India Coronavirus Cases: The COVID-19 case fatality rate was recorded at 1.49 per cent (Representational)
Up to 50,210 fresh COVID-19 cases in India, 8.5% higher than yesterday; 83.64 lakh total cases so far, with 1,24,315 deaths in all recorded till now - 704 in the past 24 hours alone. Up to 77,11,809 have recovered across the country till now, with over 55,000 in the past 24 hours alone. All this is based on a cumulative 11,42,08,384 samples tested up to Wednesday.
The average number of deaths per day has also fallen in the past seven weeks, from up to 1,165 between September 16 and 22 to 513 between October 28 and November 3, Health Ministry data shows.
Delhi recorded its highest ever daily spike with 6,842 new cases in the past 24 hours - the second straight day crossing 6,000. On Wednesday, it had recorded its second-highest daily cases at 6,725.
Meanwhile, more than 99,000 coronavirus cases were recorded in the United States in the past 24 hours, a new daily record, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.
The country reported 99,660 new infections between 8:30 pm Tuesday and 8:30 pm Wednesday (0130 GMT), and 1,112 deaths, the tally by the Baltimore-based school showed a day after American's went voted to choose their next president.
More than 9.4 million people have been infected and 2,33,000 have died in the US so far during the pandemic, by far the worst tolls in absolute terms globally.
Here are the Highlights on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Cases:
China bans more foreign arrivals for fear of coronavirus resurgence
China on Thursday defended a ban on non-Chinese arrivals from a growing list of countries as "reasonable and fair" as it guards against a resurgence of the coronavirus.
The Chinese embassy in the UK on Wednesday said Beijing had decided to "temporarily suspend" entry from Britain by non-Chinese nationals.
Embassies in Belgium, the Philippines, India, Ukraine and Bangladesh have since put out similar notices.
Covid-19 first emerged in central China late last year, but Beijing has largely brought its outbreak under control through tight travel restrictions and stringent health measures for anyone entering the country.
AstraZeneca Expects COVID-19 Vaccine Data This YearAstraZeneca, the British drugmaker working on one of the world's leading COVID-19 vaccine candidates, beat third-quarter sales estimates on Thursday and reiterated it expects data from late-stage trials of the vaccine later this year.
Denmark imposes restrictions on 280,000 people to fight virus mutation
Denmark announced special restrictions for more than 280,000 people in the country's northwest on Thursday after a mutated version of the new coronavirus linked to mink farms was found in humans.
Copenhagen warned that the mutation could threaten the effectiveness of any future vaccine.
"From tonight, citizens in seven areas of north Jutland are strongly encouraged to stay in their area to prevent the spread of infection," Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told a news conference.
Bengal records highest one-day recovery of 4,187 COVID patients
West Bengal on Thursday registered the highest single-day recovery of 4,187 COVID-19 patients, taking the total number of cured people to 3,50,449, the health department said in a bulletin.
The discharge rate is now 89.05 per cent, it said.
The death count mounted to 7,122 with 54 more fatalities. The bulletin said that 3,948 people tested positive for the infection pushing the tally to 3,93,524.
UK PM appeals for unity as country enters new lockdown
Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday called for a united effort to tackle spiking coronavirus infection rates, as 56 million people in England went into a second lockdown but with the public weary of restrictions and fearing for their livelihoods.
Renewed stay-at-home restrictions and business closures are set to last for four weeks yet have been met with scepticism that they can halt the worst death toll from the virus in Europe.
"While it pains me to have to ask once again for so many to give up so much, I know that, together, we can get through this," said Johnson, whose government sets health policy in England.
Paris bans nighttime food and drink delivery to tackle worsening COVID-19 crisis
Paris will ban delivery and takeaway services for prepared food and alcohol between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. from Friday to limit the spread of the coronavirus, which has infected a record number of 58,046 people nationally over 24 hours on Thursday.
The police prefecture also said the sale and consumption of alcoholic drinks in public spaces would be banned at night starting on Friday.
