Russia announced on Tuesday it had approved a vaccine.

. 6,257 Covid-19 cases reported on 10th August in Karnataka. 6,473 people discharged today, 86 new deaths also reported. Total number of cases in the state is now at 1,88,611, including 1,05,599 discharged, 79,606 active cases, and 3,398 deaths: State Health Department

. The national capital recorded 1,257 fresh coronaviruscases, and eight deaths, the lowest in over two months, in the last 24 hours, authorities said onTuesday.

This is the first time in over two months that the daily number of deaths has dropped below 10, according to the Delhi government's health bulletin.

On August 5, Delhi had recorded 11 COVID-19 deaths, indicating a significant improvement in the situation in the city.

. 5,834 Covid-19 cases, 6,005 discharged and 118 deaths reported in Tamil Nadu today. Total number of cases in the state is now at 3,08,649, including 2,50,680 discharged, 52,810 active cases and 5,159 deaths: State Health Department

. "Today there are only 8 deaths from Corona in Delhi. Today, less than 10 deaths occurred after several days. We have taken several steps to reduce deaths from Corona. Our effort is that there should not be a single death. Every human is valuable to us," said Delhi CMArvind Kejriwal.

. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases worldwide topped 20 million, more than half of them from the United States, India and Brazil, as Russia on Tuesday became the first country to register a vaccine against the virus.

. In your evening news brief, From The Newsroom, Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced that his country has developed first vaccine that “works quite effectively" and "forms a stable immunity" against Covid-19.

Listen to today's episode of DHRadiohere

. Famous Urdu poet Rahat Indori, who was being treated for COVID-19, died of a heart attack at the Aurobindo Hospital here on Tuesday, his son Satlaj Indori said. He was 70.

. For the first time in the country, Covid-19 fatality rate has fallen below 2% and is currently at 1.99%, saidRajesh Bhushan, Secretary, Health Ministry in a press briefing.

"PM referred to the fact that there are states - Bihar, Gujarat, UP, West Bengal & Telangana where there's need to increase testing rate as positivity rate at present in these states is on higher side," he said.

"A group of experts in Health Ministry is presently seized with this issue & working on a guidance note for recovered people & possible complications that may afflict them,"Rajesh Bhushan said.

He said that thevovt has constituted National Expert Group on Vaccine Admn which will meet tomorrow. "Their terms of reference constitute all matters related to logistics of vaccines, ways to address issues of equity etc," he said.

He said, "This expert group will continue its engagement with all state governments and vaccine manufacturers in India."

. With over 15 lakh total recoveries, India's recovery rate nears 70%; case fatality rate drops to 1.9%

The Ministry of Health said, "TEST, TRACK, TREAT strategy showing the desired result- the gap between percentage Recoveries and percentage Active Cases is growing every day."

Image: PIB

. Russia has named its first approved Covid-19 vaccine 'Sputnik V' for foreign markets, a reference to the world's first satellite and what Moscow sees as its success at becoming the first country to approve a vaccine, a top official said on Tuesday.

Kirill Dmitriev, head of the country's RDIF sovereign wealth fund, said Russia had already received requests from more than 20 countries for 1 billion doses of its newly-registered Covid-19 vaccine.

He was speaking after President Vladimir Putin announced the approval after less than two months of human testing.

The speed at which Russia is moving to roll out the vaccine has prompted some international scientists to question whether Moscow is putting national prestige before solid science and safety.

(Reuters)

Image: Vaccine against the coronavirus disease, developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology. Credit: Russian Direct Investment Fund / AFP

. Congressleader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said it is necessary to implement a scheme like MGNREGA and the party-proposed minimum income guarantee scheme NYAY to help those suffering due to unemployment in cities and the poor across the country.

TheCongresshas been urging the government to scale up the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and expand its scope to meet the growing work demand in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis.

Gandhi asserted that implementing the two schemes would also be beneficial for the economy.

"It is necessary to implement a scheme like MGNREGA for those suffering due to unemployment in cities, and the NYAY scheme for the poor people across the country," the formerCongresschieftweeted.

. 276 new Covid-19 cases, 172 recoveries and 2 deaths reported in Puducherry today, taking the total number of cases to 5900 cases, including 2,277 active cases, 3,532 recovered cases and 91 deaths: State Health Department, Government of Puducherry

. Several users on Facebook and Twitter have shared a news clip with the claim, “The United States has just discovered the man who made and sold the Coronavirus to China.

. Preparations underway at ISKCON Temple for Janmashtami tomorrow, amid Covid-19 pandemic. Temple's Vice President Vrajendra Nandan Das says, "Markings done for social distancing, sanitisation tunnel set up. Masks compulsory for everyone. Very few people have been invited." (ANI)

. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Tuesday that authorities have found four cases of thecoronavirusin one Auckland household from an unknown source, the first cases of local transmission in the country in 102 days.

Ardern said Auckland, the nation's largest city, will be moved to Level 3 from midday Wednesday, meaning that people will be asked to stay at home and bars and many other businesses will be closed. She said the rest of the country will be raised to Level 2.

(AP)

. Noted poet and lyricist Rahat Indori on Tuesday said he has tested positive for coronavirus.

He is admitted in the ICU of a hospital in Madhya Pradesh's Indore city, an official said.

"After initial symptoms of COVID-19, my corona test was done yesterday which came out positive. Pray that I defeat this disease as soon as possible," Indori, 70, tweeted.

. Prime Minister Narendra Modi noted on Tuesday that 10 states account for over 80 per cent of active Covid-19 cases, and asserted if the virus is defeated in these states, then the country will also emerge victorious in its fight against the pandemic.

. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhantests negative for Covid-19.

Chouhan on Sunday said he would donate his blood plasma for treatment of Covid-19 patients.

Chouhan had tested positive for coronavirus on July 25 and remained hospitalised for 11 days before he was discharged on August 5.

"I was tested positive for Covid-19 earlier and I am perfectly healthy now after treatment. Antibodies to fight coronavirus must have been developed in my body and so I will soon donate plasma for therapy," an official release quoted the chief minister as saying while reviewing the Covid-19 situation in the state via video conferencing.

Image Credit: Twitter Screengrab/@ChouhanShivraj

. The main way that the virus spreads is through droplets people spray when they talk, cough or sneeze. That means the best way to reduce the spread of infection on public transit and elsewhere is to wear and mask and stay 6 feet from others, experts say.

. The meet assumes significance as these 10 states have a high populaton density and the idea is to bring down the virus caseload. This is the seventh video conference of the prime ministers with the states since the outbreak of the pandemic.

This is also the first meeting of the prime minister with chief ministers during unlock 3 on the pandemic.

. We have seen that in some districts of UP, Haryana andDelhi, there was a phase when Covid-19 became a huge problem. Then we held a review meeting anda committee was formed under the chairmanship of Amit Shah and to a great extent, we achieved the results that we wanted, says PM Modi.

. On the matter of the coronavirus lockdown, Singh said that he believes India did what others were doing, and perhaps the lockdown was inevitable. However, he said the Centre's "shock and awe" approach to the lockdown caused tremendous pain to the people, and the suddenness and strictness of the lockdown were insensitive.

