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Coronavirus India Live Updates: India has logged 65,002 cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours with 996 deaths, the Union Health Ministry said on Friday morning. The total number of cases in the country has now shot up to 25,26,192 with 49,036 deaths. A total of 18,08,936 COVID-19 patients have recovered from the infection, taking the recovery rate to 71.60 per cent, the ministry said on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the country 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.
There are 1,451 labs with 958 in the government sector and 493 private labs.
"There are 749 Real-Time RT PCR based testing labs including 447 government and 302 private labs. A total of 586 TrueNat based testing labs are functioning in the country including 478 government and 108 private labs. There are 116 CBNAAT based testing labs in the country including 33 government labs and 83 private labs," Ministry said.
Here are the updates on coronavirus (COVID-19) cases:
Jharkhand reports 480 new COVID-19 cases, 4 deaths on Saturday
With 480 new COVID-19 cases reported in Jharkhand on Saturday, the total number of coronavirus cases reached 22,672, the State Health Department said.
In a COVID-19 bulletin, the state government informed that four persons died due to the virus on Saturday.
The total count of coronavirus cases includes 14,181 recovered/discharged, 8,262 active cases, and 229 deaths, the department added.
With 480 new COVID-19 cases reported in Jharkhand on Saturday, the total number of coronavirus cases reached 22,672, the State Health Department said.
In a COVID-19 bulletin, the state government informed that four persons died due to the virus on Saturday.
The total count of coronavirus cases includes 14,181 recovered/discharged, 8,262 active cases, and 229 deaths, the department added.
Indore reports 214 new COVID-19 cases
The Indore district of Madhya Pradesh reported 214 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday taking the total number of cases in the district to 9804, the state health department said.
The total number of deaths in Indore stood at 342.
The Indore district of Madhya Pradesh reported 214 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday taking the total number of cases in the district to 9804, the state health department said.
The total number of deaths in Indore stood at 342.
2,432 new coronavirus cases in Pune, 62 deaths
Pune district reported 2,432 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, taking its case count to
The death count in the district reached 2,957 with 62 people dying to the infection during the day.
1,145 patients were discharged from hospitals.
Pune district reported 2,432 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, taking its case count to
1,22,397, a health official said on Saturday.
1,145 patients were discharged from hospitals.
Total COVID-19 positive cases in Himachal Pradesh stands at 3,993 including 1,308 active cases, 2,632 recoveries and 17 deaths: State Health Department
On Arvind Kejriwal's Appeal, Goa AAP volunteers Offer To Sponsor Oximeters
Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) Goa unit on Saturday got a response from people who were ready to sponsor oximeters, within an hour of the appeal of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Elvis Gomes, party convenor said.
"Happy to inform that within one hour of Arvind Kejriwal's appeal, I got response from 11 people who were ready to sponsor oximeters. That shows that people care," said Mr Gomes.
Arvind Kejriwal in his Independence Day address to party volunteers across the country said that every volunteer has a responsibility to fight corona and gave a call to donate oximeters which can be reached out to those in need in various areas.
Mr Gomes said that in Goa the government was forcing people to buy oximeters when they opt for home quarantine thus placing an additional burden on the common man.
Giving an example of Cuncolim IDC area where despite sizeable number of covid infections, the government had still not started testing facility, Mr Gomes said oximeters will be useful to monitor people who had developed mild symptoms.
480 new COVID-19 positive cases, 370 recoveries/discharges and 4 deaths reported in Jharkhand today. Total number of cases now at 22,672 including 8,262 active cases, 14,181 recoveries/discharges and 229 deaths: State Health Department
Maharashtra Has Become Covid Capital Of India, Says Devendra Fadnavis
Citing the surge in COVID-19 cases and fatalities in Maharashtra, senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday termed the state as the "COVID capital" of the country.
He stressed that testing need to be ramped up to check the spread of coronavirus and to bring the fatality rate under control.
"We are not making any allegations. We are more interested in arresting the spread of Coronavirus than doing politics. I have been demanding that number of tests should be increased in the state," the former chief minister told reporters, after inaugurating a COVID care centre for journalists.
