COVID-19 Cases in India: The country's active caseload currently is 3,69,846. (File)
India today reported 25,166 fresh COVID-19 cases, 23.5% lower than yesterday, taking the total number of infections to 3,22,50,679. Besides, with 437 new fatalities in the last 24 hours, the death count has increased to 4,32,079, according to the latest health ministry update.
The country's active caseload currently is 3,69,846, the lowest in 146 days. The active cases constitute 1.15% of total cases, the lowest ever since March 2020. Across the country, 3,14,48,754 in total have recovered so far, with 36,830 patients recovering during the last 24 hours. At 97.51% per cent, the recovery rate is at its highest since March 2020.
India achieved its highest ever single-day vaccination mark with the administration of over 88.13 lakh vaccine doses during the last 24 hours. With this, the country's total vaccination coverage has crossed 55 crore.
Yesterday, the country had reported 32,937 new cases, besides 417 deaths. The number of cases with the Delta Plus variant of the disease has reached 76, data released on Monday showed. Of these, 10 had received both doses of one of the Covid vaccines and 12 the first, the government has said.
Here are the Highlights on coronavirus (COVID-19) cases:
Anti-mask mandate Texas governor tests positive for CovidThe Republican governor of Texas, who has been a forceful opponent of mask mandates, has tested positive for Covid-19, his office said Tuesday, one day after attending an indoor public event.
Greg Abbott, who is fully vaccinated, "has been testing daily, and today was the first positive test result," said a statement from his spokesman Mark Miner.
"The Governor will isolate in the Governor's Mansion and continue to test daily," the statement said, adding that Abbott is receiving an antibody cocktail treatment.
Abbott is "in good health, and currently experiencing no symptoms," the statement said.
"Everyone that the Governor has been in close contact with today has been notified. Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott tested negative."
Abbott has been one of the most outspoken US governors against anti-Covid mask mandates. Texas has banned local governments in the southern US state and any entities that receive public funds from imposing vaccination requirements.
Cases Are Down In Tamil Nadu, But There's New COVID-19 WorryIn a new worry for Tamil Nadu, health authorities say the state is facing a kind of vaccination apathy among its residents following a drastic dip in daily coronavirus case numbers from about 36,000 a day during the peak of the second wave in May to less than 2,000 now.
Though on Monday the state administered over 4 lakh doses, its daily average over the last week is 2.23 lakh doses and even more worryingly, only 37 per cent of the population have got one Covid dose and little over 8.2 per cent have got both doses, much less than the national average.
The state has a capacity to inoculate 8 lakh people daily but it managed to cross 5 lakh just one day.
Delhi reports 38 new COVID-19 cases, 4 deaths
The national capital on Tuesday saw a slight surge in its daily count reporting 38 new COVID-19 cases and four fatalities in the last 24 hours. As per the Delhi health bulletin, a total of 53,345 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours wherein a positivity rate of 0.07 per cent was reported. The total cases mounted to 14,37,156 including 471 active cases.
Over 50% of Swiss population fully vaccinated against CovidMore than 50 percent of the Swiss population has now been fully vaccinated against Covid-19, statistics showed Tuesday, although immunisation rates are slowing even as cases and hospitalisations rise. Switzerland is using the two-dose Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, administering the doses four weeks apart.
Government statistics showed that 50.1 percent of the population -- 4,311,432 people -- had received both injections. A further 5.63 percent are partially vaccinated, having received their first dose.
Centre announces Rs 1,353 crore package for Northeast to tackle pandemicThe Centre will provide a financial package of Rs 1,353 crore to the Northeastern states to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, Union Health minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced.
Reviewing the COVID-19 situation with the health ministers and senior officials of all the Northeastern states here, Mandaviya said the fund is being provided to purchase medicines, enhance oxygen supply, increase the number of beds at local and district-level hospitals.
" The fund will also be utilised to speed up the vaccination drive by the states in the region," the Union minister said.
Karnataka records 1,298 new COVID-19 cases, 32 deaths
Karnataka reported 1,298 new COVID-19 cases and 32 deaths, taking the total number of infections to 29,31,827 and the count to 37,039. The day also saw 1,833 discharges, taking the total number of recoveries in the state so far to 28,73,281. Bengaluru Urban accounted for most of the fresh cases (340), as the city saw 471 discharges and 10 deaths.
