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Coronavirus India Live Updates: India has logged 64,531 cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours with 1,092 deaths, the Union Health Ministry said on Wednesday morning. The total number of cases in the country has now shot up to 27,67,273 with 52,889 deaths. A total of 20,37,870 COVID-19 patients have recovered from the infection, taking the recovery rate to 73.64 per cent, the ministry said today.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday India had set a record of conducting nearly nine lakh COVID-19 tests in a single day, which is the highest so far. 8,99,864 tests have been conducted in a single day. With this, the cumulative tests have reached 3,09,41,264, read an official statement.
Here the updates of Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases:
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a press release)
Assam's COVID-19 count rises to 84,317; death count reaches 213
The COVID-19 death count in Assam mounted to 213 on Wednesday after 10 people died due to
Of the fresh fatalities, two each were reported from Kamrup Metropolitan, Cachar and Karimganj districts while one each was registered in Dibrugarh, Golaghat, Nagaon and Hailakandi, Mr Sarma said.
The COVID-19 death count in Assam mounted to 213 on Wednesday after 10 people died due to
the disease, while the state's coronavirus caseload has gone up to 84,317 with 2,116 fresh infections, Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
12 deaths, 1,312 fresh coronavirus cases in Rajasthan; total count 65,289
So far, Jaipur has reported 242 deaths, followed by 87 in Jodhpur, 65 in Bharatpur, 64 in Bikaner, 62 in Ajmer, 56 in Kota, 39 in Nagaur, 37 in Pali, 23 in Alwar and 19 in Dholpur.
Rajasthan recorded 12 more deaths due to coronavirus on Wednesday, taking the state's fatality count to 910, while 1,312 fresh cases pushed its infection tally to 65,289, a Health Department official said.
Of the latest fatalities, four were reported from Jaipur; two each from Nagaur and Kota; and one each from Ajmer, Bikaner, Ganganagar and Udaipur, the official said.
Inter-district state transport bus service to resume in Maharashtra from today
The Maharashtra government will resume inter-district state transport bus service from Thursday.
"With Ganpati Utsav to start in Maharashtra, many passengers will be travelling from one district to another. During Ganpati Utsav, millions of travellers in the state will get relief by the start of ST bus services," said Minister of Transport Anil Parab in a press conference.
Mr Parab also said that from Thursday, normal ST buses, Nimaaram, Shivshahi, Shivneri bus services will be starting (at basic ticket rates) in phased manners.
He also clarified that r-pass will not be required if travelling by ST buses.
The minister also cautioned that all passengers must strictly follow all the rules and SoPs of the state government to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
The Maharashtra government will resume inter-district state transport bus service from Thursday.
"With Ganpati Utsav to start in Maharashtra, many passengers will be travelling from one district to another. During Ganpati Utsav, millions of travellers in the state will get relief by the start of ST bus services," said Minister of Transport Anil Parab in a press conference.
Mr Parab also said that from Thursday, normal ST buses, Nimaaram, Shivshahi, Shivneri bus services will be starting (at basic ticket rates) in phased manners.
He also clarified that r-pass will not be required if travelling by ST buses.
The minister also cautioned that all passengers must strictly follow all the rules and SoPs of the state government to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
This year's Onam to be limited inside homes due to COVID-19: Kerala Chief Minister
He said the focus should be to stop the spread of the virus and reduce the death rate.
People should celebrate the coming Onam festival within their homes and use locally available flowers for the traditional floral carpet in view of the COVID-19 situation, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said.
Participating in a video conference with the district collectors,police chiefs and medical officers, he said police should ensure people maintained social distancing when they go shopping for Onam, the harvest festival of the state, which falls on August 31 this year.
"The Onam celebrations this time should be limited inside the homes. The floral carpet should be made with locally available flowers as we cannot risk the spread of COVID-19 from flowers brought from other regions," Mr Vijayan said.
