Coronavirus cases in India: The total number of active cases stands at 9,43,480.
India saw a record single-day surge in coronavirus cases and the fatalities linked to the highly infectious disease with 96,551 new infections and 1,209 deaths registered in the last 24 hours, taking the tally past 45 lakh, the government data showed this morning.
The latest surge comes a day after the country reported a record spike of 95,735 new infections. While the country's tally surged to 45,62,414 this morning, about 35.42 lakh Covid patients have recovered so far. Over 76,000 patients have died.
India is the second worst-hit nation by the pandemic, which has affected over 2.8 crore people worldwide.
Meanwhile, the first national sero-survey conducted by top medical body ICMR indicates that India may have had 6.4 million coronavirus cases by May. The survey, published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research, suggests that 0.73 per cent adults in the country were exposed to Covid-19.
The survey, carried out from May 11 to June 4, tested blood samples from 28,000 people across 21 states.
Sero-positivity was the highest in the age group of 18 to 45 years (43.3 per cent), followed by those between 46 and 60 years (39.5 per cent); it was the lowest among those above 60 (17.2 per cent).
Here are the Updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Cases:
COVID-19: Will make oximeters available to people at affordable cost, says Punjab Chief MinisterPunjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Friday said oximeters will be made available to people at affordable cost through approved vendors in every district of the state.
Each oximeter will cost Rs 514 and the Department of Health will issue detailed guidelines in this regard within a week, he said during his 17th #AskCaptain Live" session on Facebook.
The announcement has come in the wake of AAP national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal saying his party workers will go to Punjab villages to check people''s oxygen levels.
Reacting to it, the Punjab CM had had asked him to stay out of the state and focus on managing coronavirus situation in his city.
On Friday, Punjab reported its highest single-day spike of 2,526 coronavirus cases, pushing the infection tally to 74,616. So far, the state has reported 2,212 deaths.
The CM said till now the Health Department was purchasing oximeters at Rs 514 each for the health staff and now these will be made available through authorised vendors to the general public on a no-profit-no-loss basis.
COVID-19: With 504 new cases, Puducherry reports total 19,026 cases
Puducherry reported 504 new COVID-19 cases, 394 discharges and 12 deaths on Friday, taking the total cases to 19,026, said Puducherry Health Department.
The total number of cases includes 13,783 discharges, 365 deaths and 4,878 active cases, according to the Puducherry Health Department.
Meanwhile, India's tally of active COVID-19 cases has reached 9,43,480 cases.
Coronavirus news: UNGA adopts resolution recognising COVID-19 as one of greatest challenges in its history
The UN General Assembly said in a new resolution the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic represents one of the greatest challenges since the establishment of the United Nations.
"The General Assembly [recognizes] that the COVID-19 pandemic is one of the greatest global challenges in the history of the United Nations," the text of the resolution adopted on Friday said.
The resolution notes with concern the impact of the pandemic on health, the loss of life, well-being, humanitarian needs, human rights, livelihoods, food security, education, poverty and the global economy.
According to the resolution, the pandemic is reversing gains that had been reached globally in the framework of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Coronavirus: AAP indulging in ''petty politics'' over COVID-19, alleges Punjab Chief Minister
Pointing at the COVID-19 situation in the national capital, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Friday accused the Aam Aadmi Party of indulging in "petty politics" over the pandemic.
The Punjab Chief Minister alleged that the party was involved in a "negative propaganda" against his government, which was "irresponsible".
Comparing Punjab's coronavirus situation with Delhi, where AAP is at the helm, Amarinder Singh said contrary to what the party was projecting, the situation in the national capital was much worse.
With around 2.90 crore population, Punjab has 18,000 active cases while Delhi with 1.80 crore population has 25,000 plus active patients, he said in a statement.
Even Haryana has lesser population than Punjab but an equal number of active cases, he said during a virtual meeting with Congress MLAs to discuss the coronavirus crisis in the state.
Amarinder Singh said India is facing a war-like situation just like the world and a united fight alone can tackle the problem, he said.
COVID-19: Serum Institute Ordered To Suspend Recruitment For Vaccine Trials
Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has directed Serum Institute of India to suspend till further orders new recruitment in phase 2 and 3 clinical trials of the Oxford COVID-19 vaccine candidate in the backdrop of pharma giant AstraZeneca pausing the trials in other countries.
