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COVID-19 HIGHLIGHTS | Strict security measures in Bengal as lockdown collides with Ram Mandir event

Stating that restrictions will be in force as in other days of complete lockdown, officials said none will be allowed on the streets until and unless there is an emergency.
A policeman instructs local residents to go back their houses during a complete lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus in Kolkata. (Photo | PTI)
A policeman instructs local residents to go back their houses during a complete lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus in Kolkata. (Photo | PTI)
Online Desk

India witnessed a single-day spike of 52,050 COVID-19 cases as the total cases in the country reached 18,55,746, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Tuesday. Almost 803 COVID-19 related deaths were reported in the last 24 hours. The total cases include 5,86,298 active cases, 12,30,510 cured/discharged/migrated and 38,938 deaths, the Health Ministry added.

Maharashtra continues to be the worst-affected state as it has a total of 1,47,324 active cases and 15,842 deaths. A total of 4,50,196 coronavirus cases have been recorded in the state up to Monday, according to Union Ministry of Health.

Tamil Nadu reported 5,609 new COVID-19 cases and 109 deaths on Monday, taking total cases to 2,63,222 including 2,02,283 discharges and 4,241 deaths, the state Health Department said. The total cases in Delhi have risen to 1,38,482 including 1,24,254 recovered/discharged/migrated cases and 4,021 deaths, according to the Ministry of Health.

The United Nations chief said the coronavirus pandemic has led to the largest disruption of education in history, with schools closed in more than 160 countries in mid-July affecting more than 1 billion students.

Ram Mandir bhoomi pujan: Strict security measures in Bengal amid row over Wednesday's lockdown

While security will be tight to enforce the lockdown to combat COVID-19, extra precautions will be taken to thwart any attempt to disrupt the law and situation "anywhere by anyone be it any political or non-political body," the official said hinting at the Ram Mandir bhumi pujan. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

Tiruchy market faces lockdown woes

ICMR says two COVID-19 vaccines on phase 2 trial now but researchers differ

Dr Sanjay Rai, PI for the trial at AIIMS, Delhi--where the phase 1 trial began only on July 23, said that it will take about a month for the phase 1 study to be completed. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

399 new cases in Jharkhand

Initial success for Covaxin trial, four volunteers remain healthy after first dose of vaccine in Belagavi

The blood and swab sample tests of all the selected volunteers are being sent to ICMR for final clearance before they are given the first dose of the Covaxin. According to Dr Bhate, the second dose of Covaxin will be given to the four of them after 14 days (as per the rules). (READ FULL STORY HERE)

No green signal from Kejriwal government even as Delhi gyms ready to welcome 'fitness in corona era'

After the crippling losses and layoffs, the Ministry of Home Affairs' July 30 notice allowing gymnasiums and yoga institutes to reopen from August 5 was a huge relief, said gym owners. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

Yediyurappa under treatment for COVID, holds review meeting from hospital

"Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa held a review meeting over phone with officials regarding increase of ventilator beds in the state today," his office said in a statement. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

Rajasthan sees a slight surge in cases

280 new cases in Chhatissgarh

709 new cases in Mumbai

Restrictions lifted in Srinagar

Haryana tally

Uttarakhand numbers

Recoveries outnumber new cases in Maharashtra

Latest Bengal numbers

  • Total positive case till date: 80,984.

  • Positive at present: 22,315.

  • Death: 1,785.

  • Discharged: 56,884.

  • Total tests: 9,78,980.

  • Note: 2,752 tested positive and 54 died in past 24 hours.

    • More on Dharmendra Pradhan's health

  • Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday tested positive for coronavirus and has been admitted to Medanta Hospital. In a tweet, Pradhan said he has been admitted to hospital after testing positive of COVID-19.

  • Pradhan, 51, had developed COVID-like symptoms on Monday and was tested on Tuesday.

  • "After seeing symptoms of COVID-19, I got tested. The report has come positive," he tweeted.

  • "On the advice of doctors, I have been admitted to hospital and I am healthy. "

  • Sources said Pradhan had last week met Home Minister Amit Shah, who was admitted to Medanta on Sunday after testing positive of coronavirus.

  • His staff too had earlier tested positive and has been isolation since. Pradhan is one of the several high-profile names to have tested positive.

    • Close to 10,000 new cases in Andhra

    259 new cases in Goa

    259 new COVID-19 cases and 238 recovered cases reported in Goa today. Total number of cases till date is 7,075, out of which 1,901 are active cases, 5,114 are recovered cases and 60 deaths: Directorate of Health Services.

    Latest Gujarat numbers

    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.

    Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan tests positive

    To avoid delay in COVID-19 test results, TN sending excess samples to private labs

    As per health department data, there are 59 government and 63 private labs in the state. Following the decision, the waiting period for results has reduced, say officials. Patients are able to get results in a maximum of 48 hours. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    India using unreliable antigen kits for one-fourth of daily Covid-19 tests

    Dr. Balram Bhargava, director-general of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), in a press conference on Covid-19 pandemic management on Tuesday said that initially, RAT consisted of only 5-6% of the total tests being conducted in a day, but this proportion has been growing. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

    Karnataka CM's house sealed

    News from J&K

    New home isolation guideline in MP soon

    The poor will get free of cost treatment for COVID-19, just like it was being done earlier. The rich and those who can afford can avail paid quarantine facilities, if they want. State Home Ministry will issue a separate guideline for home quarantine: Narottam Mishra, MP Minister.

    Karnataka records 6259 new cases of COVID-19

    COVID-19 test positivity rate falls in Chennai but remains higher in adjacent districts

    While the COVID-19 test positivity rate in the city has fallen below 10% according to the Chennai Corporation, it remains higher in neighbouring districts. The test positivity rate in Chengalpattu is around 16%, said health officials in the district. In Thiruvallur, officials said the positivity rate is 11.5%. However, the positivity rate in these districts may be slightly higher on paper because of a lag in inter district communication, say sources.

    People wait to get tested in Hyderabad

    With COVID-19 leaving space projects in hibernation, ISRO's contract firms resort to lay-offs

    Over 100 contract employees working with Hyderabad-based Premier Explosives Limited (PEL) that handles operations and maintenance of the Solid Propellant Plant inside Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-Shar) in Sriharikota have been reportedly laid off in the last couple of days. These employees have not been paid salaries since May. The New Indian Express has accessed some of the communication letters sent to the laid-off employees by the company.  

    Coronavirus cases in UP cross one lakh mark

    COVID19 tally of Uttar Pradesh crosses one lakh-mark with 2,948 fresh cases, 41 new fatalities in past 24 hours raise death toll to 1,817; active case count 41,222: Official 

    Tamil Nadu records 5063 new COVID cases and 108 deaths

    390 new cases and 10 deaths reported in Jammu and Kashmir

    BSY continues to remain stable: Hospital

    Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa continues to remain stable since his admission for COVID19 treatment & has been responding to treatment. He is cheerful and attending to his activities. He is closely being monitored by an expert panel of Doctors: Manipal Hospital 

    Madhya Pradesh to make COVID treatment free for poor

    The poor will get free of cost treatment for COVID19, just like it was being done earlier. The rich and those who can afford can avail paid quarantine facilities, if they want. State Home Ministry will issue a separate guideline for home quarantine: Narottam Mishra, MP Minister

    Delhi records 674 new cases and 12 deaths

    India testing much less than countries that have done well, says WHO's Dr Soumya Swaminathan

    Speaking at the event from Geneva, Dr Soumya noted that the moment the test positivity rate drops below 5%, it was safe to say that the testing being done was not enough. “India, on the whole, is testing much less than some countries that have done well like Germany, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan and USA. Every public health department must set some benchmarks on how many tests need to be conducted per lakh or per million,” said Dr Soumya.

    FULL REPORT HERE

    J&K govt imposes restrictions in Kashmir Valley

    J&K govt imposes restrictions on movement & gathering of not more than 3 persons in Kashmir valley districts in wake of COVID19 spike. Night movement also stopped. Other than Srinagar no daytime restrictions except in containment zones. Stricter restrictions imposed in Srinagar. 

    Kerala records 1083 new infections and three deaths

    Bihar election 2020 amid COVID-19 pandemic

    Election Commission of India (ECI) asks presidents and general secretaries of recognised national/state political parties to give their suggestions till 11th August 2020, regarding election campaign and public meetings with regard to Bihar election, amid COVID19 pandemic. 

    WATCH | India's 1st self checkout grocery store enables safe shopping

    Health Ministry on COVID-19 situation in India

  • In 2019, Indian ventilator market was roughly estimated as 8,510 units valued at Rs 444.74 Crore. Because of COVID19, in March domestic manufacturers imported various components. It wouldn't have been possible to make ventilators without import then

  • 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 major role. BEL giving 30,000 & AMTZ giving 13,500 ventilators.

  • About 50% of deaths due to COVID-19 in India took place in the age group of 60 years and above

  • About 37 per cent of COVID-19 deaths in India took place in the age group of 45 to 60 year.

