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COVID-19 HIGHLIGHTS | Karnataka hikes fine for mask rule violation up to Rs 1,000

India's coronavirus tally now stands at 63,12,585 including 9,40,705 active cases, 52,73,202 recoveries and 98,678 deaths deaths as per Ministry of Health and Family Welfare data.
A boy wearing a mask to prevent COVID-19 infection. (Photo| R Satish Babu, EPS)
A boy wearing a mask to prevent COVID-19 infection. (Photo| R Satish Babu, EPS)
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On Thursday, India's COVID-19 tally crossed the 63 lakh-mark with a spike of 86,821 new cases and 1,181 deaths reported in the last 24-hours as per the Union Health Ministry.

India's coronavirus tally now stands at 63,12,585 including 9,40,705 active cases, 52,73,202 recoveries and 98,678 deaths deaths as per Ministry of Health and Family Welfare data.

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued new guidelines for resuming activities in areas outside the Containment Zones on Wednesday.

Here are all the guidelines issued by MHA for Unlock 5.

West Bengal minister and TMC leader Tapas Roy tests positive

West Bengal minister and TMC leader Tapas Roy tested positive for COVID-19 and was admitted to a Kolkata hospital Thursday night, hospital sources said. Roy's family members are under home isolation.

"He had tested positive and was admitted late tonight at around 11:30 pm. He is currently doing fine, but we have kept him under observation. He is asymptomatic," a senior official at Calcutta Medical College and Hospital said.

Assam logs 14 fresh COVID fatalities, 1,585 new cases

Assam's COVID-19 death toll mounted to 711 with 14 people succumbing to the disease on Thursday, while 1,585 new positive cases were detected taking the tally to 1,82,396, Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

Jharkhand allows places of worship to open, curbs on Durga Puja celebrations

The Jharkhand government on Thursday allowed places of worship to open outside the containment zones in the state from October 8, while announcing that Durga Puja will be permitted this year only at homes, temples and small pandals without public participation.

Karnataka hikes fine for mask rule violation up to Rs 1,000

Aimed at strictly enforcing wearing of mask in public and workplaces, the Karnataka government under its fresh guidelines for "re-opening" effective from Thursday announced those violating the rule would face a fine of Rs 1,000 in municipal areas and Rs 500 in other places.

An order by Chief Secretary T M Vijay Bhaskar also said the Department of Primary and Secondary Education may take a decision in respect of re-opening of schools and coaching institutions, after October 15, in a graded manner.

Assam logs 14 fresh COVID fatalities, 1,585 new cases

Assam's COVID-19 death toll mounted to 711 with 14 people succumbing to the disease on Thursday, while 1,585 new positive cases were detected taking the tally to 1,82,396, Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

Odisha witnesses 1.16 lakh COVID-19 cases and 356 deaths

September has proved to be the cruelest month for Odisha as the State recorded more than half of the total confirmed cases in the 30-day period alone. It has been almost 200 days since the first case was reported. (READ MORE)

2,656 new coronavirus cases found in Pune district

Pune district reported 2,656 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, taking its case count to 2,86,677, a health official said on Thursday evening. The death toll in the district reached 6,598 with 69 patients succumbing to the infection during this period.

'Unscientific': Experts react as ICMR prescribes 'Antisera' therapy for Covid treatment without trials

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on Thursday announced a new therapy for Covid-19 treatment even though it has not undergone any safety or efficacy trials yet.

Ex-chief minister Narayan Rane tests COVID-19 positive

BJP Rajya Sabha member and former chief minister of Maharashtra Narayan Rane on Thursday said he has tested positive for COVID-19. Rane (68) disclosed the diagnosis on his official Twitter handle. "I have tested positive for COVID-19. My health condition is fine but I have decided to isolate myself as per doctors advise." I will return soon to public life, he added.

Chhattisgarh records 2,551 new COVID-19 cases, 29 deaths

With 2,551 new COVID-19casesand 29 more deaths, Chhattisgarhs total count rose to 1,16,153 and the toll to 986 on Thursday, a health official said. A total of 678 people were discharged from various hospitals following their recovery while 1,557 patients completed their home isolation during the day, taking the tally of recoveries to 84,699, he said.

20 more COVID-19 fatalities, 1,313 fresh cases in Haryana

Haryana reported 20 more COVID-19 fatalities on Thursday as the death toll due to the coronavirus in the state reached 1,402, officials said. And 1,313 fresh cases pushed the total infections to 1,29,912, they added.

COVID-19 crisis highlighted need for more investment in health sector

The coronavirus crisis highlighted that the country was investing too little in the health sector, CEO of AB-PMJAY Indu Bhushan said on Thursday as he stressed on the need to invest more in primary, secondary and critical care.

