COVID-19 HIGHLIGHTS | Tamil Nadu reports 6972 new infections and 88 deaths

Total number of cases stand at 2,27,688 including 57,073 active cases, 1,66,956 discharges and 3,659 deaths, according to the state health bulletin released on July 28.
Corporation workers spread disinfectant powder to keep Coronavirus away at Chetti Street in Coimbatore on Tuesday. (Photo | U Rakesh Kumar, EPS) 
Corporation workers spread disinfectant powder to keep Coronavirus away at Chetti Street in Coimbatore on Tuesday. (Photo | U Rakesh Kumar, EPS) 

With a single-day increase of 47,703 COVID-19 cases, India's virus tally mounted to 14,83,156 on Tuesday, while the recoveries surged to 9,52,743 pushing the recovery rate to 64.24 per cent, according to the Union Health Ministry data.

The country's death toll due to the virus rose to 33,425 with 654 deaths being reported in a 24-hour span, the data updated at 8 am showed. There are 4,96,988 active cases of coronavirus infection in the country presently.

Meanwhile, the Odisha government has instructed all district collectors, SPs, municipal commissioners and health officials to conduct the last rites of COVID-19 suspects without insisting on testing of swab or waiting for the report, an official said.Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy, Speaker V P Sivakolunthu and his deputy, ministers and MLAs who took the COVID-19 test on Monday at the assembly premises tested negative on Tuesday.

Loss of Rs 1905 crores in earning for Western Railway division due to COVID-19

COVID case updates from States

JHARKHAND
Total cases : 8877
Fresh cases in last 24 hrs: 686
Active cases : 4979
No of patients recovered: 3805
Deaths: 94
PUNJAB
Total Positive cases: 14,378
Discharged/recovered: 9752
Total deaths: 336
CHANDIGARH
Total Positive cases: 934
Discharged/recovered: 599
Total deaths: 14
HARYANA
Total Positive cases: 32,876
Discharged/recovered: 25,758
Total deaths: 406
HIMACHAL PRADESH
Total Positive cases: 2330
Discharged/recovered: 1234
Total deaths: 12
WEST BENGAL
Total positive case till date: 62,964
Positive at present: 19,493
Death: 1,449
Discharged: 42,022
Total tests: 8,39,211
2,134 tested positive and 38 died in past 24 hours

Complete lockdown in West Bengal on 2nd and 9th August withdrawn

Mumbai serosurvey: 57 per cent seroprevalence found in slums, 16 per cent in residential societies

The study revealed a high proportion of all infections is likely to be asymptomatic. "The higher prevalence in slums could be possibly due to population density and shared common facilities (toilets, water points etc.). The infection fatality rate (IFR) is likely to be very low (0.05-0.10%), it would be attributed to effective containment efforts and active measures to isolate symptomatic cases by BMC," said Daksha Shah, BMC health officer. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

Maharashtra reports 7717 new cases

Ranipet DMK MLA recovers from COVID-19, discharged

Can COVID-19 spread through air? Here's what the doctors in Chennai are saying

Referring to several recent studies across the world, the WHO has said that some outbreaks that have occurred in crowded indoor spaces suggest "the possibility of aerosol transmission." Such situations have arisen "during choir practice, in restaurants or in fitness classes," it said. The organisation however added the caveat that the spread is although "combined with droplet transmission". Ultimately what people are concerned about is which air is safe to breathe and which is not. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

Karnataka reports 5536 new cases

COVID community spread in Bengal started early April, biweekly lockdown of no help: Virologist

According to Dr Amitabha Nandy, community transmission of COVID-19 had started in Bengal way back in early-April and matters have only gotten worse primarily due to the "bizarre attitude" of the implementing agencies and the citizens.

READ FULL REPORT HERE

8 million people turn to EPFO amid COVID-19

Nearly 8 million subscribers of the Employee Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) have withdrawn about Rs 30,000 crore in less than four months.  "The amount withdrawn between April and the third week of July is much more than the usual withdrawals during the same time last year and pandemic-related job losses, salary cuts and medical expenses may explain this substantial increase," said a media report.  

