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India's coronavirus tally passed 30.44 Lakh lakh today with a single-day jump of 69,239 fresh infections in the last 24 hours, the Union Health Ministry said this morning. About 22 lakh COVID-19 patients have recovered so far; the recovery rate stood at 74.89 per cent this morning. The number of deaths linked to coronavirus rose to 56,706 after 912 deaths were logged in the last 24 hours, the government data shows.
The number of coronavirus cases in India crossed 3 million just 15 days after the country reported 2 million cases, according to data. India logged more than 2 million coronavirus cases on August 7. The total cases in India are now 30,05,281, up by 29,580 since the last update 24 hours ago. India is behind Brazil and the US in biggest number of cases. India has been reporting the highest number of daily COVID-19 cases for the last 18 days.
In a first in India, the country's top medical research body is working to create an Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) vaccine portal, as a repository for all information related to vaccine development in India. The ICMR vaccine portal would be made public by the next week.
Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on Saturday said that India's first vaccine against the novel coronavirus could be available by end of this year.
Maharashtra with 6,57,450 has the highest cases in India, followed by Tamil Nadu (3,73,410) and Andhra Pradesh (3,45,216).
Here are the Highlights on Coronavirus Pandemic:
#WATCH Washington, DC: US President says, "Pleased to make a truly historic announcement, in our battle against China virus, that will save countless lives. FDA (Food & Drug Administration) has issued an emergency use authorisation for a treatment known as convalescent plasma." pic.twitter.com/LMKfI1SQSJ
- ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2020
Serological Survey For COVID-19 Launched In AssamThe first serological survey in Assam was launched by the Minister of state for Health and Family Welfare Pijush Hazarika on Sunday to assess whether people surveyed have developed immunity to novel coronavirus.
European Union official apologises for not following coronavirus guidelines
European Union trade commissioner Phil Hogan apologised on Sunday as he faced calls to resign for attending an Irish parliamentary golf society dinner which breached coronavirus guidelines.
The event -- attended by a cabinet minister, a supreme court judge and lawmakers -- was held on Wednesday, just 24 hours after the government announced new coronavirus restrictions.
Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin urged Hogan, a former Irish government minister, to "consider his position" after revelations he was one of the 82 attendees at the dinner. The dinner has sparked a series of resignations at the top tier of Irish politics.
"I wish to apologise fully and unreservedly for attending," Hogan said in a statement.
Odisha reports record 2,993 COVID-19 cases, 10 more deaths
Odisha on Sunday registered its highest single-day spike of 2,993 COVID-19 cases and 10 more deaths due to the infection.
The state's COVID-19 death count has mounted to 409 and the infection tally reached 78,530, a health official said.
The state also registered a record of 2,129 recoveries on Sunday, the official said, adding that the recovery rate now stands at 69.28 per cent.
China Approves Emergency Usage Of COVID-19 Vaccines: Official
China has authorised emergency usage of COVID-19 vaccines developed by some select domestic companies, a Chinese health official has said.
An emergency use authorisation, which is based on Chinese vaccine management law, allows unapproved vaccine candidates to be used among people who are at high risk of getting infected on a limited period.
Jharkhand's COVID-19 count crosses 30,000-mark
Jharkhand's COVID-19 count crossed the 30,000-mark on Sunday as 1,075 more people tested positive for the infection, while eight deaths pushed the state's coronavirus death count to 318, a health bulletin said.
The state's virus count has risen to 30,178 with the detection of the new cases, it said.
US Approves Plasma Therapy Against CoronavirusAmerican authorities announced on Sunday an emergency approval of blood plasma from recovered coronavirus patients as a treatment against the disease that has killed over 176,000 in the US.
First plasma bank for COVID-19 launched in Telangana
Telangana's first plasma bank for COVID-19, an initiative by the Rotary Club in Hyderabad, was launched by G Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs on Sunday.
Mr Reddy thanked the Rotary Club and said that plasma therapy was the only hope until a vaccine was introduced.
"Among the two Telugu states, the first plasma bank has been set up today in Hyderabad. Till now, there is no vaccine for the coronavirus, hence, every person must safeguard themselves from the virus. The state has taken several measures to fight the virus, and this plasma bank is one of them," he said.
India's recovery rate is nearly 75%: Health Ministry
The constant increase in the number of recovered coronavirus patients has pushed India's recovery rate among the COVID-19 patients to nearly 75 per cent, stated the union health ministry on Sunday.
According to the ministry, about 57,989 patients recovered from COVID in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of recoveries to 22,80,566 so far.