1,351 new COVID-19 cases in Gujarat; 10 dead

Gujarat reported 1,351 new coronavirus positive cases in the last 24 hours, which took its overall infection count to 1,38,745, the health department said on Thursday. Notably, nearly as many number of coronavirus patients recovered during the same period in the state.

West Bengal's COVID-19 toll crosses 5,000-mark

West Bengal's COVID-19 toll crossed the 5,000-mark on Thursday with 59 more deaths, as per a bulletin issued by the Health Department. The total number of COVID-19 patients who have died stood at 5,017, while the state reported 3,275 fresh cases, it said. The tally mounted to 2,60,324, following the detection of the new cases, it added. The state also recorded 2,996 recoveries during the last 24 hours, taking the discharge rate to 87.87 per cent.

Karnataka numbers

16.45 lakh Indians have returned from abroad under 'Vande Bharat' mission: MEA

As many as 16.45 lakh Indians have returned from abroad after the government launched the ''Vande Bharat'' evacuation mission on May 7 in view of the coronavirus pandemic, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said phase six has come to an end and under this phase, 894 international flights and 142 feeder flights have been operated from 24 countries reaching 24 airports across India.

Maharashtra numbers

Punjab records 45 more deaths, 1,317 new cases

Forty-five more Covid-related deaths pushed the death toll to 3,451 and 1,317 cases took the infection tally to 1,15,151 in Punjab on Thursday. Six deaths were reported from Pathankot, four each from Kapurthala, Muktsar, Jalandhar and Patiala, three each from Bathinda, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana, Rupnagar and Tarn Taran, two each from Amritsar and Moga and one from Fatehgarh Sahib, according to a government medical bulletin.

COVID-19 cases, deaths double in Haryana in September

COVID-19 cases and deaths in Haryana have nearly doubled in September with Gurugram and Faridabad being the worst affected. The number of coronavirus infections in the state rose to 1,28,599 on September 30 from 64,732 on August 31, while the death toll from the disease increased to 1,382 from 689 in the same period, according to official figures.

Jammu & Kashmir tally

Deaths double in Haryana in September

  • COVID-19 cases and deaths in Haryana have nearly doubled in September with Gurugram and Faridabad being the worst affected.

  • The number of coronavirus infections in the state rose to 1,28,599 on September 30 from 64,732 on August 31, while the death toll from the disease increased to 1,382 from 689 in the same period, according to official figures.

  • Officials attributed the steep rise in COVID-19 cases and deaths to mainly reopening of various activities after lockdown and inter-district movement of people.

    • Punjab: Daily monitoring of patients in home isolation

  • Asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic COVID-19 patients in home isolation will be monitored in Punjab from Friday.

  • The state government engaging a consortium of professional home healthcare companies for their regular monitoring, a senior official said.

  • The consortium has the experience of monitoring such patients in other states and cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Karnataka.

  • Patients who are 40 years and above will be monitored on priority under this system.

    • Tamil Nadu crosses six lakh mark

    Punjab lifts night curfew

    Amid declining cases and deaths, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Thursday ordered a slew of relaxations, including lifting of night curfew and an end to the Sunday lockdown, while directing the DGP to strictly enforce wearing of masks and other safety norms. Among the relaxations announced are increasing the limit for marriage functions and funerals to 100 in the state, in line with the Centre's guidelines, as well as easing the limit of three persons in a car and 50% capacity in buses, subject to the condition of windows being open.

    Kerala tally

    Mizoram update

    Delhi tally

    16 new cases in Dharavi

    Mizoram tally crosses 2,000 mark

  • Mizoram's COVID-19 tally on Thursday crossed the 2,000 mark as 31 more people, including 23 security personnel tested positive for the virus, a health department official said.

  • At least 1,252 samples were tested in the last 24 hours of which 31 were diagnosed with COVID-19, pushing the state's coronavirus tally to 2,017, the official said.

  • Of the 31 fresh cases, 16 were reported from Aizawl district, 10 from Kolasib and 5 cases were reported from Lawngtlai district, he said.

    • Andhra Pradesh tally

    UP reports 4,095 new cases

  • With 4,095 fresh cases, the COVID-19 tally in Uttar Pradesh reached 4,03,101 on Thursday.

  • As many as 4,444 patients were discharged in the last 24 hours during which 4,095 fresh cases were reported, Additional Chief Secretary Health Amit Mohan Prasad said.

  • The number of active cases has come down to 50,378 while the total number of those getting discharged from hospitals has reached 3,46,859, he said, adding that the recovery rate of the state stands at 86%

    • Over 23,000 Maha cops infected till date

    At least 23,548 personnel of the Maharashtra police have tested positive for coronavirus, while 247 died of the infection since the viral outbreak hit the state, an official said on Thursday. As per the latest data, more than 10 per cent of the state police force has been infected with the virus, the official said.

