Coronavirus cases: The number of fatalities stood at 1,10,586 after 730 deaths were registered in a day.
India's coronavirus tally has surged to 72.39 lakh cases after a fresh spike of 63,509 infections in the last 24 hours, the government data showed this morning. The number of fatalities stood at 1,10,586 after 730 deaths were registered in a day. About 63 lakh patients in the country have recovered so far; 74,632 patients have recovered since yesterday. On Tuesday, the country - second-worst affected by the pandemic - recorded an increase of 55,342 infections, the lowest one-day surge in nearly two months.
Here are the highlights on coronavirus (COVID-19) cases:
At least 181 more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Tripura on Wednesday, pushing the tally to 28,859, a health department official said.
The death count rose to 315 with one more person succumbing to the virus, he said. West Tripura district, comprising state capital Agartala, has accounted for 170 COVID-19 deaths so far.
Tripura now has 3,503 active cases, while 25,018 people have recovered. Twenty-three patients have migrated to other states, the official said.
COVID-19: Paris goes under curfew as Europe ramps up virus restrictions
France on Wednesday became the latest European country to toughen anti-coronavirus measures, imposing a curfew in Paris and eight other cities from Saturday, while Germany and Ireland also ramped up restrictions.
"We have to act. We need to put a brake on the spread of the virus," President Emmanuel Macron told public television, announcing a shutdown between 9:00 pm and 6:00 am that will remain in force for as long as six weeks.
Other major French cities such as Lyon, Mediterranean port Marseille and southwestern Toulouse will similarly impose curfews, with around 20 million people affected in all, out of a total population of some 67 million.
Just minutes before Macron's announcement, his government had said it would prolong a state of health emergency.
COVID-19: Karnataka allows cinema halls, multiplexes to open from today
Karnataka government has allowed from Thursday the reopening of cinema halls and multiplexes, with 50 per cent seating capacity.The state government issued guidelines that include Thermal screening, social distancing, Seats that are ''Not to be occupied'' shall be marked as such during booking and proper sanitization.
As per the guidlelines, No Exhibition of Film shall be allowed in containment zones.
Film exhibition activities through cinemas/theatres/multiplexes shall be governed as per the prevalent guidelines of Home Department, Health & Family Welfare department, Department of information and public relations and other related departments and District administrations.
COVID-19: Germany tightens restrictions to fight virus surge
Germany will introduce tougher measures on gatherings and mask-wearing to fight a surge in coronavirus infections, Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday after talks with the heads of Germany's 16 federal states.
Europe's biggest economy will begin imposing limits on people gathering at events as well as mandatory mask wearing at crowded places when new infections in an area reach 35 per 100,000 in seven days, earlier than under the previous yardstick used of 50 per 100,000.
"I am convinced that what we do now in these days and weeks will be decisive for the question of how we come through this pandemic," Merkel said.
"We can see that ... infection rates are rising and that we have a very high infection rate in some regions," she added.
"We must therefore prevent an uncontrolled or exponential increase."
Coronavirus news: Trump's son Barron tested positive for COVID-19, says US first lady
US President Donald Trump's 14-year-old son, Barron, tested positive for COVID-19 but exhibited no symptoms, after both of his parents contracted the virus, first lady Melania Trump said on Wednesday.
"Luckily he is a strong teenager and exhibited no symptoms," Melania Trump said in a statement. She said she and Barron had since tested negative for the virus.
Melania Trump said her symptoms were "minimal" and that she hoped to resume her duties as first lady "as soon as I can."
"I experienced body aches, a cough and headaches, and felt extremely tired most of the time," she said.
Coronavirus news: 1,237 new cases in Pune districtPune district reported 1,237 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, taking its case count to 3,10,430, a health official said on Wednesday evening.
The death countreached 7,297 with 47 fatalities.
"Of the 1,237 cases, 528 are in Pune Municipal Corporation limits, which has recorded 1,55,595 patients till now.
However, 1,413 patients were also discharged from city hospitals during the day," the official said.
COVID-19: Tripura reports 181 fresh cases, tally rises to 28,859At least 181 more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Tripura on Wednesday, pushing the tally to 28,859, a health department official said.
