COVID-19 HIGHLIGHTS | In a highest single-day spike, 9386 test positive in Karnataka

At least two-thirds of a population needs to develop the immunity for it to matter, and that, in turn, needs the vaccine to happen safely and effectively, the health official said. (READ MORE)

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, Mizoram held elections to village councils and local councils on Thursday but by maintaining the Covid-19 protocol, including social distancing. (READ MORE)

A total of 1746 COVID-19 positive cases were reported in Punjab on Thursday, taking the state’s total tally to 47,836.

An AIADMK MLA and a DMK MLA were confirmed to be COVID-19 positive just hours before they were to participate in Chief Minister's event in Nagapattinam on Thursday. (READ MORE)

Health workers collecting swab samples to check for symptoms of #COVIDー19 and sorting it at Chinna Waltair in Visakhapatnam.

Express Photos | @Gsn_tnie @xpressandhra pic.twitter.com/mhHUCQ06RR

— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) August 27, 2020

Ten members of India's dwindling Great Andamanese tribe have tested positive for coronavirus, officials said Thursday, fuelling concerns about the safety of the group and other indigenous people in the remote archipelago. (READ MORE)

The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday said the phase 6 of the Vande Bharat Mission to repatriate Indians stranded abroad due to COVID-19 pandemic will begin on September 1. (READ MORE)

New #COVID19 cases in Delhi again on surge.
1840 fresh positive reports.
1130 recovered.
22 fatalities.
More than 21K tests done.
More than 13K active cases.
734 containment zones @NewIndianXpress @TheMornStandard #CoronaUpdatesInIndia pic.twitter.com/miW3j3gH4B

— Somrita Ghosh (@Somrita_Ghosh) August 27, 2020

Ahmedabad West BJP MP Kirit Solanki and the party's MLA from Surat, Harsh Sanghvi, announced on Thursday that they have contracted coronavirus.(READ MORE)

In Maharashtra, today 14,718 #COVIDー19 positive cases, 9136 discharge and 355 deaths are reported. @NewIndianXpress @Sunday_Standard

— Sudhir Suryawanshi (@ss_suryawanshi) August 27, 2020

Flagging that 89% of the Covid-19 deaths have been reported in the country from 10 states over the last two weeks, the Centre on Thursday asked these states to take immediate steps to cut down the mortalities due to the infectious disease. (READ MORE)

Supreme Court to pronounce tomorrow its verdict on a batch of petitions challenging University Grants Commission's July 6 circular and seeking cancellation of final term examination in view of COVID-19 situation.

The lockdown from August 28 to September 1 midnight was ordered by Samba District Magistrate Rohit Khajuria, officials said. Quoting an order issued by Khajuria, the officials said the step was taken in view of the spurt in COVID-19 cases.

District Collector cum District Magistrate T Arun has directed JIPMER to dedicate 700 beds for severe COVID-19 cases. Five private medical colleges have also been directed to allot 300 beds each for treating COVID-19 patients. The ramping up will lead to a total bed strength of 3150 in the Puducherry region.

FULL REPORT HERE

#COVID19 update #TamilNadu (August 27)

Today’s +ive cases 5,981 (5,951 indigenous/30 imported) Total 4,03,242

Chennai 1,286 Total 1,30,564

Active 52,364

Discharged 5,870 Total 3,43,930

Death 109 (30 pvt/79 govt) 101 with comorbidities Total 6,948@xpresstn @NewIndianXpress pic.twitter.com/NMb1zQkYr0

— S Mannar Mannan (@mannar_mannan) August 27, 2020

In the wake of the surge in COVID-19 cases, there has been an immediate exigency to enforce a cluster containment strategy and localised lockdown to contain the disease within a defined geographic area by early detection of cases, breaking the chain of transmission and thus preventing its spread to new areas.

How's the salon experience in times of #COVID19? There's face masks, shields, sanitisers and a whole lot of other precautions in place, including beauticians donning a #PPE.
Visuals from Bengaluru

Express Photos | @MeghanaSastry @XpressBengaluru pic.twitter.com/deIjRfPui9

— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) August 27, 2020

140 new COVID19 cases and 128 recovered cases reported in the last 24 hours in Manipur. Total number of cases rises to 5,725 in the state, including 1,743 active cases, 3,957 recovered cases & 25 deaths till date: State Health Department, Manipur

Kerala #COVID19 updates

2406 new cases
2067 negative cases
10 deaths

2175 local transmission
(193 cases without origin)
59 from abroad
121 other states
47 Health Workers
4 INHS

22673 Active cases
267 total deaths
1,93,925 total quarantine@NewIndianXpress @xpresskerala

— Raam Das (@PRamdas_TNIE) August 27, 2020

J&K govt today directed private clinics/nursing homes to report all COVID-19 cases & cases suffering from Severe Acute Respiratory Infection(SARI)/ Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) or having radiological findings suggestive of COVID-19 infection for COVID-19 testing with CMOs.