Madhya Pradesh Minister Mohan Yadav tests COVID-19 positive, admitted to hospital
Madhya Pradesh Higher Education Minister Mohan Yadav tested COVID-19 positive and has been admitted to the Aurobindo Hospital.
The hospital's general secretary Dr Mahak Bhandari said, "The treatment is underway for Minister Mohan Yadav and his condition is stable. After a CT scan was done he was found with 10 per cent lung involvement. As of now, he is being given anti-viral and supportive anti-biotic therapy."
On Tuesday in a tweet in Hindi, Mr Yadav said, "My corona test has come positive. So I have come to Aurobindo Hospital. Due to blessings of Baba Shri Mahakaal, I am healthy."
Madhya Pradesh Higher Education Minister Mohan Yadav tested COVID-19 positive and has been admitted to the Aurobindo Hospital.
The hospital's general secretary Dr Mahak Bhandari said, "The treatment is underway for Minister Mohan Yadav and his condition is stable. After a CT scan was done he was found with 10 per cent lung involvement. As of now, he is being given anti-viral and supportive anti-biotic therapy."
On Tuesday in a tweet in Hindi, Mr Yadav said, "My corona test has come positive. So I have come to Aurobindo Hospital. Due to blessings of Baba Shri Mahakaal, I am healthy."
2,724 new COVID-19 cases in Pune; 90 more die
Also, 1,089 patients were discharged from hospitals in the western Maharashtra district following recovery, the official said.
Pune reported 2,724 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, taking its count to 1,32,293 on Wednesday, a health official said.
He said the death count reached 3,290 with 90 more patients dying due to the infection.
Tamil Nadu reports 5,795 new COVID-19 cases, 116 deaths
A total of 116 deaths and 5,795 new COVID-19 cases were reported from Tamil Nadu on Wednesday, the state's health department informed.
The total number of positive cases in Tamil Nadu now stands at 3,55,449, including 53,155 active cases and 6,123 deaths.
A total of 116 deaths and 5,795 new COVID-19 cases were reported from Tamil Nadu on Wednesday, the state's health department informed.
The total number of positive cases in Tamil Nadu now stands at 3,55,449, including 53,155 active cases and 6,123 deaths.
Odisha's COVID-19 tally rises to 67,122; death count mounts to 372
Odisha's COVID-19 caseload on Wednesday went up to 67,122 with 2,589 people testing
The fatality rate, however, remained at 0.55 per cent, the 6th lowest in the country, the official said.
Odisha's COVID-19 caseload on Wednesday went up to 67,122 with 2,589 people testing
positive, while the death count rose to 372 after 10 patients died due to the infection, a health official said.
The state also registered recovery of 1,621 patients taking the total number of people who have been cured of the disease to 46,936, which is 69.92 per cent of the total cases.
Coronavirus News: Record 994 New COVID Cases In Haryana, 10 Deaths
Haryana recorded its highest jump of 994 novel coronavirus cases, taking the tally near the 50,000 mark on Wednesday, while the death count rose to 567 with 10 more fatalities, the Health Department said, reported news agency PTI. It was for the third straight day that the state had a record spike in cases. On Tuesday, the state had registered 896 cases, and it was 887 a day earlier. There are 7,307 active cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), while 42,056 patients have recovered. The total number of coronavirus cases rose to 49,930, according to a health bulletin.
Haryana recorded its highest jump of 994 novel coronavirus cases, taking the tally near the 50,000 mark on Wednesday, while the death count rose to 567 with 10 more fatalities, the Health Department said, reported news agency PTI. It was for the third straight day that the state had a record spike in cases. On Tuesday, the state had registered 896 cases, and it was 887 a day earlier. There are 7,307 active cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), while 42,056 patients have recovered. The total number of coronavirus cases rose to 49,930, according to a health bulletin.