The death count rose to 315 with one more person succumbing to the virus, he said.
West Tripura district, comprising state capital Agartala, has accounted for 170 COVID-19 deaths so far.
Tripura now has 3,503 active cases, while 25,018 people have recovered. Twenty-three patients have migrated to other states, the official said.
COVID-19: Nagaland reports 53 fresh cases, 85 recoveriesThe COVID-19 tally of Nagaland went up to 7,416 after 53 more people tested positive for the virus on Wednesday, while 85 patients recovered from the infection taking the number of cured people to 5,855, Health Minister S Pangnyu Phom said.
"53 positive cases of COVID-19 were detected today. Kohima 25, Mon 14, Dimapur 10, Peren 2, and one each in Tuensang and Zunheboto districts," the Minister tweeted.
He also said that 80 patients recovered from COVID-19 in Kohima, three in Dimapur and two in Peren.
Nagaland's recovery rate is 78.95 per cent. The state now has 1,473 active cases, said Additional Director, Health and Family Welfare, Dr Denis Hangsing.
Altogether 27 COVID-19 infected patients have died so far and it is confirmed that 17 of them succumbed to the disease.
Coronavirus news: Uttar Pradesh government launches campaign to mark World Hand Wash DayThe Uttar Pradesh government will observe the "Global Hand Washing Day" on Thursday with the theme "Hand Hygiene for All" in all 75 districts of the state with the involvement of every major department.
The state government launched a social campaign on Wednesday with the hashtag #HathDhonaRokeCorona to urge people to keep washing their hands at regular intervals to stay away from the coronavirus, besides following the regular guidelines, an official spokesperson said.
The participation of the health department, schools, anganwadi centres, panchayati raj department, gram panchayat, urban and rural bodies, NGOs and other voluntary organisations has been sought to create mass awareness about the significance of hand-washing in the times of the COVID-19 pandemic.
World Health Organization fears rise in deaths after global COVID-19 surge
The World Health Organization (WHO) warned against any complacency in the coronavirus death rate, saying with the increasing number of cases, mortality would also rise.
New cases are hitting 100,000 daily in Europe. Nearly 20,000 infections were reported in Britain, while Italy, Switzerland and Russia were among nations with record case numbers.
While deaths globally have fallen to around 5,000 per day from April's peak exceeding 7,500, WHO Chief Scientist Soumya Swaminathan said caseloads were rising in intensive care units.
France to re-impose state of health emergency as Covid cases rise
France said today it is re-imposing a state of health emergency to contain the spread of COVID-19.
The move, announced shortly before President Emmanuel Macron was to appear on national television to announce fresh coronavirus measures, will allow "measures proportional to the health risks to be taken", and will enter into force on Saturday, according to minutes from a cabinet meeting Wednesday.
France was facing "a health catastrophe", the minutes said.
YouTube bans coronavirus vaccine misinformation
Alphabet Inc's YouTube said it would remove videos from YouTube containing misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines, expanding its current rules against falsehoods and conspiracy theories about the pandemic.
The video platform said it would now ban any content with claims about COVID-19 vaccines that contradict consensus from local health authorities or the World Health Organization.
YouTube said this would include removing claims that the vaccine will kill people or cause infertility, or that microchips will be implanted in people who receive the vaccine.
Health Minister asks hospitals to showcase importance of Covid-appropriate behaviour
Health Minister Harsh Vardhan asked the heads of all AIIMS and central government hospitals to be the frontrunners in showcasing the importance of Covid-appropriate behaviour, which will act as a "social vaccine" to curb the spread of the disease in the country, in view of the upcoming festival season and winter.
The next two-and-a-half months are going to be crucial in the battle against the coronavirus because of the winter and festive season, Mr Vardhan said as he urged people not to let their guard down and to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour to curb the spread of the infection, the health ministry said in a statement.
Congress leader PL Punia hospitalised after Covid positive test
Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member PL Punia, who has tested positive for COVID-19, has been admitted to a private hospital in Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad district.
Mr Punia, 75, had in a tweet on Monday said he and his wife tested positive for the novel coronavirus after arrival in Delhi from Chhattisgarh capital Raipur.
