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Coronavirus Latest Updates: With 83,809 cases has push India's coronavirus tally to 49,30,237 the Union Health Ministry data this morning showed. The death count has risen to 80,776 with 1,054 more fatalities.
38,59,400 patients have recovered from the infection in the country.
Maharashtra remains the state hit hardest by the pandemic, followed by Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh. India is the country with the second-highest coronavirus caseload in the world after the United States.
The country's recovery rate now stands at 78.28 per cent, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) informed on Tuesday.
Here are the Updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Cases:
Coronavirus update: Jharkhand slashes COVID-19 test rate at private labs to Rs 1,500
The Jharkhand government on Tuesday slashed the maximum price of RT-PCR tests for COVID-19 to be charged by private laboratories to Rs 1,500, officials said.
Coronavirus update: Odisha reports more recoveries than new COVID-19 cases
Odisha reported more recoveries of COVID-19 patients than new cases on Tuesday as
3,714 people were cured of the disease while 3,645 got infected with it, a health department official said.
Coronavirus update: CSIR Collaborates With Aurobindo Pharma To Develop COVID-19 Vaccines
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Aurobindo Pharma Limited on Tuesday announced a collaboration to develop vaccines for COVID-19.
Coronavirus update: Irish cabinet ends brief Covid-19 self-isolation
All members of the Irish cabinet ended a brief period of self-isolation on Tuesday evening, just hours after a coronavirus scare prompted by the health minister displaying symptoms of infection.
Ireland's lower house of parliament was suspended and cabinet ministers told to restrict their movements on Tuesday evening after it emerged that health minister Stephen Donnelly was displaying symptoms of Covid-19 and seeking a test.
Coronavirus update: Amma canteens running successfully amid COVID-19 pandemic
VPB Paramasivam, AIADMK MLA from Tamil Nadu's Vedasandur constituency on Tuesday said that Amma canteens in the state were running successfully amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
VPB Paramasivam, AIADMK MLA from Tamil Nadu's Vedasandur constituency on Tuesday said that Amma canteens in the state were running successfully amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Coronavirus update: 1,391 new COVID-19 cases reported in Uttarakhand
A total of 1,391 new COVID-19 cases have been reported in Uttarakhand in the last 24 hours.
According to the state's Health Department, the total number of cases in the state now stands at 34,407, including 10,739 active cases.
As many 23,085 COVID-19 recoveries and 438 deaths have been reported in the state.
Coronavirus update: Surat's COVID-19 tally hits 25,000-mark; 5 die, 265 recover
Surat's COVID-19 tally rose to 25,000 on Tuesday with the addition of 277 new cases in the south Gujarat district, the state health department said. With five more fatalities, the death count in the district rose to 879, it said.
Coronavirus update: 2,409 fresh COVID cases take Assam's tally to 1,46,575
The COVID-19 caseload in Assam went up to 1,46,575 after 2,409 people tested positive for
coronavirus on Tuesday, Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
Coronavirus update: Chhattisgarh's COVID-19 tally crosses 70,000 with record 3,450 new cases
Chhattisgarh on Tuesday recorded a highest single-day spike of 3,450 coronavirus cases, taking
the state's count of infections to 70,777, a health official said.
Coronavirus update: Himachal Pradesh records eight more COVID-19 deaths, 419 new cases
Himachal Pradesh recorded eight more deaths due to coronavirus, pushing the count to 89, while the infection count mounted to 10,336 with 419 fresh cases being reported on Tuesday.
Seven men and a woman died due to the virus, Special Secretary, Health, Nipun Jindal said.
Coronavirus News: Pune Reports 3,889 New Cases, 70 Deaths
Pune district reported 3,889 new coronavirus positive cases in the last 24 hours, taking its infection count to 2,31,196, while the death count reached 5,292 with 70 deaths during this period, an official said on Tuesday, reported news agency PTI. Of the new cases, 1,691 are in Pune Municipal Corporation limits, which now has 1,22,448 cases. Pimpri Chinchwad accounted for 997 cases, and its count is now 65,379. The number of cases in rural and cantonment areas is 43,369," the official said.