President Emmanuel Macron imposed a new lockdown last month, forcing non-essential shops - such as those not selling basic foods or medicines - to close, and making people use signed documents to justify being out on the streets.
Andaman and Nicobar reports 14 new COVID-19 cases and 12 recoveries today.
Total number of cases in the Union Territory now at 4,403 including 168 active cases, 60 deaths and 4,175 recoveries: Andaman and Nicobar Administration
Assam reports 313 new COVID-19 cases and 761 discharges today.
Total cases in the State rise to 2,08,054, including 1,99,455 discharges and 934 deaths. Active cases at 7,662: State Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma
Jharkhand reports 355 new COVID-19 cases and 484 recoveries today. Total number of cases now at 1,03,543 including 97,964 recoveries, 894 deaths and 4,685 active cases: State Health Department
Delhi Seeks More ICU Beds As Centre Asks Capital To Increase RT-PCR TestsUnion Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan today met with Delhi's Health Minister Satyendar Jain, its Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal and other officials to discuss the national capital's spike in coronavirus cases over the last two days. The capital has recorded over 6,000 cases of coronavirus on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Union minister has asked the Delhi government to conduct more RT-PCR tests and improve its Antigen to RT-PCR ratio while the Delhi government has asked the Centre for more ICU beds in AIIMS and other central government hospitals.
India's coronavirus recovery rate is currently more than 92% while that of Delhi is 89%, the Union minister pointed out at the meeting. The national death rate is 1.49% while that of Delhi is 1.71%.
Air Pollution Contributes 15% To Covid Mortality, Green Court InformedAir pollution is an important cofactor increasing the risk of mortality from COVID-19 as per latest research, the National Green Tribunal was informed on Thursday.
Senior advocate Raj Panjawani and advocate Shibhani Ghosh, who have been appointed by the tribunal as amicus curiae in a case related to ban on fire crackers, told a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice A K Goel that particulate air pollution contributed 15 per cent to COVID-19 mortality worldwide.
"The latest research on exposure to air pollution and risk of death from COVID-19 infection suggests that "air pollution is an important cofactor increasing the risk of mortality from COVID- 19"," they said.
"The study also states that this finding should provide "extra motivation for combining ambitious policies to reduce air pollution with measures to control the transmission of COVID- 19''. The study estimates that particulate air pollution contributed 15 per cent to COVID-19 mortality worldwide," they added.
The amicus curiae referred to a study by Andrea Pozzer and others -- "Regional and global contributions of air pollution to risk of death from COVID-19" -- and sought suspension of all licences issued by any authority for sale of all kinds of firecrackers.
Delhi Battling Dual Crises Of Pollution And CoronavirusThe national capital is reeling from the double impact of the coronavirus and severe air pollution, New Delhi's Chief Minister warned Thursday, as the megacity reported a record jump in cases and its worst smog in a year.
With fears growing about rising infections, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also banned firecrackers from being used this month during Diwali, the biggest festival on the Hindu calendar.
The air quality index -- measuring the tiny particles which enter the bloodstream and vital organs -- was at its most dangerous since last November, according to the state-run System of Air Quality Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR).
The toxic haze blanketing Delhi, which regularly turns the city of 20 million people into the world's most-polluted, came as officials late Wednesday reported a new daily-high of 6,842 virus infections in the capital.
WHO-Led Covid Drug Scheme Doubles Down On Antibodies, Steroids And Shuns RemdesivirA World Health Organization-led scheme to supply COVID-19 drugs to poor countries is betting on experimental monoclonal antibody treatments and steroids but is shunning Gilead's remdesivir blockbuster therapy, an internal document shows.
The WHO draft document, seen by Reuters and dated Oct. 30, says the priorities are to secure monoclonal antibodies in a tight market and to boost purchases and distribution of cheap steroid dexamethasone, of which it has already booked nearly 3 million courses of treatment for poorer countries.
Monoclonal antibodies are manufactured copies of antibodies created by the body to fight an infection.