As the tally of COVID-19 positive MLAs & Ministers today touched 29 Punjab CM Amarinder appealed to all other legislators who had come in contact with them to avoid attending the one-day Vidhan Sabha session tomorrow#Pb @Newindianxpress, @SundayStandard, @TheMornStandard

— Harpreet Singh Bajwa (@Harpreet_TNIE) August 27, 2020

Tamil Nadu Deputy CM O Panneerselvam inspects repair works at #Koyambedu vegetable market, as plans are on to open the market in a phased manner.#COVID__19 #lockdown @xpresstn @shibasahu2012

Express Video | @Jawahar_TNIE pic.twitter.com/xnaXeVAmAZ

— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) August 27, 2020

Phase 6 of Vande Bharat Mission scheduled to begin on Sept 1, based on an assessment of demand by our missions abroad, flights are being rescheduled by Air India group & pvt carriers. Bubble arrangements with different countries will continue as per schedule in next phase 2: MEA

The Lok Sabha Speaker instructed the officials to ensure that arrangements are made in a timely manner to ensure social distancing and other COVID-19 protocols during the session. He directed for making proper arrangements for security & sanitisation: Sources Quote Tweet

89 % of the #Covid_19 deaths have been reported from 10 states/UTs in last 2 weeks. These include: #Maharashtra, #TamilNadu, #Karnataka #Telangana #Gujarat #WestBengal #UttarPradesh #Punjab #AndhraPradesh and #JammuAndKashmir, says @MoHFW_INDIA @NewIndianXpress #COVID19India

— Sumi Dutta (@SumiSukanya) August 27, 2020

FULL REPORT HERE

Around 300 hours of video lectures have already been created under this initiative, the statement said, adding that the first broadcast is scheduled for August 28. This new content will be broadcast on NPTEL Channel 11-18 until August 31 and rescheduled on Channels 11-16 from September 1.

FULL REPORT HERE

"You have served us. It's time we do the same for you": This shop in Chennai serves free tea and coffee for #COVIDWarriors as a token of gratitude for their service during the #COVID19Pandemic.

Express Photos | @haisat2005 @xpresstn @shibasahu2012 pic.twitter.com/DS6cuQi3ji

— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) August 27, 2020

IT major HCL is extending support to help with animal feed and care at the two facilities, while also providing salaries to the caretakers involved in sanitisation and maintenance for a period of six months.

Totally unacceptable!#YSRC leaders & workers flout #SocialDistancing norms during a dharna held in support of #threecapitals' proposal in #Vizag.
📸| @Gsn_tnie @NewIndianXpress @Kalyan_TNIE @ysjagan @ArogyaAndhra #COVIDIOTS #coronavirus #pandemiclife #protest #Politics pic.twitter.com/8FXeJnftJy

— TNIE Andhra Pradesh (@xpressandhra) August 27, 2020

The District Hospital, Pithoragarh was closed for two days on Thursday after a pharmacist working at the facility tested positive for COVID-19. "We have closed the hospital for two days as a precautionary measure. The pharmacist tested positive on Wednesday evening," Chief Medical Officer, Pithoragarh, Harish Pant said. However, the emergency ward of the hospital will remain operational with doctors attending to patients telephonically, he said. 

#COVIDUpdates: #AndhraPradesh reported 10,621 new #coronavirus cases in last 24 hrs till #Thursday 9 am. #Death toll at 3,633 with 92 more #patients losing life.#active - 94,209#recovered - 2,95,248@NewIndianXpress @Kalyan_TNIE #pandemic #fightagainstcoronavirus pic.twitter.com/VNx90dS5K1

— TNIE Andhra Pradesh (@xpressandhra) August 27, 2020

"#Employment has increased significantly. Tamil Nadu attracted the highest amount of investments in the country during the #pandemic period. Industrial functioning is slowly becoming normal," said Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi K Palaniswami in Nagapattinam.@xpresstn @NewIndianXpress

— Anto Fernando (@AntoWrites) August 27, 2020

Sources said the temporary market in Thirumazhisai, which was allocated to 240 wholesale traders, would be shut immediately after the vegetable wholesale traders move into the Koyambedu market.

