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Coronavirus India Live Updates: India has logged 60,963 cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours with 834 deaths, the Union Health Ministry said on Wednesday morning. The total number of cases in the country has now shot up to 23,29,638 with 46,091 deaths. A total of 16,39,599 COVID-19 patients have recovered from the infection, taking the recovery rate to 70.37 per cent, the ministry said today.
The country's COVID-19 mortality rate dropped below 2 per cent for the first time since the first lockdown, the Health Ministry said on Tuesday evening. The announcement came after a virtual conference between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief ministers of 10 of the worst affected states.
India's mortality rate has fallen to 1.99 per cent, the health ministry said on Tuesday morning.
According to the ICMR, a cumulative total of 2,60,15,297 samples have been tested up to August 11 with 7,33,449 samples being tested on Tuesday.
The health ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities.
"Our figures are being reconciled with the Indian Council of Medical Research," the ministry said, adding that state-wise distribution of figures is subject to further verification and reconciliation.
Here are the updates on coronavirus (COVID-19) cases:
Mamata Banerjee Changes Lockdown Dates Again, Opposition Fumes
The Mamata Banerjee government has once again tweaked the dates for the lockdown in West Bengal in August. This is at least the third time that it has amended its original list of lockdown dates, inviting offensives from the opposition parties.
Two days of lockdown are already over. Five more days were due on August 20, 21, 27, 28 and 31. But in an order Wednesday, the government dropped 28 August from its list. If there was a lockdown on 28, the government said, there would effectively be a shutdown for five days continuously as 29th Saturday is Muharram anyway, Sunday is a holiday and 31st is a lockdown as well.
The opposition BJP and CPM have attacked the government alleging that dates were tweaked simply because 28th August is foundation day of the Trinamool Chatra Parishad or student's front. Every year, Mamata Banerjee address a rally at the Gandhi statue in the heart of the city on this day. Read
The Mamata Banerjee government has once again tweaked the dates for the lockdown in West Bengal in August. This is at least the third time that it has amended its original list of lockdown dates, inviting offensives from the opposition parties.
The opposition BJP and CPM have attacked the government alleging that dates were tweaked simply because 28th August is foundation day of the Trinamool Chatra Parishad or student's front. Every year, Mamata Banerjee address a rally at the Gandhi statue in the heart of the city on this day. Read
Coronavirus Update: World Surpasses 20 Million COVID-19 Cases
The coronavirus pandemic chalked up another horrific milestone Monday as the world surpassed 20 million recorded cases of infection from the tiny killer that has upended life just about everywhere.
The number as of 2215 GMT was 20,002,577 cases, with 733,842 deaths recorded, according to an AFP tally of official sources.
In yet another staggering landmark, the deaths are expected to surpass 750,000 in a matter of days as the global health crisis that began late last year in China rages on. Read
The coronavirus pandemic chalked up another horrific milestone Monday as the world surpassed 20 million recorded cases of infection from the tiny killer that has upended life just about everywhere.
The number as of 2215 GMT was 20,002,577 cases, with 733,842 deaths recorded, according to an AFP tally of official sources.
In yet another staggering landmark, the deaths are expected to surpass 750,000 in a matter of days as the global health crisis that began late last year in China rages on. Read
Coronavirus Update: Maharashtra Reports 12,712 COVID-19 Cases, 344 Deaths In 24 Hours
Maharashtra on Wednesday reported 12,712 new coronavirus patients and 344 deaths, which took the case tally to 5,48,313 and death count in the state to 18,650, a health official said.
The spike in the cases was the second highest, he said. The record one-day spike in cases in the state to date was recorded on August 8 at 12,822.
13,804 patients were discharged from hospitals on Wednesday, which took the number of recovered coronavirus patients to 3,81,843.
There are 1,47,513 active cases in the state, the official added.
State capital Mumbai reported 1,132 new cases and 50 deaths during the day. The number of COVID-19 cases in the city thus rose to 1,26,356 and death count to 6,943.
Maharashtra on Wednesday reported 12,712 new coronavirus patients and 344 deaths, which took the case tally to 5,48,313 and death count in the state to 18,650, a health official said.
