COVID-19 Cases India Updates: India's recovery rate is 70.17 per cent.
Coronavirus India Live Updates: India has logged 64,553 cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours with 1,007 deaths, the Union Health Ministry said on Friday morning. The total number of cases in the country has now shot up to 24,61,190 with 48,040 deaths. A total of 17,51,555 COVID-19 patients have recovered from the infection, taking the recovery rate to 70.17 per cent, the ministry said on Thursday.
Here are the updates on coronavirus (COVID-19) cases:
Cornavirus News: Nation Indebted To Frontline Corona Warriors, Says President Ram Nath Kovind President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday said the country is indebted to frontline workers who are helping tackle the coronavirus crisis, adding that this year's Independence Day celebrations will be restrained because of the pandemic.
"This year's Independence Day celebrations will be restrained as a deadly virus has disrupted all activities, taken huge toll," President Kovind said in his televised address to the nation on the eve of India's 74th Independence Day.
"It was a superhuman effort on part of the government to respond effectively in meeting the challenges due to COVID-19 pandemic. With these efforts, we gained control over the global epidemic and have succeeded in saving a large number of people's lives, setting an example for the whole world," he said.
Read Coronavirus News: 7 Health Workers Invited To Delhi Government's Independence Day EventThe AAP government has invited seven "corona warriors", including an additional district magistrate (ADM), a doctor and an ambulance driver, for its Independence Day event to acknowledge their hard work in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, a statement said on Friday.
According to the government, "corona warriors" working in the fields of administration, medicine, nursing, police, civil defense, and sanitation are serving the infected people by risking their lives.
Among those who have been extended special invitation by the government includes ADM (Central) Rajeev Singh Parihar, Rajiv Gandhi Super Specialty Hospital's senior medical officer Hirdesh Kumar, LNJP Hospital's nursing officer Sonu, police constable Pradeep Chauhan, CATS ambulance driver Tej Bahadur, Civil Defence volunteer Dina Nath Yadav and municipal sanitation worker Ashok Kumar.
Read India Conducts Over 8.48 Lakh COVID-19 Tests In Last 24 Hours: Health Ministry
India has touched a new milestone with the highest number of COVID-19 tests in a single day so far, after a record high of 8,48,728 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours, taking the cumulative tests to 2,76,94,416 on Friday, said the Union Health Ministry.
World Health Organisation (WHO) has advised that a country needs 140 tests per day per million population.
While the national average is 603 tests/day/million population, with focussed efforts of the Centre and effective implementation by the states/UTs, 34 of them have exceeded this figure.
Lav Agarwal Tests Positive For Coronavirus
Lav Agarwal, who has been leading the central government's news conferences on COVID-19 over the last six months as joint secretary of the Union Health Ministry, has tested positive for the coronavirus, the bureaucrat announced on Twitter on Friday.
In a tweet, Mr Agarwal said that he is under home isolation as per COVID-19 guidelines after testing positive for the virus. He also urged all his colleagues to self-monitor themselves.
Coronavirus News: 10.5 Lakh Indians Repatriated Under Vande Bharat Mission So Far
10.5 lakh Indians have returned from abroad after the government launched the "Vande Bharat" repatriation mission on May 7 in view of the coronavirus pandemic, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday, reported news agency PTI. MEA Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said the phase five of the Vande Bharat Mission is currently underway and between August 1 and August 12, 300 international flights and 70 domestic feeders have operated reaching 22 airports across India. Around 500 international flights are scheduled to be operated this month, he said. "Earlier this week on August 11, we crossed the one million-mark under the Vande Bharat Mission. As of date, about 10.5 lakh stranded Indians have returned through various modes under this mission," Mr Srivastava said at an online media briefing.
Coronavirus News: Maharashtra Reports Single-Day Spike Of 12,608 COVID-19 Cases
Maharashtra today reported single-day spike of 12,608 COVID-19 cases. The state's tally now stands at 5,72,734 with 19,427 deaths, the state health department said, reported news agency PTI.