Coronavirus News: COVID +ve UP Minister Atul Garg Recuperating Well, Says Hospital
Uttar Pradesh minister Atul Garg's condition is stable and he is recuperating well from coronavirus, hospital officials said on Wednesday, reported news agency PTI. The Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare was admitted to the private Yashoda Superspeciality Hospital, Kaushambi in Ghazibad, after he said he has tested positive for coronavirus on Tuesday. "The minister is doing fine. All his reports are in normal limits and he is recuperating well. Primary antivirals, which are recommended for COVID-19 patients, are being administered to him. He is maintaining his vital paraments, like oxygen saturation, well," an official from Yashoda Hospital told PTI. 63-year-old Atul Garg, an MLA from Ghaziabad, had requested all those who came in contact with him recently to get tested for the disease. Two UP ministers, Kamal Rani Varun and Chetan Chauhan, recently died after testing positive for the deadly virus.
Uttar Pradesh minister Atul Garg's condition is stable and he is recuperating well from coronavirus, hospital officials said on Wednesday, reported news agency PTI. The Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare was admitted to the private Yashoda Superspeciality Hospital, Kaushambi in Ghazibad, after he said he has tested positive for coronavirus on Tuesday. "The minister is doing fine. All his reports are in normal limits and he is recuperating well. Primary antivirals, which are recommended for COVID-19 patients, are being administered to him. He is maintaining his vital paraments, like oxygen saturation, well," an official from Yashoda Hospital told PTI. 63-year-old Atul Garg, an MLA from Ghaziabad, had requested all those who came in contact with him recently to get tested for the disease. Two UP ministers, Kamal Rani Varun and Chetan Chauhan, recently died after testing positive for the deadly virus.
Coronavirus News: Dadri MLA Among 104 New COVID-19 Patients In Noida
Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddh Nagar on Tuesday recorded 104 new COVID-19 patients, including an MLA, as the district's caseload rose to 6,700, official data showed, reported news agency PTI. So far, the district has reported 43 infection deaths. The number of active cases climbed to 785 from 774 on Tuesday, according to the data released by the UP Health Department for a 24-hour period. Dadri MLA Tejpal Nagar said on Twitter that he tested positive for coornavirus. He asked people who may have come in his contact recently to get themselves tested for the virus and follow related guidelines. Meanwhile, the district dropped to 16th position in the state in terms of active cases, the data showed. Also, 93 more patients were discharged during the period.
Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddh Nagar on Tuesday recorded 104 new COVID-19 patients, including an MLA, as the district's caseload rose to 6,700, official data showed, reported news agency PTI. So far, the district has reported 43 infection deaths. The number of active cases climbed to 785 from 774 on Tuesday, according to the data released by the UP Health Department for a 24-hour period. Dadri MLA Tejpal Nagar said on Twitter that he tested positive for coornavirus. He asked people who may have come in his contact recently to get themselves tested for the virus and follow related guidelines. Meanwhile, the district dropped to 16th position in the state in terms of active cases, the data showed. Also, 93 more patients were discharged during the period.
Coronavirus News: 60-Year-Old Coronavirus Patient Dies In Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar
A 60-year-old man died due to COVID-19 in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar today, taking the death count in the district to 22, an official said, reported news agency PTI. The death was reported from Budhana town, Chief Medical Officer Dr Praveen Chopra said. The 60-year-old man was among the 43 fresh cases reported earlier in the day in the district, he said.
A 60-year-old man died due to COVID-19 in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar today, taking the death count in the district to 22, an official said, reported news agency PTI. The death was reported from Budhana town, Chief Medical Officer Dr Praveen Chopra said. The 60-year-old man was among the 43 fresh cases reported earlier in the day in the district, he said.
Coronavirus News: Allahabad High Court Asks All District Magistrates To Vigorously Enforce Social Distancing
Amid the ongoing anti-COVID fight, the Allahabad High Court on Wednesday asked all district administrations in Uttar Pradesh to vigorously enforce the social distancing norms and ensure people wear masks, reported news agency PTI. The court also appointed two advocate commissioners and directed them to submit their joint report on measures being taken by the government to check the spread of the pandemic in the city. A bench of justices Siddhartha Varma and Ajit Kumar gave the directions while hearing a public interest lawsuit, seeking better facilities at quarantine centres.