    Notices to 14 private hospitals in Aurangabad

  • The district administration has issued show-cause notices to 14 private hospitals in Aurangabad city of Maharashtra for overcharging COVID-19 patients to the tune of more than Rs 62 lakh, an official said on Thursday.

  • The hospitals have been told to file their replies to the notices in seven days, a district official said in a press release here.

  • If managements of these hospitals don't act on inflated medical bills, the administration will take legal action against them, he warned.

    • Punjab update

    More than 10K COVID-19 cases in CRPF

  • There have been over 10,000 COVID-19 cases in the CRPF with an estimated recovery rate of 85 per cent, the chief of the country's largest paramilitary force, A P Maheshwari, said on Friday.

  • He said the force is undertaking various measures to ensure that its troops remain fit and have high immunity levels to combat diseases such as COVID-19.

    • Ahmed Patel tests positive

    Pondy govt allows opening of theatres, schools

  • The Puducherry government on Thursday said it would implement the Centre's guidelines under Unlock-5 to reopen more activities in a calibrated manner in areas outside the containment zones including opening of schools, cinemas, theatres and multiplexes.

  • Puducherry district Collector T Arun, who is also Special Secretary (Relief and Rehabilitation), said the lockdown in containment zones in the union territory has been extended till the end of this month.

  • "All the guidelines of the Centre which have been annexed to the order of the Collector came into effect today and would be in force till the end of this month," the Government Order said.

  • Any violation of the guidelines is punishable under the Disaster Management Act 2004 and Epidemics Act 1897, it said.

    • Jharkhand minister shifted to private hospital

    Jharkhand education minister Jagarnath Mahato, who had tested positive for COVID-19 earlier in the week, was on Thursday shifted to a private hospital in Ranchi from state-run Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), after he complained of breathlessness.

    Muzaffarnagar doctor booked for violation of norms

    A doctor running a nursing home was booked for the violation of coronavirus norms after seven people, including six staff members, tested positive for the infection there, an official said here on Thursday. According to Chief Medical Officer Praveen Chopra, a case was registered against the nursing home owner, Dr Devendra Kumar, for not informing the authorities about the patients.

    Gene mutation behind different COVID-19 death rates

  • Variation in a genetic mutation among Indians may be the main reason behind the difference in the death rates due to COVID-19 across various states of the country, says a study.

  • This could inform new policies for controlling the novel coronavirus pandemic.

  • An international team, led by researchers at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in Uttar Pradesh, analysed mutations in the gene responsible for the expression of the Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2), a protein on the surface of cells which is believed to act as a gateway for the novel coronavirus into the human body.

  • Recent studies have effectively demonstrated that the ACE2 is encoded by a gene located on the X chromosome.

  • In the journal Frontiers in Genetics, the researchers looked at the frequency of this mutation described as rs2285666 haplotype among various states of India.

  • Their spatial analysis showed that in India, frequency of this haplotype, or a combination of mutations, varied between 33-100 per cent across different regions.

    • Liquid oxygen tank installed

    Tripura reports 332 fresh cases

  • At least 332 more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Tripura on Thursday, pushing the tally in the northeastern state to 26,066 a health department official said.

  • The death toll rose to 280 with six more people succumbing to the infection, he said.

  • West Tripura district, of which state capital Agartala is a part, has accounted for 153 of the 280 COVID-19 deaths, the official said.

  • Altogether 400 patients were cured and discharged from G B Pant Hospital, the state's main referral facility for COVID-19 patients, since Wednesday.

    • Over 25% Delhiites developed antibodies as per Serosurvey

  • Over 25% of the people have developed antibodies to COVID-19 in Delhi according to a serosurvey report, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said.

  • The health minister gave a district-wise breakup of the number of patients testing positive for the antibodies that included 31.8% from Northwest, 31.1% from East Delhi, 30.1% from South Delhi and 27.9% patients have developed antibodies in West Delhi.

  • "The first survey that was conducted in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research wherein Delhi was divided into 11 districts.

  • "This time we divided Delhi into 280 parts and that is why there is a difference in the results," the Delhi Health Minister said.

    • Active cases remain below 10 lakh for 10th day

  • With 85,376 people having recuperated from COVID-19 in a span of 24 hours, India's total recoveries surged to 52,73,201 on Thursday pushing the recovery rate to 83.53 per cent, according to the data updated at 8 am.

  • "The rise in total recovered cases has been steep. The last 10 lakh recoveries were added in just 12 days," the ministry underlined.

  • It said that 77 per cent of the total recovered cases were in 10 states and UTs -- Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar and Telangana.

