COVID-19 Cases India Updates: India's recovery rate is 74.30 per cent.
Coronavirus India Live Updates: India has logged 68,898 cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours with 983 deaths, the Union Health Ministry said on Friday. The total number of cases in the country has now shot up to 29,05,823 with 54,849 deaths. A total of 21,58,946 COVID-19 patients have recovered from the infection, taking the recovery rate to 74.30 per cent, the ministry said on Friday.
Meanwhile, across the world, there have been a total of 2,26,57,915 confirmed coronavirus cases, according to the latest update. This includes 73,44,866 people who are being treated, 1,45,19,591 who have recovered and 7,93,458 who have died.
Here are the Highlights on Coronavirus Pandemic:
Number of COVID-19 cases in Brazil rises by 30,355 to over 3.53 million
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Brazil has increased by 30,355 to 3,532,330 within the past 24 hours, the national Ministry of Health said on late Friday.
The death toll has risen by 1,054 to 113,358 within the same period of time.
A day earlier, Brazil reported 45,323 new cases of the coronavirus disease and 1,204 new deaths.
Limited transmission of COVID-19 found in US childcare study: Centers for Disease Control
Transmission of COVID-19 from children or adults to other people in Rhode Island childcare programs occurred on only a limited basis, a study by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed on Friday.
CDC Director Robert Redfield told reporters on a call that the findings indicated that there is a path "to get these childcare programs to reopen, which are very important for our country."
Many childcare facilities were shut due to fear of infection in such group settings during the coronavirus pandemic, one more complication for getting people back to work in the battered US economy.
US closes lanes, adds checks at Mexico border to contain coronavirus
The United States on Friday closed lanes at select ports of entry at the border with Mexico and will conduct more secondary checks in a bid to limit non-essential travel and the spread of coronavirus, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection official said.
Non-essential travel has been restricted at the border for several months, but has mostly been applied to Mexican citizens. The new measures appeared to be aimed at U.S. citizens and legal residents living in Mexico.
Delhi discontinues health care facilities at banquet halls
The Delhi government on Friday announced to discontinue the scheme of creation of health care facilities in banquet halls, which was operationalised in linkages with designated COVID hospitals of Delhi Government with immediate effect.
Delhi government in an order said that "all Medical Directors/Directors of concerned linked hospitals of Government of NCT of Delhi and all concerned District Magistrates of Delhi are directed to wind up the facilities operating in banquet halls with immediate effect."
Delhi Disaster Management Authority had on June 12 allowed banquet halls to be converted into a temporary COVID treatment hospitals.
South Africa's COVID-19 infections breach 600,000 mark
South Africa's confirmed COVID-19 cases have surpassed 600,000, the health ministry said on Friday, although the number of new cases has been declining since a peak in July.
Despite imposing one of the world's toughest lockdowns at the end of March when the country had only a few hundred cases, South Africa saw a surge in coronavirus infections that has left it the hardest hit on the continent.
The ministry said in a statement South Africa now had a total of 603,338 cases and 12,843 deaths - accounting for more than half of the continent's cases and around 47% of its deaths, according to a Reuters tally of government and WHO data.
Brazil's coronavirus spread on "stable or downwards" trend: WHO
The coronavirus crisis in Brazil appears to be leveling off, if not easing, the World Health Organization said on Friday, offering a chink of light for the world's second biggest COVID-19 hot spot.
The number of weekly infections detected have stabilized, transmissions are slowing, and intensive care units are under less pressure, Mike Ryan, WHO's top emergency expert, told a news conference in Geneva.
"In general, the trend in Brazil is stable or downwards ... and that needs to keep going," Ryan said.
Over one lakh people have recovered from COVID-19 in Bengal: Health Department
Over one lakh people have recovered from COVID-19 in West Bengal after 3,082 patients tested negative on Friday, according to a bulletin released by the state health department.
The discharge percentage in the state improved to 76.89 per cent as a total of 1,01,871 people have so far recovered from the disease, it said.