GST collection has been severely impacted this year, due to COVID19 pandemic. As per GST Compensation Law, states need to be given compensation: Finance Secretary on 41st meeting of GST Council

NTA DG told me that 7.5 lakhs out of 8.58 lakhs candidates in JEE have downloaded admit cards. For NEET, over 10 lakhs out of 15.97 lakhs candidates downloaded admit cards in 24 hrs. It shows that students want that exams are held at any cost: Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal

UP CM Yogi Adityanath inaugurates a 300-bedded COVID-19 hospital in Gonda. CM says positivity & mortality rates are one of the lowest in UP. Mortality & positivity rates stand at 1.5% & 4.3% respectively @NewIndianXpress @TheMornStandard

— Namita_TNIE (@Namita_TNIE) August 27, 2020

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directs officials to maintain special vigil in the four districts of Lucknow, Kanpur Nagar, Gorakhpur and Shahjahanpur and further strengthen the medical facilities there in view of the COVID-19 situation.

UP cabinet minister for MSME/NRI Siddharth Nath Singh tests positive for COVID - 19.Singh claims to be fine & in home isolation as per medical advice @NewIndianXpress @TheMornStandard

— Namita_TNIE (@Namita_TNIE) August 27, 2020

At least 385 people tested positive for COVID-19 in Tripura on Thursday, pushing the state's tally to 9,927, a health department official said. The death toll rose to 85 with two more persons succumbing to the infection, he said. A total of 123 people were discharged from Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) on Wednesday, following their recovery.

Four prisoner undergoing treatment for Covid-19 at the Gandhi Hospital in #Hyderabad, escaped from the hospital in the wee hours of Thursday.

The prisoners were from the Chanchalguda and Cherlapally prisons.

Efforts are still underway by the police to trace and nab them.

— TNIE Telangana (@XpressHyderabad) August 27, 2020

FULL REPORT HERE

Due to the COVID-19 lockdown across India, this year's carbon emissions are predicted to fall by around eight per cent: senior environment ministry official.

Metro services in Bengaluru will be restarted soon as normalcy is slowly being restored in public life: Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa

READ HERE

Gratitude in times of #COVID19: Love peanuts? Know how they reach your plate from the farm land!
Farmers from Andhra Pradesh's Tirupati process the groundnut harvest.
Express photos | @KanchiMadhav.@xpressandhra @shibasahu2012 pic.twitter.com/N9knzBUc6f

— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) August 27, 2020

Delhi High Court's 5 benches, on rotational basis, will start holding physical courts from September 1 while remaining benches will continue to take up matters through video conferencing. Court also extended suspension of its functioning till Sep 30: HC's Registrar General Manoj Jain

FULL REPORT HERE

Continuing its global support in fighting the pandemic, India gifted medical supplies & protective gear to Government of Saint Lucia to assist in its fight against COVID-19: Development Partnership Administration (DPA) of External Affairs Ministry pic.twitter.com/S0AjdiV8qL

— ANI (@ANI) August 27, 2020

Himachal Pradesh's COVID19 case tally stands at 5,365 including 3,865 recoveries, 1,426 active cases and 30 deaths: State Health Department 

. @KPCCPresident who has tested positive , his followers praying Shivakumar's speedy recovery and were seen breaking 1001 coconuts Infront of TTD temple , Vaiyyalikaval of Bengaluru @santwana99 @NewIndianXpress pic.twitter.com/WLCQ4Lwewz

— Ashwini M Sripad (@AshwiniMS_TNIE) August 27, 2020

Former President Pranab Mukherjee continues to be in a deep coma and on ventilator support, the hospital where he is admitted said on Thursday. According to the doctors treating 84-year-old Mukherjee, he is haemodynamically stable. Doctors say a patient is haemodynamically stable when the blood circulation parameters - blood pressure, heart and pulse rate, are stable and normal.