    • Himachal Pradesh reports six COVID-19 deaths

    COVID-19: SC approves DGCA's recommendations on refund of airfare through credit shells

    In a major relief to passengers, whose flights got cancelled due to the COVID-19 lockdown, the Supreme Court on Thursday accepted the recommendations of the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to refund ticket fares and also approved a credit shell scheme which will be valid till March 31.
    (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    SC rejects PIL for independent probe into 'mismanagement' of COVID-19 pandemic

    The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a PIL filed by retired bureaucrats alleging gross mismanagement of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country by the government.
    (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    Global update | DNA from Neanderthals can make COVID-19 more severe: Researchers

    People infected with the new coronavirus, for example, who carry the genetic coding bequeathed by our early human cousins are three times more likely to need mechanical ventilation, according to a study published Wednesday in Nature.
    (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    India's COVID-19 tally crosses 63-lakh mark

  • Maharashtra continues to be the worst affected by the pandemic with 2,59,462 active cases, 10,88,322 cured and discharged cases and 36,662 deaths

  • Karnataka with 1,07,635 active cases is the next on the list. While 4,85,268 patients have been cured in the State, the disease has claimed 8,864 lives so far

  • Kerala with 67,140 active cases is also severely affected, however, 1,28,224 patients have been cured in the State, while 742 deaths have occurred due to it

    • (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    Andhra Pradesh | 7,075 more recover, active COVID-19 cases fall to 58,445

    Another 6,133 new cases emerged in Andhra Pradesh, taking the Covid-19 count to 6,93,484. The recoveries, on the brighter side, continue to be more than the new cases, bringing down the active cases to less than 59,000. The total number of samples tested in the state crossed the 58 lakh-mark.
    (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    A look at how cases progressed in Kerala

    Kerala recorded 1,20,721 cases in September alone, now has third-most active cases in India

    Global update | Actual COVID-19 death toll certainly higher than 1 million: WHO

    Director-General of World Health Organisation (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Wednesday said that the actual number of deaths due to COVID-19 is "certainly higher" than 1 million.
    (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    WATCH | Chhattisgarh teacher conducts 'mohalla' classes, shows cartoons during lockdown

    Delhi High Court to continue restricted functioning due to COVID-19

    The Delhi High Court on Wednesday decided to extend its restricted functioning till October 8 in view of the persisting coronavirus pandemic in the national capital.
    (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    Most COVID-19 casualties in India within five days of hospitalisation: Study

    In contrast, in the US, most who died of Covid-19, succumbed nearly 13 days after the hospital admission while in China, this duration was upto 2-3 weeks as per the World Health Organisation.
    (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    India adds 86,821 fresh case to its COVID-19 tally

    Global update | Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine won't be ready before US election: Report

  • The news deals a blow to President Donald Trump's hopes of having an injection ready before the election to give his campaign a much-needed boost.

  • Trump, whose approval has taken a hit over his handling of the Covid-19 crisis, has frequently hinted a vaccine could be ready before the November 3 vote.

    • (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    Kerala | Daily COVID-19 count crosses 1,000 for first time in Ernakulam

    The number of active cases in the district crossed 7,000 even as six more healthcare workers tested positive for the virus. Among those tested positive on the day, 140 persons contracted the disease through unknown sources. Eight persons arrived from other states. Active cases in the district rose to 7,876.
    (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    WATCH | Brazilian city of Manaus achieved herd immunity naturally

    Despite COVID-19 taking toll on Indian economy, Centre won’t breach borrowing target for 2020-21

    Despite the prospects of low revenue collection as a fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic and bleak divestment proceeds, the Centre on Wednesday said it will not breach its borrowing target of Rs 12 lakh crore for the current financial year (2020-21).
    (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    No pandals, big idols, dhakis: COVID-19 pandemic steals Durga Puja from Bengalis in Delhi-NCR

  • With COVID-19 cases in Delhi on the rise, the Bengali Association and Kali temples have decided to tone down the festivities.

    • (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    Maharashtra government extends lockdown till October 31, eases restrictions

  • The Maharashtra government on Wednesday extended the lockdown imposed to contain the COVID-19 spread till October 31

  • However, hotels, food courts, restaurants, and bars will be allowed to operate with effect from October 5 with a capacity not exceeding 50 per cent or as may be prescribed by the local authorities.

    • (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    Unlock 5: Here's all you need to know about latest guidelines!

    Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued new guidelines on Wednesday, for resuming activities in areas outside the Containment Zones. The MHA has extended the lockdown but has further relaxed the restrictions.
    (READ FULL GUIDELINES HERE)

    Cinema halls, multiplexes to reopen from October 15 with 50% capacity

    Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued new guidelines on Wednesday, for resuming activities in areas outside the Containment Zones. The MHA has extended the lockdown but has further relaxed the restrictions.
    (READ SEPTEMBER 30 UPDATES HERE)

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