Himachal Pradesh speaker tests positive for coronavirus
Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker Vipin Singh Parmar tested positive for coronavirus.
In a Facebook post, Mr Parmar said he had developed coronavirus symptoms two days ago. "I have isolated myself at my official residence on doctors'' advice," he added.
So far, 13 legislators, including the speaker and CM Jai Ram Thakur, have contracted the virus.
Delhi's coronavirus case count rises to 3.17 lakh
Delhi's coronavirus infection tally rose to 3.17 lakh with authorities reporting 3,324 new cases today, while 44 fatalities took the number of deaths to 5,898.
This is the second consecutive day that the city reported more than 3,000 new cases. A total of 3,036 cases were recorded on Tuesday.
A total of 37,71,273 tests have been conducted in the national capital so far, which translates into 1.98 lakh tests per million population.
Coronavirus threatens to reverse progress in TB fight: WHO
The coronavirus pandemic threatens to reverse progress towards eliminating tuberculosis, until now the top infectious disease killer globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned.
The countries hit hard by tuberculosis such as India and South Africa have seen resources usually allocated to diagnosing and treating TB diverted to fighting coronavirus, the WHO said.
The report estimated that TB could cause this year between 200,000 and 400,000 more deaths than the 1.4 million last year, even though remedies exist.
Gujarat coronavirus case count rises to 1,55,098
The number of coronavirus cases in Gujarat increased to 1,55,098 with an addition of 1,175 cases today, the state health department said.
With 11 COVID-19 patients dying due to coronavirus, the state's death count rose to 3,598, it said.
Daily recoveries continued to outnumber new cases in the state, with 1,414 patients getting discharged today, taking the number of recovered cases to 1,36,541.
The state's recovery rate further improved to 88.04 per cent.
UK PM under pressure for "circuit breaker" full COVID-19 lockdown
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson faces mounting pressure for a temporary complete national lockdown to act as a "circuit breaker" for the continued rise in coronavirus infections, even as the new three-tier system COVID-19 restrictions came into force across England.
While the new medium, high and very high alert levels system cleared the House of Commons vote on Tuesday to be enforced from Wednesday, more than 40 MPs from Boris Johnson's own Conservative Party rebelled with their vote against the 10pm curfews imposed on pubs, bars, restaurants and other hospitality settings.
Spain's Catalonia to shut bars, restaurants as Covid cases rise
Bars and restaurants are to be closed across Spain's northeastern Catalonia region for the next 15 days to slow rising coronavirus infections, the regional government said on Wednesday.
"The measures will come into force overnight Thursday to Friday and will remain in place for an initial 15 days," said interim regional leader Pere Aragones, describing the measure as "painful but necessary".
Indonesia calls for "equal access" to Covid vaccines for developing nations
Developing countries must have "equal access" to future Covid-19 vaccines, Indonesia's foreign minister said, as wealthy nations scoop up billions of doses.
Retno Marsudi said it was crucial for rich and poor nations to work together so "we can guarantee equal access to a safe and affordable vaccine". "Can you imagine...if most vaccines go to developed countries?" Mr Marsudi said. "What will be the fate of the developing countries?"
Centre to import 1 lakh MT of medical oxygen as Covid cases rise: Report
The Health Ministry has initiated the process of importing liquid oxygen as part of its preparedness to meet any unforeseen shortage during the winters when the country may witness an increase in COVID-19 cases leading to a rise in demand for oxygen, according to news agency PTI.
HLL Lifecare Limited, a public sector undertaking, has floated a global tender on behalf of the Health Ministry for procuring one lakh metric tonne of liquid oxygen.
Pandemic underscored need for greater global cooperation: President Ram Nath Kovind
President Ram Nath Kovind said the coronavirus pandemic has underscored the need for greater global cooperation to ensure collective health and economic well-being of people.
He also expressed optimism that the international community will soon find a solution to the pandemic and will emerge stronger and more resilient from the crisis.
"President Kovind remarked that the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need for greater global cooperation to ensure our collective health and economic well-being," a statement issued by Rashtrapati Bhavan said.