J&K reports 489 new cases of COVID

489 COVID19 cases reported in J&K today, 134 from Jammu division & 355 Kashmir division. Total number of cases in the Union Territory is now at 18,879, including 7,661 active cases, 10,885 recovered & 333 deaths: J&K Govt 

Chandigarh COVID update

24 new COVID19 cases reported in Chandigarh today; the total number of cases in the Union Territory stands at 934: Health Department  

Tamil Nadu records 6972 new cases in 24 hours

Himachal tally mounts to 2284

Himachal Pradesh's COVID19 case tally rises to 2,284. There are 1,031 active cases, 1,224 recovered cases and 12 deaths: State Health Department 

Odisha CM inaugurated plasma bank in Bhubaneswar

Mumbai's Dharavi reports 3 cases

Dharavi slum sprawl adds 3 new COVID-19 cases, taking tally to 2,543: Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation 

Delhi reports 1056 new infections

COVID-19 takes toll on mental health but those with existing issues are the worst hit

The plight of people who already have mental health problems is unimaginable as the pandemic continues to spread. They say it is getting harder to survive by the day. Some of the major issues are unavailability and unaffordability of medicines due to shortages and a financial crunch respectively. Those affected have even gone to the extent of ending their lives due to this. 

READ MORE HERE

Virus fast spreading in state capital: Kerala CM

Reconvert some COVID beds to non-COVID: Delhi private hospitals as coronavirus cases dip

According to the Delhi Corona app, only 2,783 beds of the 15,438 dedicated beds for coronavirus patients across private and government hospitals in the national capital are occupied.

READ HERE

Kerala reports 1167 new cases of COVID-19

Amid rising COVID-19 cases, Mysuru corporation takes loudspeaker route to raise awareness

Mysuru City Corporation which is chalking out various measures to create awareness among residents has come up with this innovative idea amid rising COVID-19 cases in the district. Some of the garbage collection trucks and auto tippers are been fitted with loudspeakers to educate people about COVID-19 and measures to be adopted to stop the spread of the virus and stay safe.

FULL REPORT HERE

Rain Gods smiles on Chennai amid lockdown

Gujarat imposes fine for not wearing mask

The Gujarat government has increased the fine for not wearing face mask and spitting in public places in the state to Rs 500 from Rs 200 announced earlier. The decision was taken by Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Tuesday, the government said in a release. Except for some parts of the state like the municipal limits of Ahmedabad and Surat, the government had earlier fixed Rs 200 as fine for not wearing face mask. This will be increased to Rs 500 starting August 1, the release said. 

Amitabh Bachchan loses cool on a troll 

In a rare outburst on social media, megastar Amitabh Bachchan hit back at an anonymous troll, who wished death upon him from coronavirus. Addressing one "Mr Anonymous", Bachchan wrote on his blog that the troll was trying to gain a sense of self-importance by verbally attacking a star like him. 

Kejriwal says no COVID death in LNJP

Himachal CM, family test negative for COVID-19

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur and his 5 family members test negative for the second time, a week after their first test also came negative. Himachal CM & his family members had gone in self-quarantine after an aide tested positive for COVID19. 

AP continues to see a rise in COVID cases

Lockdown in containment zones of West Bengal extended till August 31

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee announces extension of lockdown in containment zones till August 31 

FULL REPORT HERE

Mumbai reports only 700 cases: Aaditya Thackeray

Additional 6.7 million children under five could suffer from wasting due to COVID-19: UNICEF

According to the UNICEF, in India, there are still around 20 million children under five years of age who are suffering from wasting. According to the Global Hunger Index 2019, wasting among children in India rose from 16.5 per cent in 2008-2012 to 20.8 per cent in 2014-2018. Wasting is a life-threatening form of malnutrition, which makes children too thin and weak, and puts them at greater risk of dying, poor growth, development and learning. 

Kozhikode lowers shutters as COVID cases rise

Puducherry assembly closed till July 31 as tally in Union Territory surges past 3000

Secretary Assembly R Munussamy in a release stated that two watch and ward staff who were on duty in the front and back gates and a private assistant to BJP MLA V Swaminathan tested positive for COVID-19. The offices in the Assembly will remain closed till July 31 and will function from August 3.

