India's coronavirus tally has surged to 72.39 lakh cases after a fresh spike of 63,509 infections in the last 24 hours, the government data showed this morning. The number of fatalities stood at 1,10,586 after 730 deaths were registered in a day. About 63 lakh patients in the country have recovered so far; 74,632 patients have recovered since yesterday. On Tuesday, the country - second-worst affected by the pandemic - recorded an increase of 55,342 infections, the lowest one-day surge in nearly two months.
Here are the highlights on coronavirus (COVID-19) cases:
France on Wednesday became the latest European country to toughen anti-coronavirus measures, imposing a curfew in Paris and eight other cities from Saturday, while Germany and Ireland also ramped up restrictions.
"We have to act. We need to put a brake on the spread of the virus," President Emmanuel Macron told public television, announcing a shutdown between 9:00 pm and 6:00 am that will remain in force for as long as six weeks.
Other major French cities such as Lyon, Mediterranean port Marseille and southwestern Toulouse will similarly impose curfews, with around 20 million people affected in all, out of a total population of some 67 million.
Just minutes before Macron's announcement, his government had said it would prolong a state of health emergency.
Karnataka government has allowed from Thursday the reopening of cinema halls and multiplexes, with 50 per cent seating capacity.The state government issued guidelines that include Thermal screening, social distancing, Seats that are ''Not to be occupied'' shall be marked as such during booking and proper sanitization.
As per the guidlelines, No Exhibition of Film shall be allowed in containment zones.
Film exhibition activities through cinemas/theatres/multiplexes shall be governed as per the prevalent guidelines of Home Department, Health & Family Welfare department, Department of information and public relations and other related departments and District administrations.
Germany will introduce tougher measures on gatherings and mask-wearing to fight a surge in coronavirus infections, Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday after talks with the heads of Germany's 16 federal states.
Europe's biggest economy will begin imposing limits on people gathering at events as well as mandatory mask wearing at crowded places when new infections in an area reach 35 per 100,000 in seven days, earlier than under the previous yardstick used of 50 per 100,000.
"I am convinced that what we do now in these days and weeks will be decisive for the question of how we come through this pandemic," Merkel said.
"We can see that ... infection rates are rising and that we have a very high infection rate in some regions," she added.
"We must therefore prevent an uncontrolled or exponential increase."
US President Donald Trump's 14-year-old son, Barron, tested positive for COVID-19 but exhibited no symptoms, after both of his parents contracted the virus, first lady Melania Trump said on Wednesday.
"Luckily he is a strong teenager and exhibited no symptoms," Melania Trump said in a statement. She said she and Barron had since tested negative for the virus.
Melania Trump said her symptoms were "minimal" and that she hoped to resume her duties as first lady "as soon as I can."
"I experienced body aches, a cough and headaches, and felt extremely tired most of the time," she said.
Pune district reported 1,237 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, taking its case count to 3,10,430, a health official said on Wednesday evening.
At least 181 more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Tripura on Wednesday, pushing the tally to 28,859, a health department official said.
The COVID-19 tally of Nagaland went up to 7,416 after 53 more people tested positive for the virus on Wednesday, while 85 patients recovered from the infection taking the number of cured people to 5,855, Health Minister S Pangnyu Phom said.
Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the party tweeted on Wednesday.
Herd immunity is not a scientifically or ethically justifiable strategy for responding to an outbreak, let alone #COVID19 pandemic. We must:
- Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) October 14, 2020
-Prevent amplifying events
-Protect the vulnerable
-Empower & educate communities
-Find, isolate, test & treat
-Trace & quarantine contacts pic.twitter.com/S6pMNNRvWN
Sabarimala temple will open for pujas for 5 days from Oct 16 during Malayalam month of Thulam. Only 250 people will be allowed for darshan per day& online booking will be done on first come first served basis. Covid negative certificate will be mandatory: Travancore Devasom Board pic.twitter.com/mUBxz627y4
- ANI (@ANI) October 14, 2020
Karnataka: CM BS Yediyurappa today chaired a meeting with state ministers & senior officials, to discuss further action to be taken to control the spread of #COVID19.
- ANI (@ANI) October 14, 2020
Deputy CM CN Ashwathnarayan, Medical Education & Health Minister Dr. K Sudhakar, also attended the meeting. pic.twitter.com/xJmGyQN9v5
Pope Francis stayed a safe distance from well-wishers at his weekly general audience on Wednesday, saying new rules aimed at curbing the coronavirus meant he had to hold back.
Meerut: Idol makers, preparing Durga idols ahead of #Navratri, say their business is affected due to #COVID19.
- ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 13, 2020
An idol maker says, "We are making small idols this year. Business has been adversely affected due to the pandemic. Market condition is very bad." (13.11) pic.twitter.com/vpyhBeN9BC
India continues to report one of the lowest cases per million & lowest deaths per million in the world. India's recoveries are the highest in the world: Ministry of Health pic.twitter.com/wXXnVSQS9i
- ANI (@ANI) October 14, 2020
At least 67 more people tested positive for coronavirus in Meghalaya on Tuesday, pushing the state's tally to 7,841, an official said, reported news agency PTI. Four more persons have died due to COVID-19 on Tuesday, taking the death count to 68, Health Services Director Aman War said. The new COVID-19 cases were reported from East Khasi Hills district (45), West Garo Hills (10), Ri Bhoi district (5), two cases each from North Garo Hills and South Garo Hills district, and one case each from East Jaintia Hills, South West Garo Hills and West Jaintia Hills district respectively.