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New Delhi:
India today reported 38,628 new Covid cases, a drop of nearly 13 per cent from yesterday's 44,643 cases. The positivity rate stands at 2.21 per cent, less than 3 per cent for last 12 days.
With India crossing the 50-crore mark on Friday in the number of Covid vaccine doses administered, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the country's fight against the pandemic has received a "strong impetus".
Also, the weekly positivity rate, which is currently at 2.39 per cent, remained below 5 per cent.
Here are the LIVE updates on India coronavirus (COVID-19) cases:
Trinamool MP Santanu Sen takes jibe at Centre over vaccine shortage in Bengal
Taking a jibe at the Central government for handling the COVID-19 pandemic in a "non-serious" manner, Trinamool Congress MP Santanu Sen on Saturday said that the Prime Minister should be called a "Publicity Master", alleging that the Centre sold one vaccine at three different prices across the country.
Amid the ongoing vaccine shortage in West Bengal, the TMC leader slammed the Centre for its "faulty vaccine policy", and alleged that India's vaccine policy has been "condemned by the World Health Organisation and the Supreme Court".
Speaking to reporters, the TMC MP said, "The problem with the Central Government is that it was never serious in handling the COVID situation since the beginning. On January 16, when the vaccination started, there was not enough awareness among people and they refused to get vaccinated. By the time they understood the importance, there were not enough vaccines left.
Taking a jibe at the Central government for handling the COVID-19 pandemic in a "non-serious" manner, Trinamool Congress MP Santanu Sen on Saturday said that the Prime Minister should be called a "Publicity Master", alleging that the Centre sold one vaccine at three different prices across the country.
Amid the ongoing vaccine shortage in West Bengal, the TMC leader slammed the Centre for its "faulty vaccine policy", and alleged that India's vaccine policy has been "condemned by the World Health Organisation and the Supreme Court".
Speaking to reporters, the TMC MP said, "The problem with the Central Government is that it was never serious in handling the COVID situation since the beginning. On January 16, when the vaccination started, there was not enough awareness among people and they refused to get vaccinated. By the time they understood the importance, there were not enough vaccines left.
Delhi Reports 72 New Covid Cases, One Death In Last 24 Hours
The national capital recorded 72 fresh COVID-19 cases and one death due to the disease on Saturday, while the positivity rate rose to 0.10 per cent, according to data shared by the health department in New Delhi.
This is a marked increase in the number of daily cases, as 44 cases were reported in the city on Friday.
The coronavirus death count in the city has now risen to 25,066, according to the latest health bulletin.
On Friday, five deaths were also reported, while the positivity rate had stood at 0.06 per cent, according to official figures.
On Thursday, 61 cases with a positivity rate of 0.08 per cent, and two deaths were recorded.
No death due to COVID-19 was recorded in Delhi on Wednesday, while 67 fresh cases were reported with a positivity rate of 0.09 per cent.
This was the fifth time since the starting of the second wave of the pandemic in the national capital when zero fatality had been logged in a day.
On July 18, July 24, July 29 and August 2 too, no death due to COVID-19 was recorded, according to official data.
On March 2 this year, the national capital had reported zero death due to the virus. On that day, the number of single-day infections stood at 217 and the positivity rate was 0.33 per cent.
Delhi Gets 2 Lakh Vaccine Doses, Stock Rises To 8.81 Lakh Jabs
With the addition of two lakh vaccine doses, Delhi now has over 8.81 lakh jabs that would last for eight days, the Delhi government's vaccination bulletin showed today.
According to the bulletin, 83,833 vaccines were administered in the city on Friday, of which 59,824 were first doses and 34,009, second ones.
So far, 1,05,59,669 vaccine doses have been administered in the national capital, include 28,75,599 second jabs.
Non-Residents To Be Locked In On Return As Australia Toughens Border Curbs
Australia is making some of the world's toughest pandemic border curbs even tougher, by barring non-resident citizens who enter the country from leaving again to reduce pressure on a quarantine system that's being tested by the delta variant.
One of the few nations that banned citizens from leaving when the pandemic hit, Australia's government amended the border policy Thursday to close a loophole allowing expatriates to visit home and leave the country again without applying for an exemption from the ban.
Now, those hoping to return to their residences abroad will have to demonstrate to the Australian Border Force Commissioner a "compelling reason for needing to leave Australian territory."
The amendment takes effect Aug. 11 and could end up forcing some expats planning long-awaited visits home to rethink their plans. It could also leave immediate families separated if not all members traveled to Australia at the same time.
Over 51.66 Crore COVID-19 Vaccine Doses Provided To States: Centre
The Ministry of Health said on Saturday that more than 51.66 crore vaccine doses have been provided to states and union territories so far, through all sources and a further 55,52,070 doses are yet to be delivered.
Out of the 51,66,13,680 doses, over 2.29 crore balance and unutilised Covid-19 vaccine doses are still available with the states and union territories and private hospitals to be administered, the ministry said.
Of the 51.66 crore vaccine doses, 49,74,90,815 Covid vaccine doses have been consumed, including wastage, said the ministry.
Boris Johnson Won't Isolate After Staff Member Tests Covid Positive
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson does not need to self isolate even though a member of his staff on a recent trip to Scotland tested positive for the coronavirus, his Downing Street office said.
Johnson visited a police college in Fife on Wednesday and a wind farm off Aberdeenshire on Thursday.
