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COVID-19 HIGHLIGHTS | Restriction on arriving flights from 6 cities to Kolkata airport extended upto August 15

The restriction on arriving flights to Kolkata Airport from 6 cities - Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Nagpur & Ahmedabad- has been extended.
A view of NSCBI Airport wearing a deserted as the flight services are suspended during a complete lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus disease in Kolkata Wednesday July 29 2020. (Photo | PTI)
A view of NSCBI Airport wearing a deserted as the flight services are suspended during a complete lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus disease in Kolkata Wednesday July 29 2020. (Photo | PTI)
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As many as 52,123 fresh cases were registered within a span of 24-hours on Thursday, taking the total to 1,583,792 while the death toll rose to 34,968 from 34,193, according to the Union Health Ministry.

India's coronavirus caseload on Thursday was the highest tally recorded since March.

According to the new norms, which will be effective from August 1st, the night curfew has been removed and the gymnasiums and yoga training centres have been allowed to function from August 5, on the condition that a standard operating procedure (SOP) is followed.This apart, schools, colleges and coaching institutions will remain closed till August 31.

Jharkhand lockdown extended till August 31

University of Madras to commence online classes for 2nd, 3rd year students from August 3

Covid cases updates

UP 
Total cases : 81103
Fresh cases: 3765
Active cases : 32649
Recovered : 46803
Deaths : 1587

Bihar
Total positive cases tested so far:48001
Deaths-285
Cured-31673
Active cases now-16042
Total samples tested-5,25,430

Bengal 
Total positive case till date: 65,258
Positive at present: 19,900
Death: 1,536
Discharged: 46,256
Total tests: 8,74,397
Note: 2,434 tested positive and 46 died in past 24 hours.

Punjab
Total Positive cases: 15,456
Discharged/recovered: 10,509
Total deaths: 370

Chandigarh
Total Positive cases: 1016
Discharged/recovered: 647
Total deaths: 14

Haryana
Total Positive cases: 34,254
Discharged/recovered: 27,340
Total deaths: 417

Himachal Pradesh
Total Positive cases: 2506
Discharged/recovered: 1387
Total deaths:  12

Jammu and Kashmir
New cases today 450
Total cases rise to 19869
Active cases 7662
Recovered 11842
Total deaths 365

WATCH | Kerala Covid updates

No more Sunday lockdowns, night curfew in Karnataka

Karnataka reports record high of 6128 cases

Karnataka reports record high of 6128 new cases

Restriction of flights arrival from 6 cities to Kolkata airport extended upto August 15

The restriction on arriving flights to Kolkata Airport from 6 cities - Delhi, Mumbai,Pune,Chennai, Nagpur & Ahmedabad- has been extended upto 15th August 2020.

Maharashtra reports 11,147 new cases

131 insurance claims received for medicos who died battling COVID-19 so far: Centre

Conceding that the clearing the compensation claims has been slow in several cases, a senior official in the Union Ministry of the Health and Family Welfare on Thursday said that 64 claims have been processed so far. Rajesh Bhushan, officer on special duty in the health ministry, also said that the highest number of claims were from Maharashtra, Delhi, and Telangana.

FULL REPORT HERE

Odisha prison authority urges police to conduct RT-PCR test on accused

With 96 inmates and 17 jail staffers testing positive for coronavirus, Odisha prison authority urges police to conduct RT-PCR test to detect COVID-19 in accused persons before sending them to judicial custody: Official 

Dharavi reports 6 new cases

Six new COVID-19 cases reported in Mumbai's Dharavi slum; tally rises to 2,551: BMC 

15 more private hospitals roped in for COVID-19 patients

 Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation ropes in 15 more private hospitals to accommodate COVID-19 patients coming for treatment to city from other parts of Gujarat: Statement

Kerala reports more recoveries than new positive cases

Fewer ball boys, regular COVID-19 tests: Focus on Italy as tennis set for return with fans

Tournament director Oliviera Palma had just about started planning the 28th edition of the meet when the coronavirus pandemic raged through Italy. Even though Sicily wasn't as badly affected as other regions of Italy, the wider society was thrown into turmoil as the country entered into lockdown. Flights were stopped, people were forced into their homes and the streets resembled scenes from an apocalyptic world.