Coronavirus pandemic caused "unprecedented" emissions drop: Study
Pandemic restrictions saw an unprecedented fall in greenhouse gas emissions in the first half of 2020 -- larger than during the 2008 financial crisis and even World War II -- experts said.
As governments ordered lockdowns to try to crush the first wave of Covid-19, CO2 emissions from transport, power and aviation plummeted, the international team of researchers said.
Using data including hourly electricity production, vehicle traffic from more than 400 cities worldwide, daily passenger flights and monthly production and consumption figures, they determined that the year-on-year emissions drop of 8.8 percent was the largest in modern history.
UK, Italy, Spain had high "excess deaths" in first pandemic wave: Study
Britain, Italy and Spain had the highest rates of so-called "excess deaths" from all causes, including COVID-19, among 21 developed countries during the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic, an international study has found.
Some 206,000 more people died between mid-February and the end of May in the 21 countries in total than would have been expected to die had the pandemic not taken place - an 18% increase in deaths, scientists who conducted the research said.
Coronavirus: 47 Per Cent COVID-19 Deaths In India Aged Below 60 Years: Centre
About 47 per cent of the COVID-19 deaths in the country have been recorded among those aged below 60 years, the Centre said on Tuesday and cautioned against any laxity towards taking precautions, stating that respiratory diseases escalate in winter.
Immunity Against COVID-19 May Last For Months, Shows Study Led By Indian-Origin Researcher
Immunity against COVID-19 may persist for at least five months after being infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, according to a study led by an Indian-origin researcher in the US. The researchers from the University of Arizona studied the production of antibodies from a sample of nearly 6,000 people infected with the novel coronavirus.
Delhi: Resident doctors of Hindu Rao Hospital continue their protest alleging salary non-payment over the last few months. "Government called us COVID warriors, showered flowers on us but we are not getting salaries. It is our right which we are being denied," says a protestor.
Coronavirus: Idol Makers, Preparing Durga Idols Ahead Of Navratri
Coronavirus News: Movie Theatres Set to Open from Tomorrow at 50% Capacity
"Our preparations for running operations are very solid & we have been training for it for the last 7 months. We aim to provide a safe movie experience during COVID," says Regional Operations Head, Miraj Cinemas.
Shopkeepers outside Shirdi Sai Baba Temple say they are incurring losses due to state government's decision of not opening religious places in the state. A shopkeeper says, "We suffered financial loss due to COVID included lockdown and now govt is adding on to our misery."
Coronavirus News: Jharkhand Reports 701 New COVID-19 Cases
Jharkhand's COVID-19 tally mounted to 93,736 as 701 more people tested positive for the infection, a health department official said on Wednesday. Seven more patients succumbed to the disease, taking the state's coronavirus death toll to 805, he said. Of the fresh fatalities, four were recorded in Ranchi, two in Dhanbad and one in Chatra.
Coronavirus: Odisha's COVID-19 Tally Climbs To 2,59,541
Odisha's COVID-19 tally surged to 2,59,541 on Wednesday as 2,604 people tested positive for the disease, while 15 more fatalities pushed the death toll to 1,072, a health department official said. The state's quarantine centres reported 1,511 infections and the remaining cases were detected during contact tracing.
Vaccine Expected Early Next Year, From More Than One Source: Minister
A vaccine against coronavirus is expected to be available in India by early next year and there could be vaccines from more than one source, Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan today. "We're expecting that early next year, we should have vaccine in the country from maybe more than one source. Our expert groups are already formulating and devising strategies to plan on how to roll out the distribution of the vaccines in the country, who do we give the vaccine first and then of course we are strengthening the cold chain facilities," Dr Harsh Vardhan said during a meeting of the Group of Ministers.
Read Here COVID-19 Deaths In Puducherry Climbs To 568
A 36-year-old man succumbed to coronavirus in Puducherry on Wednesday, raising deaths to 568 in the union territory. Director of Health and Family Welfare S Mohan Kumar said in a release that 246 new cases were identified at the end of examination of 4,521 samples, pushing the caseload to 32,245.
"Virus Ko Acha Lagta Hai Jab...": Centre's Warning As Festivals, Winter Near
The coronavirus will take advantage of us if we do not follow social distancing norms during the forthcoming holiday season, the government said Tuesday in a warning to the public ahead of weeks of festivals and winter holidays. During today's press briefing on the Covid situation the government also referred to a "stabilisation" of trends, pointing to a "constant downward trend" in the positivity rate.