Chandigarh orders weekend restrictions as COVID-19 cases rise
After a rise in the number of coronavirus cases in Chandigarh during past few days, the union territory administration has decided to impose stricter restrictions and ordered closure of all shops and establishments, except those providing essential services, on Saturdays and Sundays.
Adviser to the UT Administrator, Manoj Parida said the curfew timings in Chandigarh continue to be from 10pm to 5am.
Children over 12 should follow same mask rules as adults: WHO
The World Health Organization on Friday recommended that children over 12 should wear masks in the same contexts as adults in the bid to rein in the COVID-19 pandemic.
The UN health agency, in cooperation with UNICEF, published fresh guidance Friday on when it is appropriate for children to wear masks to impede the spread of the coronavirus crisis.
The two UN agencies had convened a group of experts to review the limited data available on children's contribution to the spread of COVID-19, as well as on the benefits of mask-wearing by children.
60 COVID-19 detected today of which 57 are asymptomatic and 3 are symptomatic. 32 patients discharged from 7 districts today: Directorate of Health Services, Arunachal Pradesh
955 new COVID-19 cases and 6 deaths reported in Jharkhand today. Total number of cases now at 28,196 including 18,372 recoveries and 297 deaths: State Health Department
Odisha: BJD MLA Sanjib Mallick tests positive for COVID-19Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA Sanjib Mallick tested positive for coronavirus on Friday.
Sanjib Mallick, who is MLA from Bhadrak constituency, has asked everyone who came in contact with him to get themselves tested for the virus.
Mr Mallick said in a tweet, "Today my Covid test was done and the result was positive. I am requesting all who came in my contact to please get Covid test done and follow Covid positive guidelines."
According to the Union Health Ministry, Odisha has 21,063 active cases, 48,577 recoveries and 380 deaths as of August 21.
Coronavirus Updates: Delhi Reports 1,250 New COVID-19 Cases, 13 DeathsDelhi on Friday reported 1,250 new COVID-19 cases taking the total number of cases in the national capital to 1,58,604.
According to the bulletin of the Delhi government's health department, a total of 13 deaths were reported today, taking the death count to 4,270.
There are 11,426 active cases in the national capital, ANI reported.
Coronavirus news: 14,161 new coronavirus cases in Maharashtra, 339 deaths
Coronavirus cases in Maharashtra went up to 6,57,450 on Friday with 14,161 new patients being reported, the state health department said.
With 339 fatalities, the death count due to the pandemic rose to 21,698, it said in a statement.
Also, 11,749 patients were discharged from hospitals during the day, taking the number of recovered cases to 4,70,873, PTI reported.
Coronavirus news: DDMA allows weekly markets in Delhi to open from Monday on trial basis
The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) on Friday allowed weekly markets to open on trial basis from August 24-30 and directed authorities to ensure strict implementation of anti-COVID-19 measures, including social distancing.
According to an order issued by Chief Secretary Vijay Dev, weekly markets will not be allowed in containment zones, PTI reported.
Coronavirus news: Four domestic helps at Sharad Pawar's Baramati house test positive
Four domestic helps working at NCP chief Sharad Pawar's bungalow in Baramati tested positive for coronavirus infection on Friday, said a senior Pune district official.
Coronavirus news: Response time of Delhi government's CATS ambulance service improves
The response time of the CATS ambulance service has improved from 55 minutes in mid May to 18 minutes now as the Delhi government has increased the number of such vehicles to 594, according to an official statement.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is personally monitoring Delhi's COVID-19 situation, PTI reported.
Coronavirus news: Another BJD MLA tests positive for COVID-19 in Odisha
Another ruling Biju Janata Dal MLA on Friday tested positive for COVID-19, taking the total number of lawmakers infected by the virus in the state to nine.
BJD Bhadrak MLA Sanjib Mallick on Friday announced that he has tested positive for COVID-19, PTI reported.