Pune district reported 3,889 new coronavirus positive cases in the last 24 hours, taking its infection count to 2,31,196, while the death count reached 5,292 with 70 deaths during this period, an official said on Tuesday, reported news agency PTI. Of the new cases, 1,691 are in Pune Municipal Corporation limits, which now has 1,22,448 cases. Pimpri Chinchwad accounted for 997 cases, and its count is now 65,379. The number of cases in rural and cantonment areas is 43,369," the official said.
Coronavirus News: 155 Healthcare Staff, Including 64 Doctors, Died Due To COVID-19 As On September 11, Says Centre
As many as 155 healthcare staff, including 64 doctors, have died due to coronavirus, according to ''Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package Insurance Scheme for Health Workers Fighting COVID-19'' which provides relief in case of death of such workers, Parliament was told on Tuesday, reported news agency PTI. Minister of State for Health Ashwini Choubey was responding to a question on the number of healthcare staff, including doctors, nurses, support staff and ASHA workers, affected by the disease. He told Rajya Sabha that 'health' is a state subject and "such data is not maintained at central level".
As many as 155 healthcare staff, including 64 doctors, have died due to coronavirus, according to ''Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package Insurance Scheme for Health Workers Fighting COVID-19'' which provides relief in case of death of such workers, Parliament was told on Tuesday, reported news agency PTI. Minister of State for Health Ashwini Choubey was responding to a question on the number of healthcare staff, including doctors, nurses, support staff and ASHA workers, affected by the disease. He told Rajya Sabha that 'health' is a state subject and "such data is not maintained at central level".
COVID-19 test rate at private labs in Rajasthan slashed to Rs 1,200
The Rajasthan government on Tuesday revised the rates for COVID-19 tests conducted by private labs in the state from Rs 2,200 to Rs 1,200.
Health Minister Raghu Sharma said the prices of RT-PCR testing kits, reagents, VTM kits and other consumables have reduced and therefore it was decided to provide the testing facility to people at lower prices.
Principal Secretary, Medical and Health, Akhil Arora issued an order in this regard on Tuesday.
JD(S) MLA Gowrishankar tests positive for COVID-19
Turmakuru Rural JD(S) MLA DC Gowrishankar on Tuesday said he has tested positive COVID-19. "As I had a fever, I underwent COVID test and the report has come positive.
On the advice of doctors, I'm undergoing treatment at home," the MLA said in a tweet.
He also appealed to all those who had come in contact with him during the last seven days to undergo tests and take precautions by by undergoing quarantine.
20,482 new COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra
Maharashtra's COVID-19 tally rose to 10,97,856 on Tuesday with addition of 20,482 new cases, state health department said. With 515 deaths in the last 24 hours, the total deaths in the state went up to 30,409, it said.
A total of 19,423 patients were discharged after treatment during the day, taking the number of recoveries in the state to 7,75,273, it said, adding that the state now has 2,91,797 active cases.
Mumbai city reported 1,586 cases in the day, taking its count to 1,73,596 while the cumulative deaths rose to 8,230.
Absolutely ''no shortage'' of medical oxygen at national level: Health Secretary
There is absolutely "no shortage" of medical oxygen, vital in the treatment of coronavirus, at the national level, the Union Health Ministry said, while urging states to ensure a proper inventory management at hospital-level and advance planning for timely replenishment so that there is no stockout.
Asked if there was an acute shortage of oxygen in different states and there had been deaths due to it, Health Ministry Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said the country's current daily capacity of oxygen production as on date is slightly more than 6,900 metric tonne.
Mr Bhushan at a press briefing said that 3.69 per cent of the COVID-19 patients were on oxygen support, 2.17 per cent were in ICU beds which are with oxygen and 0.36 per cent of the patients were on ventilator support which is again with oxygen.