. As of July 27, more than 16.5 million people are confirmed to have Covid-19 disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. Karnataka alone has seen an increase of nearly 35000 cases in just a week.

This sudden surge in the number of cases puts enormous stress on healthcare services. Governments across India are adopting new measures like home isolation. In this scenario, a small medical device called pulse oximeter has come in handy and useful tool to assess the severity of the disease.

. Indian hockey team forward Mandeep Singh, who tested positive for Covid-19, has been admitted to a hospital in Bengaluru after his blood oxygen level dropped but his condition is stable, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) said on Tuesday.

. The state government in a circular on Monday said, in view of evolving situation of Covid-19 in the state and recent revision of guidelines from Government of lndia, the revised guidelines for home isolation of Covid-19 cases are issued.

. Seventy six more people, including 36 security personnel, tested positive for Covid-19 in Arunachal Pradesh, bringing tally to 2,231. The total number of active cases stand at 636.

. Rajasthan reports 620 fresh Covid-19 cases and 10 deaths. The total case tally rises to 54,290. The death toll stands at 810.

. Latest data from Apple Inc. and Alphabet Inc.’s Google showed mobility suffered in recent weeks after notching up an increase since May, when Asia’s third-largest economy began exiting a nationwide lockdown to contain the coronavirus outbreak. Elsewhere, high-frequency indicators from purchasing mangers’ surveys to fuel sales show growth plateauing in July. And that’s not all.

. Now, India has 28.21% active cases, 69.80% recovered/discharged/migrated and 1.99% deaths.

. India reports single-day spike of 53,601 cases and 871 deaths in the last 24 hours, according to Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. With this, the Covid-19 tally rises to 22,68,676 including 6,39,929 active cases, 15,83,490 recovered/discharged/migrated and 45,257 deaths.

. President Donald Trump is considering new immigration rules that would allow border officials to temporarily block an American citizen or legal permanent resident from returning to the United States from abroad if the authorities have reason to believe the person may be infected with the coronavirus.

. Two of my ministers in the Cabinet, Kandasamy and Kamalakannan, have tested positive for Covid-19. I appeal to people moved with them to go for testing, says Puducherry Chief Minister, V Narayanasamy.

. The coronavirus pandemic chalked up another horrific milestone Monday as the world surpassed 20 million recorded cases of infection from the tiny killer that has upended life just about everywhere.

The number as of 2215 GMT was 20,002,577 cases, with 733,842 deaths recorded, according to an AFP tally of official sources.

. Fans dancing at an electronic music festival, long lines at breakfast stands, gridlocked traffic -- the scenes in coronavirus ground zero Wuhan these days would have been unthinkable in January.

. Nearly one in four persons in rural India borrowed money for their expenses, 8% sold a valuable possession (phone, watch etc), 7% mortgaged jewellery, and 5% sold or mortgaged land and only one in five got jobs under MGNREGA, according to the first survey of rural India amid Covid-19.

. Private hospital associations have questioned politicians in the state who got themselves admitted to private hospitals for Covid-19 treatment.

. US President Donald Trump still wants to see coronavirus aid legislation pass that would include stimulus payments to individuals and school funding, the White House said on Monday after talks with congressional Democrats collapsed last week.

. With hundreds of beds empty across the 11 Covid-19 Care Centres (CCC) operated by the government in the city, officials are considering shutting down as many as five, including the ambitious Covid-19 Care hub set up at Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC).

. Assam's Covid-19 death toll mounted to 151 on Monday with six more fatalities, Minister for Health and Family Welfare Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

. Eight Covid-19 fatalities were reported, along with 146 fresh cases, in Dakshina Kannada district on Monday.

The district’s death toll is now 228. So far, 7,353 have tested positive for Covid-19. As many as 81 patients with symptoms of Influenza-Like illness (ILI) and 16 patients with Severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) tested positive.

. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a video conference with select states on Covid-19 on Tuesday.

. The number of new Covid-19 cases among children in the United States rose 40% in the last two weeks of July, according to a report released just weeks before tens of millions of American students are scheduled to begin the new school year.

. 2,905 new Covid-19 cases reported in West Bengal today, taking the total number of cases in the state to 98,459. The total numbers of active and discharged cases are 26,031 and 70,328 respectively: State Health Department

. In a bid to survive amid the Covid-19 pandemic and adapt to the new normal, nearly 16 lakh hawkers in West Bengal are all set to take their business from the sidewalks to the cyberspace.

Struggling to earn their livelihood on the streets as people are not buying their commodities fearing infection, they have decided to make it contactless by coming up with a mobile application and a website with which customers will be able to buy from them and get the products delivered to their doorsteps.

The initiative is aimed at ensuring social distancing for both customers and hawkers. While customers will not have to risk infection by going to crowded markets, the hawkers also will be safe from coronavirus as the products will be delivered using bicycles. The deliveries will be made by the family members of the hawkers.

. The Vijayawada police have arrested three executives of Ramesh Hospitals including its Chief Operating Officer Kodali Rajagopala Rao in connection with the Sunday fire mishap that killed 10 Covid-19 patients.

The city-based Ramesh Hospitals was running a Covid-19 care centre in the Swarna Palace hotel, where a massive fire broke out early morning. 31 patients were lodged inside the hotel at that time.

Quick arrival and timely rescue using ladders by the fire officials have saved the lives of 21 patients. About a dozen medical, and supportive staff also escaped death.

. Lockdown in Andaman and Nicobar Islands extended for one week from tomorrow; reduced number of flights and ships to operate: Chetan Sanghi, Chief Secretary, Andaman and Nicobar Islands

. 114 deaths and 4,267 new Covid-19 cases reported in Karnataka today till 5 pm, taking the total number of positive cases in the state to 1,82,354. The total number of patients discharged is 99,126: State Health Department

. In your evening news brief, From The Newsroom , we look at Karnataka Revenue Minister R Ashoka's statement on the government’s preliminary estimate for flood-related losses were Rs 3,500-4,000 crore.

The Supreme Court on Monday decided to continue with the 2009 contempt case against activist-advocate Prashant Bhushan for allegations of corruption among former CJIs

Karnataka Education Department on Monday announced the results of SSLC examination and Former President Pranab Mukherjee tests positive for Covid-19.

. The BCCI has received the central government's formal approval to conduct this year's Indian Premier League in the UAE, IPL Chairman Brijesh Patel revealed on Monday.

The IPL will be held in the UAE from September 19 to November 10 in three cities -- Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

The government had last week given an "in principle" go-ahead to the BCCI to shift the marquee league to the UAE due to rising cases of Covid-19 in the country.

. 9,181 new Covid-19 positive cases, 6,711 discharges and 293 deaths have been reported in Maharashtra today. Total number of cases now at 5,24,513 including 1,47,735 active cases, 18,050 deaths and 3,58,421 recoveries: State Health Department

. 7,665 new Covid-19 cases and 80 deaths have been reported in Andhra Pradesh in the last 24 hours. Total number of cases now at 235525 including 87,773 active cases, 1,45,636 recoveries and 2116 deaths: State Covid-19 nodal officer

. 5,914 new Covid-19 positive cases and 114 deaths have been reported in Tamil Nadu today. Total number of cases now at 3,02,815 including 53,099 active cases, 2,44,675 discharges and 5,041 deaths: State Health Department

. "The people expressed confidence in Modiji by clapping for corona warriors. But the Modi government, as usual, pulled out of helping corona warriors. The government will have to provide security, respect and facilities to corona warriors," says Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi.