Coronavirus news: Congregational prayers offered in major mosques, shrines in Kashmir first time since lockdown
Congregational prayers were offered in major mosques and shrines in Kashmir on Friday for the first time since the nationwide lockdown to contain the COVID-19 crises was imposed in March, officials said.
The Friday congregational prayers were also held at the historic Jamia Masjid here, they said.
The officials said men and women offered prayers while observing the social distancing norms and other preventive measures were also undertaken.
Coronavirus news: Negative coronavirus report must for Punjab legislators to attend Assembly session
In the wake of coronavirus pandemic, Punjab Assembly Speaker Rana KP Singh on Friday said that the latest coronavirus negative report is mandatory for Ministers, MLAs, officers and employees to attend the Punjab Vidhan Sabha session.
The assembly session will begin from August 28 amid the COVID-19, ANI reported.
Coronavirus news: Odisha government tells collectors of 8 districts to rework strategy to contain COVID-19 cases
The Odisha government on Friday asked the collectors of eight districts which have been reporting more than 100 COVID-19 cases daily for a fortnight, to identify the exact cause of the spike and to roll out an area specific strategy immediately.
The direction in this regard was given by chief secretary AK Tripathy to the district collectors and district COVID-19 Observers in a meeting through video conferencing.
"The rate and cause of the spread in disease differ from one area to the other. The nature of spread in rural area becomes different from that of the urban and city area. The border areas with neighbouring states also have their own uniqueness," AK Tripathy said.
Coronavirus news: Kerala reports 1,983 COVID-19 cases; count climbs to 203Kerala reported 1,983 fresh COVID-19 cases on Friday, taking the total infection count to 54,182, while 12 more deaths took the count to 203.
At least 1,777 people were infected through contact and the source of infection of 109 was not yet known, Health minister KK Shailaja said.
Thirty five health workers are among those who tested positive, PTI reported.
Coronavirus news: Kerala High Court closes Chennithala's petition on quashing police circular on Call Data Records (CDRs) of COVID-19 patientsThe Kerala High Court on Friday closed a petition filed by Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly Ramesh Chennithala, seeking to quash a police circular directing collection of Call Data Records of COVID-19 patients.
The court allowed the state government's submission that it planned only to collect the records of the tower locations of the cell phones being used by the patients.
A division bench, comprising Chief Justice S Manikumar and Justice Shaji P Chaly, directed the state government and police to ensure strict confidentiality of the call detail records (CDR) collected and also to ensure that they are not accessed by any third parties as affirmed before the court.
Coronavirus news: Over 1 lakh school students attend neighbourhood classes in Tripura
On its first day, over one lakh school students in Tripura attended neighbourhood clases in open places maintaining social distancing, a state minister said.
The state government has started neighbourhood classes for students, who do not have television sets or mobile phones, the minister said on Friday.
A total of 1.25 lakh students attended the classes on the first day on Thursday, Education minister Ratan Lal Nath said.
Coronavirus news: Swiss coronavirus cases highest in four monthsSwitzerland racked up more than 300 new coronavirus cases on Friday for the second time this week, as confirmed infections returned to a level not seen since mid-April.
The wealthy Alpine nation managed to avoid the worst of the pandemic despite bordering Italy, Europe's early epicentre for deaths and infections.
In mid-March, Switzerland introduced restrictions aimed at halting the spread, though it stopped short of the strict confinement imposed by some of its neighbours.
It eased off its restrictions in gradual stages -- but case numbers have been steadily on the rise since late June, AFP reported.
Coronavirus news: 9,544 fresh cases added to Andhra Pradesh's COVID-19 tally
The rapid spread of coronavirus contagion is showing no signs of abating as 9,544 more cases have been added, pushing Andhra Pradesh's overall tally to 3.34 lakh on Friday.
With the new cases coming in hordes daily, the state government decided to increase the number of Covid-19 hospitals from 138 to 287 to cater to the enhanced caseload, PTI reported.
Coronavirus news: UP's COVID-19 tally rises to 1,77,239 with 4,991 new cases
Uttar Pradesh reported 4,991 fresh COVID-19 cases on Friday taking the total number of those affected by COVID-19 to 1,77,239, officials said.
