Coronavirus News Highlights: Delhi reports 27 Covid-19 cases, lowest since April 15 last year

India on Monday reported 32,937 fresh Covid-19 cases, 417 deaths and 35,909 recoveries in the last 24 hours. Active cases in the country currently stand at 3,81,947. Stay tuned for more updates.

Delhi reports 27 Covid-19 cases, lowest since April 15 last year

The national capital reported 27 Covid-19 cases, the lowest since April 15 last year, and zero deaths due to the infection on Monday, while the positivity rate stood at 0.07 per cent, according to data shared by the Health department here.

The low number of new cases can also be attributed to fewer tests – only 39,587 – conducted the previous day.

According to Covid19India.org, a crowdsourced initiative that collects data on Covid-19 and vaccination in India, Delhi had recorded 17 cases on April 15 last year.

Cumulative Covid-19 vaccine doses in country cross 55 crore: Govt

The cumulative number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered in the country has surpassed 55 crore, the Union Health Ministry said on Monday.

"In record-breaking progress, India administers 55 crore #Covid19 vaccines. Let's strengthen India's fight against Coronavirus Let's get vaccinated," Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said in a tweet on Monday afternoon.

Covid-19 self-isolation rules ease for fully vaccinated in UK

People in Britain who are fully vaccinated against coronavirus no longer have to isolate for 10 days if they come into contact with someone who has tested positive, under new rules in force from Monday.

Those who have had both doses of a Covid-19 vaccine or are under 18 who come in contact with a Covid positive person will not face a compulsory quarantine but are advised to take a PCR test.

New faster, cheaper Covid-19 test uses pencil lead

Researchers have developed a new cheaper, faster and more accurate Covid-19 diagnostic test that uses electrodes made from graphite -- the material found in pencil lead - to detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

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Mumbai resumes rail services as part of wider easing

Authorities in India's financial capital Mumbai have almost fully resumed suburban rail services for the first time in more than a year, as part of a wider easing of Covid-19 restrictions, as the pace of infections declined.

Previously, only essential workers were allowed to use the trains, but those who are fully vaccinated were allowed on board trains from Sunday.

Japan to extend Covid-19 state of emergency lockdown to September 12: Report

The Japanese government is set to extend its state of emergency soft lockdown measures in Tokyo and other regions to Sept. 12 and expand the curbs to seven more prefectures, public broadcaster NHK reported on Monday.

The current state of emergency is due to expire on August 31, but a continuing surge in coronavirus cases has spurred calls to extend it. Tokyo announced 2,962 new daily cases on Monday, after a record 5,773 on Friday.

6 new Covid cases in Ladakh

Ladakh recorded six new Covid-19 cases that pushed the infection tally to 20,451, officials said on Monday.

Four people -- two each in Leh and Kargil -- were discharged from hospitals, taking the overall recoveries to 20,162, they said.

All the six new cases were reported from Leh, officials said.

Business activity last week higher than pre-Covid level for first time: Report

Business activity rose for the second consecutive week, crossing the pre-pandemic level for the first time since the onset of the Covid-19 disruption in March 2020, a Japanese brokerage said on Monday.

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Facts, fears and evolution: Masking debates through the Covid-19 pandemic

Do you remember the beginning of the pandemic, when for months a major debate was whether people should or shouldn’t wear a mask?

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India reports 32,937 fresh Covid-19 cases, 417 deaths and 35,909 recoveries in the last 24 hours; active cases 3,81,947.

A total of 49,48,05,652 samples tested up to August 15 of which 11,81,212 were tested on August 15, as per Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

Russia sees 800 daily Covid-19 deaths for fourth day

Daily coronavirus deaths in Russia exceeded 800 for the fourth straight day on Sunday, with the authorities reporting 816 new fatalities.

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Indonesia animal-lovers help pets left behind by coronavirus

Four-year-old Indonesian pitbull Gledis was home alone for two days without food when a group of volunteers found her.

She is among many pets left behind when their owners tested positive forCOVID-19 and were hospitalised or placed in isolation.

With more than 3.7 million confirmed cases and over 100,000 deaths, Indonesia is battling one of the worst coronavirus epidemics in Asia. (Reuters)

More Covid cases reported in wards on Bengaluru outskirts

The city may be reporting 350-400 cases a day for the past few days, but cases are higher in 10 of the wards, eight of which are in the peripheries bordering other states and districts.

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At current rate, Karnataka can finish vaccinating adults against Covid-19 only in January

Only 33 per centof people aged 45 and above have receivedthe second dose of Covid-19 vaccine so far in the state and the late start to vaccinations for those aged 18 to 44 means that only3 per centhave received the second dose to date.

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