मुझे रात हल्का बुखार था मैंने स्वयम COVID का टेस्ट करवाया जिसकी रिपोर्ट Positive आयी है। मेरा उन लोगों से अनुरोध है जो इन दिनों मेरे संपर्क में थे कि वह सुरक्षा की दृष्टि से अपनी जांच करवा लें।

— Jugal Kishore Sharma (@mpjugalkishore) August 27, 2020

The Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court dismisses PIL seeking declaration of funds received by PM CARES, a charitable trust created by the Union government amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

FULL REPORT HERE

106 more police personnel found #COVID19 positive & 2 died in the last 24 hours in Maharashtra. Total number of Corona positive police personnel in the state reaches to 14,295 including 2,604 active cases, 11,545 recoveries & 146 deaths till date: Maharashtra Police pic.twitter.com/CddqjjEXJw

— ANI (@ANI) August 27, 2020

Experts from AIIMS stressed that classification of cases into mild, moderate and severe categories based just on respiratory symptoms should be relooked to include other organ involvement.

633 new #COVID19 positive cases and 6 deaths reported in Rajasthan. Total number of cases now at 75,303 including 14,646 active cases and 998 deaths: State Health Department pic.twitter.com/GRDj3NyuDO

— ANI (@ANI) August 27, 2020

स्वास्थ्य संबंधी दिक्कतों को गंभीरता से लेते हुए मैंने कोरोना टेस्ट करवाया जिसकी रिपोर्ट पॉजिटिव आई है। चिकित्सकों के परामर्श पर अब इलाज चलेगा। जितने भी लोग पिछले दिनों मेरे संपर्क में आएं हैं, कृपया वह कोरोना को गंभीरता से लेते हुए अपना कोरोना टेस्ट करवा लें।

— Krishan Pal Gurjar (@KPGBJP) August 27, 2020

Vital health parameters of the two volunteers, who have been administered the Oxford COVID-19 vaccine candidate at a medical college in Pune as part of the phase II clinical trial, are normal, says senior official from the medical facility.

3384 fresh #COVID19 cases, a new high, in #Odisha, 7 die

2128 in quarantine
1256 local cases
Tests: 68,090

Khurda 587
Cuttack 492
Sambalpur 182
Mayurbhanj 177
Ganjam 177
Jajpur 176
Bargarh 157
Rayagada 154
Puri 121
Balasore 119
Sundargarh 101

Total cases: 90986
Tests: 1553257 pic.twitter.com/BODfl18TTa

— Hemant Kumar Rout (@TheHemantRout) August 27, 2020

CM @Naveen_Odisha calls PM @narendramodi & urges him to take steps for postponement of #JEE (Main) & #NEET in view of #COVID19 & flood situation in #Odisha. He had earlier written to Education Minister @DrRPNishank to defer exams. #POSTPONEJEE_NEET @XpressOdisha @NewIndianXpress

— Hemant Kumar Rout (@TheHemantRout) August 27, 2020

2,795 new #COVID19 positive cases, 872 recoveries and 8 deaths were reported in Telangana on August 26, taking the total number of cases to 1,14,483.

The total number of cases include 27,600 active cases, 86,095 recoveries and 788 deaths: Health Department, Telangana Govt. pic.twitter.com/qyjxuJjkv9

— ANI (@ANI) August 27, 2020

The residents of the town said the declaration of the shutdown in haste will only lead to rise in number of positive cases in the municipality areas. (READ MORE)

Recovery rate in Andhra Pradesh stood at 75 per cent with the discharge of another 8,473 Covid patients from hospitals on Wednesday. (READ FULL REPORT)

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said the decision was taken keeping the safety and interests of students and parents in mind.Educational institutions in the state have been closed since third week of the March.

India's #COVID19 case tally crosses 33 lakh mark with 75,760 fresh cases and 1,023 deaths, in the last 24 hours.

The COVID-19 case tally in the country rises to 33,10,235 including 7,25,991 active cases, 25,23,772 cured/discharged/migrated & 60,472 deaths: Ministry of Health pic.twitter.com/Yt2C72oXcL

— ANI (@ANI) August 27, 2020

He further said that that's the reason why the state cabinet Minister Aaditya Thackeray wrote a letter to the Prime Minister demanding a delay of the educational session, and starting it from January 2021. (FULL REPORT HERE)

The total number of samples tested up to 26th August is 3,85,76,510 including 9,24,998 samples tested yesterday: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)#COVID19 pic.twitter.com/i6ogldlJno

— ANI (@ANI) August 27, 2020

All religious places in Rajasthan to reopen for public from September 7, state government said.

