4 years ago
New Delhi:
India logged 28,204 new coronavirus infections, the lowest in 147 days, taking the total tally of cases to 3,19,98,158, while the active cases fell to 3,88,508, the lowest in 139 days, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday.
The national COVID-19 recovery rate has increased to 97.45 per cent, which is the highest ever recovery rate achieved, the ministry said.
The number of deaths has climbed to 4,28,682 with 373 fresh fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.
The active cases comprise 1.21 per cent of the total infections, the lowest since March 2020, the ministry said.
A decrease of 13,680 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.
Here are the updates on coronavirus (COVID-19) cases:
Global Eradication Of COVID-19 More Feasible Than For Polio: Study
The global eradication of COVID-19 is more feasible than it is for polio, but considerably less so than it was for smallpox, according to an analysis published in the journal BMJ Global Health on Tuesday.
Public health experts from the University of Otago Wellington in New Zealand noted that vaccination, public health measures, and global interest in achieving this goal all make eradication of COVID-19 possible.
The global eradication of COVID-19 is more feasible than it is for polio, but considerably less so than it was for smallpox, according to an analysis published in the journal BMJ Global Health on Tuesday.
Public health experts from the University of Otago Wellington in New Zealand noted that vaccination, public health measures, and global interest in achieving this goal all make eradication of COVID-19 possible.
Germany to end free Covid tests to boost jab take-up
Germany will end free coronavirus tests in October, regional leaders and the federal government agreed on Tuesday, in a push to incentivise more people to get vaccinated.
With Covid-19 tests or proof of vaccination or recovery to be a requirement to access facilities including restaurants, cinemas or gyms, people who refuse to get jabbed will have to pay to prove they are infection-free come autumn or risk being shut out.
Germany will end free coronavirus tests in October, regional leaders and the federal government agreed on Tuesday, in a push to incentivise more people to get vaccinated.
With Covid-19 tests or proof of vaccination or recovery to be a requirement to access facilities including restaurants, cinemas or gyms, people who refuse to get jabbed will have to pay to prove they are infection-free come autumn or risk being shut out.
Delta Plus Variant Has Not Led To Exponential Surge In India: Centre
The Delta Plus variant of coronavirus has been detected in 86 samples in the country so far and it has not led to an exponential surge in cases, the government said.
"We found the Delta Plus variant in 86 (genome) samples (sequenced)," Sujit Singh, head of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), said at the health ministry's press briefing.
He said four types of variants are categorised as Delta Plus - AY1 (B.1.617.2.1), AY2, AY3 and one more sub-lineage - in which one more gene has been detected and its only sample was found in Maharashtra.
The Delta Plus variant of coronavirus has been detected in 86 samples in the country so far and it has not led to an exponential surge in cases, the government said.
"We found the Delta Plus variant in 86 (genome) samples (sequenced)," Sujit Singh, head of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), said at the health ministry's press briefing.
He said four types of variants are categorised as Delta Plus - AY1 (B.1.617.2.1), AY2, AY3 and one more sub-lineage - in which one more gene has been detected and its only sample was found in Maharashtra.
"High 'R' Value Cause For Concern No Matter How Low Cases Are": Centre
The national 'R' value, or the reproductive rate of the coronavirus, is over the 1.0 mark, the government said today, amid continuing fears a third wave of infections could strike this month.
During a scheduled briefing on the Covid situation in the country, the Health Ministry furnished data that showed the national 'R' value crossing the 1.0-mark last month; the last time it was over this level was in March when it was 1.32, and that was before the second wave.
According to the government (and as of today), Punjab and Himachal Pradesh have an effective 'R' value of 1.3, and Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh have 'R' values of 1.1 and 1.0. Expected change in daily cases from three states is "likely increasing"; the trend from Punjab is "increasing".
The national 'R' value, or the reproductive rate of the coronavirus, is over the 1.0 mark, the government said today, amid continuing fears a third wave of infections could strike this month.
During a scheduled briefing on the Covid situation in the country, the Health Ministry furnished data that showed the national 'R' value crossing the 1.0-mark last month; the last time it was over this level was in March when it was 1.32, and that was before the second wave.
According to the government (and as of today), Punjab and Himachal Pradesh have an effective 'R' value of 1.3, and Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh have 'R' values of 1.1 and 1.0. Expected change in daily cases from three states is "likely increasing"; the trend from Punjab is "increasing".
Delhi Has Overcome Delta Variant; New Sero Survey Soon: State Health Minister
Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Tuesday said Delhi has already overcome the Delta variant of coronavirus detected in over 80 per cent of Covid samples sent for genome sequencing during the second wave of the pandemic and thereafter.
The minister told reporters the Centre has not yet asked for data on deaths due to shortage of oxygen and that a new sero survey will be undertaken in the city soon.