. No timeline has been decided to open schools. The opening of schools will depend on the situation of Covid-19. So far only Union Territory of Chandigarh has expressed an intention to open schools: Government Sources (ANI)

. "Over 90% of Corona patients in Delhi have now recovered. Only 7% cases are active now," says Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.

"Slowly and steadily, the people of Delhi are defeating Corona," the Chief Minister said in a tweet.

. Actor Sanjay Dutt on Monday was discharged from the hospital, two days after he was admitted for breathlessness.

The 61-year-old actor was taken to Lilavati Hospital on Saturday evening for full check-up, where he was also tested for Covid-19, which turned out to be negative.

. Image Credit: PTI File Photo

. Bihar's Covid-19 case tally now stands at 82,741 with 28,151 active cases, 54,139 discharged cases and 450 deaths. The recovery rate in the state is 65.43%: State Health Department

. Delhi reports 707 Covid-19 cases, 1070 recovered cases and 20 deaths today. The total positive cases here rises to 1,46,134 including 1,31,657 recovered/discharged/migrated cases and 4131 deaths.

3311 RTPCR/CBNAAT/TrueNat tests and 9012 Rapid antigen tests conducted today. 12,04,405 tests done so far, according to the Government of Delhi.

. In a briefing on Monday, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus acknowledged that “behind these statistics there is a great deal of pain and suffering” but said there were still “green shoots of hope” no matter what stage in an outbreak a country or region might be.

. Health Minister lauds the contribution of states in popularising eSanjeevani, the Tele-Medicine platform by MoHFW.

1.5 lakh tele-consultations completed through ‘eSanjeevani’ & ‘eSanjeevaniOPD'.

Image Credit: Twitter Image/@investindia

. Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa has recovered from coronavirus and has been discharged from the hospital. He was admitted to Manipal hospital on August 2 after he tested coronavirus positive.

. The Education Department on Monday announced the results of the Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) (class 10) examination that was held in June-July. The state reported an overall pass percentage of 71.80%.

. Actor Sanjay Dutt who was admitted to Lilavati Hospital on August 8 after he complained of breathlessness has been discharged, according to theLilavati Hospital, Mumbai.

He announced on August 8 that his Covid-19 report was negative. (ANI)

In Pic:Bollywood actorSanjayDuttwaves as he returns home after being discharged from a hospital in Mumbai on August 10, 2020.

Image Credit: AFP Photo

. The coronavirus pandemic is forcing India’s children out of school and into farms and factories to work, worsening a child-labor problem that was already one of the most dire in the world.

. Idol makers from Pune say Covid-19 has affected their businesses as they have not got orders for Ganesh idols ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi.

An idol maker says, "We don't have any bookings. We are dependent on this festival but people are afraid of stepping out." (ANI)

. Gyms reopen in Hyderabad as part of Unlock 3. A customer says, "We bring our own water bottles and towels. Only some people are allowed at a time and we are taking precautions against Covid-19." (ANI)

. Odisha registered its highest single-day spike in Covid-19 deaths on Monday as 14 patients succumbed to the disease, while 1,528 new infections pushed its caseload to 47,455, a health official said.

. Former President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday said he has tested positive for Covid-19, the latest VIP to contract the deadly virus.

. PM's Ayushman Bharat scheme gave benefit to 55 crore families but Telangana govt kept its people deprived of it, by not implementing it: JP Nadda, BJP president at 'Bhoomi Poojan' of 9 party district offices via video conference.

. The total tally stands at 3,375 cases, including 1,153 active cases, 2,181 recovered cases and 13 deaths so far in the state

. India has posted more than 9 lakh recoveries than the active cases (6,34,945). Case Fatality Rate is 2% as on date and is steadily declining

. SC adjourns for next week plea seeking timely payment of salaries to doctors & healthcare workers engaged in Covid-19 duty. Court was hearing a plea filed by Dr. Arushi Jain, seeking suitable accommodation, quarantine & other facilities for medical workers involved in Covid-19

. Puducherry's case tally now stands at 5,624, including 2,180 active cases, 3,355 recovered, and 89 deaths

. The state also reported 1,543 recoveries & 14 deaths reported in Odisha on 9th August. Total number of cases stands at 47,455 cases, including 15,334 actives cases, 31,784 recoveries and 286 deaths till date

. The snowballing Covid-19 numbers from 216 to 72,237 from May 17 to August 8 may not be telling the real story if the civic body’s data were to be believed.

. Rajasthan detects 598 new Covid-19 positive cases and 6 deaths today till now, pushing the state's Covid-19 tally to 53,095 cases & 795 deaths respectively. Active cases rise to 13,946 while 8,636 migrants have tested positive

. <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Source Sans Pro", sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">One of the five policemen arrested for their role in the alleged custodial death of a father and his son in Thoothukudi district in Tamil Nadu succumbed to the novel coronavirus infection on Monday. Special Sub-Inspector Pauldurai took his last breat <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Source Sans Pro", sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">h on Monday morning as he failed to respond to Covid-19 treatment at a hospital in Madurai, 465 km from here. <br style="box-sizing: inherit; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: none; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-rendering: geometricprecision; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Source Sans Pro", sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;" /><br style="box-sizing: inherit; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: none; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-rendering: geometricprecision; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Source Sans Pro", sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;" /> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Source Sans Pro", sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">Read more

. This figures take the total number of cases in the state to 80,751, including 22,528 active cases, 57,586 recoveries and 637 deaths so far.

. Five Indian cities have more than one lakh Covid-19 cases each but displaying more of a declining trend while Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh emerging as the new hotspot reportingexcess of 1,000 cases every day.

. With confirmed coronavirus cases in the US hitting 5 million Sunday, by far the highest of any country, the failure of the most powerful nation in the world to contain the scourge has been met with astonishment and alarm in Europe.

. New listings have drastically come down during the current financial year as the coronavirus pandemic and the resultant economic mess have made the equity markets unattractive for companies wanting to raise capital.

. Despite the airport area falling under containment zone, many locals had rushed to the accident spot on hearing about the mishap, which had claimed 18 lives and left over 100 injured. Their selfless act has come in for praise from various quarters.

Read more here.

. "The (Covid-19) situation is under control. All parameters are good, recovery rate is improving, positivity ratio and deaths have reduced," Kejriwal said.

Read more here.

. The Covid-19 tests have substantially increased inBiharin the past fortnight. Obviously, the number of positive cases has also increased. But in terms of percentage, the cases have reduced by 50%. Sounds a bit unbelievable. But it’s true.

Read more here.

. The number of recoveries too has surged to 14,80,884 with 53,879 coronavirus patients having recuperated and discharged in 24-hours, the highest in a day so far, pushing the recovery rate to 68.78 per cent. The fatality rate has further dropped to 2.01 per cent, it said.

Read more here.