In an order, a copy of which has been accessed by PTI, DCGI Dr VG Somani on Friday also directed Serum Institute of India (SII) to increase the safety monitoring of the subjects already vaccinated as part of the trial, and submit the plan and report.
Mr Somani also asked the firm to submit clearance from Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) in the UK as well as in India to obtain clearance from his office (DCGI) prior to resumption of future recruitment in the trial.
The central drug regulator DCGI had issued a show-cause notice to SII on September 9 for not informing it about AstraZeneca pausing clinical trials of the vaccine candidate in other countries and also for not submitting casualty analysis of the "reported serious adverse events".
Coronavirus: 1,938 new cases of infection found in Maharashtra's Pune cityPune city reported 1,938 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, taking its COVID-19 count to 1,15,770, a health official said on late Friday evening.
The death count in the city reached 2,706 with 38 patients succumbing during this period, he said.
On the other hand, 1,573 patients were discharged from the hospitals on recovery.
NII's Potential COVID-19 Vaccine Shows Encouraging Results On Mice
An immunogenicity study conducted on mice for the coronavirus vaccine candidate being developed by the National Institute of Immunology has shown encouraging results, NII director Amulya Panda said on Friday.
The NII, an institute under the Department of Biotechnology, has started the process of developing protein-based vaccine candidates against the coronavirus.
"The preliminary results of the immunogenicity study trials done on mice have shown positive results. We found it to be highly immunogenic, neutralising and it produced antibodies," Mr Panda said.
The NII's vaccine candidate is one of the many being developed indigenously.
The immunogenicity study trial on mice was conducted in July.
COVID-19: 130 deaths, 9,464 new cases reported in Karnataka
A total 9,464 new COVID-19 cases and 130 deaths were reported from Karnataka on Friday, state Health Department said.
Karnataka's COVID-19 count stands at 4,40,411, including 98,326 active cases, 3,34,999 discharges and 7,067 deaths.
With the highest single-day spike of 96,551 new cases and 1,209 deaths reported in the last 24 hours, India's COVID-19 count crossed the 45-lakh mark on Friday.
COVID-19 claims three more lives in SikkimThree more persons died on Friday due to COVID-19 taking the count to 11 in Sikkim, an
official said.
A 68 year-old woman succumbed to the disease in STNM hospital, while a 69 year-old male died at the Central Referral Hospital (CRH), he said.
An 85 year-old man from Arithang locality here was the third person to have died due to the contagion during the day.
All the three coronavirus victims had comorbid conditions, he said.
Meanwhile, Sikkim reported 17 new positive cases in the past 24 hours to take COVID-19 tally in the state to 2029.
East Sikkim registered 12 cases, while South Sikkim accounted for five other cases.
COVID-19: Nagaland reports highest single-day spike of 310 casesNagaland on Friday reported its highest single-day spike of 310 COVID-19 cases, taking the
state's tally to 4,946, Health Minister S Pangnyu Phom said.
"310 new positive cases of COVID-19 have been detected out of 922 samples tested 176 in Dimapur, 127 in Kohima, 3 in Zunheboto and one each in Wokha, Peren, Mon and Mokokchung districts," the minister said in a tweet.
Urging people to wear masks and maintain social distancing norms, he said contact-tracing exercises have been activated.
A total of 164 security personnel and 66 returnees from other states are among the fresh patients, Health and Family Welfare Department's Additional Director Dr Denis Hangsing said, adding that 80 people were detected positive for the disease during contact tracing.
COVID-19: West Bengal reports 3,157 new cases, 57 more deathsWest Bengal on Friday reported 3,157 new cases of COVID-19, taking the tally to 1,96,332, according to a bulletin issued by the state Health Department.
The state also reported 57 more deaths, following which the count rose to 3,828, it said.
In the last 24 hours, 3,016 patients recovered from the disease, taking the discharge rate to 86.10 per cent, it added.
There are 23,461 active cases in the state at present. So far, 1,69,043 people have recovered from the disease.
Since Thursday, 45,326 samples have been tested for COVID-19 in the state, the bulletin said.
Sixteen deaths were reported from Kolkata, eight people died in North 24 Parganas, and seven each in Howrah and Nadia districts, the bulletin stated.