The first sero survey conducted in June-end last year found Covid antibodies in 22.6 per cent of the samples.
Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Tuesday said Delhi has already overcome the Delta variant of coronavirus detected in over 80 per cent of Covid samples sent for genome sequencing during the second wave of the pandemic and thereafter.
The minister told reporters the Centre has not yet asked for data on deaths due to shortage of oxygen and that a new sero survey will be undertaken in the city soon.
The first sero survey conducted in June-end last year found Covid antibodies in 22.6 per cent of the samples.
1,016 Claims Of Health Workers Fighting Covid Settled: Government
The government Tuesday informed the Rajya Sabha that as on August 5, 1,016 claims have been settled and paid under a central insurance scheme for health workers fighting Covid while 276 claims have either been withdrawn by the states and union territories or found ineligible.
Further, 111 claims are pending due to incomplete claim documents or delay in receipt of documents from states and union territories, Minister of State for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar said in a written reply.
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP): Insurance Scheme for Health Care Workers Fighting COVID-19 was launched on March 30, 2020 to provide comprehensive personal accident cover of ₹ 50 lakh to 22.12 lakh health care providers including community health workers and private health workers who may have been in direct contact and care of Covid patients and may be at risk of being impacted by this.
The government Tuesday informed the Rajya Sabha that as on August 5, 1,016 claims have been settled and paid under a central insurance scheme for health workers fighting Covid while 276 claims have either been withdrawn by the states and union territories or found ineligible.
Further, 111 claims are pending due to incomplete claim documents or delay in receipt of documents from states and union territories, Minister of State for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar said in a written reply.
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP): Insurance Scheme for Health Care Workers Fighting COVID-19 was launched on March 30, 2020 to provide comprehensive personal accident cover of ₹ 50 lakh to 22.12 lakh health care providers including community health workers and private health workers who may have been in direct contact and care of Covid patients and may be at risk of being impacted by this.
Sikkim Reports 110 New COVID-19 Cases, 1 More Death
Sikkim's COVID-19 tally rose to 28,018 as 110 more people tested positive for the virus while one new fatality pushed the death toll to 356, a health department bulletin said on Tuesday.
The new COVID-19 cases were reported from East Sikkim district (51), followed by South Sikkim (37) and West Sikkim (22), it said.
The Himalayan state now has 2,567 active cases, while 24,817 persons have recovered from the disease so far.
The recovery rate among coronavirus patients in the state is currently 89.5 per cent.
Sikkim's COVID-19 tally rose to 28,018 as 110 more people tested positive for the virus while one new fatality pushed the death toll to 356, a health department bulletin said on Tuesday.
The new COVID-19 cases were reported from East Sikkim district (51), followed by South Sikkim (37) and West Sikkim (22), it said.
The Himalayan state now has 2,567 active cases, while 24,817 persons have recovered from the disease so far.
The recovery rate among coronavirus patients in the state is currently 89.5 per cent.
52 New COVID-19 Cases In Delhi In 24 Hours, Slightly Higher Than Monday
Delhi today reported 52 fresh coronavirus cases and one more death, according to data shared by the state Health Department. With this, Delhi's total caseload has now reached 14,36,852.
According to the health department, Delhi currently has 504 active cases, a rise from 498 the previous day.
Forty-five patients have recovered from the infection in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of recoveries in the city to 14,11,280.
Delhi today reported 52 fresh coronavirus cases and one more death, according to data shared by the state Health Department. With this, Delhi's total caseload has now reached 14,36,852.
According to the health department, Delhi currently has 504 active cases, a rise from 498 the previous day.
Forty-five patients have recovered from the infection in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of recoveries in the city to 14,11,280.
Coronavirus India Updates: Odisha reports 64 more COVID-19 deaths, 1,041 new cases
Odisha Tuesday logged 1,041 fresh cases of COVID-19, pushing the tally to 9,88,997, while the death toll mounted to 6,565 with 64 more fatalities, a health department official said.
The coastal state now has 10,988 active cases, and 9,71,391 patients have so far recovered from the disease, including 1,475 since Monday, he said.
Odisha's case fatality rate stands at 0.66 per cent, which is "one of the lowest in the country", the official said.
Khurda district, comprising state capital Bhubaneswar, reported the highest number of 383 new infections, followed by Cuttack (132). Two districts - Jharsuguda and Subarnapur - did not report any fresh case.
Coronavirus India Updates: Odisha reports 64 more COVID-19 deaths, 1,041 new cases
Odisha Tuesday logged 1,041 fresh cases of COVID-19, pushing the tally to 9,88,997, while the death toll mounted to 6,565 with 64 more fatalities, a health department official said.