. Cases reported today: 1,211

Total infected: 34,331

Total deaths: 108 Now under treatment : 12,347

Recoveries today: 970 Total recoveriesso far: 21,836 In home and institutional quarantine: 1.37 lakh In hospital observation: 11,742 Samples tested so far: 9.84 lakh Results pending: 4,989

. Sriramulu said in a tweet that hetested for Covid-19 after suffering from fever during the day.

Read more here.

. While 1,130 people recovered from the infection on Saturday, there are 10,668 active cases. The death toll rose to 4,098, Jain told reporters.

Read more here.

. While coronavirus has spread through the world like wildfire, the number of infected people living in closed spaces who have not shown any symptoms has left researchers in a confusion.

Read more here.

. 5702 RTPCR/CBNAAT/TrueNat tests and 18085 Rapid antigen tests were conducted today. So far, 1192082 tests have been done: Health Department, Delhi Govt

ANI

. The Health Ministry said the number of recoveries has surged to 14,80 884. A record 53.879 more people recovered in the past 24 hours, taking the recovery rate to 68.78 per cent. The case fatality rate has dropped further to 2.01 per cent, according to Ministry data.

There are 6,28,747 active cases comprising 29.20 per cent of the total caseload in the country.

. The Kodagu district recorded 13 fresh Covid-19 cases on Sunday morning, thus taking the tally of the total cases to 696.

Read more here

. With little more than two months to go for Durga puja, festival committees in the city are brainstorming ways to ensure the safety of pandal-hoppers amid the Covid-19 crisis, while offering them a glimpse of the goddess.

Read more here

. The United States' failure to contain the spread of the coronavirus has been met with astonishment and alarm in Europe, as the world's most powerful country edges closer to a global record of 5 million confirmed infections.

Read more here

. Amid reports that Home Minister Amit Shah has tested negative for Covid-19, a senior MHA official said a test has not been done so far.

Former Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari earlier in the day tweeted that Shah has tested negative.

Shah was admitted to the hospital after testing positive on August 2. (DHNS)

. There are reports that Covid-19 cases are increasing in Delhi, the reason for this is that many people from outside Delhi are getting their tests done here. Hence, counting of positive cases is rising here. Otherwise, trend of cases in Delhi is decreasing: Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain (ANI)

. Some degree of immune reactivity against SARS-CoV-2 already pre-existedin the general population, according to a paper published in Nature Reviews Immunology .

Read more here

. Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Saturday said he has tested positive for Covid-19 and admitted to AIIMS in Delhi.

Read more here

. HBO Max's much-awaited reunion special of "Friends" has once again been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. An HBO Max insider told Variety that the ongoing pandemic-induced shutdown has forced the makers to push the production of the special to later this year.

Read more here

. New Zealand marked 100 days on Sunday with no recorded cases of the coronavirus in the community but health officials warned there was no room for complacency.

Read more here

. Anguished by the fire at a Covid-19 Centre in Vijayawada. My thoughts are with those who lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover as soon as possible. Discussed the prevailing situation with Andhra Pradesh CM Jagan Mohan Reddy ji and assured all possible support: PM Modi.

. Deeply anguished by news of tragic fire accident at a Covid-19 facility in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. Centre assures all possible support to state govt. Condolences with affected families in this time of grief. Praying for a speedy recovery of those injured: Home Minister Amit Shah.

. A severe household water shortage facing two out of five people in the world is undermining efforts to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

Read more here

. Single-day spike of 64,399 cases and 861 deaths reported in India, in the last 24 hours.

The Covid-19 tally rises to 21,53,011 including 6,28,747 active cases, 14,80,885 cured/discharged/migrated and 43,379 deaths: Ministry of Health.

. Brazilbecame the second country to pass the grim milestone of100,000coronavirusdeathsSaturday asUSPresident DonaldTrumpsigned executive actionsextendingeconomichelp in the world's worst-hit nation.

Read more here

. Despite its critical role in our daily lives, air is not something most of us spend a great deal of time thinking about. It’s that easy to take for granted. Unlike water, we don’t need to fill up a cup to consume it. If some escapes from the room, more will find its way back in, whether we open the door or not.

Read more here

. Mexico's health ministry on Saturday reported 6,495 new confirmed coronavirus infections and 695 additional fatalities, bringing the total in the country to 475,902 cases and 52,006 deaths.

Officials have said the real number of infected people is likely significantly higher than the confirmed cases.

Mexico has the third highest coronavirus death tally globally, behind the United States and Brazil. (Reuters)

. President Donald Trump took executive action on Saturday to circumvent Congress and try to extend an array of federal pandemic relief, resorting to a legally dubious set of edicts whose impact was unclear, as negotiations over an economic recovery package appeared on the brink of collapse.

Read more here

. A day after DH reported that July 2020 saw an abnormally high number of registered deaths compared with previous years, the state government attributed the sharp rise in fatalities to pending registrations.

. The death rate among Covid-19 positive children has been way below other age groups, including those in the prime of their life.

. Among the many things that nobody knows about the disease that has overturned our lives is how long its effects last. I don’t just mean the possibility of coronavirus damage lurking invisibly in the heart or lungs or brain. I mean the simpler question of what it takes, and how long, for some uncertain percentage of the sick to actually feel better.

. I tested positive for Covid-19 after testing negative for the disease. My health is fine but I am admitted to AIIMS on doctors' advice: Arjun Ram Meghwal, Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs

. Actor Sanjay Dutt admitted to Lilavati hospital in Mumbai after he complained of breathlessness. His Covid-19 report is negative but he is still there for some time just for medical observation. He is perfectly fine: Lilavati hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra

. 2,949 Covid-19cases, 2,064 discharged, and 51 deaths reported in West Bengal today. Total number of cases in the state is now at 92,615, including 65,124 discharged, 25,486 active cases, & 2,005 deaths: State Health Department

. 501 new Covid-19positive cases have been reported in Uttarakhand today taking the total number of cases to 9402 including 5963 recovered cases, 3238 active cases and 117 deaths: State Control Room Covid-19

. Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa is on treatment since his admission to Manipal Hospitals. At present, his vital parameters are stable. He is being closely monitored by a team of experts: Dr Manish Rai, Hospital Director

. 12,822 Covid-19cases & 275 deaths reported in Maharashtra today. Total number of cases in the state is now at 5,03,084, including 1,47,048 active cases & 17,367 deaths: State Health Department

. The five hockey players housed in NCOE Bengaluru, who tested positive for Covid-19 yesterday, are doing well. They are being attended to by Sports Authority of India's (SAI) in-house doctor as well as one doctor from the state government, who has been deputed on SAI request: SAI.

. About 13 districts concentrated in 8 states and UTs reporting 9% of India's Covid-19 active cases and 14% of fatality, which is higher than the national Case Fatality Rate (CFR) average. Presently, the national CFR is 2.04%: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

. Out of the four coronavirus vaccine candidates that are in the final stages of medical trials, the one developed by Oxford University in collaboration with AstraZeneca is the most promising.

Read more here

. Almost everything that needs to be said about the coronavirus and its ramifications has already been said and propagated. Despite the overdose of information, no one is complaining; and everyone is trying to deal with a changing situation with some equanimity.

Read more here

. Phase-2 human clinical trials of the Zydus Cadila vaccine for the treatment of Covid-19 commenced at Jeevan Rekha Hospital here.