Local media reported a member of Johnson's staff who accompanied him to the police college and travelled with him on a plane tested positive for coronavirus.
"The Prime Minister regularly visits communities across the UK and all aspects of visits are carried out in line with COVID guidance," a Downing Street spokesperson said.
COVID-19: More Relaxations On Way Including Decision On Local Train Travel, Says Maharashtra Chief Minister
The Maharashtra government is planning to relax more COVID-19 curbs in the coming days but with utmost caution and will also take a call regarding the local train travel, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said on Saturday.
Speaking at a function organised by the BEST (Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport) undertaking to induct more electric buses into its fleet, the chief minister also said he met with the representatives of hotels and restaurants, who demanded further relaxations in timings beyond 4 pm, and explained to them that the curbs will be eased step by step.
"The Maharashtra government is going to grant more relaxations, but we are taking every step cautiously. A decision will be taken for local train passengers as well. We need to ensure that these relaxations do not trigger another wave of COVID-19," Mr Thackeray said.
Japan COVID-19 Cases Hit 1 Million Amid Olympics, Infections Spread Beyond Tokyo
Japan reached the milestone of one million coronavirus cases on Friday, domestic media reported, as infections surged in Olympic host Tokyo to other urban areas and the country grapples with an unprecedented speed of spread of the Delta variant.
A driver of Finance Minister Taro Aso had caught COVID-19, the Ministry of Finance said, prompting Aso to self-quarantine at home. Aso has shown no symptom but had a PCR test, results of which will be known on Saturday, Kyodo news wire reported.
Scientists From 4 BRICS Nations Come Together To Study COVID-19's Future Spread
Scientists from India, China, Russia and Brazil will carry out genomic sequencing of the novel coronavirus or COVID-19, and also studies on epidemiology and mathematical modelling of the COVID-19 pandemic, a statement said on Friday.
A whole-genome sequencing is required for the identification of genetic mutations and recombinations of the virus, while epidemiological studies can help assess its distribution. Mathematical modelling is required to project its future spread.
"Keeping this in mind, a research plan has been made by including expertise of scientists and engineers from diverse backgrounds," the statement said.
The study will provide a common platform to share and analyse the data of four different countries and understand the spread routes and transmission dynamics of virus, it added.
Covid Vaccine Production Raised To 40 Lakh Doses Per Day
The vaccine production in the country has been increased from 2.5 lakh doses per day to around 40 lakh doses per day, said Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar, Minister of State (MoS) for Health on Friday.
The vaccine production in the country has been increased from 2.5 lakh doses per day to around 40 lakh doses per day, said Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar, Minister of State (MoS) for Health on Friday.
Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar Report Zero Covid Deaths
Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar - the three big states - reported zero Covid deaths over a 24-hour span. The cases in the three states were below 50.
Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar - the three big states - reported zero Covid deaths over a 24-hour span. The cases in the three states were below 50.
At 19,948, Kerala Reports Most Covid Cases In A Day
Kerala, which has been leading states in most number of daily Covid cases, today reported 19,948 cases. The state has been consistently reporting over 20,000 cases for many days. It also reported 187 deaths.
Kerala, which has been leading states in most number of daily Covid cases, today reported 19,948 cases. The state has been consistently reporting over 20,000 cases for many days. It also reported 187 deaths.
38,628 Fresh Covid Cases In India, Nearly 13% Lower Than Yesterday
India today reported 38,628 new Covid cases, a drop of nearly 13 per cent from yesterday's 44,643 cases. The positivity rate stands at 2.21 per cent, less than 3 per cent for last 12 days.
India today reported 38,628 new Covid cases, a drop of nearly 13 per cent from yesterday's 44,643 cases. The positivity rate stands at 2.21 per cent, less than 3 per cent for last 12 days.
Eager To Continue Partnership With India In Fight Against Covid: US
The Biden Administration is eager to continue partnership with India in fight against coronavirus and provide assistance in the form of vaccines, the White House said. The delay in providing vaccines to India from the United States is not because of Washington, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters.
The Biden Administration is eager to continue partnership with India in fight against coronavirus and provide assistance in the form of vaccines, the White House said. The delay in providing vaccines to India from the United States is not because of Washington, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters.
Coronavirus News: Fraud By Covid Labs Led To Positivity Error During Kumbh, Says Probe Agency
The Enforcement Directorate today searched the homes and offices of the top executives of five diagnostics firms for alleged money laundering in connection with a fake COVID-19 testing scam during the Kumbh Mela in Uttarakhand.
The Enforcement Directorate started investigation after a case was filed by the Uttarakhand Police.
The Enforcement Directorate today searched the homes and offices of the top executives of five diagnostics firms for alleged money laundering in connection with a fake COVID-19 testing scam during the Kumbh Mela in Uttarakhand.
The Enforcement Directorate started investigation after a case was filed by the Uttarakhand Police.
COVID-19: Assam MLA Says 3 Vaccine Centres Charging Registration Fee, Probe Ordered
Congress MLA Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha today alleged in the Assam assembly that three COVID-19 vaccination centres in Karimganj district are illegally charging ₹ 5 as registration fee for the jabs, prompting the government to announce an inquiry.
Congress MLA Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha today alleged in the Assam assembly that three COVID-19 vaccination centres in Karimganj district are illegally charging ₹ 5 as registration fee for the jabs, prompting the government to announce an inquiry.