Amid the ongoing anti-COVID fight, the Allahabad High Court on Wednesday asked all district administrations in Uttar Pradesh to vigorously enforce the social distancing norms and ensure people wear masks, reported news agency PTI. The court also appointed two advocate commissioners and directed them to submit their joint report on measures being taken by the government to check the spread of the pandemic in the city. A bench of justices Siddhartha Varma and Ajit Kumar gave the directions while hearing a public interest lawsuit, seeking better facilities at quarantine centres.
Coronavirus news: Maharashtra reports highest one-day count of 13,165 cases
Maharashtra on Wednesday reported 13,165 new COVID-19 cases, highest one-day count, taking its tally to 6,28,642, while 346 fresh deaths pushed the count beyond the 21,000-mark, a health official said.
The previous single-day highest was 12,712 coronavirus cases, recorded on August 12. With 13,165 fresh COVID-19, the cumulative figure of
infected people in Maharashtra rose to 6,28,642, PTI reported.
Coronavirus news: Hotels to reopen, gyms to remain closed in Delhi
The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has approved the reopening of hotels but gymnasiums will remain closed in the national capital amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
During a meeting on Wednesday, DDMA has given the approval for reopening hotels in Delhi.
Gymnasiums will remain closed whereas weekly markets will reopen on a trial basis, ANI reported.
Coronavirus news: India conducts over 8 lakh tests per day for second day in a row
The Union Health Ministry on Wednesday said that India continues on its path of high testing with more than 8 lakh tests per day for the second day in a row.
The central government said that by following the "test, track and treat" strategy, India has been able to test more than 8 lakh COVID-19 samples for the second consecutive day.
"With a strong resolve to rapidly increase the number of tests done per day to touch 10 lakh/day testing capacity, 8,01,518 samples were tested in the last 24 hours," the Health Ministry said in a press statement.
While tests per million have seen a sharp rise to 23,002, the government said that the positivity rate remains stable at 8 per cent, ANI reported.
Coronavirus news: Aprehension of community spread of COVID-19 in Shillong
Health authorities in Meghalaya on Wednesday expressed apprehension that community spread of COVID-19 has started in Shillong as 96 persons, whose samples were randomly collected, have tested positive in the past three days.
On Wednesday 78 more people, including 35 BSF personnel, have tested positive for COVID-19 in Meghalaya, taking the state's tally to 1,535, state Health Services director Aman War said.
Coronavirus news: Gujarat reports 1,145 new COVID-19 cases; 17 more die
Gujarat's COVID-19 tally rose to 82,087 with 1,145 new cases reported on Wednesday, the state health department said.
With 17 fatalities, the state's death count rose to 2,839, it said.
As many as 1,120 patients were discharged, raising the total of recovered cases in Gujarat to 64,830, the department said in a release.
The state has achieved a recovery rate of 78.98 per cent, PTI reported.
Coronavirus news: Nagaland reports more recoveries than fresh COVID-19 cases for fifth consecutive day
Nagaland reported more recoveries than new COVID-19 cases for the fifth consecutive day on
Wednesday, said Health and Family Welfare Minister, S Pangnyu Phom.
A total of 42 people recovered from COVID-19 while 38 people tested positive for the infection during the day, PTI reported.
Coronavirus news: Andhra Pradesh reports 9,742 new COVID-19 cases, 86 deaths
Andhra Pradesh reported 9,742 new COVID-19 cases, 8,061 recoveries, and 86 deaths in the state in the last 24 hours, the State Health Department said on Wednesday.
While 15 deaths were reported in the Chittoor district, 15 in Nellore, eight in Anantapur, seven in Guntur, six each in Prakasam and Srikakulam, five each in East Godavari, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and West Godavari districts, four in Kadapa district, three in Krishna district and two in Kurnool district.