COVID-19: Haryana reports 2,388 new cases, 25 deaths
As many as 2,388 new COVID-19 cases and 25 deaths were reported in Haryana on Friday, taking the state's count of coronavirus cases to 88,332.
There are 18,875 active cases in the state and 932 fatalities.
"Haryana reports 2,388 new COVID-19 cases and 25 deaths today, taking the total number of cases to 88,332 including 932 deaths. There are 18,875 active cases," said the State Health Department.
India's count of active COVID-19 has reached 9,43,480 cases.
Assam's COVID-19 deaths rises to 430 with 16 more fatalities
Assam reported 16 more COVID-19 fatalities on Friday, pushing the deaths to 430, even as 2,534 fresh infections increased the caseload to 1,38,339, Minister for Health and Family Welfare Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
Kamrup Metropolitan registered four deaths followed by three in Nagaon, four in Dibrugarh and Karimganj and one each in Morigaon, Lakhimpur, Sonitpur, Cachar and Sivasagar districts, he said.
The new cases include 588 from Kamrup Metropolitan, 194 from Jorhat, 172 from Dibrugarh and 153 from Dhemaji.
The recovery rate in the state has remained constant at around 77.80 per cent during the week with a total of 1,05,701 patients discharged from hospitals so far, the minister said.
Three more MLAs, 20 policemen test positive for COVID-19 in Rajasthan
Three more MLAs and 20 police personnel in Rajasthan have been found infected with coronavirus following which the state police headquarters has been closed for three days, officials said on Friday.
Samples of 150 employees and officers working in the state police headquarters were taken for COVID-19 testing on Wednesday. Out of these, 20 people have been found infected as their reports arrived on Friday, Additional Director General of Police (Administration) Saurabh Srivastava told PTI.
He said 150 samples are being taken daily at the police headquarters, adding that 300 people have been screened in the last two days.
Delhi records over 4,000 COVID-19 cases for third successive day, over 60,000 tests
Delhi recorded 4,266 fresh COVID-19 cases on Friday, as the city's tally mounted to over 2.09 lakh, with the authorities conducting a record 60,580 tests for the disease the previous day.
The national capital reported over 4,000 fresh coronavirus cases for the third successive day.
Twenty-one fatalities due to the disease were recorded in the last 24 hours, taking the deaths to 4,687, according to the latest bulletin issued by the Delhi health department.
The city recorded 4,308 coronavirus cases on Thursday, the highest single-day spike till date, while on Tuesday, the figure was 4,039.
2,172 new coronavirus cases in Mumbai, 44 deaths
The tally of COVID-19 cases in the financial capital of the county increased to 1,65,287 with 2,172 new cases being reported on Friday, said the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
The deaths in the city reached 8,064 with 44 new fatalities, it said.
Recovered cases rose to 1,29,244 with 1,132 patients being discharged from hospitals, the civic body said. Mumbai's recovery rate is 78 per cent, it said.
Andhra Pradesh reports 9,999 new COVID-19 cases
A total of 9,999 new COVID-19 cases and 77 deaths were reported in Andhra Pradesh on Friday. The state's count of coronavirus cases has gone up to 5,47,686.
The state health department said on Friday that there are 96,191 active cases in the state and 4,46,716 cases have recovered from the illness. The deaths has gone up to 4,779.
29 Delhi MLAs get tested for COVID-19 ahead of assembly's special session on Monday
Twenty-nine Delhi MLAs on Friday underwent COVID-19 tests at a temporary testing centre set up at the assembly complex here ahead of a one-day special session to be held on September 14.
Speaker Ram Niwas Goel said all the legislators attending the session will have to carry the report of their COVID-19 test.
An official said that so far, three people posted at the secretariat, including a security person and a private secretary to the deputy speaker, have tested positive for coronavirus infection.
COVID-19: Nagpur cases rise by 2,060 to touch 48,550
The number of COVID-19 cases in Nagpur district increased by 2,060 cases on Friday to touch 48,550, while 53 deaths took the tally to 1,569, an official said.
The number of people who have recovered from the infection rose by 2,659 to reach 35,738, leaving the district with 11,243 active cases, he said.
France PM to outline new anti-Covid measures as cases surge
Prime Minister Jean Castex will announce new measures Friday against the spread of Covid-19 in France, after a surge in infections to record levels sparked concerns of a second wave of the epidemic.
Castex will make a statement at 1500 GMT following a meeting of experts and ministers, his office said.