"Conducting antigen tests is a good thing but the number of RT-PCR tests should be increased," said Mr Fadnavis, the Leader of Opposition in the state Legislative Assembly.
He said the current ratio of RT-PCR and antigen tests is 1:2, which should be equal.
"This way we can bring the cases and death ratio down," he said.
"Maharashtra has become the COVID capital of the country, as the state accounts for 24 per cent of the total number of cases in India. The state also accounts for 41 per cent of the total deaths in the country," the former CM said.
Maharashtra's coronavirus tally stood at 5,84,754 on August 15 while the fatality count rose to 19,749, as per the state government.
Bihar Becomes 8th State To Have Over 1-Lakh Coronavirus Cases
Bihar on Saturday became the eighth state in the country to have reported more than one lakh COVID-19 cases, marking a 10-fold rise in its tally within a period of a month and a half.
The state's COVID-19 death count rose to 515 after 15 people died due to the disease, a bulletin issued by the department said.
With 3,536 fresh infections, the total caseload of Bihar has gone up to 1,01,906, it said.
The state also conducted record 1.61 lakh sample tests in the last 24 hours.
Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal are the other seven states that had reported more than one lakh coronavirus cases.
Bihar had breached the 1,000-mark on July 1 and the number of positive cases has risen at an explosive rate since then. The health department, however, insisted that the spike has been, to a large extent, on account of a huge improvement in the testing rate during the period.
West Bengal's COVID-19 Tally Jumps To 1,13,432 With Record 3,074 Fresh Cases
West Bengal reported its highest single-day spike of 3,074 COVID-19 cases on Saturday, pushing the tally in the state to 1,13,432, the health department said.
The death count climbed to 2,377 after 58 more patients died to the virus, it said in a bulletin.
Since Friday, 2,647 people have recovered from the disease, taking the total number of recoveries to 83,836, the department said.
West Bengal now has 27,219 active cases.
In the last 24 hours, at least 34,214 samples have been tested in the state, the bulletin added.
Delhi records 1,276 new coronavirus cases, tally reaches 1,51,928; death count mounts to 4,188.
Tamil Nadu Honours WHO Chief Scientist For Her Role In Fighting COVID In State
Chief Scientist of World Health Organisation, Soumya Swaminathan was on Saturday conferred with the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's special award, in recognition of her advisory role in combating the COVID-19 pandemic in the state.
Ms Swaminathan received the award from Chief Minister K Palaniswami on the 74th Independence Day celebration at Fort St George in Chennai.
The WHO representative has been offering suggestions to the state health department to step up measures in fighting the pandemic.
Later, speaking to reporters, Ms Swaminathan thanked the state government for selecting her and advised people to follow the pandemic protocols while venturing out.
"Maintain a six feet social distance, do not go out without wearing masks and be careful while venturing out", she said.
According to the World Health Organisation, Ms Swaminathan has 30 years of experience in clinical care and research and has worked throughout her career to translate her research into impactful programmes.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister's Best Practices award was bagged by the department of treasuries, while the Greater Chennai Corporation received the second prize for conducting fever clinics across the city to break the transmission chain of COVID-19.
Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation received the certificate of appreciation for various steps undertaken to ensure uninterrupted availability of drugs for combating coronavirus.
In the last 24 hours, Manipur reported 192 COVID-19 positive cases taking the total number of cases to 4,390 including 1939 active cases and 2,438 recoveries and 13 deaths: State Government
COVID-19: Delhi In Far Better Situation Than It Was 2 Months Ago, Says Arvind Kejriwal
As far as COVID-19 is concerned, Delhi is presently in a far better situation than it was two months ago, said Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday.
"Today is the day when we remember freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for the nation. Also, since independence, so many of our soldiers have lost their lives for the security of our country. Let''s salute them all today," he said at a press conference.
Further he said, "As far as COVID19 is concerned, Delhi is presently in a far better situation than we were 2 months ago. However, over 60,000 cases are being reported daily in the country. There are a few steps that we need to take now to further control the pandemic."