FULL REPORT HERE

Punjab preps up for COVID-19

Punjab govt deputes 22 IAS, IFS and PCS officers as COVID patient tracking officers (CPTOs) amid rising number of coronavirus cases in state: Chief Secretary Vini Mahajan 

Andhra records over 10000 cases for 2nd day in a row

WATCH | The curious case of Gujarat's consistently high case fatality rate

Free plasma for COVID patients in need in Punjab

Amid spiralling COVID infections and deaths, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh says that plasma will be provided free of cost by the state government to all those in need: Punjab Chief Minister's Office

Punjab CM seeks views on opening gyms and coaching centres in state

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh today sought views of the District Collectors on the opening of gyms and coaching centres; CM to take final decision on Unlock 3.0 relaxations after receiving their inputs: Punjab Chief Minister's Office

Tamil Nadu records 5864 cases and 97 deaths

J&K govt issues protocols for incoming passengers

Govt of Jammu & Kashmir issues protocols for the passengers arrving in the state through air, rail or road. All passengers to undergo mandatory COVID19 antigen, using RT-PCR or Rapid Antigen testing or any other other prescribed method. As per the protocol issues by the Govt of Jammu and Kashmir, all air & rail passengers who have a valid contactable mobile number with Aarogya Setu application on their phones will be sent for home quaratine for 14 days or till their test results are reported negative.

Kin of Corona warrior doctor who died of Covid-19 in Delhi appeal for govt help

Four days after having lost their Corona warrior doctor son to Covid-19 in Delhi, a small agrarian family in Madhya Pradesh has sought urgent help from the government to save it from financial crisis.

FULL REPORT HERE

Covid threat looms large over Ram temple Bhoomi Pujan as priest, 16 cops test positive

Assistant priest (sahayak pujari) Pradeep Das and 16 personnel of Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) have tested positive for the deadly virus on Thursday. They have been quarantined and the santization of the entire premises is on. Though the mega Bhoomi Pujan for the commencement of Ram temple construction would be held in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 5, the rituals will start from August 3 at the site in the temple town. 

READ FULL STORY HERE

Delhi govt forms 4 panels to inspect COVID hospitals

Four committees constituted for inspecting hospitals where percentage of COVID deaths vis-a-vis admissions and the percentage of COVID deaths in wards of these hospitals was on higher side during 1st July to 23rd July: Delhi Government 

Asymptomatic patients can take treatment at home: Kerala

Private schools in MP not to charge extra fees other than tuition

Private schools not to charge students other than tuition fees due to COVID19 crisis. Education department to ensure that if parents are not able to pay the fees, their ward's name is not removed from the school under any circumstances: Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chauha n

Odisha conducts over 1 lakh cases in last 10 days

18 prisoners, six jail staff test positive for COVID-19 in Visakhapatnam

According to central jail superintendent S Rahul, they conducted COVID-19 tests on 282 prisoners, including all those who had come in contact with Om Prakash, a life convict in the sensational Moddu Srinu murder case. He said 400 staff of the prison and also their families underwent the tests.

FULL REPORT HERE

'Let's put a smile on that face'

Health ministry briefing on COVID-19 situation

  • Over 1,81,90,000 tests have been conducted in the country including RT-PCR and rapid antigen tests. There has been week on week increase in average tests per day. India is conducting 324 test per 10 lakhs population per day

  • 3 vaccine candidates are in phase 3 clinical trial. These 3 are in US, UK & China. In India, 2 indigenously developed vaccine candidates are in phase 1 & 2 clinical trials. Trial of 1st vaccine involves 1150 subjects at 8 sites, 2nd on 1000 subjects at 5 sites

  • There are multiple stakeholders within & outside Govt and Ministry of Health has started actively engaging with such stakeholders: Health Ministry on 'has there been a discussion of prioritising how a vaccine would be distributed or administered if & when it becomes available'

  • India has cluster of cases & pockets of localised transmission. With 138 Cr population only 50 out of 740 dists contribute to 80% cases. In 80% of new cases, source of infection & close contacts can be traced within 72 hrs. How's it community transmission?:

    • Union Health Ministry briefs the media in Delhi, over COVID19 situation in India

  • The recovery rate has shown positive trends. It was 7.85% in April and today it is 64.4%

  • More than 1 million people have recovered from COVID19 in the country. This landmark recovery has been achieved because of the selfless work and dedication of our doctors, nurses and frontline workers.

  • 16 states of the country have a recovery rate that is more than the national average. Of these, Delhi has recovery rate of 88%, Ladakh 80%, Haryana 78%, Assam 76%, Telangana 74%, Tamil Nadu & Gujarat 73%, Rajasthan 70%, MP 69% and Goa 68%.

  • The case fatality rate in India today is 2.21% and it's among the lowest in the world. 24 States and Union Territories have lesser fatality rate than that of the country.