The spike in the cases was the second highest, he said. The record one-day spike in cases in the state to date was recorded on August 8 at 12,822.
13,804 patients were discharged from hospitals on Wednesday, which took the number of recovered coronavirus patients to 3,81,843.
There are 1,47,513 active cases in the state, the official added.
State capital Mumbai reported 1,132 new cases and 50 deaths during the day. The number of COVID-19 cases in the city thus rose to 1,26,356 and death count to 6,943.
"Request Everyone To Continue Prayers": Pranab Mukherjee's Son Tweets
Former President Pranab Mukherjee is "haemodynamically stable", his son Abhijit Mukherjee tweeted this evening amid concerns over the health of the 84-year-old, who had an emergency brain surgery two days ago and is battling coronavirus.
Soon after, in an emotional post, his daughter Sharmistha Mukherjee wrote, "May God do whatever is best for him and give me strength to accept both joys and sorrows of life with equanimity".
Former President Pranab Mukherjee is "haemodynamically stable", his son Abhijit Mukherjee tweeted this evening amid concerns over the health of the 84-year-old, who had an emergency brain surgery two days ago and is battling coronavirus.
In a statement yesterday, Delhi's Army hospital, where he is admitted, said his condition is "worsening". This morning, the hospital said he was "is haemodynamically stable and on ventilator".
Soon after, in an emotional post, his daughter Sharmistha Mukherjee wrote, "May God do whatever is best for him and give me strength to accept both joys and sorrows of life with equanimity".
679 COVID-19 cases and 8 deaths reported in Jharkhand on Wednesday. The total number of cases in the state is now at 20,257, including 12,197 recovered/discharged, 7,858 active cases, and 202 deaths: State Health Department
4,593 COVID-19 cases detected out of 1,43,109 tests conducted today. Total cases stand at 68,999 including 45,073 recovered cases, 23,762 active cases and 161 deaths: State Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma
11 More COVID-19 Deaths, 1,213 Fresh Cases In Rajasthan
Rajasthan recorded 11 more deaths due to coronavirus on Wednesday, taking the total number of fatalities in the state to 822, a state health department official said.
With 1,213 new cases reported on Wednesday, the total number of people infected with this deadly virus has risen to 56,100 so far, as per government data.
A total of 13,630 patients are under treatment and 39,092 people have been discharged, the official said.
797 fresh COVID-19 cases reported today, taking the total number of cases in the state to 44,024 including 6,827 active cases, 36,694 recovered/discharged cases and 503 deaths. Recovery rate in the state is 83.35%: Haryana Government
Maharashtra Reports 12,172 New COVID-19 Cases
Maharashtra reported 12,712 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday taking the total count of cases in the state to 5,48,313.
Out of the total count, there are 1,47,513 active cases and the death count due to COVID-19 in the state stands at 18,650.
The state Health Department said that 13,408 patients across the state have been discharged today taking the number of recoveries to 3,81,843.
It said that positivity rate stands at 18.84 per cent out of 29,08,887 samples tested until Wednesday.
The BMC said that 1,132 new COVID-19 cases and 50 deaths reported in Mumbai on Wednesday. The total number of reported cases now stand at 1,26,371 including 1,00,070 recovered/discharged patients, 19,064 active cases and 6,940 deaths.
A total of 60,963 new coronavirus cases were reported in India in the last 24 hours taking the total count of cases to over 23 lakh.
West Bengal reports 2,936 new COVID-19 cases and 54 deaths today. The total number of cases rises to 1,04,326 and the death count is at 2,203. There are 26,003 active cases: State Health Department
Flattening Of The Curve? Quick Graphic Summary Of India's Covid SituationAll across the world epidemiologists study the data in each country to see if the number of daily new cases are slowing down. It's widely referred to "the flattening of the curve". Evidence of "flattening of the curve" is generally considered the first positive indicator that the Covid situation in a region may be coming under control.
Looking at the "flattening of the curve" in India, state by state - the conclusion is alarming.
Maharashtra Government Slashes Charges For COVID-19 Tests By Rs 300
The Maharashtra government has reduced by Rs 300 the rates of COVID-19 tests conducted by laboratories, bringing them in the range of Rs 1,900 to Rs 2,500.