Read more here

. The incubation period of Covid-19 , which is the time after which those infected with the novel coronavirus start showing the first symptoms, could be as much as eight days -- longer than previous estimates of four to five days -- says a new study which involved the largest amount of patient samples to date in such an analysis.

Read more here

. The social costs of the Covid-19 pandemic might just turn out to be more significant for children and young adults than the disease itself.

Read more here

. Alcohol-based hand sanitisers can help stop the coronavirus from spreading, but drinking the products turned out to be deadly for four people in two states.

Read more here

. One of the 18 passengers, who died when an Air India Express flight from Dubai crashed landed at the airport here, has tested positive for Covid-19 .

Read more here

. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has spoken with his counterparts from five key partners and allies, including External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, on the collective fight against the coronavirus pandemic, according to his spokesperson.

Read more here

. Single-day spike of 61,537 cases and 933 deaths reported in India, in the last 24 hours.

The Covid-19 tally rises to 20,88,612 including 6,19,088 active cases, 14,27,006 cured/discharged/migrated and 42,518 deaths: Ministry of Health

. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Friday defended his government's record fighting the coronavirus and ruled out a change in strategy after the official death toll surged past 50,000.

Read more here

. Nearly 600 children were admitted to UShospitals with a rare inflammatory syndrome associated with the novel coronavirus over four months during the peak of the pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in a report on Friday.

Read more here

. The United States will need to have independent experts review Covid-19 vaccine candidates before approval, the country's top drug regulator said on Friday, offering reassurance that his agency would not cut corners in the race to roll out a vaccine.

Read more here

. The burning question on the minds of most people is when the Covid-19 epidemic will end. Not until October at the least, said a quartet of experts gathered to discuss the matter.

Read more here

. Congress MLA Dr Yathindra, son of Opposition Leader Siddaramaiah, tested positive for Covid-19 on Friday. He was currently under quarantine. Siddaramaiah had also tested positive during the week and is undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Bengaluru.

Read more here

. The seven-day moving average in daily tests conducted for detection of Covid-19 in India has significantly improved from 2.69 lakh on July 14 to 5.66 lakh on August 6, the Union health ministry said on Friday, as 2.2 crore tests have been done so far.

. The pandemic posed an unprecedented challenge, and it required an unprecedented response. That meant the State machinery, the healthcare system and citizen groups had to collectively strategise and execute a multi-pronged plan of action. Apartments were the perfect testing ground for this strategy. Did it work?

. Pakistan on Friday announced to fully resume international flights from Sunday, over four months after it suspended the operations to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

. Odisha on Friday registered its highest single-day spike in Covid-19 cases and recovery with 1,833 people testing positive and 1,810 others being cured, a health official said.

. A 58-year-old woman succumbed to Covid-19 on Friday and the total death toll reached 11 in Kodagu. As on Friday evening, the total cases were 639, of which the active cases were 247.

. The number of Covid-19 cases in Assam crossed the 55,000-mark with 2,679 people testing positive on Friday, while six more patients died due to the disease that took the total death toll to 132, Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said. The state at present has 16,552 active coronavirus cases.

. After eight months and more than 20 lakh cases, Indian Council of Medical Research has initiated a process to establish a national clinical registry of Covid-19 to systematically investigate various aspects of the pandemic in India.

. A two-day programme on good governance practices during Covid-19 pandemic was held in the national capital by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam says the semi-autonomous Chinese city will offer free coronavirus testing for all its 7.5 million residents beginning in two weeks.

. Bombay High Court rules in favour of IMPPA and allows all persons over 65 years age to work in the Entertainment industry by quashing the order of the Maharashtra State government that no person above the age of 65 will be allowed to work on any film set. The court allowed all producers technicians workers and artists to work subject to their adhering to the advisories which are applicable to all senior citizens as is applicable in case of all other citizen

. Water Resources Minister Ramesh Jarkiholi said that action will be taken against private hospitals that were violating government norms and charging exorbitant fees charges for the treatment of Covid-19 patients and suspects. The government has taken action against private hospitals in Bengaluru and the same parameters would be adopted in Belagavi.

. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday set up an expert committee under veteran banker K V Kamath to suggest financial parameters for resolution of coronavirus-related stressed assets.

. Scientists have compared volunteers who had received the BCG vaccine -- originally made against tuberculosis -- with those who did not, and have found that the immunised individuals "did not get sick more often, or become more seriously ill" during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

. The Serum Institute of India (SII) has entered into a new landmark partnership with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to accelerate the manufacture and delivery of up to 100 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines for India and low and middle-income countries (LMICs).

. Sergio Perez has been ruled out of the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix after testing positive for coronavirus, meaning he misses a second consecutive race, his Racing Point team said on Friday.

. The coronavirus crisis has weighed heavily on print newspapers already battling for survival around the world, with the number of copies sold tumbling while less profitable digital readerships surge.

. Leader of opposition & former Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah is clinically stable and responding to Covid-19 treatment. He is comfortable & his appetite has improved. Our team of experts will continue to monitor him closely, according to the Manipal Hospital, Bengaluru.

. Sentiment had been steadily falling since the government imposed the world’s biggest pandemic lockdown in late March and collapsed further in July to reach 53.8, the Reserve Bank of India said in a report on Thursday.

. Uttar Pradesh, home to roughly as many people as France, Germany and Britain combined, has now seen the pandemic reach almost every district, no matter how remote.

. With 49,769 recoveries in the last 24 hours, India's recovery rate climbs a new high of nearly 68%, says Ministry of Health.

The average daily recovered cases (7 day moving average) have increased from around 26,000 cases to 44,000 cases in the last 2 weeks, the ministry said.

Sustained efforts by Centre and State/UT governments ensured the decline in the percentage of active cases & rise of the percentage recovered cases.

There has been significant & sustained increase in the number of daily new recovered cases too, MoHFW said.

Image Credit: Twitter/PIB_India

. Russia boasts that it's about to become the first country to approve a Covid-19 vaccine, with mass vaccinations planned as early as October using shots that are yet to complete clinical trials -- and scientists worldwide are sounding the alarm that the headlong rush could backfire.

Moscow sees a Sputnik-like propaganda victory, recalling the Soviet Union's launch of the world's first satellite in 1957.

But the experimental Covid-19 shots began first-in-human testing on a few dozen people less than two months ago, and there's no published scientific evidence yet backing Russia's late entry to the global vaccine race, much less explaining why it should be considered a front-runner.

“I'm worried that Russia is cutting corners so that the vaccine that will come out may be not just ineffective, but also unsafe,” said Lawrence Gostin, a global public health law expert at Georgetown University. “It doesn't work that way... Trials come first. That's really important.”

According to Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia's Direct Investment Fund that bankrolled the effort, a vaccine developed by the Gamaleya research institute in Moscow may be approved in days, before scientists complete what's called a Phase 3 study.

. Aurobindo Pharma Limited is working on developing several viral vaccines including one for Covid-19 even as the candidate was approved for funding by the Department of BioTechnology, the company said in its latest annual report.