Coronavirus News: Nearly 350 COVID-19 Deaths Due To Comorbidities In Assam: Himanta Biswa Sarma
Around 500 COVID-19 patients have died in Assam, including around 350 due to comorbidities, Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Friday, reported news agency PTI. Mr Sarma said the state has reported 169 deaths with underlying causes as COVID-19 pneumonia. "There is another long list of 300-350 COVID-19 patients, who have died due to cancer, kidney failure, heart disease or other comorbidities," Mr Sarma told a gathering at a plasma donation camp organised by the BJP. However, deaths caused by other ailments are not included in the list of COVID-19 fatalities as per central government guidelines, he said. Assam has so far reported a total of 71,795 COVID-19 positive cases, of which 22,240 are active and 49,383 have recovered.
Coronavirus News: Bengal's COVID-19 Count Climbs To 1,10,358 With Biggest Single-Day Spike Of 3,035 Cases
West Bengal's COVID-19 count jumped to 1,10,358 on Friday with the highest single-day spike of 3,035 cases, the health department said, reported news agency PTI. The death count mounted to 2,319 after 60 more patients died due to the infection, it said in a bulletin. The discharge rate has improved to 73.57 per cent after 2,572 recoveries since Thursday. West Bengal now has 26,850 active cases. In the last 24 hours, 31,317 samples have been tested in the state, the bulletin added.
Coronavirus News: Tamil Nadu Reports 117 Deaths, 5,890 New COVID Cases
Tamil Nadu reported 117 deaths and 5,890 new COVID-19 cases today, the state's health department said, reported news agency ANI. The total number of positive cases in Tamil Nadu now stands at 3,26,245, including 53,715 active cases and 5,514 deaths. India touched a new milestone with the highest number of COVID-19 tests in a single day so far, after a record high of 8,48,728 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours, taking the cumulative tests to 2,76,94,416 on Friday, the Union Health Ministry said. As many as 64,553 new coronavirus cases and 1,007 deaths were reported in country in the last 24 hours, according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Coronavirus News: Karnataka Logs Biggest Single-Day Spike Of 7,908 COVID Cases
Karnataka on Friday reported the biggest single-day spike of 7,908 new cases of COVID-19 and 104 related fatalities, taking the total number of infections to 2,11,108 and the death count to 3,717, the health department said, reported news agency PTI. The day also saw 6,940 patients getting discharged after recovery. Out of the 7,908 fresh cases, 2,452 cases were from Bengaluru urban alone. The previous single-day spike was on August 12 with 7,883 cases. As of August 14 evening, 2,11,108 positive cases have been confirmed and they included 3,717 deaths and 1,28,182 discharges, the health bulletin said.
Coronavirus News: Mumbai's COVID-19 Death Count Crosses 7,000
Mumbai's COVID-19 death count has crossed the 7,000-mark after 47 new fatalities were reported on Friday, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said, reported news agency PTI. So far, 7,035 people have died due to the infection in the city, it said. The number of coronavirus patients in the metropolis increased to 1,28,550 with the addition of 979 cases during the day, it said. The BMC said that the number of recovered patients went up to 1,01,861 after 907 patients were discharged from hospitals on Friday. Mumbai's COVID-19 recovery rate is 79 per cent, the civic body said, adding that there are only 19,354 active cases in the city now. Out of the 47 patients who died during the day, 37 suffered from various co-morbidities.
India's COVID-19 Recovery Rate Highest In World, Fatality Rate Lowest: Health Minister Harsh VardhanUnion Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Friday said that India has done its best to mitigate the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and that the country's recovery rate among COVID-19 patients is the highest in the world while the fatality rate is the lowest. India, the second-most populous country in the world with over 130 crore people, is the world's third worst-affected country by the pandemic after US and Brazil.
Coronavirus News: Chandigarh Reports 86 New COVID Cases, 1 Death
Chandigarh reported one more death due to COVID-19 as 86 fresh cases took the infection tally to 1,928 in the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana on Friday, reported news agency PTI. A 20-year-old man who had died on Wednesday was declared coronavirus positive, taking the fatality count to 28 in the union territory. He had suffered a cardiac arrest on August 11, as per a medical bulletin. Meanwhile, 86 fresh cases were reported. Among the fresh patients were two girls, aged two and five; and a boy, aged six, the bulletin said.