State Health Minister Rajesh Tope said this in a statement on Wednesday.
"The maximum charges for testing now stand at Rs 1,900, Rs 2,200 and Rs 2,500. No laboratory can charge above these prescribed rates," he said.
"This decision was taken by the state-appointed committee to regulate the COVID-19 testing charges so that patients do not face any financial burden," the minister said.
The test charges vary depending on the collection of swabs from home or through viral transport media (VTM) from hospitals.
AYUSH Minister Shripad Naik Has Covid, Will Be In Home Isolation
Union Minister Shripad Naik has tested positive for the novel coronavirus. In a tweeted posted Wednesday evening Mr Naik said he was asymptomatic, that his vitals were "within normal limits" and that he had opted for home isolation.
Mr Naik, who heads the Ayush (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) Ministry, also asked all those who had come in contact with him over the past few days to get themselves tested as well.
Doctor, Nurse, Plasma Donor Among Guests For Delhi Government's Independence Day Event
The AAP government has decided to invite "corona warriors" including a doctor, a nurse and a plasma donor for its Independence Day event which has been shifted to the Delhi Secretariat from the Chhatrasal Stadium due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Delhi's Labour Minister Gopal Rai, who also heads the general administration department, said there will be no cultural programmes during the I-Day function this year.
The Delhi government's Independence Day celebrations will be a low-key affair this year and its guest list has just 80-100 people including cabinet ministers, all city MPs, MLAs, three mayors and top bureaucrats.
"We will invite a limited number of guests for the August 15 event due to the coronavirus. Corona warriors including a doctor, a nurse, a police personnel, a sanitation worker, an ambulance driver and a plasma donor will be invited as a mark of respect for their contributions to the fight against COVID-19," Mr Rai told PTI.
Dharavi's COVID-19 tally rises to 2,643 with addition of nine new cases: Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.
Odisha To Ramp Up Testing For Covid In Coming Weeks: Naveen Patnaik
As Odishas COVID-19 caseload crossed 50,000-mark and death count mounted to 305, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday said the state government has decided to take the fight against pandemic to the next level by enhancing testing in the coming weeks.
Mr Patnaik highlighted that Odisha was among a few states providing treatment for coronavirus free of cost so that nobody suffers for want of financial resources.
The chief minister was reviewing coronavirus situation in the state on a day when the count of positive cases has surged to 50,672 with Odisha reporting the highest single-day spike of 1876 new cases and nine fatalities, pushing the death count to 305.
The state had Tuesday tested 32,053 samples for virus.
The chief minister asked the District Collectors to lead the programme for conducting tests at sub-divisional hospitals and community health centres.
UP Reports 4,475 New COVID-19 Cases, 54 Fresh Deaths
Uttar Pradesh reported on Wednesday 4,475 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours, while 54 more people died due to the infection.
Additional Chief Secretary (Medical and Health) Amit Mohan Prasad said the total number of cases in the state now stands at 1,36,238 and fatalities at 2,230. He put the number of fresh cases in the past 24 hours at 4,583.
On Tuesday, the state's COVID-19 tally was 1,31,763.
"So far, 84,661 people have been treated and discharged. There are now 49,347 active COVID-19 cases in the state, of which 21,758 are in home isolation," Mr Prasad said.
The total number of COVID-19 tests done so far in the state is over 34 lakh, of which 97,000 were conducted on Tuesday.
The officer said the COVID-19 positivity rate was 4.8 per cent in August so far.
The five districts where the cirinavirus positivity rate was maximum include Lucknow, Kanpur, Gorakhpur, Deoria and Mahrajganj, he said.
Delhi records 1,113 fresh coronavirus cases, tally now 1,48,504; Death count mounts to 4,153: Health bulletin
Madhya Pradesh: 14 Women Prisoners Found Coronavirus Positive
Days after they were shifted to Shahdol jail from a prison in Singrauli district in Madhya Pradesh, 14 women inmates have been found to be coronavirus positive, a senior official said on Wednesday.
They were shifted to Shahdol Medical College on Tuesday evening, said Shahdol district jail superintendent GK Neti.
The women inmates, including 13 undertrials and a convict, were shifted from Baidhan jail on August 9 as it was overcrowded, he said.