India Plans Early Vaccine Launch As Oxford University Deliveries Run LateIndia raced ahead with work on its coronavirus vaccine while Britain's AstraZeneca said its deliveries were running "a little bit late" as countries around the world sought to conquer the pandemic and rescue their economies.
A vaccine is seen as the world's best bet for taming a virus that has infected more than 48 million people, led to more than 1.2 million deaths, roiled economies and disrupted billions of lives since it was first identified in China in December.
Australia is beefing up its prospective arsenal against the pandemic to 135 million doses of various vaccine candidates.
"We aren't putting all our eggs in one basket," Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Thursday.
COVID-19: 28 More Deaths, 1,879 New Cases In Uttar PradeshThe COVID-19 death count in Uttar Pradesh reached 7,131 after 28 more people succumbed to the disease, while 1,879 fresh cases pushed the tally to 4,91,354, Principal Secretary, Medical and Health, Alok Kumar said on Thursday.
There are 23,150 active cases in the state, of which 10,303 are in home isolation, he said.
A total of 4,61,073 people have recuperated from the infection so far and the state''s recovery rate stands at 92 per cent.
Additional Chief Secretary, Information, Navneet Sehgal said though the number of positive cases being detected from most places in UP is gradually coming down, there are reports of rise in cases in districts adjoining Delhi.
He said there is an urgent need to take all necessary precautions, including frequent hand washing, use of masks and social distancing, especially during the festive season.
Firecrackers Banned In Delhi, Says Chief Minister Arvind KejriwalFirecrackers will be banned in Delhi in view of the rising coronavirus cases in the capital, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced today on Twitter.
Mr Kejriwal said after reviewing the pandemic situation in Delhi it was found there has been a spike in COVID-19 cases after festivals, such as the recently concluded Durga Puja and Dussehra, and due to air pollution.
In view of this, the chief minister tweeted, the Delhi government has taken several steps to counter the rising cases.
Dharavi Reports Single COVID-19 Case On Second Consecutive DayThe COVID-19 tally in Mumbai slum colony of Dharavi increased to 3,570 with the addition of one new case on Thursday, a senior BMC official said.
This was the second consecutive day when the slum-dominated area has reported just one COVID-19 case.
The official said 3,182 COVID-19 patients in Dharavi have already recovered and discharged from hospitals, leaving just 78 active cases in the densely populated area.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has stopped sharing COVID-19 death figures from the locality.
Spread across 2.5 square km, Dharavi has a population of over 6.5 lakh.
Rise in COVID-19 cases in Delhi due to festival season, pollution; government to ramp up medical infra, add ICU beds in hospitals: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal
Delhi government has decided to ban firecrackers, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal says after a review of COVID-19 situation ahead of Diwali.
Calcutta High Court Bans Firecrackers On Kali Puja Amid COVID-19The Calcutta High Court on Thursday banned the use and sale of firecrackers on Kali Puja in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak.
A division bench of justices Sanjib Banerjee and Arijit Banerjee gave the direction while hearing two Public Interest Litigations (PILs).
Kali Puja is on November 15.
The court directed that the ban will also be in force during Jagaddhatri Puja, Chhath and Kartik Puja.
The court said that guidelines, which were in place during Durga Puja such as no entry to pandals, will also be in effect during Kali Puja.
The bench lauded the state government for effectively implementing the court-directed guidelines on Durga Puja.
It asked the police to ensure that the norms are strictly enforced on Kali Puja as well.
Fifteen people will be allowed in the Kali Puja pandals having an area up to 300 sq metres, and 45 persons in the bigger ones, the court said.
The bench also disallowed procession during immersion.
COVID-19 Live Updates: Culture Ministry Issues Guidelines For Reopening Museums, Art Galleries, ExhibitionsThe Ministry of Culture on Thursday issued guidelines for re-opening of museums, art galleries and exhibitions chalking out measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.