Doctors have found that pregnant women are not making frequent visits to hospitals for antenatal care and regular screenings, due to the fear of contracting Covid-19. This may lead to complications and put lives of both the mother and child in danger, doctors warned.

West Bengal: Bi-weekly lockdown being observed in the state to contain the spread of #COVID19; visuals from Siliguri.

The state government has ordered complete lockdown for two days every week till the end of August. pic.twitter.com/9gocdz3yz0

— ANI (@ANI) August 27, 2020

#TNIEUpdatesOnCovid19
A graphic explaining the transmission of #Covid19 cases.@santwana99 pic.twitter.com/jZwJtK1yg5

— TNIE Karnataka (@XpressBengaluru) August 27, 2020

Also, restriction on flights coming in from six cities, viz. Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Chennai and Ahmedabad, is being partially lifted from 1st September onwards. Flights from these cities can come to the state thrice a week: West Bengal Government https://t.co/2OtetqMCGY

— ANI (@ANI) August 27, 2020

We've developed robots ever since COVID broke out & lockdown was imposed, to help frontline workers. The robot has a complete intelligence system. It'll also track number of people entering store, at a time & send details to owners via email, daily: Aashik Rahman, CEO Zafi Robots https://t.co/xoYXirK6vX pic.twitter.com/nCoQV5FuoA

— ANI (@ANI) August 26, 2020

Early identification through aggressive testing, comprehensive surveillance & contact tracing, and focus on timely and efficient clinical treatment of patients have ensured high number of speedy recoveries. This has also kept the case fatality rate low: Ministry of Health pic.twitter.com/fNJ7BIpbHd

— ANI (@ANI) August 27, 2020

7 new #COVID19 cases reported in Mizoram in the last 24 hours taking the total cases in the state to 974. A total of 473 people cured/discharged so far. Active cases stand at 501: Department of Information and Public Relations, Government of Mizoram pic.twitter.com/B6ht5BlyRu

— ANI (@ANI) August 27, 2020

2,179 new COVID-19 cases detected today out of 36,225 tests done in the last 24 hours. Total cases now at 96,771 including 21,680 active cases and 274 deaths: Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma

A woman constable, deployed at the Sidgora Covid-19 centre in Jamshedpur, was allegedly raped by one of his colleagues during duty hours. Accused Anil Kumar has been arrested after a written complaint was lodged by the victim on Tuesday. (READ MORE)

Health workers collect swab samples of people to test for #COVID19 symptoms at Resapuvanipalem in Visakhapatnam.

Express Photos | @Gsn_tnie @xpressandhra pic.twitter.com/EuvlfiTv4V

— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) August 26, 2020

(READ FULL STORY HERE)

A total of 1513, COVID-19 positive cases reported today in Punjab, taking the state’s total tally to 46,090 cases, while 30,231 patients discharged/recovered and 1219 have died till date#Pb @Newindianxpress, @SundayStandard, @TheMornStandard

— Harpreet Singh Bajwa (@Harpreet_TNIE) August 26, 2020

West Bengal records 2,974 new COVID-19 cases and 55 deaths today, taking the total number of cases to 1,47,775 including 26,954 active cases, 1,17,857 recoveries and 2,964 deaths: State Health Department.

In Maharashtra, today 14,888 #covid 19 positive patients detected while 7637 cured and discharge and 295 deaths reported. @NewIndianXpress @Sunday_Standard

— Sudhir Suryawanshi (@ss_suryawanshi) August 26, 2020

Twenty-three MLAs in Punjab have tested positive for the novel coronavirus so far. The development comes just two days before the beginning of the monsoon session of the Assembly. Of the infected MLAs, 14 are from the ruling Congress, six from the Shiromani Akali Dal, and three from AAP. (READ MORE)

Amidst a surge in COVID-19 deaths, the electric crematorium here has been shut down for three days as it developed a technical snag, forcing bereaved families to switch to the traditional firewood method to cremate bodies. (READ MORE)

Delhi continues to see surge in #COVID19 cases.
1693 fresh positive reports.
1154 recovery.
17 more fatalities.
Around 19K tests done.
Containment zones increased to 716 @NewIndianXpress @TheMornStandard #CoronaVirusUpdate pic.twitter.com/YbNa0kkShl

— Somrita Ghosh (@Somrita_Ghosh) August 26, 2020

Legendary singer SP Balasubrahmanyam, who is being treated for Covid-19 in the Intensive Care Unit of MGM Healthcare Hospital, is stable and conscious, according to a statement from the city hospital on Wednesday. (READ MORE)

Healthcare professionals in Telangana held a candlelight rally to pay tribute to #COVIDWarriors - doctors, nurses, paramedical staff, who contracted #COVID19 and died on duty.