He said one of the infected prisoners has a 18-month- old child with her, whose samples were taken and report is awaited.
"A total of 25 women prisoners are currently lodged in Shahdol Jail but none of them had coronavirus symptoms," the jail superintendent said, news agency PTI reported.
3 Cops Die Of COVID-19; 294 Test Positive In Maharashtra
At least three Maharashtra police personnel died of COVID-19 and 294 tested positive for the deadly infection in the last 24 hours, an official said on Wednesday.
A total of 121 police personnel, including 11 officers, have died due to coronavirus infection in the state so far, the official said.
With the addition of 294 fresh COVID-19 cases, the tally of infections in the police force has reached 11,392, of which 9,187 personnel have recovered and 2,084 are undergoing treatment, he said.
Israel To Examine Russia's COVID-19 Vaccine, Minister Says
Israel will examine Russia's COVID-19 vaccine and enter negotiations to buy it if it is found to be a "serious product", Israel's health minister said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday his was the first country to grant regulatory approval to a COVID-19 vaccine, after less than two months of human testing.
His health minister on Wednesday dismissed allegations that the vaccine was unsafe.
"We are following vigilantly every report, no matter what country," Israeli Health Minister Yuli Edelstein told reporters
Puducherry Witnesses Highest Single-Day COVID-19 Spike With 481 Cases
Puducherry on Wednesday registered its highest single-day spurt of 481 coronavirus
cases and five deaths, taking the overall tally in the union territory to 6,381.
Health Minister Malladi Krishna Rao told a virtual press conference that the identification of 481 cases after examination of 1,123 samples during last 24 hours was ''shocking'' and highest on a single day so far.
He noted that Puducherry accounted for 413 of the new cases, while Yanam reported 67 and Mahe one case.
Five people died of the disease, taking the toll to 96. The patients were in the age group ranging between 41 and 90 years.
9 Deaths, 1,897 More COVID-19 Cases In Telangana
As many as 1,897 new COVID-19 cases and nine deaths were reported in Telangana on Tuesday, taking the total number of cases to 84,544 in the state, said the State government on Wednesday.
Out of the total number of COVID-19 cases, 61,294 recoveries and 654 deaths have been reported so far. The active number of cases in the state stands at 22,596, it added.
As many as 60,963 new coronavirus cases were reported in India in the last 24 hours, taking the total cases to over 23 lakhs, according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
China Eases Travel Restrictions For Europeans
China has eased entry restrictions for nationals from 36 European countries, months after thousands were left stranded when the country closed its borders and slashed flights to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Almost all foreign nationals were forbidden from entering the country when Beijing imposed the measures in March, even those with Chinese work or residence permits or family living in the country.
But this week China said it would relax some of the bureaucratic requirements for Europeans hoping to re-enter.
The new rules will allow European passport holders from 36 countries -- including France, Germany and the UK -- with a valid residence permit to apply for a Chinese visa without an invitation letter, according to a notice by the Chinese embassy in Berlin published Wednesday.
"Need To Assess Safety, Efficacy Of Russia's COVID Vaccine": AIIMS Chief
All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi Director Dr Randeep Guleria on Tuesday said that there was a need to assess the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccine developed by Russia if it is successful. Read more
All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi Director Dr Randeep Guleria on Tuesday said that there was a need to assess the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccine developed by Russia if it is successful. Read more
PM Narendra Modi Asks Gujarat To Increase COVID-19 Testing
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday stressed on the need to increase coronavirus testing in Gujarat in view of the "high positivity rate" prevailing in the state. Read more
JustIn| 23.29 lakh total coronavirus cases in India so far, over 70% recovery rate
Australia's Worst-Hit State Flattening Virus Curve
Australia's worst-hit state of Victoria appears to be curbing a virus outbreak after a week of tougher restrictions, authorities said Wednesday, with new cases falling in recent days even as fatalities topped records.
Victoria state Premier Daniel Andrews announced 410 new cases and 21 fatalities -- marking Australia's deadliest day so far -- but said the state "certainly" seemed to be flattening the curve.
"If you look at the average over the last seven days, we are seeing (numbers) come down," he told a press conference.