He said all the governments are performing well but I would like to suggest a step that could be beneficial in the villages where corona is increasing now.
"In case of Delhi, home isolation was a measure that helped us in fighting the battle against COVID-19. For instance, if there are 10,000 cases, only 1000 are severe and taken to hospitals, the remaining got cured at home. It saves 9,000 beds, this can be followed in villages," Mr Kejirwal said.
Rajasthan: 686 Fresh COVID-19 Cases, 13 Deaths; Infection Tally Nears 60,000-Mark
Rajasthan recorded 686 fresh coronavirus cases and 13 deaths due to the disease on Saturday, taking the state's infection tally to 59,378.
The COVID-19 death count in the state stands at 859, officials said. A total of 14,462 people are undergoing treatment for the disease whereas 42,055 have been discharged, they said.
Of the latest fatalities, three deaths each were reported from Jaipur and Bikaner, two each from Baran and Bharatpur, and one each from Dungarpur, Ajmer and Pali.
According to the officials, 80 fresh COVID-19 cases were reported in Alwar, 70 in Bikaner, 61 in Kota, 60 in Rajsamand, 56 in Jodhpur, 51 in Jhalawar, 50 in Dholpur besides those recorded in other districts of the state.
SP Balasubrahmanyan Continues To Be On Life Support: Hospital
Renowned playback singer SP Balasubrahmanyam continues to be on life support and stable, a private hospital treating him said here on Saturday.
"Thiru SP Balasubrahmanyam who is admitted at MGM Healthcare due to COVID-19 continues to be on life support in the Intensive Care Unit. He remains stable and the doctors are closely monitoring his clinical parameters," Dr Anuradha Baskaran, Assistant Director Medical Services of MGM Healthcare said in a statement.
On August 5, the singer had posted a video on his Facebook page, informing his fans and followers that he has tested positive for COVID-19 and that he was doing well.
In the video, he had said that he was receiving treatment at a Chennai-based private hospital and that he has quarantined himself.
Maharashtra Minister Balasaheb Patil Tests Positive For Coronavirus
Maharashtra Cooperation Minister Balasaheb Patil has tested positive for coronavirus infection and is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Karad.
According to a statement issued by Mr Patil's office, the NCP leader tested positive for the infection on Friday night and has been admitted to Krushna Hospital in Karad.
The minister is "stable, is being treated properly and there is nothing to worry", the statement quoted Mr Patil's son as saying.
Mr Patil, who is also the guardian minister of Satara, has urged people who had come in contact with him recently to get themselves tested and remain in isolation for at least a week, the statement said.
Earlier, Maharashtra ministers Ashok Chavan and Aslam Shaikh of the Congress, Jitendra Awhad, Dhananjay Munde and Sanjay Bansode of the NCP and Abdul Sattar of the Shiv Sena had tested positive for the disease and recovered from it.
No Dearth Of Medicines, PPE Kits In Tripura, Says Biplab Kumar Deb On Independence Day
Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb said on Saturday that there is no shortage of medicines and personal protective equipment (PPE), amid the surge in coronavirus cases in the state.
Unfurling the national flag at the Assam Rifles Parade Ground in Agartala on the occasion of the 74th Independence Day, he lauded COVID-19 warriors for their services.
"Independence Day is being celebrated in the country in an unusual situation due to the coronavirus pandemic. The government is taking all measures to contain the spread of the disease. There is no dearth of medicine and PPE kits in the state," Mr Deb said.
He inspected the guard of honour of various contingents of the security forces and presented medals to the police personnel for their distinguished services. Only a few ministers and government officials were present on the occasion.
The chief minister said the government has arranged for 2,129 beds for treatment of coronavirus patients and a medical college will be set up in Ambassa, the headquarters of Dhalai district.
The total number of coronavirus patients in the state rose to 6,952 with 164 new cases reported on Saturday, while the count climbed to 50 as four more persons died due to the disease, a health department official said.