India's total recoveries now exceed the total active cases (7,07,668) by nearly 16 lakhs (1,572,898), the ministry said.
"Worrying" coronavirus outbreak at French naturist resort
French regional health authorities on Sunday said there had been a "very worrying" outbreak of coronavirus at a naturist holiday resort on France's Mediterranean coast, with some 100 holidaymakers so far testing positive.
The Cap d'Agde resort in the Herault region, hugely popular among naturists, saw 38 positive tests on Monday and another 57 on Wednesday, the regional health authority said.
The rate of infection was four times higher among naturists in the resort than in the village itself, it added.
France reports post-lockdown high of 4,897 new virus cases
France on Sunday reported almost 4,900 new coronavirus cases over the last 24 hours, its highest figure since May, as the health minister acknowledged there were "risks" in the surging infection levels.
The French health authorities said in a statement that 4,897 new positive tests were registered on Sunday, sharply up on Saturday's figure of 3,602.
The figure is France's highest since it emerged in May from the two month lockdown to combat the virus that had until now successfully squashed infection rates.
Hong Kong Offers Free Virus Test To All Residents
Hong Kong will offer a free coronavirus test to all 7.5 million residents next month, the city's leader said Friday, but it was unclear how many would take part in the scheme run by companies based in mainland China.
Initially a poster child of the pandemic, Hong Kong has seen a third wave of virus cases -- blamed on exemptions from quarantine rules for air and ship crews, and some business travellers.
Carrie Lam, the finance hub's leader, announced that voluntary mass-testing would start on September 1 and go on for two weeks.
"There is still quite a number of silent transmitters in the community," she said.
Andhra Pradesh COVID-19 Tally Breaches 3.5 Lakh Mark With 7,895 Additions
Coronavirus cases in Andhra Pradesh crossed the 3.5 lakh mark on Sunday as 7,895 were added afresh while the state reported 93 more fatalities.
The latest bulletin said the total number of those recovered from the viral infection increased to 2.60 lakh after 7,449 more got cured in 24 hours ending 9 am on Sunday.
The number of active cases in the state now stood at 89,742.
With 7,895 new cases being reported, the overall tally rose to 3,53,111.
The infection positivity rate spiked to 10.91 per cent after 32.38 lakh tests were done so far while the recovery rate too showed an improvement at 73.66 per cent.
COVID-19: Guwahati Streets Remain Deserted Amid Weekend Lockdown
Streets across Guwahati wore a deserted look on Sunday, while a weekend lockdown to combat COVID-19 was observed in Assam following the guidelines issued by the state government on August 14.
On August 14, issued new COVID-19 lockdown guidelines with relaxations between August 16 and 31.
"All permitted activities mentioned in our earlier orders shall continue to be allowed between 5 am and 9 pm between Monday and Friday. Inter-District movement of passenger vehicles and people are allowed between Monday and Friday only. Inter-District movement of vehicles is allowed with 50 per cent capacity," the state government order read.
Serological Survey For COVID-19 Launched In Assam
The first serological survey in Assam was launched here by the Minister of state for Health and Family Welfare Pijush Hazarika on Sunday to assess whether people surveyed have developed immunity to novel coronavirus.
A serological survey involves testing of the blood serum of individuals to check for the prevalence of antibodies against an infection.
The survey titled ''A.A.S.H.A Assessment of Anti- SARSCoV2 Seroprevalence in Habitants of Assam: a population based cross sectional study'' is an initiative of an NGO in partnership with a diagnostics solutions provider.
"The need of the hour today is a seroprevalence study that would identify the proportion of people carrying antibodies against this virus," the minister said.
Telangana Needs To Increase COVID-19 Tests: Union Minister G Kishan Reddy
Telangana needs to ramp up COVID-19 testing though the recovery rate in the state has
improved, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy said on Sunday.
Speaking to reporters, he said, "Recovery rate is good in Telangana also. But, I feel the number of tests need to increase."
Noting that Telangana was at seventh place from the bottom, among all states, in testing, Reddy wished the state to move up in the list as it was "rich and developed."
Mr Reddy, who was speaking after inaugurating the Rotary Blood Plasma Bank here, said he spoke to state Health Minister Eatala Rajender on the matter and that the state government was also making efforts to step up testing.
Telangana Needs To Increase COVID-19 Tests: Union Minister G Kishan Reddy
Telangana needs to ramp up COVID-19 testing though the recovery rate in the state has
improved, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy said on Sunday.
Speaking to reporters, he said, "Recovery rate is good in Telangana also. But, I feel the number of tests need to increase."