Panel formed to cap charges for CT scans for COVID-19 patients
Maharashtra Public Health Minister Rajesh Tope announced that a committee has been appointed to cap charges for CT scans for COVID-19 patients.
The four-member committee headed by Dr Sudhakar Shinde, the chief executive officer of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Aarogya Yojana, will submit its report in the next seven days.
"Some patients need to undergo CT scans but there have been complaints that private hospitals were charging exorbitantly for such tests. To address these concerns, the government decided to set up a committee," an official from the state health department said.
Single-day recoveries outnumber new COVID-19 cases in Nagaland
Single-day recoveries outnumbered new COVID-19 cases in Nagaland on Tuesday as 30 people were cured of the infection and 15 tested positive for the disease, Health Minister S Pangnyu Phom said.
The COVID-19 recovery rate in the state is 75.1 per cent. It had gone up to 87.82 per cent on August 8. The fresh cases have raised the state's caseload to 5,229.
"Out of 304 results received, 15 positive cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed 8 in Dimapur, 4 in Kohima and 1 each in Mokokchung, Tuensang and Mon," Mr Phom tweeted.
A day after 14 COVID-1 deaths, Goa Chief Minister appeals for better fight
A day after 14 people died of COVID-19 in Goa, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said the task at hand was to bring down the mortality rate to zero by ensuring people showing symptoms are admitted without delay.
He held a meeting here of health and revenue officials through video-conferencing, which was also attended by state health minister Vishwajit Rane.
It is the joint responsibility of the public and the government to ensure no one dies of the coronavirus infection, the CM said, adding that the state''s hospitals had enough beds for patients, and asked families not to avoid hospitalisation of kin showing symptoms.
Delhi Assembly's main hall sanitised after 2 MLAs test COVID-19 positive
Delhi Assembly's main hall has been thoroughly sanitised and those who came in contact with the two COVID-19 positive legislators have been asked to take preventive measures, officials said on Tuesday.
Two AAP MLAs, who tested negative for COVID-19 when they underwent the mandatory rapid antigen test on Monday ahead of the one-day session, attended the proceedings but later left the House after reports of their previous RT-PCR test came positive in the evening, they said.
"The Assembly hall has been sanitised thoroughly. All the members and officers who came into contact with MLAs Vishesh Ravi and Parmila Tokas have been advised to take adequate precautionary measures," a senior official of the Delhi Assembly secretariat said.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister tests positive for COVID-19
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu says he tested positive for COVID-19; currently in home isolation in New Delhi.
Gujarat BJP chief, state spokesperson recover from COVID-19
Gujarat BJP unit president CR Paatil on Tuesday said he recovered from COVID-19 disease and will be discharged on Wednesday. Mr Paatil tweeted that his latest RT-PCR test report returned negative.
"My RT-PCR report came negative today and I will be given discharge on Wednesday. I want to thank everyone who prayed for my recovery," he tweeted.
Mr Paatil was admitted at a private hospital in Gandhinagar on September 9 after testing positive for coronavirus.
Three COVID-19 vaccines at clinical trial stage in India: ICMR
Three COVID-19 vaccines are at a clinical trial stage in the country and two indigenous vaccine candidates have completed phase one trial, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) DG Dr Balram Bhargava said on Tuesday.
"Three vaccines are at the clinical trial stage in India. Zydus Cadila and Bharat Biotech have completed phase-I trials. Results are being analysed. They have started recruitment for the second phase," Dr Bhargava said.
"Serum Institute of India (SII) has completed phase II-B3 trials. They took seven days break and will start phase-III trial (with 1,500 patients at 14 locations) after clearances," he added.
14-29 lakh COVID-19 cases, 37,000-78,000 deaths prevented by lockdown: Government
The government prevented 14-29 lakh coronavirus cases and 37,000-78,000 deaths due to the disease by imposing the nationwide lockdown that was announced on March 24, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.
Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said the World Health Organisation (WHO) has observed, with regard to the lockdown measures taken by the government, that India's response to COVID-19 has been pre-emptive, pro-active and graded with high-level political commitment and a "whole government" approach to respond to the pandemic.
"It has been estimated that the decision of lockdown, by slowing down the progress of pandemic in India, has prevented 14-29 lakh cases and 37,000-78,000 deaths," he said in reply to a written question.
371 more COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra police
As many as 371 Maharashtra police personnel tested positive for the novel coronavirus, while eight succumbed to the infection in the last 24 hours, the Maharashtra police informed in a press statement on Tuesday.
So far, a total of 19,756 police officers have contracted the infection, out of which 202, including 20 officers, have died.
While 15,830 policemen have recovered from the infection, 3,724 at present are undergoing treatment at various hospitals in the state.
As COVID-19 cases spike, Madhya Pradesh Assembly session curtailed
The duration of the next week's Madhya Pradesh Assembly session has been reduced to one day from three days as decided earlier due to rise in the COVID-19 cases, an official said on Tuesday.
The proceedings will be conducted in the presence of the minimum number of MLAs required for the quorum, he said.
Pro-tem Speaker Rameshwar Sharma said 40 MLAs have tested positive for coronavirus so far while the number of new cases in the state is rising. These decisions were taken at an all-party meeting held here, said the official of the MP State Assembly Secretariat.
Madhya Pradesh Congress MLA Govardhan Dangi dies of COVID-19 at Gurugram hospital
Madhya Pradesh Congress MLA Govardhan Dangi died of coronavirus at a private hospital in Gurugram on Tuesday morning after a three-week battle with the virus.
Mr Dangi, an MLA from the Biaora constituency, had himself tested for the novel coronavirus in mid-August after both his wife and son tested positive for the pathogen. Later, his COVID-19 test report also came positive, following which he was admitted to a Bhopal hospital.
He was later shifted to a private hospital in Gurugram after his health did not improve while receiving treatment at the Bhopal hospital.
Uttar Pradesh records highest 113 fresh coronavirus deaths
Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday recorded the highest single-day spike in COVID-19 deaths with 113 people succumbing to the infection in the last 24 hours, raising the total fatalities due to it to 4,604, said officials.
The number of people testing positive for the infection on Tuesday stood at 6,895, taking the overall figure 3,24,036, they said.
"The count of active COVID-19 cases in the state stands at 67,335 while 2,52,097 people have recovered till date. The death figure in the state has reached 4,604," Additional Chief Secretary (Medical and Health) Amit Mohan Prasad told reporters.
Australia Coronavirus News: Country Reports No Coronavirus Deaths For First Time In Two Months Social distancing arrangements underway in Uttarakhand Assembly: Official
Uttarakhand Assembly Secretary (Officiating) Mukesh Singhal has said that social distancing arrangements are being done in the assembly hall in view of the assembly session which is set to begin from September 23.
Singhal said, "Only those MLAs will be allowed in the assembly whose COVID-19 test report is negative. Social distancing arrangements are being done in the assembly hall."
Till now, 10 MLAs in Uttarakhand have tested positive for COVID-19.
Hong Kong to open bars, pools and theme parks after mass testing
Hong Kong will reopen bars, swimming pools and theme parks from Friday as it relaxes coronavirus restrictions after the testing of nearly two million people in a programme organised by the Chinese government found 42 cases.
The announcement by the city's health secretary, Sophia Chan, comes days after the Chinese special administrative region reopened gyms and entertainment venues and increased the number of people allowed to gather to four.
The ban on gatherings of more than four people remains in place as does a ban on people visiting public beaches as authorities called for vigilance.
"We appeal to the public to not be complacent and let down their guard," Chan said.
Re-purposed hydroxychloroquine being used for mild, moderate COVID-19 cases: Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan
Re-purposed hydroxychloroquine is being used for mild but high risk and moderate COVID-19 cases, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.
According to the data shared by the minister, the Department of Pharmaceuticals has increased the production of hydroxychloroquine manifold and the health ministry has issued 10.84 crore tablets of the drug to states and union territories as on September 11.