Officials have been increasingly concerned about the high number of infections in France, even if the deaths and admissions to intensive care are way below the highs recorded in March and April.
Highest one-day spike of 1,344 coronavirus cases in Gujarat
Gujarat registered its highest single-day spike of 1,344 coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, said a release by the state health department on Friday evening. It took the case tally in the state to 1,10,971, the release said.
16 COVID-19 patients died in the state during this period, taking the deaths to 3,183, it added.
1,240 patients were discharged from hospitals in the last 24 hours, taking the total recoveries to 91,470.
Kerala's COVID-19 tally touches one lakh mark
Kerala's COVID-19 tally touched the one lakh mark -- 1,02,254 on Friday, with 2,988 fresh cases being added, seven months after India''s first case was reported from the state, when a Wuhan returned medical student tested positive.
The state needs to maintain "extreme vigil" in the coming days as the daily cases have been crossing 3,000, health minister KK Shailaja said.
The number of deaths touched 410, with 14 during the past few days being confirmed due to COVID-19, she said.
76 deaths, 7,103 fresh virus cases in Uttar Pradesh
Seventy-six more people died from coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh on Friday as the state reported its highest single-day spike of 7,103 cases, pushing the infection numbers to over 2.99 lakh, a health bulletin said. So far, the state has reported 4,282 fatalities.
UP Minister of State for Jails, Jai Kumar Singh Jaiki, is among those who tested positive for the infection on Friday. He disclosed this on his Twitter handle. The Friday figures surpassed the Thursday tally of 7,042, another record spike since the pandemic broke out in the state.
The total number of COVID-19 cases has risen to 2,99,045 while 7,103 fresh cases were reported in the past 24 hours, the health bulletin said.
No shortage of medical oxygen for hospitals in Punjab: Health Minister
The Punjab government has made elaborate arrangements for manufacturing and refilling of oxygen cylinders to ensure uninterrupted supply of medical oxygen in government and private hospitals across the state amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu said here on Friday.
"There is no shortage of medical oxygen in Punjab. Elaborate arrangements for manufacturing and refilling oxygen cylinders have been made to ensure uninterrupted supply," he said in a statement here.
Besides ensuring the supply of medical oxygen to hospitals in Ludhiana, the district administration has made adequate arrangements for ensuring oxygen supply to other districts as per requirement, the minister said.
Yogi Adityanath directs officials to chalk out effective strategy to check COVID-19 in Lucknow
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday directed senior state government officials to hold a meeting with the authorities in Lucknow to chalk out an effective strategy to check the spread of COVID-19 in the city.
He also asked officials to increase the bed capacity in COVID hospitals in Kanpur Nagar, besides making use of the command and control centre in Allahabad for surveillance work.
No quarantine for travellers who leave state and return within 96 hours'': Assam
The Assam Government has said that any person who travels to any location outside the state and returns to the state within 96 hours (four days) of departure, will not be required to undergo quarantine of 10 days.
"In view of the issue of guidelines for phased re-opening (UNLOCK 4) by Centre, the Assam Government has decided that a person, who travels to any location outside state and returns to state within 96 hours of departure, will not be required to undergo quarantine of 10 days," the government stated.
However, the person will have to undergo Rapid Antigen Test on return. If the person tests positive for the virus, s/he will have to undergo home isolation or treatment at COVID-19 care centre/hospital as per protocol.
Thousands join Iraq's first weekly prayers since Covid-19
Thousands of supporters of Iraqi cleric Moqtada Sadr gathered at a mosque in east Baghdad on Friday for the first weekly prayers since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Iraq's mosques have been closed to gatherings for close to six months, but notoriously outspoken Sadr said on Wednesday that he would hold open-air prayers in his stronghold.
In east Baghdad's Sadr City on Friday, worshippers put on medical masks and gloves and had their temperatures taken before being allowed into the courtyard of the main mosque, where volunteers were spraying disinfectant.
COVID-19: Pune records highest single-day spike of 4,935 cases
With the highest single-day spike of 4,935 cases reported on Friday, the total number of coronavirus cases reached 2,11,225 in Pune, according to the District Health Department.
The deaths stand at 4,881 after reporting 87 new fatalities.
There are 10,799 active cases in the hospital and 2,380 are under home isolation, as per the data provided by the department.