FULL REPORT HERE

Uttar Pradesh crosses the 20-lakh COVID-19 tests mark

Uttar Pradesh has become the second state after Tamil Nadu to cross the 20-lakh mark in terms of the number of samples tested for COVID-19, informed Secretary to the UP Chief Minister, Alok Kumar on Tuesday. "State UP govt tested 91,830 samples for COVID-19 yesterday and in the process becomes the second state, after Tamil Nadu, to cross the 20 lakhs COVID-19 testing mark," tweeted Kumar.
As per the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Uttar Pradesh has a total of 26,204 active COVID-19 cases. 

WATCH | Two more succumb to COVID-19 in Kerala

India's fatality rate drops to 2.25%

India’s case Fatality Rate is currently 2.25%. The Recovery Rate is more than 64% as on today. With 35,176 patients discharged in the last 24 hours, the total recoveries stand at 9,52,743: Government 

FULL REPORT HERE

Setback to Sathankulam custodial deaths probe as two more accused test positive for COVID-19

With this, three accused and six CBI officials have so far tested positive. The latest victims of the infection were two head constables (Muthuraja and Murugan). They were immediately shifted to Government Rajaji Hospital for treatment from Madurai Central Jail. One another accused in the case had tested positive on July 24.

FULL REPORT HERE

60 prisoners test positive for coronavirus in Gujarat

FULL REPORT HERE

First mother-child vertical transmission case in Pune

The Sassoon General Hospital in Maharashtra's Pune has claimed to have reported the country's first case of 'vertical transmission' of the coronavirus infection from a mother to her child through the placenta.

Vertical transmission takes place when the baby is in the uterus. If the mother is infected, the transmission of the virus takes place through the placenta- an organ that develops in the uterus during pregnancy and provides oxygen and nutrients to your growing baby. 

221 coronavirus cases detected in Delhi prisons

Total COVID-19 cases in Delhi Prisons stand at 221. Out of the 60 infected inmates, there are 55 recoveries, 2 active cases, 2 deaths while one inmate has been released and is under home quarantine. Out of 161 staff members, 122 have recovered and 39 active: Prison Official 

COVID-19 fears: Karnataka HC asks state government to reconsider decision to hold CET on July 30-31

 A division bench of Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice HP Sandesh passed the order directing the state to reconsider its decision and place the same on record at 2.30 pm on Wednesday.

FULL REPORT HERE

11 SSB men, on flood duty in Bihar, infected with COVID

Economic crisis due to COVID-19 looms large over Kerala, warns NDMA

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) -- an international forum launched by India -- have come together to forecast that the state will face serious challenges in reviving the economy. For recovery, Kerala can consider reopening the tourism sector partially by exploring the concept of 'travel bubble', the two agencies suggested in the report 'Response to COVID-19 - Kerala'.

Tripura government launches door-to-door COVID-19 survey

Flipkart starts hyperlocal service 'Flipkart Quick', to expand to 6 cities by year-end

Walmart-owned Flipkart has announced the launch of its hyperlocal delivery service 'Flipkart Quick' that will enable customers to receive grocery, fresh vegetables, meat and mobile phones in 90 minutes. The service will be available in select locations in Bengaluru initially and gradually scaled up and expanded to six large cities by the end of the year, Flipkart Vice-President Sandeep Karwa said. 

COVID-19 testing at Bengaluru's fever clinic

Puducherry CM, Speaker, ministers, MLAs test negative for COVID-19, six others found positive

Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy, Speaker V P Sivakolunthu and his deputy, ministers and MLAs who took the COVID-19 test on Monday at the assembly premises tested negative on Tuesday. Swabs were collected from as many as 126 persons in the assembly premises on Monday, of which six tested positive, while the rest are negative.  

Jharkhand CM inaugurates Plasma Donation Centre for seriously ill COVID-19 patients at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences

What purpose served by disclosing names of COVID-19 patients, asks Bombay HC

A division bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Sarang Kotwal was hearing a PIL seeking disclosure of names of COVID-19 patients to enable contact tracing and to save others from being infected. The PIL, filed by law student Vaishnavi Gholave and Solapur-based farmer Mahesh Gadekar, claimed the fundamental right to life and the right to lead a healthy life stand above the fundamental right to privacy in the present situation where public interest and morality are important.