With 66 fresh fatalities since Thursday, the total deaths due to the virus have gone up to 2,797, a health department bulletin issued said.
There are 47,785 active cases in the state while the number of those being discharged from hospitals after recovery is 1,26,657, the bulletin said.
Coronavirus news: Irish minister quits for "damaging national effort" on COVID-19
Ireland's agriculture minister resigned on Friday after he said he had damaged the national effort in fighting COVID-19 by attending a social event police are investigating for an alleged breach of health regulations.
Dara Calleary was among more than 80 guests at a hotel dinner hosted by the Irish parliament's golf society, the night after he and his cabinet colleagues significantly tightened nationwide restrictions to try to rein in a spike in infections.
Ireland has maintained some of the strictest controls in Europe and the government faced criticism all week for what many saw as poorly communicated and contradictory new restrictions, including limiting indoor gatherings to just six people.
Other politicians, including European Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan, attended the dinner that drew a wave of public anger, reuters reported.
Coronavirus news: 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.
Coronavirus news: 3 Indian companies start supply of life-saving Remdesivir to Nepal
Three Indian pharmaceutical companies have started supplying Nepal with life-saving anti-viral Remdesivir to be used for the treatment of COVID-19 patients.
"We have confirmed three companies for supply of Remdesivir. Mylan, Cipla, and Hetero Drugs will be supplying the drugs as per our demands. We will be permitting the use of anti-viral supplied on by these companies only," Narayan Prasad Dhakal, the Director-General of Department of Drug Administration confirmed.
"Among them, Mylan has started supplying the anti-viral to Nepal. At first, we have ordered 570 vials of it and has been delivered. Indian companies are easy to reach and the cost also comes low so we confirmed them," he added.
Remdesivir has been proved to be efficient for patients who have been put in the Intensive Care Unit and take them out of danger zone but wasn't available in the Himalayan nation, ANI reported.
Coronavirus news: Myanmar locks down Rakhine capital after outbreak of more infectious virus strain
Myanmar has locked down the capital of conflict-torn Rakhine State after an outbreak of a novel coronavirus strain that officials said was more infectious than that previously seen in the country.
Nineteen people have tested positive for the virus in the western region since Monday, health officials said on Friday, the first local transmission in Myanmar in months, bringing its total number of cases to 409.
Coronavirus news: 62,282 recoveries in 24 hours, active cases declineIndia has touched another peak of the highest recoveries of COVID-19 cases in a single day as 62,282 patients have recovered and been discharged in the past 24 hours, said the Union health ministry on Friday.
With more patients recovering and being discharged from the hospitals and home isolation (in case of mild and moderate cases), the total recoveries have crossed the 21.5 lakh-mark till Friday (21,58,946), ANI reported.
Coronavirus news: Arvind Kejriwal hands over Rs 1 crore cheque to sanitation worker who died of COVID-19
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday handed a cheque of Rs 1 crore to the family of Raju, a sanitation worker who died due to COVID-19 while being on duty.
While speaking to the reporters, the Delhi Chief Minister said, "He (Raju) died while serving the people. We are proud of all such COVID warriors."
According to the Union Health Ministry, there are 11,271 active cases in the national capital.
Coronavirus news: Church at centre of South Korea coronavirus outbreak says government fabricating tests
South Korea's battle to contain a new outbreak of the coronavirus has been complicated by a political and religious fight between President Moon Jae-in's administration and some of his fiercest critics.
Sarang Jeil Church is the second religious group at the centre of a major coronavirus outbreak in South Korea, reuters reported.
The government accuses the church of obstruction by not providing complete lists of its members and spreading fake news that is hindering anti-virus efforts, while church members they are victims of a politically motivated witch hunt.
Coronavirus news: COVID-19 cases in Russia rise by 4,870 to 946,976
A total of 4,870 new cases of coronavirus were registered in Russia in the last 24 hours, reported Xinhua citing the country's COVID-19 response center.