The coastal state now has 10,988 active cases, and 9,71,391 patients have so far recovered from the disease, including 1,475 since Monday, he said.
Odisha's case fatality rate stands at 0.66 per cent, which is "one of the lowest in the country", the official said.
Khurda district, comprising state capital Bhubaneswar, reported the highest number of 383 new infections, followed by Cuttack (132). Two districts - Jharsuguda and Subarnapur - did not report any fresh case.
Himachal Pradesh government spent over Rs 78 lakh on Covid advertisements: Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur
Himachal Pradesh government has spent over Rs 78 lakh on advertisements regarding free Covid vaccination, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said on Tuesday.
Replying to Congress legislator from Kinnaur Jagat Singh Negi, the chief minister said a total of Rs 78,04,165 were spent till June 30 this year on Covid advertisements.
Mr Thakur said Rs 48,15,185 were spent on advertisements in newspapers and magazines, Rs 9,70,000 for news websites and web portals, and Rs 20,18,980 were spent on installing 228 hoardings.
Coronavirus Updates: 53 per cent eligible population in Madhya Pradesh administered first dose of COVID-19 vaccine
At least 53 per cent of the eligible population in Madhya Pradesh has been administered the first dose of COVID-19 vaccines, while 10 per cent have also taken the second dose, a senior official said on Tuesday.
The figures were presented in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday to review the COVID-19 situation, the official said.
A total of 2.93 crore people have taken the first dose of vaccines so far, while 57 lakh have been administered both doses, he said.
During the meeting, the chief minister directed officials to ensure that 100 per cent of the targeted population is vaccinated at the earliest and urged people to take the second dose compulsorily to get complete protection from the viral infection, the official said.
Chouhan also directed to speed-up vaccination work, which was disrupted due to heavy rains in the state and asked officials to plan mega campaigns for this purpose, he said.
The chief minister further stressed that COVID-19 testing should not be brought down in any district to prevent the third wave, the official added.
US Warns Citizens Against Travel To France Over Covid Concerns
The US State Department has advised Americans to avoid all travel to France over rising coronavirus cases in the country.
France is battling a fourth wave of the virus even though Covid-19 hospitalizations are still way off previous highs.
The State Department issued a "Level 4: Do Not Travel" advisory for France on Monday, based on a parallel warning from the US Centers for Disease Control, the country's top medical body.
"If you must travel to France, make sure you are fully vaccinated before travel," the CDC said.
France has recorded more than 6 million cases and 111,000 deaths in total, and daily cases have crept back up to around 20,000 a day while deaths remain low compared to the height of the pandemic.
A total of 74 million vaccine doses have been administered in France, according to the World Health Organization, and over 55 percent of the eligible population have received both vaccine doses.
Coronavirus India Updates: Ladakh reports seven new Covid cases
Ladakh recorded seven fresh COVID-19 cases, taking the tally to 20,400 while the active cases in the union territory stood at 72, officials said.
Ladakh has registered 207 Covid-related deaths -- 149 in Leh and 58 in Kargil -- since the outbreak of the pandemic last year. A total of 20,121 patients have recovered till date.
Of the total seven new Covid cases reported on Monday, six positive cases were reported in Leh and one from Kargil. A total of 2,162 sample reports in Ladakh including 927 from Leh and 1,235 from Kargil were found negative, they said.
There was no death from Covid reported in Ladakh on Monday.
Four patients were discharged on Monday, and all of them were from Leh.
With this, the total number of Covid active cases in Ladakh has gone up to 72 including 54 in Leh and 18 in Kargil district.
COVID Update: Over 2.07 crore unutilised vaccine doses still available with states, private hospitals: Centre
More than 2.07 crore balance and unutilised COVID-19 vaccine doses are still available with the states, UTs and private hospitals to be administered, the Union Health Ministry said on Tuesday.
Over 52.56 crore vaccine doses have been provided to states and UTs so far through all sources and a further 48,43,100 doses are in the pipeline.
Of this, the total consumption including wastage is 51,09,58,562 doses, the ministry said.
Under the new phase of the universalization of the COVID-19 vaccination drive, the Centre procures and supplies 75 per cent of the vaccines being produced by vaccine manufacturers in the country to states and UTs.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Puducherry sees 101 Covid 19 cases
Puducherry added 101 fresh cases of coronavirus on Tuesday, raising the overall caseload to 1,21,766.
The new cases were identified at the end of examination of 5,699 samples and spread over Puducherry 58, Karaikal 21, Yanam 3 and Mahe 19.
The active cases were 851 of whom 194 were in hospitals and the remaining 657 in home isolation.
While 84 patients recovered and were discharged during last twenty-four hours the overall recoveries stood at 1,19,115.