"India has also exported it (hydroxychloroquine) to more than 140 countries," Mr Vardhan said.
He also said there is a plan to conduct trial of ayurvedic medicines such as aswagandha, guduchi, pippali etc to prevent people from getting infected from COVID-19.
India's COVID-19 recovery rate crosses 78 per cent, nearly half of active cases concentrated in 3 states: Health Ministry
India has continued to post an upward trajectory of COVID-19 recovery rate, which reached 78.28 per cent on Tuesday, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said.
An official statement by the ministry said close to half (48.8 per cent) of the active cases are concentrated in three states namely Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh
"India continues to post a very high number of daily recoveries. The continuous upward trajectory of India''s recovery rate has touched 78.28 per cent today. 79,292 have recovered and discharged in the last 24 hours. The total recovered cases stand at 38,59,399. The gap between recovered cases and active cases has crossed 28 lakh today (28,69,338)," the release stated.
COVID-19 lockdown prevented around 14 lakh to 29 lakh cases, 37,000 to 78,000 deaths: Harsh Vardhan
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Tuesday said countrywide COVID-19 lockdown prevented approximately 14 lakh to 29 lakh cases and 37,000 to 78,000 deaths.
Speaking at the Rajya Sabha, the health minister said, "Lockdown prevented approximately 14 lakh to 29 lakh cases and 37,000 to 78,000 deaths. These four months were utilised to create additional health infrastructure, enhance human resources and produce within India critical elements such as Personal Protective Equipment kits, N95 masks and ventilators."
He also said India has one of the lowest cases and deaths per million in the world.
"Happy And Relieved," Writes Preity Zinta After Third Negative COVID-19 Test In Dubai
Actress Preity Zinta, who flew to Dubai last week to attend the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020, has tested negative for COVID-19 for the third time. The actress is currently completing her quarantine time in a hotel in Dubai.
Sharing an update about her recent COVID-19 test, Preity posted a video of a healthcare worker performing a swab test on her and wrote: "3rd COVID test was done and the result was negative. I'm so happy and relieved and grateful to this wonderful lady for being gentle while testing cause it's quite an experience getting a COVID test." She added: "Now two more tests to go and 2 more days in quarantine. I've been so jet lagged that I got my quarantine days wrong. It's day 5 of quarantine today." Preity is the co-owner of the IPL team Kings XI Punjab.
Australia reports no virus deaths for first time in two months
Australia recorded zero new coronavirus deaths for the first time in two months on Tuesday, as a slowdown in new cases allowed a crippling lockdown in its second-biggest city to be eased.
Just 50 fresh virus cases were reported nationwide -- down from peaks above 700 in late July and early August -- while no fatalities were registered for the first time since July 13, according to an AFP tally.
The news came a day after a strict lockdown of Melbourne was loosened, allowing residents to spend an extra hour a day exercising outside and visiting friends living alone.
In surrounding Victoria state, locals will be able to leave their homes and businesses can reopen from midnight Wednesday after rural case numbers dipped.
Ten more deaths, 2,058 fresh COVID-19 cases in Telangana
Telangana recorded 2,058 new COVID-19 cases and ten related fatalities, pushing the tally of infections to 1.60 lakh in the state.
Out of the fresh cases, 277 were reported from the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), followed by Rangareddy 143, Karimnagar 135, Warangal Urban 108, Siddipet 106, and Khammam 103 districts, a state government bulletin said on Tuesday, providing data as of 8 PM on September 14.
As 10 more people succumbed to the disease, the toll rose to 984.
COVID-19: Demand made in Rajya Sabha for using term physical distancing instead of social distancing
A demand was made in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday for using the term ''physical distancing'' for fighting COVID-19 on the grounds that the use of the term ''social distancing'' was promoting social stigma of coronavirus patients and their families.
Agreeing to the suggestion, Chairman Venkaiah Naidu said an appropriate term should be used and suggested ''safe distancing'' .