Coronavirus news: Kerala's COVID-19 tally crosses 50,000 mark; death count climbs to 182
Kerala's COVID-19 tally crossed the grim milestone of 50,000 cases on Wednesday, with the state recording the highest daily surge of 2,333 infections, while seven more fatalities took the count to 182.
The tally now stands at 50,231.
Coronavirus news: 708 new COVID cases in J&K, 11 deaths
The novel coronavirus cases in Jammu and Kashmir crossed the 30,000 mark on Wednesday with 708 new infections, while 11 more deaths took the count to 572, officials said.
There are 6,965 active cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and 22,497 patients have recovered so far, according to the officials.
Coronavirus news: COVID-19 cases cross 6,000 in Maldives
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Maldives has crossed 6,000 while the death count has reached 24, local media reported on Wednesday.
According to the Health Protection Agency (HPA), 170 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed on Tuesday, pushing the country's total cases to 6,079.
Coronavirus news: Four new coronavirus cases reported in Mumbai's Dharavi
The number of coronavirus cases in Mumbai's slum-dominated Dharavi area rose to 2,680 on Wednesday with four new patients coming to light, said a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) official.
The area, considered to be Asia's largest slum, reported a rise of four cases on the third consecutive day.
Spread over 2.5 square kilometres, Dharavi has a population over 6.5 lakh.
Out of 2,680 COVID-19 patients recorded in Dharavi, 2,340 have already recovered and there are only 80 active cases at present, the BMC official said.
Coronavirus news: Four new coronavirus cases reported in Mumbai's Dharavi
The number of coronavirus cases in Mumbai's slum-dominated Dharavi area rose to 2,680 on Wednesday with four new patients coming to light, said a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) official.
The area, considered to be Asia's largest slum, reported a rise of four cases on the third consecutive day.
Spread over 2.5 square kilometres, Dharavi has a population over 6.5 lakh.
Out of 2,680 COVID-19 patients recorded in Dharavi, 2,340 have already recovered and there are only 80 active cases at present, the BMC official said.
Coronavirus news: 1,398 fresh COVID-19 cases take Delhi tally to 1,56,139; death count climbs to 4,235
Delhi recorded 1,398 fresh coronavirus cases on Wednesday, taking the tally in the city to over 1.56 lakh, while the death count from the disease mounted to 4,235, authorities said.
Nine fatalities have been recorded in the last 24 hours, according to the latest bulletin issued by the Delhi health department.
On Tuesday, the daily cases count was 1,374 and 12 deaths were reported.
COVID-19 Lockdown: Over 3 lakh stranded J&K residents brought back
The Jammu and Kashmir administration has so far evacuated over three lakh residents of the union territory stranded in other parts of the country due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown, according to official data.
A total of 119 special trains arrived at Jammu and Udhampur railway stations from different parts of India with about 1,01,244 passengers, while about 2,27,976 people from other states and UTs, including 906 from abroad, have been evacuated by the government via road till date, the data showed.
As many as 1,059 passengers reached Jammu from Delhi on Wednesday in the 98th special train, PTI reported.
Coronavirus news: Sikkim reports third fatality due to Covid-19
Sikkim on Wednesday reported the third fatality due to Covid-19 when a 57 year-old man died due to the disease at STNM hospital, an official said.
Director General (DG)-cum-secretary in the department of health, Pempa T Bhutia said that the victim, a native of Pelling was admitted to STNM hospital on August 14 for cellulitis in his right leg with multi-organ dysfunction syndrome.
He tested positive in RT-PCR test and died on Wednesday, PTI reported.
Coronavirus news: COVID-19: 10 fresh fatalities reported in Rajasthan
Rajasthan recorded 10 more fatalities due to COVID-19 on Wednesday, taking the state's death count to 908, while 699 fresh cases pushed its tally to 64,676, a health department official said.
Of the latest fatalities, three each were reported from Jaipur, two from Nagaur and one each from Ajmer, Bikaner, Ganganagar, Kota and Udaipur, the official said.