Express Photos | @meetsenbaga @XpressHyderabad pic.twitter.com/jXcjhShgol

— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) August 26, 2020

By early 2021, we should have some good news on a COVID-19 vaccine, said Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Chief Scientist, World Health Organization, on Wednesday. (READ MORE)

#COVIDUpdates: The State records another spike of 10,830 new cases in the last 24 hours. 81 deaths were recorded taking the toll to 3,541.
Total cases: 3,82,469
Active: 92,208
Recovered: 2,86,720@NewIndianXpress #coronavirus #COVID19 #andhrafightscorona pic.twitter.com/rAeifu4I5E

— TNIE Andhra Pradesh (@xpressandhra) August 26, 2020

Passengers taking international flights from India need not apply to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and can directly book their tickets with the airlines, said an official statement on Wednesday. (READ MORE)

Gaza health officials have reported the first death from COVID-19 since authorities detected community transmission of the coronavirus earlier this week. (READ MORE)

Maharashtra cabinet was informed by State Chief Secretary today that all State Public Service exams are postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic. New schedule for the exams will be announced later: Maharashtra Chief Minister's Office

— ANI (@ANI) August 26, 2020

Jharkhand Government allows residents of the State for darshan at Baidyanath Jyotirlinga temple at Deoghar; the number of persons visiting the temple shall not exceed 50 per hour. #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/aQJHxip1TA

— ANI (@ANI) August 26, 2020

Maharashtra Cabinet has decided to exempt tax for commercial and goods vehicles in the state from 1st April to 30th September. The decision has been taken in view of losses incurred by the commercial vehicles and goods carriers, due to COVID19 pandemic: Chief Minister's Office

— ANI (@ANI) August 26, 2020

In the Ambattur zone of the city corporation, only 2% of those who attended fever camps between May 8 and August 25 were found to have ILI (Influenza Like Illnesses) symptoms. Of the 1.4 lakh people who attended fever camps during this period, only 2438 were found to have symptoms.(READ FULL REPORT HERE)

For the second day in row, Dharavi slum colony on Wednesday reported 12 new COVID-19 cases, taking the total count to 2,737, a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) official said. With 2,380 of the total 2,737 patients already recovered from the infection, the slum sprawl is now left with only 97 active cases, he said.

 In an evening medical bulletin, the private hospital where the singer is being treated has said that SPB continues to be in the ICU on ventilator and ECMO support. His current clinical condition is stable. He is conscious and responsive.

#COVID19 update #TamilNadu (August 26)

Today’s +ive cases 5,958 (5,943 indigenous/15 imported) Total 3,97,261

Chennai 1,290 Total 1,29,247

Active 53,362

Discharged 5,606 Total 3,38,060

Death 118 (41 pvt/77 govt) 107 with comorbidities Total 6,839@xpresstn @NewIndianXpress pic.twitter.com/YfbOJW1wSL

— S Mannar Mannan (@mannar_mannan) August 26, 2020

It is learnt that traders are working on various solutions to contain the spread of the virus including opening of shops on alternate days. An association leader said this could help to ease congestion in the market. He said the traders committee will also monitor the opening of shops and the arrival of vehicles. A log book will also be maintained. 

(READ FULL REPORT HERE)

#COVID19 - #Kerala - #Aug26

State records new high.

2476 new cases. Of this 2243 were contact transmission cases.

13 deaths on the day.

Total active cases - 22, 344 @xpresskerala @NewIndianXpress

— Dileep V Kumar (@dileepvk_TNIE) August 26, 2020

Current lockdown measures to remain in place in the state till 20th September. Complete lockdown to be observed on 7th, 11th and 12th September: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee#COVID19 pic.twitter.com/1gBRdKCrOY

— ANI (@ANI) August 26, 2020

Passengers flout #socialdistancing norms while boarding bus in Tirupati.
Express photo | @KanchiMadhav.@xpressandhra pic.twitter.com/BRxvS1qaL7

— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) August 26, 2020

•  Former Assam CM Tarun Gogoi tests positive, asks people, who came in contact with him during the last few days, to immediately get themselves tested.
• Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan inaugurated two new Medical Colleges at Bharatpur & Bhilwara, Rajasthan & also Superspeciality Blocks in Govt Medical Colleges at Udaipur, Bikaner & Kota, via video conferencing.
• Recovery rate is more than 90% in the national capital, there has been an increase in cases in the last few days, number of tests will be doubled in coming days: Delhi CM Kejriwal
• Health condition of Union Minister for AYUSH Shripad Naik admitted to Manipal Hospital for last 14 days is better. A team of doctors from AIIMS, Delhi visited him again & said he's not required to be shifted to AIIMS, Delhi: Goa CM Pramod Sawant
• Bihar reports 2163 new cases, state tally rises to 21,814
• Himachal tally rises to 5206

The Phase II clinical trial of the Oxford COVID-19 vaccine, being manufactured by the city-based Serum Institute of India (SII), began at a medical college and hospital here on Wednesday. Two male volunteers were administered the vaccine at Bharti Vidyapeeth's Medical College and Hospital, a senior office-bearer of the hospital said. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

#Odisha Govt slashes syllabus of #Students from Class 1 to Class 12 by 30% in view of prevailing #COVID19 pandemic, informs State School & Mass Education Minister Samir Dash@NewIndianXpress @XpressOdisha

— Tanmay Das (@tanmay__das) August 26, 2020

511 new #COVID19 cases, 213 discharged cases & 8 deaths reported in Puducherry today. Total number of cases in the state stands at 11,930, including 4,264 active cases, 7,486 recovered cases & 180 deaths till date: State Health Department, Government of Puducherry pic.twitter.com/jqEZchyhG7

— ANI (@ANI) August 26, 2020

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, who addressed the 35th National Eye Donation fortnight celebrations and presided over the interactive webinar organised by AIIMS, Delhi and the National Eye Bank, reiterated the advice of the medical community that "it is highly unlikely for the virus to be transmitted via donor corneas", a health ministry statement said. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

Gogoi, who represents the Titabor assembly constituency in Jorhat district, is the 13th Assam legislator to be diagnosed with COVID-19. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

The senior leader, aged 55, was the vice-president of Kadapa district Pradesh Congress Committee and hails from Chilamkuru in Errakuntla mandal. Recently, he tested positive for coronavirus and was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Proddutur town. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

122 more police personnel found #COVID19 positive & 2 died in the last 24 hours in Maharashtra. Total number of Corona positive police personnel in Maharashtra reaches 14,189 including 2,622 active cases, 11,423 recoveries & 144 deaths till date: Maharashtra Police pic.twitter.com/NnwxV4G4hY

— ANI (@ANI) August 26, 2020

At a press briefing, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Director-General Balram Bhargava said the Hong Kong case is a stray example and the reinfection can depend upon various factors. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal holds a meeting with Health Minister Satyendra Jain and other officials over the increase in number of #COVID19 cases in the national capital, at his residence. pic.twitter.com/zzoFQ0xVGp

— ANI (@ANI) August 26, 2020

Delhi: Health Minister and other officials arrived at the residence of CM Arvind Kejriwal to attend the meeting over the increase in number of #COVID19 cases in the national capital. The meeting has started. https://t.co/o7MiuglzS2 pic.twitter.com/ZZopNkttHk

— ANI (@ANI) August 26, 2020

In a massive surge, #Odisha reports 3371 new #COVID19 cases, 13 die

Samples: 63209
CPR: 5.3%

Khurda 547
Cuttack 357
Ganjam 196
Jajpur 173
Nayagarh 171
Sundargarh 154
Rayagada 146
Puri 144
Malkangiri 134
Bhadrak 114
Sambalpur 107

Total cases:87602
Tests:1485167@NewIndianXpress pic.twitter.com/YFPgwbhkjS

— Hemant Kumar Rout (@TheHemantRout) August 26, 2020

The study will involve testing 28,000 samples for antibodies against SARS CoV-2, with 400 samples collected from every district surveyed. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

610 new COVID-19 positive cases and 6 deaths reported in Rajasthan. Total number of cases now at 73,935 including 14,607 active cases, 58,342 discharges and 986 deaths: State Health Department pic.twitter.com/VKi6rxFkdW

— ANI (@ANI) August 26, 2020

According to the ICMR, a total of 3,76,51,512 tests have been conducted so far, including 8,23,992 samples on Tuesday. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

Telangana detected a record number of COVID cases with 3018 new infections of COVID-19 found. The state conducted 61,040 tests to detect these many cases. This is the highest single day spike seen. With this the state's overall tally is 1.11 lakh cases. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

Thiruvananthapuram: Padmanabhaswamy temple opens for devotees from today since it was closed in March due to #COVID19 induced lockdown.