Read Here Coronavirus News: 63,509 Fresh COVID-19 Cases In India In A Day
India's coronavirus tally has surged to 72.39 lakh cases after a fresh spike of 63,509 infections in the last 24 hours, the government data showed this morning. The number of fatalities stood at 1,10,586 after 730 deaths were registered in a day. About 63 lakh patients in the country have recovered so far; 74,632 patients have recovered since yesterday.
Read Here 1,446 New COVID-19 Cases In Telangana
Telangana registered 1,446 fresh coronavirus cases and eight related fatalities, taking the tally of infections in the state to 2.16 lakh. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) accounted for 252 of the fresh cases, followed by Rangareddy 135, Medchal Malkajgiri 131 and other districts, a state government bulletin said on Wednesday, providing data as of 8 PM on October 13.
Coronavirus: Mizoram Records 10 New COVID-19 Cases
As many as 10 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in the last 24 hours from Mizoram, the State's Information and Public Relations Department (DIPR) informed on Wednesday. At present, there 119 active cases of COVID-19 in the state.
Coronavirus News: 13 New Cases Push COVID-19 Tally Of Andamans To 4,036
The COVID-19 tally in Andaman and Nicobar Islands rose to 4,036 as 13 more people have tested positive for the infection in the Union Territory, a health department official said on Wednesday.
Coronavirus: 63,509 Fresh COVID-19 Cases In India, 730 Deaths In 24 Hours
India's coronavirus tally has surged to 72.39 lakh cases after a fresh spike of 63,509 infections in the last 24 hours, the government data showed this morning. The number of fatalities stood at 1,10,586 after 730 deaths were logged in the last 24 hours.
47 Per Cent COVID-19 Deaths In India Aged Below 60 Years: Centre
About 47 per cent of the COVID-19 deaths in the country have been recorded among those aged below 60 years, the Centre said on Tuesday and cautioned against any laxity towards taking precautions, stating that respiratory diseases escalate in winter.
Assam Covid Curve "Flattening": Health Minister, Durga Puja SOP Released
The coronavirus curve in Assam has begun to flatten, the state government said Tuesday, pointing to a steep decline in the positivity rate - from over 8 per cent in mid-September to 1.41 per cent yesterday. The state also pointed to a high recovery rate - around 85 per cent, which compares favourably with the national average of 86.8 per cent.
Read Here Coronavirus News: 50 New Cases Of COVID-19 Were Reported In Sikkim
50 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in the State in the past 24 hours. With two more covid related deaths reported today, the total tally has now reached 59: Government of Sikkim
Cinema halls in Kolkata gear up to resume operations as per the new guidelines issued by the central government amid COVID-19. Cinema halls have been allowed to operate in the country with 50% seating from 15th October.
US Pharma Firm Eli Lilly Pauses Covid Antibody Treatment Trial Over Safety Concern
US pharmaceutical firm Eli Lilly on Tuesday paused a late-stage trial of its experimental lab-produced antibody treatment against Covid-19 over an unspecified safety concern, the company said. "Lilly is supportive of the decision by the independent DSMB (data safety monitoring board) to cautiously ensure the safety of the patients participating in this study," a spokesperson told AFP in a statement.
India continues to report one of the lowest cases per million and lowest deaths per million in the world. India's recoveries are the highest in the world: Ministry of Health.
Coronavirus News: Meghalaya Reported 67 New COVID-19 Cases, 4 Fatalities On Tuesday
At least 67 more people tested positive for coronavirus in Meghalaya on Tuesday, pushing the state's tally to 7,841, an official said, reported news agency PTI. Four more persons have died due to COVID-19 on Tuesday, taking the death count to 68, Health Services Director Aman War said. The new COVID-19 cases were reported from East Khasi Hills district (45), West Garo Hills (10), Ri Bhoi district (5), two cases each from North Garo Hills and South Garo Hills district, and one case each from East Jaintia Hills, South West Garo Hills and West Jaintia Hills district respectively.