In a special mention made in the Upper House, Trinamool Congress leader Shantanu Sen said the term ''social distancing'' is regularly used to avoid the spread of coronavirus.
"Actually, it is physical distancing of nearly six feet between two persons. On the contrary, the use of the term social distancing has promoted social stigma which has led to nearly an attitude of boycotting of COVID patients socially," he said.
Health secretary, 10-year-old girl among 40 new COVID-19 cases in Mizoram
Mizoram's COVID-19 tally increased to 1,468 as 40 more people, including state health secretary and a 10-year-old girl, have tested positive for the disease, an official said on Tuesday.
Of the fresh cases, 35 were reported from Aizawl, two from Hnahthial and one each from Lunglei, Khawzawl and Lawngtlai districts, he said.
"State Health Secretary H Lalengmawia, a 10-year-old girl from Aizawl and an employee of the Border Security Force from Lunglei are among new patients. Twenty-three fresh cases were detected during contact tracing," the official said.
COVID-19: Uttarakhand requests Centre for 10,000 oxygen cylinders
Keeping the constant rise of COVID-19 cases in mind, the Uttarkhand government on Tuesday requested the Centre to provide 10 thousand oxygen cylinders.
These cylinders will be kept at the COVID care centres in the State so that they do not have to face a paucity of oxygen in the coming days.
According to the State Health Secretary, Amit Negi, there is an availability of 60-70 thousand cubic meters of oxygen in Uttarakhand but the State has put forth this demand to be ready for any situation in the coming days.
Gopi, a barber-shop owner in Kochi's Kathrikadavu, is giving free haircut to children up to 14 years of age, amid COVID-19 pandemic. He says, "I have 3 barbershops, offering free haircut in one of them. We'll give free haircut to older people too if they don't have money."
It will continue until this pandemic is over. The charge for a normal haircut is Rs 100. Even if someone does not have that much money, we'll receive whatever they give. People don't have money now. So, I came up with this idea as a fight for society against this pandemic: Gopi
176 new cases push Arunachal Pradesh's COVID-19 tally to 6,298
The COVID-19 tally in Arunachal Pradesh rose to 6,298 as 176 more people, including nine security personnel, have tested positive for the disease, an official said on Tuesday.
The number of deaths rose to 11 in the northeastern state after a 50-year-old man, who was working at a primary health centre near here, succumbed to the infection, State Surveillance Officer Dr L Jampa said.
"The man had tested positive for the disease on September 3 and was in home isolation. He was admitted to the Tezpur Medical College in Assam on September 6 after his health condition worsened. He died on September 11. He was suffering from acute respiratory distress syndrome," he said.
Rs 5,462 lakhs released under Central schemes to help artists during COVID-19: Culture Ministry
A total of Rs 5,462.69 lakhs in funds had been released under several Central government schemes to help the artist community during the COVID-19 pandemic phase, according to the Union Ministry of Culture.
According to the written reply given by Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Culture and Tourism, Prahlad Singh Patel in the Lok Sabha on Monday, the zonal cultural centres (ZCCs) also provided financial assistance of Rs. 927.83 lakhs to the artists during this phase.
JustIn| Coronavirus cases in India cross 49-lakh mark with 83,809 fresh cases, COVID-19 deaths cross 80,000
China Coronavirus Vaccine May Be Ready For Public In November: Official
Coronavirus vaccines being developed in China may be ready for use by the general public as early as November, an official with the China Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said.
China has four COVID-19 vaccines in the final stage of clinical trials. At least three of those have already been offered to essential workers under an emergency use programme launched in July.
Phase 3 clinical trials were proceeding smoothly and the vaccines could be ready for the general public in November or December, CDC chief biosafety expert Guizhen Wu said in an interview with state TV late on Monday.
Wu, who said she has experienced no abnormal symptoms in recent months after taking an experimental vaccine herself in April, did not specify which vaccines she was referring to.
AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine Trial In US On Hold Until At Least Midweek: Report
AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine trial remains on hold in the United States pending a U.S. investigation into a serious side effect in Britain even as other trials of the vaccine resume, sources familiar with the details told Reuters.
AstraZeneca on Saturday said it had restarted its trial in Britain after regulators completed their review of a serious side effect in one trial participant there.
This was the first indication that the U.S. trial will remain on hold until the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and a safety panel investigate the case.
Enrollment in the company's global trials of the vaccine, which it is developing with researchers at Oxford University, was put on pause on Sept. 6.
Record one-day increases in COVID-19 cases in seven US states in September
Seven U.S. states have reported record one-day increases in COVID-19 cases so far this month even as the average daily number of new infections is falling nationally.
Nationwide, about 35,000 new infections are reported on average each day, down from a peak in July of about 70,000 a day, according to a Reuters analysis of state and county data.
China locks down city on Myanmar border over coronavirus
China has locked down a city on the border with Myanmar and will launch a mass coronavirus testing programme, officials said Tuesday, after a handful of infections were detected there.
The three cases were found in the city of Ruili in western Yunnan province, a major land border crossing point with neighbouring Myanmar.
City officials said in a statement Tuesday that residents were being told to stay home and people had been forbidden from entering or leaving the city from Monday evening.
They said every resident would be tested for the virus in Ruili, which is home to more than 210,000 people.
UAE Allows Health Staff To Take Emergency Covid Vaccine Still Under Trial
The United Arab Emirates on Monday granted emergency approval for use of a coronavirus vaccine, six weeks after human trials in the Gulf Arab state started.
A phase III trial of a COVID-19 inactivated vaccine developed by Chinese state-owned pharmaceutical company Sinopham began in the UAE in July and is yet to be completed.
"The vaccine will be available to our first line of defense heroes who are at the highest risk of contracting the virus," said the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority in a tweet. Read more
Sent Medical Supplies While Some Nations Took "Advantage" Of Covid: India
Without naming Pakistan and China, India on Monday said some countries are "busy" taking undue advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic by increasing support to terrorism or to adopt aggressive policies, New Delhi has focussed on immediately extending medical assistance and supporting countries vulnerable to the pandemic.
The remarks by India's Permanent Representative to the UN TS Tirumurti came while addressing the 3rd anniversary of the India-UN Development Partnership Fund at India's Permanent Mission to the UN.
The Fund, established in 2017, has so far supported 59 projects in 48 countries, through $47.8 million in contributions from a $150 million multi-year pledge by India.
"At a time when some countries are busy taking undue advantage of COVID-19 to spread divisive disinformation or to enhance even more their support to terrorism or to adopt aggressive policies, India's answer has been to immediately come to the support of countries vulnerable to the pandemic, rush urgently needed medical supplies, strengthen national health capacities and mitigate the diverse socio-economic impact of this crisis," Mr Tirumurti said.
Chinese Scientist Says Covid Came From Government Lab In Wuhan: Report
In a stunning revelation, a Chinese virologist has claimed that the coronavirus was created in a government-controlled laboratory in Wuhan, the original epicentre of the outbreak.
The scientist also offered scientific evidence to back her claims.
In an exclusive conversation with ''Loose Women'', a British talk show, scientist Dr Li-Meng Yan said she was assigned to investigate "new pneumonia" in Wuhan. She said that she discovered a cover-up operation regarding coronavirus during her investigation. Read more
Coronavirus update: With 414 new COVID-19 patients, Puducherry reports total 20,226 cases
Puducherry reported 414 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, taking the total number of cases to 20,226, said Health Department, Government of Puducherry.
The Union Territory also reported 447 discharges and nine deaths yesterday, ANI reported.
Coronavirus update: J&K administration provides 8 more ventilators to Government Medical College Baramulla
The Jammu and Kashmir administration has provided eight more ventilators to the Government Medical College Baramulla, the nodal hospital treating COVID-19 patients not only in the district but the entire North Kashmir.