India has touched a new milestone with the highest number of COVID-19 tests in a single day so far, after a record high of 8,48,728 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours, taking the cumulative tests to 2,76,94,416 on Friday, said the Union Health Ministry, reported news agency ANI. World Health Organisation (WHO) has advised that a country needs 140 tests per day per million population. While the national average is 603 tests/day/million population, with focussed efforts of the centre and effective implementation by the states and Union Territories, 34 of them have exceeded this figure. There are 1,451 labs in the country with 958 in the government sector and 493 private labs.
Coronavirus News: Delhi Reports 1,192 New Cases Of Coronavirus With 11 Fatalities
Delhi on Friday reported 1,192 new COVID-19 cases, taking the total number of cases in the national capital to 1,50,652, reported news agency ANI. According to the Delhi government's health department bulletin, 11 deaths were reported today, taking the count to 4,178. There are 11,366 active cases in the national capital currently. 12,73,140 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Delhi so far. There are currently 523 containment zones in the national capital, according to the bulletin.
Coronavirus News: First 2 COVID-19 Patients, Treated With Plasma Therapy, Test Negative For COVID
The first two COVID-19 patients, who were with plasma therapy in Goa, have tested negative for the virus, the state Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said today, reported news agency ANI. Addressing media regarding COVID-19 situation in the coastal state, Mr Rane said that it is a "great achievement for us" as the first two patients treated for COVID-19 with plasma therapy have tested negative. The state health department has also decided to reserve three of its wards in Goa Medical College (GMC) to treat extremely critical COVID-19 patients. The critical patients were earlier shifted to ESI hospital.
Coronavirus News: Amit Shah Tests Negative For Coronavirus, To Remain In Home-IsolationAmit Shah said he has tested negative for coronavirus today, adding, "Will stay in home-isolation for a few more days on the advice of doctors." In his tweet, he thanked god and expressed his "heartfelt gratitude to all those who have blessed me and my family by wishing me well". Mr Shah also thanked the doctors and staff of Medanta Hospital "who have helped me in fighting Corona infection and who have been treating me".
Coronavirus News: Odisha Institute Offers Free Education To Children Of State's COVID-19 Victims
In a humanitarian gesture, Odisha's KIIT, deemed to be a university, has decided to provide technical and professional education free of cost to the children of Odisha's COVID-19 victims, reported news agency PTI. Founder of KIIT and KISS, Achyuta Samanta, said that the move aims to extend a helping hand to the affected families. "The novel coronavirus pandemic has disrupted normal life and livelihoods of the people across the country, including Odisha. Sons and daughters of COVID-19 victims in Odisha, who are interested, can apply to different technical and professional courses of KIIT-DU, including ITI and diploma engineering, as per their eligibility for admission," he said. This facility will be available for two academi years, 2020-21 and 2021-22 only, officials said.
Coronavirus News: Kerala Chief Minister Self-Quarantines After Visiting Kozhikode Plane Crash Site
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan along with those who visited the Kozhikode plane crash site are going into self-quarantine, reported news agency ANI, quoting the Chief Minister's Office. Co-operation & Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran will hoist the national flag at the Independence Day function in Thiruvananthapuram tomorrow, it said.
Coronavirus News: 328 New COVID-19 Cases, 4 Fatalities In Puducherry In Last 24 Hours
Puducherry reported as many as 328 new COVID-19 cases, four deaths, and 181 cured cases today, the Union Territory's Health Department said, reported news agency ANI. The total number of coronavirus cases has gone up to 6,995, including 2,880 active cases, 4,009 cured cases, and 106 deaths. As many as 64,553 new coronavirus cases and 1,007 deaths were reported in India in the last 24 hours, according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Coronavirus News: 147 Maharashtra Policemen Test Positive For Coronavirus In Last 24 Hours
As many as 147 more policemen in Maharashtra have tested positive for coronavirus in the last 24 hours, taking the tally to 11,920, the state police department said, reported news ageny ANI. The total number of coronavirus cases in Maharashtra's police force includes 2,227 active cases, 9,569 recovered cases, and 124 fatalities. As many as 64,553 new coronavirus cases and 1,007 deaths were reported in India in the last 24 hours, according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
The country's coronavirus count has risen to 24,61,191 including 48,040 deaths.