Coronavirus news: UK Data Shows Most COVID-19 Transmissions Happen In Homes, Minister Says
Britain is unlikely to follow France in ordering people to wear face coverings at work because its test and trace scheme shows most people catch COVID-19 in house-to-house transmission, health secretary Matt Hancock said on Wednesday.
"We are not currently considering doing that," he told BBC TV, when asked if Britain would impose masks at work places as in France.
Coronavirus news: Iran coronavirus death count tops 20,000
Iran's death count from the new coronavirus surpassed 20,000 on Wednesday with 153 deaths in the past 24 hours, the health ministry spokeswoman told state TV, as the number of total cases hit 350,279. "The death count has reached 20,125... With 2,444 new infections in the past 24 hours, the total number of cases has reached 350,279," said Sima Sadat Lari.
Iran is one of the worst-hit countries from the outbreak in the Middle East, Reuters reported.
Coronavirus news: Vaccine Should Be Mandatory Says Australia PM As Race Heats Up
Australia's leader called Wednesday for coronavirus immunisations to be mandatory, wading into ethical and safety debates raging around the world as the race to develop a vaccine gathers pace.
Almost 30 potential vaccines are currently being tested on humans across the globe in hope of ending a pandemic that has now killed more than 775,000 people and infected nearly 22 million, according to an AFP tally.
Coronavirus news: UK's Heathrow Airport unveils new COVID-19 test plan to cut quarantine times
The UK's Heathrow Airport, one of the world's busiest hub airports, on Wednesday unveiled a new coronavirus testing facility which it hopes will help cut down the compulsory 14-day quarantine period currently required for travellers into the UK from most countries.
Under the new plans, passengers arriving into Heathrow in south-west London will be able to book coronavirus swab tests and have results sent to them within seven hours.
Travellers can do a second test at home a few days later and then leave quarantine early if they pass both checks.
Coronavirus news: US Hands Over Second Shipment Of 100 Ventilators To India In COVID-19 Aid
The US on Wednesday handed over to India 100 ventilators, as part of President Donald Trump's offer of assistance to New Delhi in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ventilators are manufactured in the US and are compact, easy to deploy and provide India with flexibility in treating patients affected by the virus, the US embassy said in a statement.
Coronavirus news: Puducherry's COVID-19 tally reaches 8,762
The total number of COVID-19 cases in Puducherry now stands at 8,762, including 5,312 recoveries and 3,321 active cases, the health department informed on Wednesday.
So far, 129 lives have been claimed by the infectious virus in the Union Territory, ANI reported.
Coronavirus news: 17 BSF personnel among 49 fresh COVID-19 cases in Meghalaya
Forty-nine more people, including 17 Border Security Force (BSF) personnel, have tested positive for COVID-19 in Meghalaya, taking the northeastern state's tally to 1,506 on Wednesday, a health official said.
Forty-seven fresh COVID-19 cases were reported in East Khasi Hills district and two in North Garo Hills district, Health Services Director Aman War said.
"Seventeen BSF personnel are among the new patients," he said.
US Hands Over Second Shipment Of 100 Ventilators To India
The United States handed over the second shipment of 100 new and state-of-the-art ventilators to assist India in its fight against COVID-19.
Announcing the delivery of the ventilators to India, US Ambassador Kenneth I Juster said, "We are very pleased to hand over the final tranche of 100 ventilators to India, fulfilling President (Donald) Trump's commitment to provide these critically needed supplies to support India's pandemic response."
Through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), in coordination with the Government of India and the Indian Red Cross Society, the US government donated the final tranche of 100 ventilators to India, said a statement by the US Embassy in India on Wednesday.
17 BSF Personnel Among 49 Fresh COVID-19 Cases In Meghalaya
Forty-nine more people, including 17 Border Security Force (BSF) personnel, have
tested positive for COVID-19 in Meghalaya, taking the northeastern state's tally to 1,506 on Wednesday, a health official said.
Forty-seven fresh COVID-19 cases were reported in East Khasi Hills district and two in North Garo Hills district, Health Services Director Aman War said.