Noting that Telangana was at seventh place from the bottom, among all states, in testing, Reddy wished the state to move up in the list as it was "rich and developed."
Mr Reddy, who was speaking after inaugurating the Rotary Blood Plasma Bank here, said he spoke to state Health Minister Eatala Rajender on the matter and that the state government was also making efforts to step up testing.
With 1,450 Fresh Coronavirus Cases, Delhi Records Highest Single-Day Spike In August
Delhi recorded 1,450 fresh coronavirus cases on Sunday, the highest single-day spike in August, taking the infection tally to over 1.61 lakh, while the number of deaths mounted to 4,300.
Sixteen fresh fatalities were recorded in the last 24 hours, officials said.
Sunday's spike in fresh cases surpassed Saturday's increase of 1,412 cases, authorities said.
According to the Delhi government's health bulletin, 6,261 RTPCR, CBNAAT, TrueNat tests and 12,470 rapid antigen tests were conducted in the last 24 hours.
15 Fresh Cases Take Mizoram's Tally To 918
Fifteen more people, including two frontline workers, in Mizoram have tested positive for
novel coronavirus on Sunday, taking the states COVID-19 caseload to 918.
According to a statement issued by the state's Information and Public Relation department, 11 cases were reported from Kolasib district, three from Aizawl district and one from Lunglei district.
Of the 15 fresh cases, nine were due to local transmission. Six truck drivers who came from Tripura and Assam were among the rest, it said.
Total 3.52 Crore Samples Tested For Coronavirus, Says Centre
Testing over eight lakh samples for six days in a row, India's total COVID-19 tests have touched 3.52 crore, while the average daily positivity rate has come down from 9.67 per cent during August 3-9 to 7.67 pc over the last week, the Centre said on Sunday. Read more
Testing over eight lakh samples for six days in a row, India's total COVID-19 tests have touched 3.52 crore, while the average daily positivity rate has come down from 9.67 per cent during August 3-9 to 7.67 pc over the last week, the Centre said on Sunday. Read more
Tamil Nadu Observes Intense Lockdown, Violators Fined
People stayed indoors and roads were deserted as Tamil Nadu observed a complete lockdown on Sunday as part of efforts to fight COVID-19.
While only healthcare services and milk supplies were operational, violators of norms in urban and semi-urban localities in districts including Kancheepuram, Pudukottai,
and Virudhunagar were finedby local authorities.
Vegetable, meat, and fish vendors were among those fined.
Tamil Nadu police said a fine of Rs 21.26 crore has so far been levied across the state as on Sunday for violation of curbs and 6.88 lakh vehicles seized.
If Everything Goes Well India Would Get COVID-19 Vaccine By Year-End: Harsh Vardhan
Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan has said that if everything goes well, India would get a vaccine against the novel coronavirus by the end of this year.
Three COVID-19 vaccine candidates, including two indigenous ones, are in different phases of development in India.
The phase-one human clinical trials of the two indigenous COVID-19 vaccine candidates, one developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with ICMR and the other by Zydus Cadila Ltd, have been completed and the trials have moved to phase-two, ICMR Director General Dr Balram Bhargava had said recently.
Madhya Pradesh Health Minister Prabhuram Choudhary Tests COVID-19 Positive
Madhya Pradesh Health Minister Prabhuram Choudhary on Sunday said he has tested coronavirus positive.
He shared the information on his Twitter handle.
Mr Choudhary is the seventh minister in Madhya Pradesh, besides Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, to test positive for the infection.
"My COVID-19 test report came out positive. I request those who had come in my contact to undergo a coronavirus test. Those in close contact should quarantine themselves," he tweeted.
Total 3.52 Crore Samples Tested For COVID-19, Average Daily Positive Rate Dips To 7.67% In Past Week
Testing over eight lakh samples for six days in a row, India's total COVID-19 tests have touched 3.52 crore, while the average daily positivity rate has come down from 9.67 per cent during August 3-9 to 7.67 pc over the last week, the Centre said on Sunday.
So far, 3,52,92,220 samples have been tested for detection of COVID-19 with 8,01,147 being tested on Saturday.
The steep rise in testing is a result of effective implementation of the aggressive testing strategy of the Centre through a focussed and graded approach, the ministry said.
"The rising average daily tests during the past three weeks present a strong depiction of the progress made in the enhancement of COVID-19 tests across the country. The rise in daily testing has been followed by a decrease in the average daily positivity rate," the health ministry highlighted.