Coronavirus News: Bombay High Court Refuses To Allow Places Of Worship To Reopen
Observing that the current situation is "not at all conducive" for places of worship to reopen, the Bombay High Court on Friday refused to pass any interim order directing that temples in Maharashtra be opened for public, reported news agency PTI. The 2-judge bench, hearing the matter, said the COVID-19 situation in the state has not improved and people must therefore, pray at home. "For the love and safety of humanity, pray at home," the bench said.
Jadavpur University Students Make Electronic Mask
Students of Jadavpur University have made an electronic mask which will be able to annihilate any virus in close proximity to the person wearing it, an official said.
The design of the mask, made by the Instrumentation department, has been readied but production will be made only after the approval of concerned authorities of government, a senior university official, associated with the project, said.
The electromagnetic field created by the mask will annihilate any virus, including sars-2, which comes in the striking distance of the person wearing it, the official said.
"The mask is self-chargeable," he said.
The mask will certainly be more effective than the three layer surgical masks currently available in the market, he said.
Covid-19 Recovery Rate Improving With Each Day: Health Minister Harsh Vardhan
Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan has stated that the COVID-19 recovery rate is improving in the country with each day.
Speaking at the inauguration of a blood donation camp at the All India Institute Of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the national capital he also expressed hope that the war against the pandemic will be won soon.
"Remember the press conference when I said the recovery rate was 9 per cent. Since then, there had not been a single day when the day''s recovery rate was not better than the previous day''s. Also, fatalities have also been decreasing with each passing day," he said.
JustIn| Kerala Malappuram officials involved in rescue ops after Kozhikode plane crash test positive for coronavirus
Lucknow Chief Medical Officer Issues New Rate List For Treatment Of COVID-19 Patients At Private Hospitals
Lucknow Chief Medical Officer (CMO) RP Singh on Thursday issued rate list for treatment of COVID-19 patients at private hospitals in the city.
During the meeting, a committee was also formed, which will strictly monitor hospitals that charge hefty amounts from the public.
"Rs 10,000 will be charged per day for isolation beds in case of moderate sickness that includes supportive care and oxygen. The amount includes the PPE cost of Rs 1,200. For severe sickness Rs 15,000, each day will be charged for ICU without the need of ventilators. This includes Rs 2,000 for PPE kits. For very severe sickness Rs 18,000 will be charged for ICU with ventilator care this includes both invasive and non-invasive. The amount also included Rs 2,000 for PPE," it said.
Kerala Likely To Witness 10,000 To 20,000 Cases Per Day During August-September: State Health Minister KK Shailaja
Kerala is likely to witness a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases in the months of August
and September with daily infections expected to touch between 10,000 to 20,000, State Health Minister KK Shailaja said.
"Experts have opined that during the months of August and September we may witness a surge in COVID-19 cases. We may report between 10,000 to 20,000 cases per day," she said in a video campaign urging the youth to join the "Covid Brigade" to halt the pandemic spread.
Noting that the death rate graph will start rising if the positive cases shoot up, the Minister said it should be stopped.
"We must also understand that the death toll will increase with the rise in the number of cases. So, we need to put a hold on the rise in cases. For that the people must cooperate.
UK Says It Has No Choice But To Quarantine French Arrivals
Britain has no choice but to impose a 14-day quarantine on all travellers arriving from France due to rising coronavirus infection rates there, transport minister Grant Shapps said on Friday.
Britain announced late on Thursday that it would impose a quarantine, from 0300 GMT on Saturday, on arrivals from France, the Netherlands and Malta because infection rates there were too high, dealing a new blow to the travel industry.