The district has conducted 84,985 tests per million so far.
39 New COVID-29 Cases In Andaman & Nicobar IslandsThirty-nine more people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, taking the tally in the union territory to 3,465, an official said on Friday.
Of the 39 new cases, 35 were detected during contact tracing while four were airport arrivals, he said.
All passengers coming from the mainland have to mandatorily undergo rapid antigen test for COVID-19 at the airport here on arrival, the official said.
At least 43 people were cured of the disease in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of recoveries to 3,121.
At present, there are 293 active COVID-19 cases in the archipelago, while 51 people have died of the infection, the official said.
A total of 42,585 samples have been tested for COVID- 19 so far, he added.
COVID-19 Recoveries In India Surge To 35,42,663Sixty per cent of the daily new COVID-19 recoveries in India are coming from Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh, which also account for 57 per cent of the new cases, the Union Health Ministry said on Friday.
Total COVID-19 recoveries in the country have surged to 35,42,663 as on date with a total 70,880 recoveries being registered in a span of 24 hours of which Maharashtra alone contributed to more than 14,000 and Andhra Pradesh more than 10,000.
Of the total 96,551 new cases being reported in a span 24 hours, Maharashtra alone has more than 23,000 infections and Andhra Pradesh more than 10,000, the ministry said.
Sixty per cent of the new recovered cases are being reported from five states -- Maharashtra (20.1 pc), Tamil Nadu (14.2 pc), Andhra Pradesh (9.9 pc), Karnataka (8.7 pc) and Uttar Pradesh (6.5 pc) taking the national recovery rate to 77.65 per cent, it highlighted.
189 more Maharashtra police personnel tested COVID-19 positive while 1 died, in the last 24 hours. Total number of positive cases in the police force rise to 18,405 including 3,612 active cases, 14,608 recoveries & 185 deaths till date: Maharashtra Police
Gujarat: 24 Doctors, 38 Trainee Cops Test COVID-19 PositiveTwenty-four doctors working in hospitals run by Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) have tested coronavirus positive in the last three days,officials said on Friday.
At Karai near Gandhinagar, 38 trainee policemen were also found infected, they said.
"Of the 24 doctors who tested positive, four are senior doctors or faculty members of affiliated medical colleges. All others are junior doctors," AMC's deputy municipal commissioner OP Machra said.
These doctors belong to four AMC-run hospitals in the city - VS Hospital, SVP Hospital, L G Hospital and Shardaben Hospital, he said.
Of them, only SVP Hospital provides treatment to coronavirus patients.
"Out of around 2,000 doctors working in these hospitals, 24 tested positive in the last three days," Mr Machra said.
At Karai village near Gandhinagar, 38 trainee constables of Gujarat Police Academy tested positive for the infection in the last couple of days, officials said.
Odisha Minister Tests Positive For COVID-19Odisha's Women and Child Development and Mission Shakti Minister Tukuni Sahu on Friday said that she has tested positive for COVID-19.
Mr Sahu became the fifth minister in the state to be infected by coronavirus. Earlier, Rural Development Minister Susant Singh, Higher Education Minister Arun Kumar Sahoo, Textile Minister Padmini Dian and Tourism Minister JP Panigrahi had tested positive for the infection.
"I have tested Covid positive. Now I am in home isolation and stable. Those who have come in contact with me in the last few days are requested to get themselves tested if required," Mr Sahu said in her twitter post.
Rajasthan Reports 740 New COVID-19 Cases, 7 DeathsRajasthan reported 740 new COVID-19 positive cases and 7 deaths in the last 24 hours.
"The total number of positive cases in the state has risen to 98,116 including 1,199 deaths, 80,490 recoveries and 16,427 active cases," the State Health Department said.
UP Government Reduces Cost Of COVID-19 Test To Rs 1,600With the price of RTPCR test kits and reagents used for coronavirus testing coming down, the Uttar Pradesh government has reduced the charge for conducting COVID-19 test to Rs 1,600 from Rs 2,500 by all labs including those privately owned.
"The prices of RTPCR test kits and reagents used for COVID tests have come down. Hence, the April order on pricing of the test has been amended. The maximum price of test will now be Rs 1,600," said Additional Chief Secretary Amit Mohan Prasad in an order issued on Thursday evening.
The order was implemented with immediate effect, the state's Health department said.