  • Herd immunity in a country of the size & population of India can't be a strategic option. It can only be achieved through immunisation. Health Ministry thinks it's possible in future but for now we've to follow COVID appropriate behaviour.

    • Plan to increase COVID-19 tests to 10 lakh per day in 1-2 months: Harsh Vardhan

    India doing around five lakh COVID-19 tests every day, plans to double the number in next one-two months, says Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan. He also hailed the scientific community for fighting alongside the medical community in the battle against the virus.

    FULL REPORT HERE

    Gyms in Bengaluru prep up for reopening in Unlock 3.0

    All India Institute of Ayurveda starts providing free testing, treatment to COVID-19 patients

    The All India Institute of Ayurveda has also been designated as COVID-19 testing centre (RT-PCR and Rapid Antigen Testing) by the Delhi government. A COVID Call Centre has been established at AIIA for handling queries related to COVID-19 being raised by the general public telephonically, an official statement by the AYUSH Ministry said.

    FULL REPORT HERE

    Congress slams Kerala govt for 'failing' to combat COVID-19, going back on its promises

    Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala criticized the order issued by the Thiruvananthapuram district collector, saying there is lack of clarity on who will provide treatment to COVID-19 patients who have been asked to remain at home. 

    Pataliputra Ashok Hotel turned into COVID hospital

    Most new cases in Madurai are contacts of patients who had tested positive

    The city has been witnessing an upward trend in the number of primary and secondary contacts of COVID-19 patients testing positive for the infection. In the last two weeks, over half of the virus cases reported comprised contacts of COVID-19 patients, said City Health Officer (CHO) Dr P Kumaraguruparan. 

    FULL REPORT HERE

    Puducherry records one death and 122 fresh COVID-19 cases

    Among the new cases, 114 cases are in Puducherry region and eight in Karaikal region. While 1292 persons are undergoing treatment in hospitals, 1043 are in Puducherry region (472 patients are being treated at the Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Research Institute (IGMCRI) and 351 at JIPMER and 219 in COVID care centres), one in Tamil Nadu, 44 in Karaikal GH and 47 in Yanam GH and one case in Mahe GH.

    FULL REPORT HERE

    CM Uddhav Thackeray reviews preparations in Pune

    Common restrictions that will apply across Tamil Nadu during lockdown are as follows:

  • More than five persons can not assemble in a public place

  • No relaxations for containment zones in the state

  • Companies should encourage work from home for their employees wherever possible

  • No change in status of rail and air transport

  • All big places of worship will continue to remain closed, ban on big religious meetings continue

    • (Inputs from ENS)

    (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    Tamil Nadu lockdown extended: E-pass is a must for all inter-district and inter-state transportat

    Lockdown in Tamil Nadu extended till August 31

  • Ban on public meeting in big places of worship, religious gatherings will continue

  • Schools, colleges, training centres, research centres, all educational institutions and shopping malls will remain closed

  • Metro rail, electric train services will not be resumed until further notice

  • Theatres, gyms, swimming pools, beaches, tourist spots, zoos, museums and will remain closed

  • Private companies and factories that are currently allowed to work with 50% of staff, will now be allowed to work with 75% strength

  • Grocery and vegetable shops will be allowed to operate till 7 pm

  • Parcel services are allowed till 9pm

  • E commerce sites will be allowed to deliver essential and non essential items

    • (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    COVID-19 lockdown extended in Tamil Nadu for one more month

    One more COVID-19 death reported in Kollam, total fatalities in state reach 69

    A 73-year-old Asuma Beevi from Thalachira, Kottarakkara in Kollam, who was under treatment for COVID-19 at District Hospital died on Wednesday night. She was confirmed with COVID-19 infection during a test at the district chospital.
    (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    How is Tamil Nadu handling COVID-19?

    With pools still closed, Karnataka Swimming Association set for meeting today

    Be it unlock 1, 2 or 3, the swimmers have been left disappointed on all three instances. The Ministry of Home Affairs issued fresh guidelines (unlock 3.0) on Wednesday and maintained that the swimming pools will continue to remain closed.
    (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    Child labour, trafficking, dropout rates may increase post-lockdown

    Kerala | One dies, 83 more test COVID-19 positive in Ernakulam district

    So far, 40 healthcare workers in the district have tested positive for the infection. According to the health department, the source of infection of two patients – a 65-year-old Edathala native and a 49-year Eloor native – is unknown.
    (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    COVID strikes BJP brass in Madhya Pradesh, all had attended Governor Lalji Tandon’s last rites