No fresh fatality was reported from any of the four regions of Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam during last twenty-four hours and the total deaths due to infection so far remained 1,800.
Director of the Department of Health G Sriramulu noted that the test positivity rate was 1.77 percent while the fatality and recovery rates were 1.48 percent and 97.82 percent respectively.
Just In| 28,204 fresh coronavirus cases in India, 20% lesser than yesterday
COVID Update: Thane logs 183 new COVID-19 cases, 6 more deaths
With the addition of 183 new cases of coronavirus, the infection count in Maharashtra's Thane district has gone up to 5,47,038, an official said on Tuesday.
These new cases were reported on Monday, he said.
The virus also claimed the lives of six more people, which took the death toll in the district to 11,126.
The COVID-19 mortality rate in Thane stood at 2.03 per cent, the official said.
In neighbouring Palghar district, the COVID-19 case count has gone up to 1,33,759, while the death toll has reached 3,213, another official said.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Maharashtra government discusses possibility more relaxations in COVID-19 curbs
The Maharashtra COVID-19 task force has discussed the possibility of granting more relaxations in restrictions while observing precautions, and also deliberated on tackling the possible third wave of the pandemic, requirement of medical oxygen and increasing the pace of vaccination, an official said.
A meeting of the task force, held on Monday evening, was attended by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, state Chief Secretary Sitaram Kunte, COVID-19 task force head Dr Sanjay Oak and other members.
"The state government is now preparing new guidelines after receiving various suggestions and instructions from doctors, experts and government departments. The focus of the discussion was basically on how to introduce further relaxations while observing precautions," said a government official, who attended the meeting.
Delta Variant Pushes US Cases, Hospitalisations To 6-Month High
Coronavirus cases and hospitalizations in the United States are at a six-month high, fueled by the rapid spread of the Delta variant across swathes of the country grappling with low vaccination rates.
Nationwide, COVID-19 cases have averaged 100,000 for three days in a row, up 35% over the past week, according to a Reuters tally of public health data. The surge of the disease was strongest in Louisiana, Florida and Arkansas.
Hospitalizations rose 40% and deaths, a lagging indicator, registered an 18% uptick in the past week with the most fatalities by population in Arkansas.
The intensifying spread of the pandemic has led to cancellation of some large high-profile events. One notable exception is an annual motorcycle rally in South Dakota which has been proceeding as planned.
Maharashtra Records Over 4,000 COVID-19 Cases, 68 Related Deaths
Maharashtra on Monday reported 4,505 new coronavirus positive cases and 68 fatalities while 7,568 patients recovered, a health department official said.
With the new additions, Maharashtra's tally of infections and the death count climbed to 63,57,833 and 1,34,064, respectively. The total number of recoveries in the state stands at 61,51,956 and active cases at 68,375.
Notably, Dhule, Nandurbar, Parbhani, Akola, Wardha, and Gondia districts and Dhule, Parbhani and Chandrapur municipal corporations did not report any new coronavirus case during the day, the official said.
Maharashtra on Monday reported 4,505 new coronavirus positive cases and 68 fatalities while 7,568 patients recovered, a health department official said.
With the new additions, Maharashtra's tally of infections and the death count climbed to 63,57,833 and 1,34,064, respectively. The total number of recoveries in the state stands at 61,51,956 and active cases at 68,375.
Notably, Dhule, Nandurbar, Parbhani, Akola, Wardha, and Gondia districts and Dhule, Parbhani and Chandrapur municipal corporations did not report any new coronavirus case during the day, the official said.
Covid-19: Vaccination of pregnant, lactating women may be done at their check-up facilities
Seeking to enhance COVID-19 vaccination coverage of pregnant and lactating women, the Delhi government on Monday issued an order that they can get jabs at health facility sites where they report for their regular check-up on designated days of the week.
The vaccination exercise against COVID-19 had begun from January 16 this year. However, pregnant women were made eligible to get a shot about a month ago.
"In order to enhance coverage of vulnerable cohort of pregnant and lactating women, it is directed that their COVID-19 vaccination may be done at the health facility site where they report for their regular ANC/PNC check-up, on the designated days of the week," reads the order issued by the Delhi health department.
Seeking to enhance COVID-19 vaccination coverage of pregnant and lactating women, the Delhi government on Monday issued an order that they can get jabs at health facility sites where they report for their regular check-up on designated days of the week.
The vaccination exercise against COVID-19 had begun from January 16 this year. However, pregnant women were made eligible to get a shot about a month ago.
"In order to enhance coverage of vulnerable cohort of pregnant and lactating women, it is directed that their COVID-19 vaccination may be done at the health facility site where they report for their regular ANC/PNC check-up, on the designated days of the week," reads the order issued by the Delhi health department.