While it has made sanitization of premises at regular intervals and wearing of masks by all visitors mandatory, the standard operating procedures (SoPs) have also barred use of audio guides unless they can be disinfected after every use.
The guidelines state that lift operations are to be limited, preferably reserved for physically challenged or elderly persons.
It has also advised limited use of touch-based digital technology except in cases where disinfection can be ensured after every use.
UK Minister Warns Of Tough Fines As England Enters Second LockdownThe UK government on Thursday reminded people about the tough fines in place over severe breaches as England entered its second stay-at-home lockdown in order to try and control the rapid spread of COVID-19 infections, expected to last at least until December 2.
UK Justice Secretary Robert Buckland said that while the police forces of the country will continue to follow the principle of policing by consent, they would respond to "egregious breaches" and hand out fines where necessary. Under the legal requirements in place, people have been told to stay at home unless leaving for work if they can't work from home or to shop for essentials or a form of daily exercise.
All non-essential shops, pubs, bars, restaurants and gyms have been ordered to close and households are also banned from mixing indoors or in private gardens, unless in a so-called "support bubble". There is a 200 pounds fine for each breach which doubles on every offence up to a maximum of 6,400 pounds and organisers of large gatherings face a 10,000 pounds fine.
"Where a more intense intervention is needed then the police will be involved and of course the fine structure is still in force," Buckland told the BBC.
Global Economic Fallout Of COVID-19 Will Continue To Remain A Challenge: Foreign Secretaryhe global economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic will continue to remain a challenge and India has been looking at it not as constraints but as an opportunity for its economy as well as rebalancing of the international system, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said on Thursday.
In an address at a virtual seminar, Mr Shringla also said India is committed towards working for a rules-based international order underpinned by rule of law, transparency, freedom of navigation, respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, and peaceful resolution of disputes.
The comments came in the backdrop of China's growing expansionist behaviour in eastern Ladakh, South China Sea and Indo-Pacific region.
"Our objective remains advancing the security and economic interests of all countries," he said at the seminar organised by the National Defence College.
Puducherry Reports 125 Fresh COVID-19 Cases, One FatalityThe union territory of Puducherry added 125 fresh COVID-19 cases taking the overall tally to 35,550 while one death pushed the count close to 600, a top Health department official said on Thursday.
The new coronavirus cases were detected at the end of the examination of 4,110 samples during last 24 hours ending 10 AM, raising the overall tally to 35,550 after transfer of four cases to Tamil Nadu, the Director of Health and Family Welfare S Mohan Kumar said in a release.
One person hailing from the Puducherry region died due to Covid pneumonia, taking the count to 598.
Learnings From COVID-19 Pandemic Response Can Transform Governance: S JaishankarExternal Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday said the learnings from the COVID-19 pandemic response if applied creatively and imaginatively, can transform governance in many societies.
Speaking at the virtual India-Nordic-Baltic Conclave under the theme "An Innovation-driven Partnership for Growth in a New World", Mr Jaishankar said, "Learnings from the pandemic response if applied creatively and imaginatively can transform governance in many societies. We have direct experience of providing direct financial and material support to our citizens in this period perhaps on a scale unprecedented."
He further said the real takeaway from this experience is the "importance and ability to respond to the rising expectations of an aspirational society".
"Where public health was concerned our ability to manufacture required items was only matched by the establishment of dedicated treatment facilities. All of this was underpinned by an amazing societal discipline and public awareness, the results of awareness and motivation. The real takeaway from this experience is the importance and ability to respond to the rising expectations of an aspirational society," he said.
"Not Alarming", Says Andhra Official After 262 Students Test Covid +veAs many as 262 students and about 160 teachers tested positive in Andhra Pradesh during the past three days after schools were reopened on November 2 for class 9 and 10 students, a senior official of the school education said today.
Commissioner of School Education V Chinna Veerabhadrudu said the figure is not alarming when compared to the number of students attending the schools, though every care is being taken to ensure COVID-19 safety protocols are in place in every institution.