Madhya Pradesh records 11 new COVID-19 casesThe COVID-19 caseload in Madhya Pradesh rose to 7,92,054, after 11 persons tested positive for the infection on Tuesday, an official from the state health department said.
The toll in the state stands at 10,515, while the count of recoveries has reached 7,81,444, the official said, adding that the state is left with 95 active cases.
Pfizer submits data for 3rd dose approval in USPfizer and BioNTech on Monday submitted preliminary clinical data to US health authorities as part of their effort to seek authorization for a third dose of their Covid-19 vaccine for all Americans. Last week, the United States approved the booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines for people with weakened immune systems.
Pfizer and BioNTech presented the results of their Phase One trial that evaluated the safety and efficacy of a third shot. "The data we've seen to date suggest a third dose of our vaccine elicits antibody levels that significantly exceed those seen after the two-dose primary schedule," Albert Bourla, Pfizer's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said in a statement.
World Health Organization concerned about COVID-19 in Afghanistan as vaccination slowThe World Health Organization (WHO) is worried about the spread of the coronavirus in Afghanistan as the upheaval caused by the Taliban advance and seizure of power has slowed vaccinations, a spokesperson said.
"As the situation in Afghanistan continues to deteriorate rapidly, WHO is extremely concerned over the unfolding safety and humanitarian needs in the country, including risk of disease outbreaks and rise in COVID-19 transmission," Tarik Jasarevic told a UN briefing.
WHO mobile health teams have been on hold in the capital for the past 24 hours due to the insecurity and the unpredictable situation, he said.
COVID-19 India News: Assam Relaxes Curfew Timings, Allows Inter-District Movement
Curfew timings have been relaxed and inter-district movement of passengers allowed, except to and from Kamrup Metropolitan district, as per the revised COVID-19 SOP for the state, Assam Health Minister Keshab Mahanta said on Tuesday, according to news agency PTI. The new guidelines, which also permits the opening of final year classes of technical education, will be effective from 5 am on Wednesday until further orders, Mr Mahanta added.
COVID-19 News: 80% Samples For Genome Sequencing Test Positive For Delta Variant
Out of the total samples sent for genome sequencing of COVID-19 patients in Maharashtra, 80% of the samples have tested positive for the Delta variant, according to the state health department, reported news agency ANI. Maharashtra is conducting genome sequencing tests of COVID-19 patients' samples on a regular basis to ascertain the extent of spread of mutants of the virus.
Court Dismisses Plea Challenging Decision To Permit 100% Seating In Delhi Metro, Buses
The Delhi High Court has dismissed a petition challenging the authorities' decision to permit 100% seating in Delhi Metro and buses plying in the national capital during the COVID-19 pandemic, saying it is for the competent authorities to take a call on regulation of public transport, reported news agency PTI. The court said if every user of public transport or citizen is permitted to raise such issues and challenge the government decision, there would be no end to such petitions.
COVID-19 India News: One New Case Recorded In Andamans
Andaman and Nicobar Islands recorded only one new COVID-19 case in the last 24 hours, pushing the tally in the union territory to 7,549, a health official said on Tuesday, according to news agency PTI. The new COVID-19 case was detected during testing at the airport. All passengers arriving by flight have to undergo mandatory RT-PCR test before they are allowed entry into the islands.
COVID-19 India News: Arunachal Pradesh Reports 165 New Cases
Arunachal Pradesh's COVID-19 tally rose to 51,513 as 165 more people tested positive for the infection, a senior health department official said on Tuesday, according to news agency PTI. The COVID-19 death count in the state remained at 252 as no new fatality was reported in the last 24 hours, State Surveillance Officer (SSO) Dr Lobsang Jampa said. Arunachal Pradesh currently has 1,836 active cases, while 49,425 people have recovered from the disease, including 249 patients on Monday, Dr Jampa said. The COVID-19 recovery rate in the state now is 95.95 per cent while the active percentage stands at 3.56 and the positivity rate at 3.76 per cent, the official said.