    • Health Ministry briefing

  • 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

  • Currently, 5,86,298 active COVID19 cases are in India & over 12 lakh people have recovered. 50% deaths due to COVID19 have taken place among the age group of 60 yrs or above & 37% deaths took place in the age group between 45 to 60 yrs

  • In 2019, Indian ventilator market was roughly estimated as 8,510 units valued at Rs 444.74 Crore. Because of COVID19, in March domestic manufacturers imported various components. It wouldn't have been possible to make ventilators without import then

    • Status of trials of vaccine candidates

    Union Health Ministry presser on COVID-19 situation in India

  • More than 2 crore COVID19 tests 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

  • 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.

  • This is the first time after the first lockdown that the fatality rate is at the lowest, at 2.10%. Fatality rate has seen a progressive decline and it is continuing, which is a good sign:

    • Sun Pharma launches Favipiravir in India at Rs 35 per tablet

    Drug major Sun Pharmaceutical Industries on Tuesday said it has launched antiviral drug Favipiravir under the brand name 'FluGuard' for the treatment of mild to moderate cases of COVID-19, at Rs 35 per tablet in India. The stocks of FluGuard will be available in the market from this week, Sun Pharma said in a regulatory filing.
    Favipiravir is the only oral anti-viral treatment approved in India for the potential treatment of patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 disease, it added. 

    UP CM directs officials to arrange 50,000 additional beds in state hospitals

    The state's infection tally stands at 97,362 and the death toll at 1,778, an official statement said on Monday. "An additional 50,000 beds should be arranged in Level-2 and Level-3 hospitals where serious coronavirus patients are admitted. For these beds, health workers and other necessary arrangements should also be made," Adityanath noted while asking DGs of Health and Medical Education to initiate action within a time frame.

    READ FULL REPORT HERE

    WATCH | COVID-19 updates and other news bytes from Karnataka

    Andaman COVID-19 tally

    COVID-19 tally of Andaman and Nicobar Islands rises to 830 with 96 fresh infections, another fatality pushes death toll to 10; active case count 557: Health officials 

    Difficult to restore normal functioning of courts soon due to COVID-19, says Karnataka HC

    The court also noted that in the principal bench at Bengaluru, 45 staff had tested positive till yesterday and many are waiting for reports of testing. Many judicial officers and employees are also undergoing quarantine.

    FULL REPORT HERE

    Worst seems to be over, farm sector to cushion COVID-19 impact on economy: FinMin report

    India is well on the path of recovery from a trough in April, ably supported by proactive Government and Central Bank policies, the Macroeconomic Report for July, released by the Economic Affairs Department said.

    Recovery rate improves to 66.31%

    Delhi HC extends by 45 days interim bail of 2901 under-trial prisoners

    Justices Siddharth Mridul and Talwant Singh passed the order in view of a high-power committee's observation that it may not be possible at this juncture to predict definite cut off date for resumption of normal functioning of the court system, and there is no certainty as to when the pandemic threat will be over cutting the need for 'social distancing'.

    FULL REPORT HERE

    Home Quarantine is not for everyone

    Rajasthan complies with Centre on Unlock 3

    Yoga institutes and gymnasiums will be allowed to function from August 5, 2020: Rajasthan Govt 

    WATCH | Coronavirus and other news updates from Kerala

    Many gyms in Kolkata will open on August 6

    The Centre has declared gyms, which are closed since March-end, can open during unlock 3.0 phase from August 5 but the biweekly lockdown falling on that date in West Bengal, many gyms have decided to function from August six while others have preferred to wait a little more. The safety measures by the gyms include a self- declaration form by patrons that they have not been infected by the COVID-19 virus.

    FULL REPORT HERE

    Kin of COVID-19 patients pressure politicians to procure remdesivir drug

    As of now, the drug is not available in the open market. The Karnataka State Drugs Logistics and Warehousing Society is supplying it to the district administration, which further distributes it among designated COVID-19 hospitals. Therefore, all hospitals are dependent on the government for the drug.

    FULL REPORT HERE

    Kolkata airport flight ops remain cancelled on revised lockdown days

    Karnataka CM is asymptomatic: State health minister

    Chief Minister is asymptomatic. His condition is stable and he is responding to the treatment. Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah has high fever and doctors are treating him: Karnataka Health Minister B Sriramulu said after a meeting with doctors of Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru.

    Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah are admitted at the hospital after testing positive for COVID-19. 