"Yesterday (November 4) around four lakh students attended schools. There were 262 positive cases. It is not even 0.1 per cent. It is not correct to say that they were affected due to their attendance to schools. We ensure that each school room has only 15 or 16 students," the official told news agency Press Trust of India, adding "It is not alarming."
Ban Use Of Disinfectants And Ultra Violet Rays On Humans: Supreme Court To CentreThe Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Centre to ban within a month the use of disinfectant tunnels, fumigation, sprays, and ultraviolet rays on human beings as part of tackling COVID-19.
The order from a bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan came as a response to a public interest litigation filed by law student Gursimran Singh Narula who sought a complete ban on usage, productions, advertisement, and installation of the sanitisation tunnels. These tunnels involve spraying of disinfectants on people who pass through it.
The Centre had earlier informed the court that using disinfectant tunnels was not recommended, and it was clinically and psychologically harmful for humans. On September 7, the top court had asked the Centre why it had not banned their use despite this stand.
Norway imposes new restrictions to limit virus spread
Norwegians should avoid travelling within the Nordic country, Prime Minister Erna Solberg said on Thursday, as part of a fresh round of recommendations and restrictions aimed at stopping the spread of the coronavirus
The number of cases has risen in many parts of Norway with last week's number setting a new record in infections in a country which long had one of Europe's lowest rate of infections.
Philippines logs 1,594 new COVID-19 infections, total nears 390,000
The Philippines' Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday reported 1,594 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number in the country to 389,725.
The DOH said 468 more patients recovered, raising the total number of recoveries to 349,543. The deaths climbed to 7,409 after 42 more patients died from the virus, the DOH added.
Russia records 19,404 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours
Russia has registered 19,404 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, which brings the cumulative total to 1,712,858, the federal response center said Thursday.
In the same period, 292 patients with the coronavirus have died and 12,238 have been cleared by doctors.
Moscow recorded 5,255 new cases, St. Petersburg 1,093, the Moscow region 588. On Wednesday, Russia reported a daily increase of 19,768 cases, including 5,826 in Moscow.
AstraZeneca expects COVID-19 vaccine data this year
AstraZeneca, the British drugmaker working on one of the world's leading COVID-19 vaccine candidates, beat third-quarter sales estimates on Thursday and reiterated it expects data from late-stage trials of the vaccine later this year.
The company has taken on the development of Oxford University's potential COVID-19 vaccine, scoring billions in funding and signing multiple deals to supply over three billion doses to countries around the world
Colombia's COVID-19 deaths surpass 32,000
Colombia's COVID-19 deaths climbed to 32,013 after 166 more fatalities were reported over the past day, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection said Wednesday.
The COVID-19 infections have reached 1,108,084 after tests detected 8,692 new cases in the last 24 hours, the ministry said. So far, 1,002,202 people have recovered from the disease, it added.
Switzerland to allocate additional $219 million to support business amid COVID-19
The Swiss government will allocate an additional 200 million francs ($219.4 million) to help companies cope with the difficult economic situation in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Council said in a statement.
The money, in particular, will be used to pay guarantees, loans, or gratuitous contributions. Loans, sureties, and guarantees will have a maximum duration of 10 years.
602 new COVID-19 cases in Thane, 13 more deaths
The COVID-19 tally in Maharashtra's Thane district reached 2,13,762 with the addition of 602 new cases of the viral infection, an official said on Thursday.
The district also reported 13 deaths due to COVID-19 on Wednesday, taking the number to 5,401, he said.
There are currently 8,247 active coronavirus cases in the district, while 2,00,114 patients have recovered from the infection, he said. The COVID-19 recovery rate in the district is 93.62 per cent, while the mortality rate stands at 2.53 per cent.
Rome Mayor tests COVID-19 positive
The Mayor of Rome, Virginia Raggi, said she had contracted the asymptomatic form of the novel coronavirus disease.
"I want to inform you that last week I spoke to a person who tested positive for COVID-19 today," she wrote on her Facebook page.