"Seventeen BSF personnel are among the new patients," he said.
8 Deaths, 1,763 More COVID-19 Cases In Telangana
As many as eight deaths and 1,763 new COVID-19 cases were reported from Telangana, taking the total number of cases to 95,700 in the state, a media bulletin from the director of Public Health and Family Welfare of Telangana informed on Wednesday.
The total figure includes 20,990 active cases and 73,991 recoveries
So far, 719 deaths have been reported from the state.
Vaccine Should Be Mandatory Says Australia PM As Race Heats Up
Australia's leader called Wednesday for coronavirus immunisations to be mandatory, wading into ethical and safety debates raging around the world as the race to develop a vaccine gathers pace.
Almost 30 potential vaccines are currently being tested on humans across the globe in hope of ending a pandemic that has now killed more than 775,000 people and infected nearly 22 million, according to an AFP tally.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he wants all 25 million Australians to get the jab after the country secured access to a vaccine currently under development by AstraZeneca and Oxford University.
"There are always exemptions for any vaccine on medical grounds, but that should be the only basis," he said.
3.17 Crore Samples Collected For COVID-19 Testing So Far: Indian Council Of Medical Research
A total of 3,17,42,782 samples have been collected for COVID-19 testing in India as of Wednesday, informed the Indian Council of Medical Research.
The figure includes 8,01,518 samples that were tested on Tuesday.
With a spike of 64,531 cases and 1,092 deaths in the last 24 hours, India's COVID-19 count reached 27,67,274 on Wednesday, according to the Union Health Ministry.
Pune Ramps Up COVID-19 Testing, Total Cases Surpass Mumbai
Pune's COVID-19 tally has surpassed that of Mumbai due to more coronavirus tests being conducted here, said Murlidhar Mohol, the city's mayor.
A total of 1,34,913 coronavirus cases were recorded in Pune as of Tuesday, with Mumbai following closely at 1,30,410, according to the data shared by the state health department.
"Pune has reported more number of COVID-19 cases than Mumbai because of a large number of tests being conducted here," the mayor told ANI.
COVID-19 Recoveries Cross 2 Million; Case Fatality Rate Declines To 1.91 Per Cent: Health Ministry
With a record 60,091 people recuperating from coronavirus infection in a day, the total recoveries on Wednesday crossed 2 million pushing the recovery rate to 73.64 per cent, while the COVID-19 case fatality rate hit a new low of 1.91 per cent, the Union Health Ministry said.
The recoveries have surged to 20,37,870 in the country, while there are 6,76,514 active cases of COVID-19, according to the data updated at 8 am.
The record high recoveries have ensured that active cases of coronavirus infection, the "actual caseload" of the country, currently comprises less than 1/4th (only 24.45 per cent) of the total cases.
Mizoram Changes Rules On COVID-19 Patients' Identities
Identities of COVID-19 patients in Mizoram and those suspected to have been infected can be revealed to facilitate contact tracing, an order has said.
Their identities can be revealed only after permission from respective deputy commissioner or chief medical officer, the order issued by Health Department Secretary H Lalengmawia on Tuesday said.
The infected persons can also themselves reveal their identities, it said.
Hong Kong Bars Air India Flights Till August-End After Passengers Test Positive For COVID-19
Hong Kong has banned Air India flights till the end of August after some passengers on one of its flights tested positive for COVID-19 post arrival, a senior government official said on Wednesday.
Passengers from India can arrive in Hong Kong only if they have a COVID-19 negative certificate from a test done 72 hours prior to the journey, according to rules issued by the Hong Kong government in July.
Moreover, all international passengers are required to take a post-flight COVID-19 test at the airport premises in Hong Kong.
45 Fresh COVID-19 Cases Take Mizoram's Tally To 860
Forty-five more people, including three Army jawans, have tested positive for COVID-19 in Mizoram, taking the northeastern state's tally to 860 on Wednesday, a health official said.
Two of the new patients have no travel history, he said.