The countrywide tally has now gone up to 946,976.
14 Air India Passengers Have Tested Positive For COVID-19 Till Thursday: Hong Kong Government
Fourteen passengers who travelled from Delhi to Hong Kong on an Air India flight on August 14 have tested positive for COVID-19 till Thursday, the Hong Kong government said.
Due to this incident, Air India's passenger flights have been barred from landing in Hong Kong till August-end, it added on Friday.
A passenger from India can arrive in Hong Kong only if he or she has a COVID-19 negative certificate from a test done 72 hours prior to the journey, according to the rules issued by the Hong Kong government in July.
COVID-19 Recovery Rate In India Rises To 74.30 Per Cent
India's COVID-19 recovery rate soared past 74 per cent on Friday with a record 62,282 patients having recuperated and discharged in a day taking the total recoveries to 21.5 lakh, the Union Health Ministry said.
The COVID-19 case fatality rate has dropped further to 1.89 per cent as on date.
With more patients recovering and being discharged from hospitals and home isolation, the total recoveries have surged to 21,58,946 and exceeds active cases of coronavirus infection by 14,66,918 as on date.
India's COVID-19 recovery rate has risen to 74.30 per cent which is further bolstered by 33 states and UTs reporting recovery rate more than 50 per cent, it said.
10 Deaths, 2,698 More COVID-19 Cases In Odisha
As many as 2,698 new COVID-19 cases and 10 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours in Odisha, the State Health Department said on Friday.
According to officials, of the ten new deaths, four were from Ganjam districts, two from Bhubaneshwar, and one each from Angul, Koraput, Nayagarh, and Sonepur.
A total number of 56,479 samples were tested for coronavirus yesterday, including 11,358 through RT-PCR, 44,950 through Antigen, and 171 through Truenat testing. So far, 11,72,426 samples have been tested for COVID-19 in the state.
151 New COVID-19 Cases Reported In Bhopal
As many as 151 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Bhopal in the last 24 hours, the health department has said.
As per the department, a total of 17 positive cases were reported from Bansal Hospital, 10 in Chirayu Medical College and Hospital, 26 in AIIMS, 37 after antigen tests among others in the Madhya Pradesh capital.
Across the state, there are a total of 49,493 cases, of which 1,142 new cases were reported since Thursday. Currently, there are 10,872 active cases.
Rajasthan Reports 695 New COVID-19 Cases, 5 Deaths
Rajasthan on Friday recorded 695 more COVID-19 cases and five deaths, taking the state's count of coronavirus cases to 67,314.
"Rajasthan reports 695 COVID-19 cases and 5 deaths today; 237 patients recovered and 189 discharged. The total positive cases in the state stand at 67,314," said the State Health Department.
So far, 926 people have die due to the virus in the state.
Arunachal Pradesh's COVID-19 Tally Crosses 3,000-Mark With 116 Fresh Cases
Arunachal Pradesh's coronavirus tally crossed the 3,000-mark on Friday as 116 more people, including 36 security personnel, tested positive for the disease, a Health Department official said.
With the fresh infections, the total number of cases rose to 3,066, State Surveillance Officer Dr L Jampa said.
Of the new cases, seven were reported from the Capital Complex region, 32 from Changlang district, 20 from West Kameng, 19 from East Siang and 10 from East Kameng.
West Bengal Observes Bi-Weekly Lockdown To Break COVID-19 Transmission Chain
West Bengal on Friday observed the bi-weekly lockdown to break the chain of COVID-19 transmission after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced two days of lockdown this week.
Several districts including Birbhum and Siliguri wore a deserted look as people remained indoors and public transport and other vehicles, barring those engaged in essential services, were off the roads.
Police personnel kept a strict vigil on major intersections to prevent people from venturing out without any valid reason.
107-Year-Old Maharashtra Woman Beats COVID-19
A 107-year-old woman and her 78- year-old daughter have recovered from COVID-19 here in Maharashtra, overcoming the odds of high mortality rate among elderly people, an official said on Friday.