FULL REPORT HERE

WATCH | COVID-19 updates from Tamil Nadu

Conduct last rites of COVID-19 suspects without waiting for test report: Odisha government to Collectors

The Odisha government has instructed all district collectors, SPs, municipal commissioners and health officials to conduct the last rites of COVID-19 suspects without insisting on testing of swab or waiting for the report, an official said. The state government issued a letter on Monday after it was noticed that cremation of bodies was being delayed as officials waited for the corona test reports of the victim after his/her death, the official said.

Himachal update

Puducherry update

Tripura's tally reaches 4,067

Tripura's COVID-19 tally breached the 4,000-mark on Tuesday after 147 more people tested positive for the infection, officials said. West Tripura district reported 40 fresh cases, Sepahijala 41, Gomati 22, Khowai 12, North Tripura 18, Dhalai nine, South Tripura district three and Unakoti two, they said.

81 fresh cases in Arunachal

14 BRTF and two Assam Rifles personnel have tested positive for COVID-19 in Arunachal Pradesh, taking the northeastern state's caseload to 1,239 on Tuesday, a senior health official said.

Puducherry CM, Speaker test negative

Tests were done on the CM, Speaker, Deputy Speaker ,Lok Sabha member , Ministers, legislators and staff of the legislative assembly/ complex and watch and ward , following N R Congress legislator N S Jayabal testing positive for the virus. Swabs were collected from as many as 126 persons in the assembly premises on Monday , of which six persons tested positive.

Karnataka HC intervenes

Nagaland update

Fine raised to Rs 500 in Gujarat

The Gujarat government has increased the fine for not wearing face mask and spitting in public places in the state to Rs 500 from Rs 200 announced earlier. The decision was taken by Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Tuesday, the government said in a release. Except for some parts of the state like the municipal limits of Ahmedabad and Surat, the government had earlier fixed Rs 200 as fine for not wearing face mask.

Odisha's tally crosses 28,000 mark

Odisha's COVID-19 tally breached the 28,000 mark with 1,215 new cases, while the death toll climbed to 154 as seven more patients, including a five-year-old boy, succumbed to the infection, a Health Department official said on Tuesday. The state's virus caseload now stands at 28,107 as 1,215 positive cases were reported from 28 of the 30 districts of the state.

Former Puducherry MLA succumbs

Former Puducherry MLA and NR Congress General Secretary V Bhalan (68) died of COVID-19 on Tuesday.
(READ FULL REPORT HERE)

Delhi HC unhappy with decline in RT-PCR tests

The court expressed its shock after taking note of the fact that the number of RT PCR tests for Covid-19 infection conducted between July 15 to July 23 are below 6000. "...almost 50 per cent capacity of the RT PCR tests are not being conducted in Delhi. The focus seems to be mainly on testing through RAT (rapid antigen tests) whereas RT PCR is the gold standard test," the court said.

Telangana update

92 containment zones in GHMC

Charminar zone of GHMC limits is now one of the worst impacted areas across the state and the city with 31 containment zones.
(READ FULL REPORT HERE)

Odisha update

Five Army jawans among 94 new cases in Himachal

Himachal Pradesh reported 94 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, including four Army jawans and two CAPF personnel, taking the state's tally to 2,271, officials said. The number of active COVID-19 cases in the state stands at 1,025. 

National recovery rate increases

1,73,34,885 samples tested until July 27

National update

Mizoram update

Patient in Noida isolation ward molested

"A woman was admitted to an isolation ward at a private hospital after testing positive for COVID-19. In the same ward, a doctor, who does not practise at the same institution, was also a patient in the isolation ward. The woman has alleged that she was molested by the doctor," ADSP Ranvijay Singh said.

Telangana comorbidities update

As per the available data, 46.13 per cent of 480 COVID-19 deaths in Telangana had no comorbidities, showcasing a different side from what was popularly known that only those with comorbid conditions can succumb.

Warangal Urban sees highest ever spike

The district has been seeing upward for 100 cases consecutively for last 3 days. What is even more troublesome is that of the 255 beds in Warangal Urban's MGM hospital barely 55 are vacant. However other key district hospitals have sufficient beds.

Telangana reveals gender-wise data

  • Women in age group of 21-30 most susceptible to catching the virus, with 7.9 per cent cases of COVID in women being reported from that bracket.
  • For men the most affected age group is 31-40 years with 17.7 per cent of all affected being in that age group.
  • Men constituted 65.6 per cent of all COVID 19 infected, rest being women.
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