As per the order, the price of COVID-19 confirmatory test through TrueNat was also fixed at Rs 1,600. Action will be taken against those violating the order by charging more than the prescribed fee under the Epidemic Act, it said.
Record 3,996 new cases push Odisha's COVID-19 tally to 1,43,117; death count mounts to 605 with 14 fresh fatalities: Health official.
Continue Virtual Courts In Post-Covid Period As Digital Jutice Is Faster, Cheaper: Parliament PanelThe Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law and Justice in its report submitted on Friday recommended continuation of virtual courts for identified categories of cases even after the COVID-19 pandemic is over.
The panel chaired by senior BJP leader Bhupender Yadav submitted its report to Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu.
Asserting that a court is more of a service than a place, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice in its report said it is time that the court room, regarded as the "last bastion of antiquated working practices", opens its doors to the latest technology.
Underlining that "digital justice" is cheaper and faster besides addressing locational and economic handicaps, the panel strongly pitched "for continuation of virtual courts even after the COVID-19 pandemic gets over".
"The Virtual Court proceedings be continued beyond the pandemic duration for identified categories of cases with the consent of all parties," the panel recommended.
A total of 5,40,97,975 samples tested up to 10th September 2020. Of these, 11,63,542 samples were tested yesterday: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
India's COVID-19 case tally crosses 45 lakh-mark with a spike of 96,551 new cases and 1,209 deaths reported in the last 24 hours.
The total case tally stands at 45,62,415 including 9,43,480 active cases, 35,42,664 cured/discharged/migrated & 76,271 deaths: Ministry of Health
India Likely Had 6.4 Million Covid Cases By May, Says ICMR's Sero SurveyIndia may have had 6.4 million coronavirus cases by May, the first national sero-survey conducted by top medical body ICMR indicates. The survey, published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research, suggests that 0.73 per cent adults in the country were exposed to Covid-19.
The survey, carried out from May 11 to June 4, tested blood samples from 28,000 people across 21 states.
Sero-positivity was the highest in the age group of 18 to 45 years (43.3 per cent), followed by those between 46 and 60 years (39.5 per cent); it was the lowest among those above 60 (17.2 per cent).
Number of COVID-19 cases reaches 1,353 in Mizoram including 750 discharges: State Health Department
There has been an unprecedented surge in COVID-19 recoveries in India. There is more than 100% increase in patients recovered and discharged in the past 29 days: Ministry of Health
COVID-19: With 1,152 new cases, Jharkhand's tally reaches 58,079
Jharkhand reported 1,152 new COVID-19 cases, 1,244 recoveries and two deaths on Thursday, according to the State Health Department.
The total number of cases stands at 58,079 including 42,115 recoveries, 517 deaths and 15,447 active cases, the State Health Department informed.
With the highest single-day spike of 95,735 new cases and 1,172 deaths reported, India's COVID-19 tally crossed the 44-lakh mark on Thursday, according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Coronavirus news: Ahead Of Festival Season, Arvind Kejriwal Asks People To Take Precautions Against COVID-19
With the festival season kicking in next month, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has urged people to take precautions against COVID-19 infection.
"Many festivals are approaching in the coming months. While the COVID-19 pandemic is under control in Delhi, it is important to have preventive measures in place to contain the spread of COVID-19 at religious places of worship," he said.
The Navratri festival that involves temple visits and fasts for nine days will begin from October 17. It will culminate with Vijaya Dashmi or Dussehra on October 25.
The festival of Diwali will be celebrated in the month of November.
COVID-19: Demand for oxygen rises in Uttarakhand with increase in patients
Due to regular increase in the number of coronavirus patients in Uttarakhand, the demand for oxygen in COVID-19 dedicated hospitals has also increased across the State.
At the beginning of July 2020, there was a demand for 2,000 cubic metres of oxygen in hospitals of the state every day, which has now reached 6,000 cubic meters.
State Health Secretary Amit Negi said that as there has been an increase in the number of patients, the oxygen demand has also increased. All the hospitals have been asked to increase the capacity so that there is no problem in the supply of oxygen.
He said that with the help of the Centre, it has been approved to install new oxygen plants in Tehri Garhwal, Chamoli and Uttarkashi in the state.
The state has seen a significant increase in the number of COVID-19 patients in the months of July-August. The number of patients who are in need of ICUs and ventilators has increased rapidly in these two months.