"During the year (FY20), we have further strengthened our presence in the vaccines segment through the acquisition of R&D assets from Profectus Biosciences through Auro Vaccines. Using those R&D assets, the team is working on developing several viral vaccines, including a vaccine for Covid-19," it said.

In November 2019, Aurobindo Pharma said its subsidiary Auro Vaccines LLC entered into a pact to acquire certain business assets from Profectus BioSciences Inc USA for an upfront cash consideration of $11.29 million (around Rs 80 crore) with potential earn-outs on achieving certain milestones.

"Our vaccine candidate underwent an evaluation by BIRAC (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council, Department of BioTechnology). BIRAC has evaluated our platform extensively and we have been informed that our vaccine has been shortlisted by BIRAC for funding initial development up," the city-based drugmaker said in the annual report.

. Image:Himachal Pradesh Health Department

. Immunity booster tea, chapathi and daily drops were among the eight products designed to mitigate Covid-19, released by Dy CM Dr C N Ashwath Narayan on Thursday. The products were developed by various start-ups being incubated at the Bangalore Bioinnovation Center (BBC).

. The northeastern state's Covid-19 caseload shot up to 5,743 as 128 more people tested positive for the infection, the bulletin said.

. Telangana witnessed a new single day high in Covid-19 cases with 2,207 fresh infections being reported, taking the overall tally in the state to 75,257.

The death toll rose to 601 with 12 more fatalities, a state government bulletin said on Friday, providing data as of 8 pm on August 6.

Out of the 2,207 new cases, 532 were from the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), followed by Rangareddy (196), Warangal Urban (142) and Medchal-Malkajgiri (136).

(PTI)

. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attacked the Centre on Friday over the rising coronavirus cases in India, saying the country's Covid-19 tally has crossed the 20 lakh-mark and the Narendra Modi government is "missing".

. The High Court on Thursday directed the central and the state governments to place on oath whether N-95 masks and hand sanitisers should be treated as essential commodities in view of the multiplication of cases of Covid-19 after July 1.

. Registering over 60,000 cases in 24 hours for the first time, India's Covid-19 tally galloped past 20 lakh on Friday, while the number of recoveries surged to 13.78 lakh, according to Union Health Ministry data.

The Covid-19 tally had crossed 19 lakh just two days back.

It took 110 days for Covid-19 cases in the country to reach one lakh and 59 days more to cross the 10-lakh mark. Thereafter it took just 21 days more to go past 20 lakh.

This was the ninth day in a row that the Covid-19 tally increased by more than 50,000.

(PTI)

. The ICMR on Thursday sought participation of institutions and hospitals identified as dedicated coronavirus hospitals or health centres as part of its project to establish 'National Clinical Registry of COVID-19' to help improve treatment outcomes and analyse trends in the progression of the pandemic.

The aim is to develop a registry to collect data regarding clinical and laboratory features, treatments, and outcomes of hospitalized Covid-19 patients in India.

The objective is also to study the frequency, clinical and laboratory features, treatments, and outcomes of Covid-19 related multisystem inflammatory disorder in children and adolescents by analyzing the national Covid-19 registry, the ICMR said.

Data would be collected from 100 hospitals across the country as part of the project.

"The NCRC will aim at collecting good quality, real-time clinical data to inform evidence-based clinical practice, research, formulating guidelines and policy making," the apex health research body.

"ICMR invites a letter of intent from institutions/ hospitals identified as dedicated COVID Hospitals or dedicated COVID Health Centres under the project to establish National Clinical Registry of Covid-19," the letter of invitation said.

(PTI)

. Over 9,30,000 stranded Indians have returned from abroad after the government launched the 'Vande Bharat' evacuation mission on May 7 in view of the coronavirus pandemic, Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said on Thursday.

Addressing the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation- National Centre for Good Governance (ITEC-NCGG) Workshop on Covid-19 – Good Governance Practices in a Pandemic, Muraleedharan said so far more than 120,000 foreigners belonging to 120 countries have been repatriated from India.

"So far more than 9,30,000 stranded Indians have returned home and now many are going back to the countries where they were working before the pandemic struck. Not only we brought our stranded citizens back but also facilitated repatriation of foreign nationals stuck inIndia. So far more than 1,20,000 foreigners belonging to 120 countries have been repatriated fromIndia," he was quoted as saying in a statement by the External Affairs Ministry.

(PTI)

. Daily coronavirus deaths in the US surged to a three-month high of over 2,000and the number of cases passed 19 million globally, pushing many nations to further ratchet up restrictions in the battle against the pandemic.

The world's hardest-hit country, the United States, has seen a major coronavirus resurgence since the end of June, adding 2,060 deaths in 24 hours alone Thursday, a tracker by Johns Hopkins University showed.

But other corners of the globe were also marking grim milestones, with Mexico's official toll soaring above 50,000 dead and the continent of Africa hitting one million confirmed cases.

More than half of Africa's infections are in South Africa, which has the fifth highest number of infections in the world, after the US, Brazil, India and Russia.

(AFP)

. India on Friday reported a record daily jump of 62,538 coronavirus infections, taking the country's total to 2.03 million, the health ministry said.

The country became the third nation to record more than 2 million cases of the novel coronavirus, behind the United States and Brazil, as infections spread further to smaller towns and rural areas.

(Reuters)

. Image Credit: My Gov - Corona Desk

. Nearly every country has struggled to contain the coronavirus and made mistakes along the way.

China committed the first major failure, silencing doctors who tried to raise alarms about the virus and allowing it to escape from Wuhan. Much of Europe went next, failing to avoid enormous outbreaks. Today, many countries — Japan, Canada, France, Australia and more — are coping with new increases in cases after reopening parts of society.

. One pretty good forecasting rule for the coronavirus era has been to take whatever Trump administration officials are saying and assume that the opposite will happen. When President Donald Trump declared in February that the number of cases would soon go close to zero, you knew that a huge pandemic was coming. When Vice President Mike Pence insisted in mid-June that “there isn’t a coronavirus ‘second wave,’” a giant surge in new cases and deaths was clearly imminent.

. Coronavirus cases worldwide passed 19 million Thursday, as European nations imposed new travel restrictions and containment measures with fears growing over a second wave of infections.

The global figure, compiled by AFP from official sources at 23:00 GMT, was driven by surges in Latin America and India -- and a new milestone in Africa as the continent hit one million cases.

Global deaths from the pandemic have topped 700,000, and Europe remains the hardest-hit region worldwide with more than 200,000 fatalities since the virus first emerged in China late last year.

. Image Credit: Twitter/ICMR

. The Ministry of Health said that the progressively increasing daily new recoveries are due to focused attention on surveillance, containment and effective clinical management.

India created a network of Covid-19 dedicated hospitals to manage the cases, the MoHFW said.

Image Credit: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

. Referring to his earlier tweet on Covid-19 tally crossing 10 lakh in India, Rahul Gandhi took a dig at the Centre again.

"Crossed the figure of 20 lakh, The Modi government is disappearing,"he said in a tweet.

Total number of confirmed positive cases in India reaches 20,21,275; death toll stands at 41,580 currently.

. In the incident, a father-son duo identified as Navneet Shah, 80, and Narendra, 61, also died. The relatives said that the father had been admitted to the hospital some two weeks ago while the son was admitted only ten days back.