The state has reported around or below 400 new daily cases for four consecutive days, raising hopes that an outbreak centred on Melbourne has been contained after numbers soared above 700 in recent weeks.
Goa Tops In Number Of COVID-19 Tests Per Million: Health Minister Vishwajit Rane
Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane has said the state topped in the country in terms of the
number of COVID-19 tests conducted per million people.
Till Tuesday evening, 1,53,792 tests were conducted in Goa. So far, 9,444 COVID-19 cases have been reported in the coastal state, as per official figures.
"In our constant endeavour to test maximum people in the state for COVID-19, we are happy to announce that Goa has yet again topped amongst all states in the country for the
number of tests per million population with 94,773 tests per million population," Mr Rane tweeted on Tuesday night.
New Zealand Locks Down All Nursing Homes After Virus Return
New Zealand locked down nursing homes nationwide Wednesday after a 102-day streak without the coronavirus ended, as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the outbreak could force her to postpone next month's general election.
Ardern said authorities were scrambling to trace anyone who had been in contact with four Auckland residents who tested positive Tuesday, ending the dream run in which the virus had been contained at New Zealand's borders.
A three-day stay-at-home order for Auckland, New Zealand's biggest city with a population of 1.5 million, was announced on Tuesday night and went into force at lunchtime on Wednesday.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari To Write Commerce Ministry, PM Regarding Export Of PPE Kits, Masks
Union Minister of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday said that he will write to Commerce Ministry and Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the export of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits, facial masks and sanitisers.
"Two months ago, the government took a decision to import PPE kits from China," Mr Gadkari said in a statement.
"Today, our production is surplus and we are in a full position to export it. I am writing to Commerce Ministry and Prime Minister Modi for permission to export PPE kits, masks and sanitisers," he added.
Andhra Pradesh's COVID-19 Mortality Rate Low With Aggressive Testing: Chief Minister YS Jagan Reddy
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tuesday said that the state could keep the COVID-19 mortality rate low with aggressive testing and contact tracing.
He urged the Centre to provide help in ramping up the medical infrastructure.
During a video conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister said the state could maintain a low mortality rate of 0.89 per cent as it has been adopting the strategy of aggressive testing in containment clusters, identifying the positive cases and providing them treatment and containing the spread of the pandemic.
"So far, we have done 25,34,304 tests of which 2.35 lakh persons were positive. Tests per million in our Sate has logged 47,459. When the first case was reported in March, we had no virology lab and had to send the samples to Pune and from that stage, we have progressively improved the infrastructure and now all the 13 districts in our state have testing labs and hospitals for COVID-19 and they are self-reliant," Mr Reddy said.
India's One-Day Covid Count More Than US, Brazil In Past 7 Days: WHO Data
For the past seven days, India's single-day count of COVID-19 cases has been more than that of the US and Brazil, the two worst-hit nations in terms of infections, according to an analysis of WHO data. Read more
For the past seven days, India's single-day count of COVID-19 cases has been more than that of the US and Brazil, the two worst-hit nations in terms of infections, according to an analysis of WHO data. Read more
Russia Claims 1st Covid Vaccine "Sputnik V"; Putin's Daughter Inoculated
Russia on Tuesday declared itself the first country to approve a coronavirus vaccine with President Vladimir Putin saying one of his daughters had been inoculated. Read more
Russia on Tuesday declared itself the first country to approve a coronavirus vaccine with President Vladimir Putin saying one of his daughters had been inoculated. Read more
Over 10 Lakh Indians Have Returned From Abroad Under Vande Bharat Mission
MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava tweeted, "Vande Bharat Mission crosses the 1 million mark!".
"We continue our efforts with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to bring our nationals home," he tweeted.
Mr Srivastava also tagged Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri's tweet on Monday stating that nearly one million stranded Indians have returned through various modes under Vande Bharat Mission and more than 1,30,000 have flown to various countries.
Over 10 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 (MEA) said on Tuesday.
"We continue our efforts with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to bring our nationals home," he tweeted.
Mr Srivastava also tagged Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri's tweet on Monday stating that nearly one million stranded Indians have returned through various modes under Vande Bharat Mission and more than 1,30,000 have flown to various countries.