Odisha Reports 2496 New COVID-19 Cases, 9 Deaths In 24 Hours
As many as 2,496 new COVID-19 cases and nine deaths due to the virus were reported in Odisha in the last 24 hours, the state health department said on Saturday.
According to officials, four of the nine deaths were reported from Sambhalpur district, two from Cuttack district and one each from Ganjam, Keonjhar and Nayagarh districts. So far, as many as 333 in the state have lost their lives due to the virus.
The state has reported a total number of 57,126 coronavirus cases, of which 39,205 have recovered and 17,535 are active. Meanwhile, around 8,55,713 people have been tested in the state for the virus.
Over 57 Thousand Patients Recovered From COVID-19 In Last 24 Hours: Health Ministry
India has recorded another peak of posting the highest recoveries of COVID-19 cases in a single day with 57,381 patients being cured and discharged in the past 24 hours, stated the Union Health Ministry on Saturday.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) said that with such high level of recoveries, India's recovery rate has soared past 70 percent.
"About 32 states/UTs have exceeded the 50 percent mark. 12 states/UTs have exceeded the national Recovery Rate. With more patients recovering and being discharged from hospitals and home isolation (in case of mild and moderate cases), the total recoveries have crossed the 18 lakh mark today (18,08,936)," the ministry said in a press statement.
Like ''Quit India'', Campaign Needed Against COVID-19: Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Saturday called for a mass awareness campaign on the lines of the Quit India Movement against the British in order to drive out coronavirus from the state and the country.
Speaking at the Independence Day function at Swarnim Park in Gandhinagar, he said that while the pandemic had slowed down the pace of development in the state, his government was committed to make up for it.
"To achieve independence and drive out the British, the entire country resonated with the slogan of Quit India. As a result, the British left the country and we got freedom. Likewise, let's start a mass awareness campaign to free the country and Gujarat of coronavirus," he said.
Rise In COVID-19 Cases In Rural Areas Worrying: Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope
Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Saturday expressed concern over the rise in COVID-19
in rural areas of the state due to the influx of migrants from Mumbai.
Speaking at an Independence Day function at the Collectorate, the minister said despite the rise in infections, the recovery rate in the state was high.
While the COVID-19 tally in Jalna had reached 3,000, more than 2,000 patients had recovered from the infection, said Mr Tope, who is also the guardian minister of the district.
The minister noted that the spike in cases in rural parts of the state due to the return of migrants from Mumbai is a cause for concern.
No COVID-19 Patient Will Be Deprived Of Treatment In Odisha, Says Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday said no COVID-19 patient in the state will be deprived of treatment due to lack of money as the government has taken concrete steps to provide all facilities free of cost.
In his address to the people after unfurling the national flag at the Exhibition Ground here on the occasion of the 74th Independence Day, the chief minister said his government is working with a mission to provide the best treatment to people afflicted with the dreaded virus.
He was confident that the war against the coronavirus pandemic will be won soon.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu Urges People Of State To Adapt To ''New Normal'' To Defeat COVID-19
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Saturday exhorted the people to adapt to the ''new normal'' to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the northeastern state.
Mr Khandu, while unfurling the Tri-colour at the Indira Gandhi Park here on the occasion of the 74th Independence Day, said people must adhere to safety measures like hand sanitisation, wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing to defeat COVID-19.
The public was not allowed in the venue and the programme was held with only a few government officials, journalists and security personnel. Also, no march past or cultural programmes were organised.
COVID-19: Will Not Open Schools In Delhi Unless Fully Convinced, Says Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday said that the Delhi government will not open schools unless it is "fully convinced" about the improved COVID-19 situation in the city.
Delivering his Independence Day speech at Delhi Secretariat, Mr Kejriwal said the COVID-19 situation in the national capital is under control as compared to what it was two months back and thanked all the stakeholders, including the central government, ''corona warriors'' and different organisations.
The chief minister said the safety and the health of school children are very important to the AAP government.
"I meet people and get messages from them asking not to open schools. I want to assure them that we care about their children as much as they do. Unless fully convinced, we are not going to open the schools," he said.