According to Raggi, after the identified infection, she feels well and has no symptoms. She plans to work from home in isolation.
Arunachal Pradesh reports 77 new COVID-19 cases
Arunachal Pradesh's COVID-19 tally rose to 15,160 on Thursday as 77 more people tested positive for the infection, a senior health official said.
A coronavirus patient died due to the infection, pushing the state's COVID-19 deaths to 43, he said. The 60-year-old man, also suffering from chronic liver ailment with hepatic encephalopathy, died at a COVID health centre in Tirap district's Khonsa on Tuesday, State Surveillance Officer (SSO) Dr Lobsang Jampa said.
The Capital Complex region reported the highest number of new cases at 21, followed by Upper Subansiri (eight) and Upper Siang (seven), he said.
Mizoram records 65 new Covid-19 cases
As many as 65 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Mizoram in the last 24 hours, according to the State Ministry of Information and Public Relations (I&PR) on Thursday.
The total count of coronavirus cases have reached 2,958 with 521 active cases, while 2,435 patients have been discharged/migrated so far in the state. Two persons have died due to the disease in Mizoram to date.
Australia signs two more COVID-19 vaccine deals
Australia signed two deals on Thursday to buy 40 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines from Novavax and 10 million from Pfizer and BioNTech as the country's virus hot spot reported zero cases for the sixth straight day.
Thursday's agreements follow deals in September worth A$1.7 billion ($1.22 billion) with AstraZeneca and CSL Ltd for a total of nearly 85 million vaccine doses.
Telangana adds 1,539 new COVID-19 cases
Telangana reported 1,539 new COVID-19 cases taking the tally to 2,45,682 while five more deaths pushed the number to 1,362, the state government said on Thursday.
Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) accounted for the most number of cases with 285, followed by Rangareddy (123) and Medchal Malkajgiri (102) districts, it said in a bulletin, providing data as of 8 PM on November 4.
As many as18,656 are under treatment and 44,327 samples were tested on November 3. Cumulatively 44,84,183 samples have been tested. The samples tested per million population was 1,20,477, the bulletin said.
China reports 28 new coronavirus cases on Novemebr 4
China reported 28 new confirmed coronavirus cases on November 4, compared to 17 a day earlier, the country's health authority said on Thursday. Of the total, 20 were imported infections, the National Health Commission said.
There were 24 new asymptomatic cases discovered on Wednesday, down from 128 a daily earlier.
Total confirmed cases in mainland China have now reached 86,115, with the number of deaths unchanged at 4,634.
Mexico registers 635 more coronavirus deaths, bringing total to 93,228
Mexico's health ministry reported on Wednesday 5,225 additional cases of the novel coronavirus and 635 more deaths, bringing the official number of cases to 943,630 and the deaths to 93,228.
Health officials have said the real number of infected people is likely significantly higher than the confirmed cases
Assam reports 380 new COVID-19 cases
Three hundred and eighty new cases of the novel coronavirus and 655 discharges were reported on Wednesday in Assam. "The total cases in the state has risen to 2,07,741," State Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma informed.
Social distancing goes for a toss at Dehradun markets amid festive season
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, markets in Dehradun witnessed a heavy footfall on Wednesday, amid the festive season, while visibly compromising the social distancing norms.
Some customers were seen wearing masks in the market areas, however, a few people were seen with their face masks down to their chin.
Telangana Health Minister inaugurates COVID testing lab at GMR Hyderabad International Airport
Telangana State Health Minister Eatala Rajendar on Wednesday inaugurated the COVID-19 testing lab at GMR Hyderabad International Airport, giving travellers the added facility for a safe journey.
This testing facility ensures a safe journey of all passengers entering the city, scheduled for domestic connecting flights or international departing passengers.
As per Telangana state health regulations, all arriving international passengers having onward connections need to have a negative RT-PCR test certificate (done within 96 hours prior to the departure time) either from the port of origin or test done on arrival at Hyderabad International Airport to avoid institutional quarantine.