The woman-daughter duo along with three other family members were discharged from a COVID-19 hospital in Jalna city on Thursday.
The centenarian, her daughter, 65-year-old son and two grandchildren, aged 27 and 17, were undergoing treatment for coronavirus for more than a week at the hospital, district
civil surgeon Archana Bhosale said.
JustIn| 68,898 coronavirus cases in India in 24 hours; over 29 lakh total cases so far, 54,849 deaths; over 74% recovery rate
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant Interacts With Patients Recovered From COVID-19 To Create Awareness Against Stigma
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday interacted with coronavirus-recovered patients in a bid to create awareness against the social stigma attached to the disease.
"Today I met and interacted with patients who had recovered from COVID-19 from across the state. They informed me that there is a virus in people's minds and there is still discrimination in society. In the coming days, we will not only try to control the disease but also remove this discrimination," Mr Sawant told ANI.
Punjab Reports 1,741 New Coronavirus Cases
As many as 1,741 new coronavirus cases were registered in Punjab on Thursday, according to the State Health Department.
The total number of cases in the state has climbed to 37,824, including 13,830 active cases, 23,037 recovered cases, and 957 deaths.
India's COVID-19 tally surpassed the 28 lakh-mark on Thursday while the daily testing scaled a new peak with over 9 lakh tests conducted in the last 24 hours in the country, according to the Union Ministry of Health.
517 New COVID-19 Cases, 8 Deaths In Jharkhand
Jharkhand reported 517 new COVID-19 cases and 8 deaths, according to the state health department.
The total number of cases has climbed to 26,938, including 17,320 discharges and 286 deaths.
The number of active cases in the state stands at 9,332.
India's COVID-19 tally surpassed the 28 lakh-mark on Thursday while the daily testing scaled a new peak with over 9 lakh tests conducted in the last 24 hours in the country, according to the Union Ministry of Health.
COVID-19: Where Is India Headed?The rate of increase in new Covid cases is finally falling. A decline in the percentage increase - rather than a decline in absolute numbers - is the first indication of a possible "flattening of the curve" of the pandemic.
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Latin America passes 250,000 death counts due to COVID-19
The number of reported COVID-19 deaths in Latin America passed 250,000, as the virus continues to devastate the region that has become the worst affected in the world.
The grim milestone was passed as Brazil reported 1,204 deaths from the virus in the past 24 hours, according to the country's health ministry.
Over the past week, the region has reported more than 3,000 deaths a day. According to a Reuters tally, daily caseloads continue to rise in Peru, Colombia and Argentina. Brazil is behind only the US, with the virus killing more than 112,000 people in Latin America's largest nation
Russia looking for partnership with India in producing COVID-19 vaccine, says official
Russia is looking for a partnership with India for producing COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V, Kirill Dmitriev, the CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin had announced that his country has developed the world's first vaccine against COVID-19, which works "quite effectively" and forms a "stable immunity" against the disease.
Sputnik V has been developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, along with the RDIF. The vaccine has not been tested in Phase 3 or larger clinical trials.
China reports 22 new coronavirus cases on August 20, fifth day of zero local cases
China reported 22 new coronavirus cases in the mainland for August 20, compared to seven a day earlier, the health commission said. All 22 new infections were imported cases, according to a statement, marking the fifth straight day of zero new locally transmitted infections.
China reported 23 new asymptomatic patients, compared to 22 a day earlier. As of August 20, mainland China had 84,917 confirmed coronavirus cases, the health authority said. The COVID-19 death toll remained at 4,634.
Global COVID-19 count rises by over 263,000 in a day: WHO
The number of total COVID-19 cases globally has surged past 263,000 in a day, while over 6,500 patients have died in the same period of time, the World Health Organisation's (WHO) data said.
The WHO said that the total number of new cases in the world amounted to 263,601, while the rise in deaths to 6,554.
The number of COVID-19 cases worldwide stands at 22,256,220, while the global death count is 782,456.