Twenty-one fresh infections were reported in Aizawl district, 14 in Kolasib, six in Lawngtlai, three in Mamit and one in Lunglei, the official said.
Fourteen truck drivers hailing from other states are also among the new patients, he said, adding all the patients are asymptomatic.
70% Covid Cases Among Assam Doctors, Workers On Other Duties: Minister
Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday revealed that at least 70 per cent of doctors and nurses in hospitals are getting infected with the novel coronavirus from patients and attendants in emergency wings and outpatient departments. Read more
Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday revealed that at least 70 per cent of doctors and nurses in hospitals are getting infected with the novel coronavirus from patients and attendants in emergency wings and outpatient departments. Read more
COVID-19: Telangana Reports 1,763 New Cases, 8 More Deaths
Telangana continued to witness an upward trend of coronavirus cases with 1,763 fresh additions, pushing the state's tally of positive cases to 95,700.
With eight more fatalities the toll rose to 719, a state government bulletin said on Wednesday, providing data as of 8 PM on August 18.
The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), the COVID-19 hotspot in the state, witnessed 484 infections, cases being reported.
JustIn| Over 64,000 coronavirus cases in India in 24 hours, 1,092 deaths; 27.67 lakh total cases, 52,889 deaths
COVID-19: Odisha Mining Corporation Donates Rs 250 Crores To Chief Minister's Relief Fund
The Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) has donated Rs 250 crores to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund (CMRF) to support state government's efforts in the fight against COVID-19.
"As a responsible PSU, the OMC contributed Rs 250 crores to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund to support State Government's efforts to control the COVID-19 situation and help those affected by the pandemic," the mining corporation tweeted on Tuesday."Earlier, we had contributed Rs 500 crores to CMRF for the cause," the tweet further read.
As many as 2,239 new COVID-19 cases and nine deaths were reported in Odisha in the last 24 hours, the state government said here on Tuesday.
Brazil Approves Final Tests Of Johnson & Johnson Virus Vaccine
Brazilian health regulators said Tuesday they had approved Johnson & Johnson's experimental vaccine against the new coronavirus for the final stage of clinical trials, the fourth vaccine to receive widespread testing in the hard-hit country.
The US pharmaceutical company's subsidiary Janssen will test the vaccine on 7,000 volunteers across seven states in Brazil, part of a group of up to 60,000 worldwide, health regulator Anvisa said in a statement.
It said the test would be a randomized, controlled, double-blind Phase 3 trial, or large-scale testing on humans -- the last step before regulatory approval.
"Another vaccine study has been approved in Brazil, which is a very important development," Anvisa official Gustavo Mendes said in a video on the regulator's website.
1,266 new coronavirus cases in Jharkhand, state's tally crosses 25,000-mark
As many as 1266 new COVID-19 cases and 9 deaths were reported in Jharkhand on Tuesday, according to state government's data.
The total cases in the state has climbed to 25,333 including 265 deaths and 15,709 patients recovered and discharged. At present, there are 9,359 active cases in the state.
As many as 1266 new COVID-19 cases and 9 deaths were reported in Jharkhand on Tuesday, according to state government's data.
The total cases in the state has climbed to 25,333 including 265 deaths and 15,709 patients recovered and discharged. At present, there are 9,359 active cases in the state.
As many as 1,043 prisoners and 302 jail staff have tested positive for the coronavirus in prisons across Maharashtra so far, according to the state prison department. But over 800 of them have recovered and 18 prisons now are free of COVID-19 cases, including the cramped Arthur Road Prison, one of the most over-crowded prisons in the country. The silver lining is now that inmates have signed up to donate plasma after recovering from the disease. Read more here
For Covid Patients, Testing Negative No Clean Bill Of Health, Say DoctorsHome Minister Amit Shah who tested negative for coronavirus last week was admitted to AIIMS last night. After being discharged from Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, Mr Shah was seen taking part in the Independence Day celebrations and hoisting the national flag at his official residence. But the hospital, in its statement, said he has been "complaining of fatigue and body ache for last three-four days".