    WATCH | WHO warns there may never be a COVID-19 'silver bullet'

    Bank, postal employees to deliver cash at homes of elderly, differently-abled persons in Odisha

    Bank and postal employees can deliver cash to the doorsteps of elderly and differently-abled persons in Odisha after receiving phone calls from them seeking assistance in this regard, officials said on Tuesday. The decision to this effect was taken by the Odisha government on Monday as elderly persons have been advised to remain indoors due to the prevailing COVID-19 situation 

    Coronavirus and other news updates from Tamil Nadu

    Delhi Health Minister mulls extending sero survey in city by 2 days

    School fee waiver: Delhi HC refuses to entertain PIL

    "This is clear misconduct," the bench said, after which advocate N Pradeep Sharma sought an apology from the High Court and withdrew the PIL as the court was not convinced by his arguments. The plea, filed by one Naresh Kumar, prayed for the interpretation of Force Majeure clauses in the present pandemic situation and sought directions to the Directorate of Education, Government of NCT Delhi to take steps to waver off the school tuition fee.

    WATCH | No relief for Bengaluru commuters

    Patient dies in Thiruvananthapuram

    The deceased is Anchuthengu native Paul Joseph (70) who was under treatment in Govt Medical College in Thiruvananthapuram after testing positive for coronavirus.

    Puducherry toll climbs to 57

    A 55 year-old woman died of COVID-19 at a hospital in Puducherry while 168 fresh cases were reported, pushing the aggregate in the union territory to 4,146. A release from Director of Health and Family Welfare S Mohan Kumar on Tuesday said the woman patient was admitted to JIPMER hospital here at 5.10 am on Monday with progressive onset of breathlessness and she had pulmonary embolism.

    Tripura tally at 5,523

    Tripura's COVID-19 caseload increased to 5,523 on Tuesday with the detection of 131 fresh infections, while one more fatality pushed its coronavirus death toll to 28, an official said. A 55-year-old COVID-19 patient, hailing from Udaipur in Gomati district, died at the Agartala Government Medical College here on Monday.

    Himachal update

    Spurt in cases in Agra

    With the number of samples going up each day, there is a fresh spurt in cases of Covid-19 in the Taj city. A month ago, the daily average had gone down to below 10 but in the last two weeks, the number has gone up above 25.

    Three Maharashtra cops succumb

    Novel coronavirus strains show little variability: Study

    "The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is presumably already optimised to affect human beings, and this explains its low evolutionary change," said Federico Giorgi, a researcher at University of Bologna, and coordinator of the study. This means that the treatments we are developing, including a vaccine, might be effective against all the virus strains," a researcher said.

    UN says 1 billion students affected

    The UN chief warned that the world faces “a generational catastrophe that could waste untold human potential, undermine decades of progress, and exacerbate entrenched inequalities.”

    Tripura CM tests negative

    Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Tuesday tested negative for COVID-19 even as two members of his family have contracted the disease. Deb, however, has quarantined himself at his residence for the next seven days.

    60 new cases in Arunachal

    Sixty more people, including 13 security personnel and four health workers have tested positive for COVID-19 in Arunachal Pradesh, taking the northeastern state's caseload to 1,752 on Tuesday, a senior health official said.

    Odisha update

    Rajasthan update

    CPM veteran Sunnam Rajaiah succumbs

    Duties scaled down

    Bhopal markets reopen

    Telangana update

    Tamil Nadu Health Secretary at Tiruchy

    National tally update

    Independence Day celebrations to be subdued in Sikkim

    The state-level function will be held at Manan Bhawan here instead of Paljor Stadium, the usual venue, they said. The event will be held on a smaller scale with limited invitees, but with the same zeal, enthusiasm and nationalistic fervour like previous years, an official said.

    India pulls out of top women's squash event

    India on Monday withdrew from the Women's World Team Squash Championship scheduled to be held from December 15 to 20 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (READ HERE)

    Siddu tweets

    India's testing hits record high

    India has recorded highest single-day testing by conducting over 6.6 lakh tests to diagnose Covid-19 in last 24 hours, said the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) on Tuesday. "In its fight against COVID-19, India scales a new high of 6,61,715 tests in the last 24 hours," said the Health Ministry in a tweet. A total of 2,08,64,206 samples for COVID-19 have been tested across the country so far said the Health Ministry on Tuesday.

    Manipur CM innaugurates 300-bedded COVID care centre

    With a surge in positive cases, a proper decision will be taken in the upcoming Cabinet meeting whether to strengthen the present lockdown and its extension, he added.Singh maintained that awareness among the people is very much needed to contain further spread of the disease. He also appealed to the people to come out openly for early treatment instead of concealing their COVID-19 status if tested positive.

    Indore tally at 7,735

    Indore reported 89 new COVID-19 positive cases on Monday, taking the total number of cases in the district to 7,735. While, with three new deaths reported in the district, the toll has reached 320.

    Delhi fitness centres reluctant to reopen

    Social distancing norms, added costs of sanitisation and overall apprehensions about safety have left fitness experts wondering whether it is worth the risk to open.(READ HERE)

    Siddu tests positive

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