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. The priest employed at the Sri Govindaraja Swamy temple in Tirupati was on deputation to the Lord Venkateswara temple in Tirumala where he was performing the rituals, a TTD official told DH.

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. A new study in South Korea, published Thursday in JAMA Internal Medicine, offers more definitive proof that people without symptoms carry just as much virus in their nose, throat and lungs as those with symptoms, and for almost as long.

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. However, the actual case load – or patients under active medical supervision – was just over six lakh as 13.5 lakh persons had been cured and discharged from healthcare facilities.

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. With the mission nearing the one million mark, it would becomethe largest sustained operations for repatriation of stranded Indians.

. Such parents are frantically calling up doctors of private and state-run hospitals to get a solution, but there is none so far as relatives and friends are not ready to welcome their children for fear of getting infected.

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. There are 5,95,501 active cases of Covid-19 in the country, which as a percentage of the total cases has seen a "significant drop from 34.17 per cent on July 24 to 30.31 per cent as on date", the ministry said.

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. Fresh cases today: 1,298 Total infected so far: 30,449 Now under treatment :11,983

Deaths: 97

Recoveries today: 800 Total recoveries: 18,337 In home and institutional quarantine: 1.36 lakh In hospital observations: 11,437 Samples tested so far: 9.08 lakh

Results pending: 6,346

. The death toll due to Covid-19 climbed to 40,699 with 904 new fatalities being reported in 24-hours, the data updated at 8 am showed.

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. AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria told PTI on Thursday no clear mortality benefit of convalescent plasma therapy was seen during a trial conducted among 30 Covid-19 patients.

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. The funds released by the Centre form the second installment of the Rs 15,000 crore Covid-19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness Package announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March.

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. The researchers from the National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE) in Russia noted that the structural elements of the novel coronavirus that are less subject to mutation during its evolution should be chosen as a target for the potential treatment.

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. By analysing the oral cells of adult mice, scientists have found that a protein which the novel coronavirus uses to enter host tissue is not present in the taste buds, a finding which suggests that the loss of sense of smell reported by many Covid-19 patients might be due to inflammation triggered by the disease, and not directly caused by viral infection.

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. Yesterday, 1076 new Covid-19 cases were reported in Delhi, taking the total tally to 1,40,232.890 people recovered yesterday from infection and 10,072 are currently active, including 2,095 receiving treatment in the hospital: Satyendar Jain, Delhi Health Minister.

. In this episode, two volunteers engaged in Covid-19 relief work--from helping people get oxygen cylinders to assisting them to give respectable last rites to the dead--share their experiences.

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. Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited today announced that it has launched FluGuard (Favipiravir 200 mg) at an economical price of Rs. 35 per tablet, for the treatment of mild to moderate cases of Covid-19 in India. Favipiravir is the only oral anti-viral treatment approved in India for the potential treatment of patients with mild to moderate Covid-19 disease.

. Drugmakers will likely have tens of millions of doses of coronavirus vaccines in the early part of next year, with production ramping up to a billion doses by the end of 2021, Anthony Fauci, the top USinfectious diseases official, said in a Reuters interview on Wednesday.

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. US testing for the coronavirus is dropping even as infections remain high and the death toll rises by more than 1,000 a day, a worrisome trend that officials attribute largely to Americans getting discouraged over having to wait hours to get a test and days or weeks to find out the results.

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. Facebook took down a video posted by the campaign of US President Donald Trump on Wednesday in which he claimed children were immune to the coronavirus, a violation of the social network’s rules against misinformation around the virus.

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. India reports a single-day spike of 56,282 new Covid-19 cases and 904 deaths in the last 24 hours.

The Covid-19 tally of the country rises to 19,64,537 including 5,95,501 active cases, 13,28,337 cured/discharged/migrated and 40,699 deaths: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

. In this episode, two volunteers engaged in Covid-19 relief work--from helping people get oxygen cylinders to assisting them to give respectable last rites to the dead--share their experiences.

Listen to the entire podcast here

. The US government Wednesday announced a new $1 billion investment in a Covid-19 vaccine being developed by Johnson & Johnson, guaranteeing 100 million doses.

. Maybe you are an altruist looking for a way to help fight the coronavirus. Maybe you are hoping to be among the first to try an experimental vaccine. Or maybe you are just bored or could use a few hundred dollars.

. It was as part of the decision to engage police for contact tracing and other steps for containing Covid-19 that the Chief Minister gave a two week target. State chief secretary Vishwas Mehta instructed the district police and health authorities to work in coordination to attain this.

. 1,166 Covid-19cases, 1,017 recoveries & 13 deaths reported in Rajasthan today. Total number of cases in the state is now at 47,845, including 33,849 recoveries, 13,251 active cases & 745 deaths: State Health Department

. Assam: Total lockdown to be imposed in Tinsukia and Makum municipal boards. The order will come into force from 6 pm on August 5 to 6 pm on August 11.

. 5,619 new Covid-19cases and 100 deaths reported in Karnataka in the last 24 hours, taking total cases to 1,51,449 including 74,679 discharges and 2,804 deaths: State Health Department

. 10,309 Covid-19cases, 6,165 discharged & 334 deaths reported in Maharashtra today. Total number of cases in the state is now at 4,68,265, including 1,45,961 active cases, 3,05,521 recovered & 16,476 deaths: State Health Department

. In the last late 24 hours, 75 new Covid-19 positive cases have been reported in the state. Total number of cases now at 3093 including 1224 active cases, 1862 recovered cases and 7 deaths: Manipur Govt

. The surge in coronavirus cases continued in Dakshina Kannada district with the district administration recording 225 cases on Tuesday.

. Our next edition of DH Sparks, slated for August 7, focuses on 'Covid-19: How and when will the pandemic end?'.

. Ninety per cent of a sample group of coronavirus-recovered patients from a prominent hospital in China's Wuhan city where the pandemic broke out have reported lung damage and five per cent of them are again in quarantine after testing positive for the virus, according to a media report on Wednesday.

. India has continued testing over 6 lakh Covid-19 samples for the second consecutive day. With 6,19,652 tests conducted in the last 24 hours, the cumulative testing as on date has reached 2,14,84,402. The tests per million has seen a sharp increase to 15568: Union Health Ministry

. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan was discharged from a private hospital here on Wednesday after recovering from coronavirus infection, an official said.

. 1195 new Covid-19positive cases and 971 recoveries have been reported in Kerala today. Number of active cases now at 11167: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan

. 5,175 new Covid-19and 112 deaths have been reported in Tamil Nadu today. Total number of cases now at 2,73,460 including 54,184 active cases, 4,461 deaths and 2,14,815 discharges: State Health Department

. One Covid-19positive case has been reported in Dharavi area of Mumbai today, taking the total number of cases to 2589 including 77 active cases and 2254 discharges: Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)

. The total number of Covid-19 positive cases is 504 in Mizoram including 286 discharged cases and 218 active cases: Department of Information and Public Relations, State Govt

. Former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah has no fever and his vital parameters are stable. He has been started on appropriate treatment and is being closely monitored by our experts. His symptoms have improved since admission and is comfortable at present: Manipal Hospital.