Scientists Say They've Decoded The Likely Order Of COVID-19 Symptoms
Scientists have found the likely order in which COVID-19 symptoms first appear, an advance that may help clinicians rule out other diseases, and help patients seek care promptly or decide sooner to self-isolate. Read more
Scientists have found the likely order in which COVID-19 symptoms first appear, an advance that may help clinicians rule out other diseases, and help patients seek care promptly or decide sooner to self-isolate. Read more
JustIn| So far 750 COVID-19 patients have received plasma therapy in Delhi, says Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in his Independence Day speech.
Researchers Identify 73 Novel Variants Of COVID-19 Strain In Odisha
A team of genomic researchers from two institutes has identified 73 novel variants of the COVID-19 strain in Odisha, its head has said.
The researchers are from CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), New Delhi and Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital, Bhubaneswar, he said.
"The research team, which carried out sequencing of 1,536 samples including 752 clinical samples, reported two lineages -- B.1.112 and B.1.99 -- for the first time in India," Dr Jayashankar Das, lead investigator and director (research) of the IMS and SUM Hospital, said on Friday.
Hard-Hit Countries Step Up Virus Measures As Cases Mount
Countries among the hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic unveiled further measures on Friday to battle rising infections, as the number of cases worldwide passed 21 million.
The US Department of Homeland Security said it was extending a ban on non-essential travel through border crossings with Canada and Mexico throughout most of September "to slow the spread" of the disease.
Meanwhile Britain added France to its list of countries hit with a mandatory two-week quarantine for returning holidaymakers from Saturday, as Paris confronts a resurgent second wave of infections.
Confirmed cases in France reached levels not seen since May on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, at over 2,500 new cases per day.
3 Covid Vaccines At Trials, Plan For Distribution Ready: PM At Red Fort
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said three coronavirus vaccines are at different stages of trials and a roadmap is ready for production and distribution to every Indian in his Independence Day address today. Read more
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said three coronavirus vaccines are at different stages of trials and a roadmap is ready for production and distribution to every Indian in his Independence Day address today. Read more
JustIn| Over 65,000 coronavirus cases in India in 24 hours, 996 deaths; 25.26 lakh total cases so far, over 49,000 deaths
Telangana Takes Over 50 Per Cent Private Hospital Beds For Covid Care
Telangana has taken over 50 per cent beds in all private hospitals of the state and reserved them for coronavirus patients after the K Chandrashekar Rao-led government received as many as 1,039 complaints of malpractices by private hospitals for COVID-19 treatment, including overcharging. Read Here
India's COVID-19 Recovery Rate Highest Among All Countries: Harsh Vardhan
Union 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, reports PTI.
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, reports ANI.
Telangana Takes Over 50 Per Cent Private Hospital Beds For Covid Care
Telangana has taken over 50 per cent beds in all private hospitals of the state and reserved them for coronavirus patients after the K Chandrashekar Rao-led government received as many as 1,039 complaints of malpractices by private hospitals for COVID-19 treatment, including overcharging.
These beds, including those in super specialty hospitals, will be allotted through a government app, on which people can apply. The tariff charged will be as per the rates decided by the government.
The decision was taken under the provisions of the Epidemic Diseases Act.
"Private hospitals have failed to abide by the guidelines laid down by the government," Telangana Health Minister Etela Rajender said after a meeting with representatives of private hospitals on Thursday. Read
Telangana has taken over 50 per cent beds in all private hospitals of the state and reserved them for coronavirus patients after the K Chandrashekar Rao-led government received as many as 1,039 complaints of malpractices by private hospitals for COVID-19 treatment, including overcharging.
These beds, including those in super specialty hospitals, will be allotted through a government app, on which people can apply. The tariff charged will be as per the rates decided by the government.
The decision was taken under the provisions of the Epidemic Diseases Act.
"Private hospitals have failed to abide by the guidelines laid down by the government," Telangana Health Minister Etela Rajender said after a meeting with representatives of private hospitals on Thursday. Read
Official Who Led Health Ministry Briefings 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. Read
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. Read
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
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