Coronavirus Cases: India Sees Lowest Daily Covid Cases In 5 Months, Record VaccinationsIndia saw a single-day rise of 25,166 new COVID-19 cases, the lowest in 154 days, taking the tally to 3,22,50,679, while the national recovery rate was recorded at 97.51 per cent, the highest since March 2020, according to the latest Health Ministry data on Tuesday. Read here.
Over 2.25 Crore Unutilised COVID-19 Vaccine Doses Available With States: Centre
The Union Health Ministry on Tuesday informed that over 2.25 crore balance and unutilised COVID-19 vaccine doses are available with the states, Union territories and private hospitals, and are yet to be administered, reported news agency ANI. Further, it informed that the government has provided over 56.81 crore doses to states and UTs till date, while over 1 crore are in transit.
25,166 Fresh COVID-19 Cases In India
India today reported 25,166 fresh COVID-19 cases, 23.5% lower than yesterday.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Japan to expand virus emergency to battle surge
Japan's government said Tuesday it will expand a coronavirus state of emergency to seven new regions as it battles a record wave of infections a week before the Paralympic Games.
Virus emergency measures that ban restaurants and bars from selling alcohol and require them to close by 8 pm are already in place in Tokyo and five other regions, and had been due to end by August 31.
But the government will now expand the measure to additional areas, with the restrictions in all parts of the country running until September 12.
"(Infection) is spreading across Japan on a scale we have never experienced before," said Yasutoshi Nishimura, the coronavirus response minister.
"The number of patients in serious condition is rising each day," he said at an expert meeting.
In addition to the measures affecting bars and restaurants, the government will ask large shopping malls and department stores to limit the number of customers inside at one time.
US Eases Travel Advisory For India, Warns Against Travel To Turkey
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and U.S. State Department warned on Monday against travel to Turkey because of a rising number of COVID-19 cases in that nation but eased its advisories for India.
The CDC added Turkey to its "Level 4: Very High" COVID-19 level, while the State Department issued its parallel: "Level 4: Do Not Travel" advisory.
The CDC lowered India to "Level 2: Moderate," while the State Department eased its India rating to "Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution."
U.S. President Joe Biden on April 30 imposed new travel restrictions on India in light of COVID-19, barring most non-U.S. citizens from entering the United States who had been in India within the previous 14 days.
There are no U.S. travel restrictions for travelers from Turkey.
Centre Curbs Export Of Covid Rapid Antigen Test Kits Over Third Wave ConcernsThe government on Monday imposed restrictions on the export of Covid rapid antigen testing kits amid several experts warning of a possible third wave of the coronavirus pandemic.
"The export of COVID-19 rapid antigen testing kits... has been put under the restricted category, with immediate effect," the directorate general of foreign trade (DGFT) said in a notification.
Exporters have to seek a licence or permission from the DGFT for shipping items under the restricted category. Such restrictions are aimed at increasing the domestic availability of the kits.
As Delta spreads, some travelers double up on COVID-19 vaccine in U.SAlison Toni felt lucky to get Sinovac's COVID-19 vaccine in Chile earlier this year. A month later, she was in Minnesota getting vaccinated again.
Toni, an American living in Chile, was visiting her parents in Minneapolis in April when she got her first Pfizer shot at a CVS pharmacy. She traveled back for the second dose in June. She did not disclose being previously vaccinated.
"They didn't ask, and I didn't tell," said Toni, 55. She took that step after reading that China's Sinovac vaccine had a lower efficacy than the Pfizer Inc shot, developed with German partner BioNTech, and the Moderna Inc shot, both widely available in the United States. She also consulted with her doctor beforehand.
Toni is among the group of people coming from abroad who have been vaccinated a second time, or plan to do so, in the United States.
Their reasons range from concerns that the vaccines immediately available to them were not effective enough, fears that they require extra protection against the fast-spreading Delta variant, or a need to meet specific requirements for work or travel. Some are seeking medical advice, others are relying on their own research.
A few countries are also beginning to offer a third booster dose to their citizens based on evidence that the initial protection from vaccines wanes over time, or that an extra shot may help prevent infection against Delta, particularly for older people or those with weak immune systems.