. Japan's Sharp Corp on Wednesday reported a 37.8% drop in first-quarter operating profit as the coronavirus pandemic weighed on sales of electronics devices and office printers.

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. The IPL teams want a three-day quarantine for their players arriving in the UAE instead of the six days mentioned in the BCCI draft SOP and have also sought the board's permission to organise team and family dinners with "adequate" advanced notice.

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. Drug firm Zydus Cadila on Wednesday said the phase I clinical trial of its Covid-19 vaccine candidate, ZyCoV-D, has been completed and it will commence phase II clinical trials from August 6.

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. Defending champion Rafael Nadal will skip the USOpen because of the coronavirus pandemic, putting on hold his bid to equal Roger Federer's men's record for Grand Slam titles.

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. Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister Brajesh Pathak on Wednesday said he has tested positive for Covid-19, and asked people who came in contact with him recently to get themselves tested as per norms.

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. Paris, Toulouse and other cities announced that the wearing of masks would be compulsory in particularly busy streets and squares. People already have to wear them inside most private businesses and all public buildings.

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. President Donald Trump's national security adviser, who tested positive for the coronavirus , returned to work Tuesday after recovering from a mild case of Covid-19, the White House said. Robert O'Brien has resumed his meetings with the president, said National Security Council spokesman John Ullyot.

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. Walt Disney Co on Tuesday reported a rare quarterly loss as the Covid-19 pandemic pummeled its theme parks, television networks and movie studio businesses, even as the crisis helped its streaming services gain users.

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. The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) said it has introduced measures to tackle an outbreak of Covid-19 in the Institute. In a release, the institute said that the total number of students, staffers and former faculty affected was 53, out of which 19 are on-campus.

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. India's Covid-19 tally crosses 19-lakh mark with single-day spike of 52,509 new cases and 857 deaths in the last 24 hours. The total number of positive cases is 19,08,255 including 5,86,244 active cases, 12,82,216 cured/discharged/migrated and 39,795 deaths: Health Ministry.

. Walt Disney Co on Tuesday reported a rare quarterly loss as the Covid-19 pandemic pummeled its theme parks, television networks and movie studio businesses, even as the crisis helped its streaming services gain users.

Read more here

. Sri Lankans go to polls on Wednesday to elect a new parliament in an election that the party of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is widely expected to win.

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. The US on Tuesday added 1,302 deaths from Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.

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. Secondhand smoke isn't believed to directly spread the virus, experts say, but infected smokers may blow droplets carrying the virus when they exhale.

. Big house parties and weddings, summer camps, concerts, crowded bars and restaurants, shopping trips without masks — Americans' resistance to curbs on everyday life is seen as a key reason the US has racked up more confirmed coronavirus deaths and infections by far than any other country.

. 1,124 Covid-19cases, 781 recovered & 13 deaths reported in Rajasthan today, as of 8:30 pm. Total number of cases in the state is now at 46,679, including 32,832 recovered, 13,115 active cases & 732 deaths: State Health Department

. 1,020 new cases of Covid-19 and 25 deaths reported in Gujarat in last the 24 hours. State tally rises to 65,704 including 14,811 active cases, 48,359 cured/discharged and 2,534 deaths: State Health Department, Gujarat

. Karnataka sees its biggest single-day spike of 6,259 Covid-19cases, 110 deaths, taking infection tally to 1,45,830 and toll to 2,704; active case count 73,846: State health department

. Global police body Interpol warned Monday of an "alarming" rate of cybercrime during the coronavirus pandemic, with criminals taking advantage of people working from home to target major institutions.

. A soccer player who deliberately coughs close to another player or match official can be issued a red card.

The International Football Association Board, the game's lawmaker, updated its guidelines while the pandemic perseveres.

. The total number of coronavirus cases in Uttar Pradesh crossed the one lakh mark as the state recorded 2,948 fresh cases on Tuesday, an official statement said.

. Gyms and fitness centres on Tuesday geared up to open their doors after almost five months with managements busy fine-tuning operational details such as hourly sanitisation, spacing out equipment to ensure social distancing and minimising staff in accordance with government guidelines.

. 5,063 Covid-19 cases, 6,501 discharged & 108 deaths reported in Tamil Nadu today. Total number of cases in the state is now at 2,68,285, including 2,08,784 discharged, 55,152 active cases & 4,349 deaths: State Health Department

. Delhi reports 674 Covid-19 cases, 972 recovered/discharged/migrated cases and 12 deaths today. The total positive cases here rises to 1,39,156 including 1,25,226 recovered/discharged/migrated cases and 4033 deaths: Government of Delhi

. India's Covid-19testing rate lower as compared to some of the countries such as Germany, Taiwan, South Korea and Japan which have done well, says WHO chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan

. At present, we have 3 Indian vaccines which are in different phases of clinical testing. The 2 vaccines- Bharat Biotech vaccine and DNA vaccine of Zydus Cadila have completed phase 1 & will begin phase 2: Dr Balram Bhargava, Director General, ICMR

. Share of 'Make in India' ventilators, in 60,000 ventilators which we'll get, is 96% by volume & over 90% by value. Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) & Andhra Med-Tech Zone (AMTZ) played a major role. BEL giving 30,000 & AMTZ giving 13,500 ventilators: Secretary, Health Ministry

. Oxford vaccine, being manufactured by Serum Institute of India got approval for phase 2 and 3 clinical trials, which are starting within a week at 17 sites: Dr Balram Bhargava, Director General of Indian Council of Medical Research

. Many states have increased their testing capacity, both RT - PCR & Rapid Antigen tests. 28 states & union territories performing more than 140 tests per day per million population. Goa, Delhi, Tripura, & Tamil Nadu have increased their testing capacity: Secretary, Health Ministry

. More than 2 crore Covid-19tests have been conducted, including more than 6.6 lakh tests in the last 24 hours. Recovered cases are now double of the active cases. The case fatality rate is lowest since the first lockdown: Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary, Ministry of Health

. Pakistan has reported 432 new cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of infections in the nation to 280,461, the health ministry said on Tuesday.

. The Covid-19 crisis in the country will disappear with the blessings of Lord Ram, the Shiv Sena said on Tuesday, and pointed out that veterans like L K Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi won't be present in Ayodhya for the temple 'bhoomi pujan' ceremony.

. Jubilant Generics, from Nanjangud in the Mysuru district, which was in the news as a Covid-19 cluster in March and April, is now manufacturing Active Pharma Ingredient (API) for remdesivir, launched by Jubilant Life Sciences Limited, under the brand name ‘Jubi-R’.

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. After propagating a V-shaped economic recovery in the next two to three quarters, the government Tuesday admitted the economy’s return to health will be critically linked to how Covid-19 infection curve evolves across the states.

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. The Trump administration's plan to provide every nursing home with a fast Covid-19 testing machine comes with an asterisk: The government won't supply enough test kits to check staff and residents beyond an initial couple of rounds.

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. Amit Shah, the man leading India’s fight against Covid-19 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s top lieutenant, has been among government leaders touting the country’s low death rate as a success story.

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Coronavirus news highlights: Covid-19 infections in Telangana cross 1L-mark; Odisha records highest spike of cases in 24 hrs

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