Contact Minimisation At Core Of Sops For Resumption Of Media Production: Prakash Javadekar
Contact minimisation is at the core of the standard operating procedures (SOP) for the resumption of media production in the country amid the coronavirus pandemic, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said on Sunday.
"Contact Minimisation is at the core of the SOPs; only those in front of the camera are permitted to work without a mask; everyone else involved in the shooting must wear a mask at all times and everyone must maintain social distance," the Union Minister said.
The SOPs ensure adequate distancing at shoot locations and other workplaces and contain measures including proper sanitisation, crowd management and provision for protective equipment.
Tripura's COVID-19 Tally Rises To 8,720; Number Of Deaths Rises To 72
The number of COVID-19 cases in Tripura rose to 8,720 on Sunday as 331 more people tested positive for the infection, while two fresh fatalities pushed the state's coronavirus death toll to 72, a health official said.
The two patients died at the Agartala Government Medical College on Saturday, he said.
The fresh infections have pushed the number of active COVID-19 cases in the northeastern state to 2,448, while 6,182 people have recovered from the disease so far and 18 patients have migrated to other states, the official said.
The state has tested 2,41,104 samples for COVID-19 so far, he added.
New COVID-19 Cluster At Singapore's Biggest Dormitory
A new COVID-19 cluster has been reported in Singapore's biggest dormitory housing foreign workers, including Indian nationals, about a month after it was declared to be fully cleared of the coronavirus, reports PTI
Coronavirus News: Telangana Records 2,384 New COVID-19 Cases, 11 Deaths
Telangana on Sunday reported 2,384 new COVID-19 cases and 11 deaths, taking the state''s count of coronavirus cases to 1,04,249, reports ANI.
Coronavirus News: Odisha Reports Record 2,993 COVID-19 Cases, 10 More Deaths
Odisha on Sunday registered its highest single-day spike of 2,993 COVID-19 cases and 10 more deaths due to the infection. With this, the state's COVID-19 death toll has mounted to 409 and the infection tally reached 78,530, a health official said.
Over 3.52 Crore Samples Collected For COVID-19 Testing Till August 22: ICMR
Over 3.52 crore samples have been collected for COVID-19 testing in the country till August 22, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) informed on Sunday, reports ANI.
Weekend lockdown being observed in Lucknow, visuals from Hazratganj area.
Weekend lockdown being observed in Lucknow, visuals from Hazratganj area. #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/3tZBHvehti
- ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) August 23, 2020
Rajasthan reports 697 new COVID-19 cases and 6 deaths today.
Rajasthan reports 697 new #COVID19 cases and 6 deaths today, taking the total cases to 69,961 including 950 deaths, 54,252 recoveries and 14,759 active cases: State Health Department pic.twitter.com/gr4k8lCXqK
- ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2020
412 Fresh COVID-19 Cases Push Tally To 10,522 In Puducherry
The COVID-19 tally in the union territory rose to 10,522 and the toll mounted to 159 with the addition of 412 fresh cases and eight deaths, the Health Department said on Sunday, reports PTI.
2,384 new COVID-19 cases, 1,851 recoveries & 11 deaths reported in Telangana yesterday, taking the total number of cases to 1,04,249 in the State.
2,384 new #COVID19 cases, 1,851 recoveries & 11 deaths reported in Telangana yesterday, taking the total number of cases to 1,04,249 in the State.
- ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2020
The total number of cases includes 22,908 active cases, 80,586 recoveries & 755 deaths so far: State Health Department pic.twitter.com/ePjruiBdxy
Assam: Weekend lockdown being observed in Guwahati to control the spread of COVID-19.
Assam: Weekend lockdown being observed in Guwahati to control the spread of #COVID19. pic.twitter.com/yhEPWKlCvq
- ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2020
Telangana Reports 11 Deaths, 2,384 New COVID-19 Cases
Telangana logged 2,384 new COVID-19 cases, pushing the state's tally to 1,04,249, the government said on Sunday, reports PTI.
23 People Test Positive For COVID-19 In UP's Shamli District
The number of active COVID-19 cases in Uttar Pradesh's Shamli district has increased to 150 with 23 people testing positive for the infection, officials said on Sunday, reports PTI.
Coronavirus News: 69,239 New Covid Cases In Last 24 Hours
India's coronavirus tally passed 30.44 Lakh lakh today with a single-day jump of 69,239 fresh infections in the last 24 hours, the Union Health Ministry said this morning. About 22 lakh COVID-19 patients have recovered so far; the recovery rate stood at 74.89 per cent this morning. The number of deaths linked to coronavirus rose to 56,706 after 912 deaths were logged in the last 24 hours, the government data shows.