    Madhya Pradesh BJP president VD Sharma tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday. With this, the entire top leadership of the ruling party is infected by the virus. On Saturday, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan was admitted to a Bhopal hospital after being infected by the coronavirus.
    (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    Telangana COVID-19 death toll crosses 500 mark, cases in Hyderabad shrink by the day

    13 more death reports took state toll to 505 on Thursday. Meanwhile, 1811 new cases COVID-19 cases took Telangana tally above 60,000. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    54-year-old woman succumbs to COVID-19 in Karnataka

    Kerala | Gym owners, trainers welcome govt’s decision to lift ban

    Meanwhile, the sale of fitness equipment has gone up. Premnath P, who runs a fitness equipment shop at Ulloor, said there has been a huge demand for compact equipment like static cycles and elliptical machines which are ideal for home workout.
    (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    IN PICS | Strict checking across Bengaluru as CET exams begin from today

    Aviation woes: SpiceJet’s survival in question; IndiGo posts record Q1 loss

    IndiGo posted its biggest quarterly loss at Rs 2,844 crore during Q1 of FY21, while SpiceJet’s net loss was at Rs 807.08 crore for the quarter ended March 31 FY20. Both airlines blamed the Covid-19 pandemic for their dismal performance.
    (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    Koyambedu market revamping begins, likely to reopen in two months if COVID-19 under control

    The traders have been giving representations to government to shift them back to Koyambedu, said S Chandran, Market management Committee Licensed Merchants Association President and Anaithu Sangankalin Kootamaipu, general secretary.
    (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    54-year-old woman succumbs to COVID-19 in Karnataka

    Odisha coronavirus tally crosses 30,000

    Norms eased for employees stuck due to COVID-19 lockdown

    An order issued by the Department of Personnel & Training to all the ministries and departments said the decision was taken as the DoPT received several queries from the employees, who proceeded on leave with necessary permission, but couldn’t report for duty due to travel restrictions.
    (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    For third straight day, Telangana records over 1,800 cases

    COVID-19 death toll in US surpasses 150,000 as cases near 4.4 million

    According to latest data from Johns Hopkins University, the total number of coronavirus cases registered in the country stand at 4,401,599 while the death toll has risen to 150,159.
    (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    'Baahubali' filmmaker SS Rajamouli, family test positive for COVID-19

    Rajamouli further said that since their symptoms were moderate, they were advised by doctors to home-quarantine themselves.

    Bengaluru COVID-19 cases continue to soar, cross 50,000-mark

    On Wednesday, after Bengaluru, Ballari (338), Belagavi (279) and Davanagere (225) recorded a high number of cases. Among the 92 patients who died on Wednesday, a majority were SARI and ILI cases, and 83 of them had comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension.
    (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    Kolkata Airport to remain closed seven days during August

    All districts of Telangana record positive cases as pandemic clocks 150 days

    An analysis of the data shows that the last 50 days of the pandemic have seen the sharpest rise in cases as well as deaths. During this period alone, Telangana saw 55,434 cases, which is 94 per cent of the tally. Also, 64 per cent of the deaths were reported during these 50 days. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    Highest daily jump of 52,123 fresh cases reported in India in last 24-hours

    Active COVID-19 cases cross 10,000-mark in Odisha

    Although Madhya Pradesh, Assam and Haryana have recorded more confirmed cases than Odisha, the State is way above the three as far as active infections are concerned.
    (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    Coronavirus crushes courier services in Hyderabad

    Every year during the festival season, most courier companies used to be extremely busy with the load, however, the market for the service providers is extremely dull this year, claim the representatives from the sector.
    (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    Full of life: 105-year-old Kerala woman beats COVID-19 in just nine days

    Asma Beevi, a 105-year-old great grandmother, has achieved the distinction of becoming the oldest person in the state to beat coronavirus. Other than age-related ailments such as loss of sight and knee pain, Beevi has been healthy.
    (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    Global updates | US records 1,267 new deaths in 24 hours: Johns Hopkins University

    US President Donald Trump spotted wearing a mask (File Photo | AP)

  • Total cases : 77,334

  • Fresh cases: 3,570

  • Active cases : 29,997

  • Recovered : 45,807

  • Deaths : 1,530

    • Private eye, tattoo artist, travel blogger & DJ: Here's how these professionals are coping with new situations

    “We have to maintain the required norms and the time taken to service a client would increase despite the limited operating hours. We would love to operate 24 hours soon but that would take at least a year,” chides Nikhil.
    (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    Tamil Nadu | Decision on extension of COVID-19 lockdown today

    A decision on whether to extend the lockdown with more relaxations or otherwise will be taken after consulting health experts today. Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Wednesday underscored the fact that the infection could be contained only if the people cooperated with the government guidelines and measures.
    (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    Global updates | Brazil lifts four-month ban on foreigners arriving by air despite high COVID-19 cases

    Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro (Photo | AP)

    OPINION | On the brink of collapse, private hospitals now in need of care

    Specialised hospitals need to be more cautious as they are already dealing with patients with various comorbidities. The government should strategise, and allow only multi-specialty hospitals to treat COVID-19 patients. These specialised hospitals have immuno-compromised patients and taking in even one COVID-19 patient would risk the lives of numerous others.
    (READ FULL OPINION HERE)

    Unlock 3.0: What's opened and what's not? All you need to know

    The Centre on Wednesday issued guidelines for Unlock 3, which will begin from August 1, allowing a few more activities and dropping night curfew--restrictions on movement of individuals during night.

    Maharashtra to extend coronavirus lockdown till August 31

  • Government of Maharashtra has issued directions to extend the lockdown, with amendments, to operationalize MISSION BEGIN AGAIN for easing of restrictions and phase-wise opening, till August 31

  • In Municipal Corporations of Mumbai Metropolitan Area including Greater Mumbai, Pune, Solapur, Aurangabad, Malegaon, Nashik, Dhule, Jalgaon, Akola, Amravati and Nagpur

  • Malls and market complexes to be operational from 9 am to 7 pm from 5 Aug, but without theatres, food courts and restaurants

    • Top BJP leadership in Madhya Pradesh now Covid positive, as CM, state chief and general secretary contract virus

    All the top three, including state’s chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, state BJP president and Khajuraho Lok Sabha member VD Sharma and party’s state general secretary (organization) Suhas Bhagat have tested positive for the deadly viral infection. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    DCGI asks Serum Institute to revise protocol for phase 2, 3 trials of Oxford COVID-19 vaccine

    A CDSCO expert panel has sought clarifications from Serum Institute of India (SII) over its application to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) seeking permission for conducting phase 2 and 3 human clinical trials of the Oxford vaccine candidate for COVID-19, official sources said on Wednesday. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    Maharashtra government allows malls to reopen from August 5

  • Malls will be reopened in Maharashtra from August 5, 2020 with certain terms and condition. The malls and shopping complexes have been permitted to reopen between 9.00 am to 7.00 pm.

  • Restaurants and food courts will not be allowed to operate however they can operate their kitchen to provide the home delivery or parcel services.

  • Cinema halls and theatres have not been permitted to reopen.

    • Maharashtra government allows malls to reopen from August 5

  • Malls will be reopened in Maharashtra from August 5, 2020 with certain terms and condition. The malls and shopping complexes have been permitted to reopen between 9.00 am to 7.00 pm.

  • Restaurants and food courts will not be allowed to operate however they can operate their kitchen to provide the home delivery or parcel services.

  • Cinema halls and theatres have not been permitted to reopen.

    • Important guidelines for Unlock 3.0

  • Restrictions on movement of individuals during night (Night curfew) have been removed.

  • Yoga institutes and gymnasiums will be allowed to open from August 5, 2020. In this regard, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) will be issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) for ensuring social distancing and to contain the spread of COVID-19.

  • Independence Day functions will be allowed with social distancing and by following other health protocols, e.g., wearing of masks etc. In this regard instructions issued by MHA on 21.07.2020 shall be followed.

  • After extensive consultation with States and UTs, it has been decided that schools, colleges and coaching institutions will remain closed till August 31, 2020.

  • International air travel of passengers has been permitted in a limited manner under the Vande Bharat mission. Further opening up will take place in a calibrated manner.

  • Dates for opening of these will be decided separately, based on the assessment of the situation.

  • Lockdown shall continue to be implemented strictly in the Containment Zones till 31 August, 2020. Containment Zones are

  • All activities, except the following, shall be permitted outside containment zones:

  • Dates for opening of these will be decided separately, based on the assessment of the situation.

  • Lockdown shall continue to be implemented strictly in the Containment Zones till 31 August, 2020. Containment Zones are required to be carefully demarcated by the State/ UT Governments with a view to contain the spread of COVID-19, after taking into consideration the guidelines issued by MOHFW. Within the containment zones, strict perimeter control shall be maintained and only essential activities allowed.

  • These Containment Zones will be notified on the websites of the respective District Collectors and by the States/ UTs and information will also be shared with MOHFW.

  • Activities in the Containment Zones shall be monitored strictly by State and UT authorities, and the guidelines relating to containment measure in these zones shall be strictly implemented.

  • MOHFW will monitor the proper delineation of Containment Zones and implementation of the containment measures.

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