France warned that it would reciprocate.
Puducherry Reports 328 New Coronavirus Cases, Four Deaths
Puducherry reported four more COVID-19 deaths taking the toll to 106 while 328 new infections pushed the overall tally in the union territory close to the 7,000 mark.
As many as 181 patients were discharged during the last 24 hours ending 10 am Friday, Director of Health and Family Welfare S Mohan Kumar said in a press release.
The four fatalities included a 52-year old woman.
While two of the patients died at the centrally-administered JIPMER, the woman and a male patient succumbed at the government-run Indira Gandhi Medical College hospital, he said.
New Zealand Extends Auckland Virus Lockdown By 12 Days
New Zealand on Friday extended a lockdown of it's largest city Auckland by at least 12 days, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced, as authorities struggled with a growing new coronavirus outbreak.
"Cabinet has agreed to maintain our current settings for an additional 12 days, bringing us to a full two weeks in total," Ardern said.
Indians Can Fly With Valid Visa To UK, US, Canada, UAE Under Air Bubble Agreement
Indian flyers holding any kind of valid visa under the ''Air Bubbles'' agreement can travel to the UK, the US, Canada and UAE, said the Director-General of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) India.
"Under bubble agreement any Indian holding any kind of valid visa can travel to Canada, UK, US and UAE," said DGCA India in a statement.
According to the earlier guidelines issued by the European Union amid the COVID-19 pandemic, only those holding essential visa were allowed for travel abroad.
JustIn| Over 64,000 cases in India in 24 hours, 1,007 deaths; over 24 lakh total cases so far, 48,040 deaths
Mizoram Issues New Guidelines For Social Gathering
The Mizoram government has issued additional standard operating procedure (SOP) to be followed
in any gathering to ensure that social distancing is strictly maintained in view of the rise of COVID-19 cases in the state, an official said.
The order was issued on Thursday after a meeting of top officials, NGOs, churches and doctors chaired by Chief Minister Zoramthanga on Wednesday, the official said.
The order said that not more than 50 people are allowed in gatherings like marriage ceremony, funeral, memorial stone erection programme, anniversary celebration and any other related functions.
New Zealand Virus Outbreak Spreads Beyond Auckland
New Zealand's resurgent coronavirus outbreak has spread beyond Auckland, health officials said Friday, in a major blow to efforts to contain the disease.
Health Minister Chris Hipkins said there were 12 more cases of community transmission, and one probable, following the shock re-emergence of the virus in Auckland this week.
He said two of the infections were found in the North Island town of Tokoroa, around 210 kilometres (130 miles) south of Auckland.
The infections outside Auckland come despite a strict lockdown in New Zealand's largest city, including masked police blocking roads to seal its borders.
Odisha Government Releases Guidelines For Independence Day Celebration In Schools Amid COVID-19
The School and Mass Education Department of Odisha on Thursday issued guidelines for Independence Day celebration in schools amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the guidelines, no student would be asked to participate in the Independence Day celebrations this year and only headmasters and teachers would attend the flag-hoisting ceremonies.
The guidelines are applicable to all schools i.e. government, aided schools, Private, Madrasas, Sanskrit Tolls, DIETS and other training institutes under the School and Mass Education department.
Assam Issues Lockdown Guidelines With Relaxations For August 16-31
The Assam government on Thursday issued new COVID-19 lockdown guidelines with relaxations between August 16 and 31 while providing relaxations on August 15 (Independence Day) subject to following of safety protocols.
"All permitted activities mentioned in our earlier orders shall continue to be allowed between 5 am and 9 pm between Monday and Friday. Inter-District movement of passenger vehicles and people are allowed between Monday and Friday only. Inter-District movement of vehicles is allowed with 50 per cent capacity," the state government order read.
"City buses are allowed subject to maintenance of all COVID19 protocols and social distancing and with 50 per cent capacity. Public transport is allowed subject to maintenance of all COVID-19 protocols and social distancing with 50 per cent capacity," it further read.