Anti-Fibrotic Drugs Effective In COVID-19 Patients: Army
For the first time in the country, anti-fibrotic drugs have been used to treat patients suffering from COVID-19-related lung fibrosis and breathlessness which has helped in the recovery of four such patients in Maharashtra's Pune, the Army has said, reports PTI.
COVID-19 Vaccine Will Be Developed By End Of The Year: Health Minister
Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on Saturday said that India's first vaccine against the novel coronavirus could be available by end of this year, reports ANI.
Jharkhand Agriculture Minister Badal Patralekh says, he has tested positive for COVID-19.
Jharkhand Agriculture Minister Badal Patralekh says, he has tested positive for #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/edh95W48jA
- ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2020
COVID-19 News: Punjab Minister Tests Positive For Coronavirus
Punjab Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa has tested positive for COVID-19, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh informed, reports ANI.
India Crosses 3 Million Coronavirus Cases
The number of coronavirus cases in India crossed 3 million just 15 days after the country reported 2 million cases, according to data. India logged more than 2 million coronavirus cases on August 7. Read Here
COVID-19 News: 1,310 New Coronavirus Cases In Rajasthan
Rajasthan reported 1,310 new COVID-19 cases and 11 deaths on Saturday, according to the State Health Department. The total number of cases in the state to 69,264 including 54,144 recoveries, 944 deaths, and 14,176 active cases, reports ANI.
Coronavirus: Haryana Records 1,161 New COVID-19 Cases
Haryana recorded 1,161 new COVID-19 cases and 12 deaths on Saturday, the State Health Department informed. The total number of coronavirus cases reached 53,290, out of which 8,680 cases are active, 44,013 are recovered cases, reports ANI.
This Study Shows Why People With COVID-19 May Lose Sense Of Smell
A team of researchers after studying tissue removed from patients' noses during surgery believe they may have discovered the reason why so many people with COVID-19 lose their sense of smell, even when they have no other symptoms, reports ANI.
Manipur: Locals of Champu Khangpok, a village near Loktak lake, say it has become difficult to earn a livelihood due to COVID-19.
Manipur: Locals of Champu Khangpok, a village near Loktak lake, say it has become difficult to earn a livelihood due to #COVID19.
- ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2020
A villager says, "Most of us are fishermen & due to restrictions we aren't able to sell fish in neighbouring markets." pic.twitter.com/a6JjmFk1zb
COVID-19 Vaccine Will Be Developed By End Of The Year: Health Minister Harsh VardhanUnion Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on Saturday said that India's first vaccine against the novel coronavirus could be available by end of this year.
India conducted over 1 million COVID-19 tests in a day
India has "crossed a significant milestone" of testing more than 10 lakh (1 million) samples in a day, taking the cumulative tests to more than 3.4 crore, Union Health Ministry said.
As has been reported from states and Union Territories that have pushed ahead with aggressive testing, there is a commensurate decline in the positivity rate, the Health Ministry said.
The cumulative tests conducted so far have reached 3,44,91,073 of which around 28 per cent samples were tested through rapid antigen tests, sources told news agency Press Trust of India.
Spike in COVID-19 cases in Ireland continues with 156 new infections
Ireland reported more than 100 daily COVID-19 cases for the fourth time in eight days on Saturday after the health service was notified of 156 new infections and two additional deaths.
Ireland significantly tightened its nationwide coronavirus restrictions on Tuesday to try to rein in the new spike, which began in late July after cases had fallen to a daily average of around 20 for much of the previous two months.
The government lifted separate stricter measures in two counties on Friday but extended them for two more weeks in Kildare, where there were 36 cases. Dublin accounted for 55 with the rest spread across the country, similar to previous days.
States announce fresh restrictions after rise in COVID-19 cases in India
Several states have announced fresh restrictions amid spike in cases. Haryana on Friday announced weekend lockdown and said all offices and shops will remain shut on weekends, except stores selling essential items.
Punjab ordered daily night curfew (7 pm to 5 am) from Friday and a weekend lockdown in all 167 cities and towns in the state, as part of a strict response to the worrying surge in coronavirus cases.
India to have its dedicated vaccine portal soon: Top Medical Body
In a first in India, the country's top medical research body is working to create an Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) vaccine portal, as a repository for all information related to vaccine development in India.
The ICMR vaccine portal would be made public by the next week.
In the first stage, the ICMR vaccine portal will reflect the information on COVID-19 vaccine in India. However, with time, the web portal will be strengthened with data available for all the vaccines used to prevent various diseases.