Devotees will be allowed inside the temple from 8 am to 11 am in the morning & from 5 pm till the time of Deep Aradhana in the evening. #Kerala pic.twitter.com/GmMdc6G35h

— ANI (@ANI) August 26, 2020

India's #COVID19 case tally crosses 32 lakh mark with 67,151 fresh cases and 1,059 deaths in the last 24 hours.

The COVID-19 case tally in the country rises to 32,34,475 including 7,07,267 active cases, 24,67,759 cured/discharged/migrated & 59,449 deaths: Ministry of Health pic.twitter.com/pfoJqCg2FY

— ANI (@ANI) August 26, 2020

Highest single day spike with 3018 cases of COVID 19 detected. State conducts a record number of tests with 61,040 tests conducted in a single day.
Nalgonda sees a marked spike apart from Medchal Malkajgiri and Rangareddy districts pic.twitter.com/S7XCANHajM

— TNIE Telangana (@XpressHyderabad) August 26, 2020

FULL REPORT HERE

• Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has called a high-level meeting to discuss the rising number of novel coronavirus cases in Delhi, sources said on Wednesday.
• Health Minister Satyendar Jain, Chief Secretary Vijay Dev and senior officials will attend the meeting, which will take place at 11 am, according to sources.
• The city recorded 1,544 more COVID-19 cases and 17 deaths on Tuesday. It was the first time in over a month that the number of new infections crossed the 1,500 mark.

• Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat has isolated himself for three days as a precautionary measure despite his novel coronavirus test report coming negative.
• Sharing this information on the social media on Tuesday, Rawat said he and his family underwent a COVID-19 test along with the staff and the security personnel at the CMO as a precautionary measure.
• "With the grace of God and your blessings the report is negative. However, as a precaution, I will remain in isolation for the next three days and discharge my duties from my residence telephonically or by using virtual platforms," he tweeted.
• The chief minister chose to undergo a coronavirus test after an officer on special duty tested positive for the infection recently.

Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar and former Jharkhand CM Shibu Soren, both found infected with Covid-19, will be treated at the same hospital as the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) president was being shifted to Gurugram’s Medanta on Tuesday, a day after the BJP leader was admitted to the same the hospital. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

Many doctors say the lack of a clear scientific signal, coupled with the tedious process of procuring plasma even as the expectations of patients and their relatives are high once they receive it, make the choice of therapy difficult. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

Kerala: In wake of advisory not to purchase imported flowers during Onam celebrations, children in Kuttiady, Kozhikode search for flowers in their neighbourhood to make Pookkalam (floral decoration).

Ayana says, "Due to #COVID19, we are picking flowers from our surroundings." pic.twitter.com/ovEiVpzyys

— ANI (@ANI) August 26, 2020

Co-incidentally, the number of examinations for the detection of COVID-19 conducted on the days the capital recorded cases less than 1,000 were below the average 20,000 tests being conducted daily, according to data. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

Bihar: People make purchases at a crowded market in Patna, amid #COVID19 pandemic. Social distancing norms flouted. (25.08.2020) pic.twitter.com/FIzV7zFeHV

— ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2020

Diamond polishing industry of India has suffered a blow due to COVID. Compared to last year, the exports have gone down by US$ 3000 Million. The demand for Indian diamond has not gone down but everything was closed across the world, so there was no business: Dinesh Navadiya https://t.co/aDruHp2zvZ

— ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2020

14 new #COVID19 cases reported in Mizoram taking the total cases in the state to 967, including 464 cured/discharged. Active cases stand at 503: Department of Information and Public Relations, Government of Mizoram pic.twitter.com/esJj4bnyt4

— ANI (@ANI) August 26, 2020

Haryana Assembly Session to begin today; Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar (in file pic) not to attend the session as he had tested positive for #COVID19. pic.twitter.com/HcXeuQFQ4a

— ANI (@ANI) August 26, 2020

The testing for the disease has been increased from 363 tests per million per day on August 1 to more than 600 tests per million per day at present, Bhushan said, with India having tested nearly 3.7 crore cumulative COVID-19 samples so far. (READ FULL STORY HERE)