Coronavirus India Cases: Over 2.4 crore samples have been tested so far, the centre has said. (File)
Former President Pranab Mukherjee this afternoon said that he has tested positive for coronavirus. In a tweet, Mr Mukherjee, who was India's president between 2012 and 2017, urged all those, who have come in contact with him in the last week, to isolate themselves as a precaution and get tested for COVID-19. The outbreak has affected over 22 lakh people in the country.
"On a visit to the hospital for a separate procedure, I have tested positive for COVID19 today. I request the people who came in contact with me in the last week, to please self isolate and get tested for COVID-19. #CitizenMukherjee," the 84-year-old Congress leader tweeted today.
India's coronavirus tally crossed 22 lakh cases this morning with over 62,000 new patients recorded in the last 24 hours, the government said today, adding that more than 44 thousand deaths linked to the highly contagious illness have been recorded since the beginning of the pandemic.
Over 15.3 lakh Covid patients in the country have recovered so far, the Union Health Ministry said today. The recovery rate stood at 69.33 per cent this morning.
This is the fourth consecutive day that India has recorded more than 60,000 fresh infections in a day. More than 2 lakh cases have been recorded since Thursday (August 6) when the country's coronavirus cases passed 20 lakh, just three weeks after crossing the 10 lakh mark.
Here are the updates on coronavirus (COVID-19) cases:
Corovirus Update: India Stands Second After US In Coronavirus Testing, Says Donald Trump
US President Donald Trump on said that India stands second in terms of coronavirus testing while no other country comes close to the United States. According to Donald Trump, while the US has tested close to 65 million people for coronavirus, India would be second with 11 million tests. "We have tested close to 65 million people and no country is even close to that number. India would be second at 11 million (tests) and they have 1.5 billion people. We have the number one testing in the world by far and also the highest quality tests," Donald Trump told reporters.
Punjab To Give "Captain Connect" Smartphones To Students Amid Lockdown
The Punjab government will distribute smartphones to young people across the state on August 12 as part of a scheme to help them access education-related content online during the coronavirus lockdown, as well as other learning material posted by the Department of School Education.
Announcing the scheme today, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said the state government had fulfilled its promise to the people, and the youth, in particular, by providing state-of-the-art smartphones.
The Chief Minister also said that due to restrictions on movement and large gatherings, in place due to the Covid outbreak, the launch of the scheme would be split between 26 different locations in Chandigarh and across Punjab.
Coronavirus Tamil Nadu Update: COVID-19 Tally Crosses 3-Lakh Mark, Death Count At 5,041
Tamil Nadu on Monday crossed three-lakh COVID-19 cases while the death count crossed the 5,000 mark with the addition of 114 fatalities.
With 5,914 new cases, the infection tally touched 3,02,815 and the 100 plus deaths for the eighth consecutive day took the count to 5,041, a government COVID bulletin said.
The state took just 16 days to reach the three lakh mark compared to the 22 days it had taken for the two lakh milestone on July 25. The one lakh tally was recorded on July 3.
The 6,037 recoveries on Monday eclipsed the fresh infections and cumulatively 2,44,675 people have got cured so far and only 53,099 were the active cases.
A four month-old girl child, a 14 year-old boy, four women, aged 21, 25, 27 and 32, and two men in their 30s were among those who succumbed to the virus on Monday.
Sikkim's COVID-19 case count rises to 910
Sikkim reported 44 new COVID-19 cases, raising the state's tally to 910, an official said.
Of the new cases, 36 were reported from South Sikkim and eight from East Sikkim, Director General-cum-Secretary, Health, Dr Pempa T Bhutia said.
The state now has 399 active cases, while 510 patients have been cured of the disease and one patient has died, he said.
Madhya Pradesh records 39,891 COVID-19 cases till now
Madhya Pradesh reported 866 new COVID-19 cases, taking the total count to 39,891, health official said.
With 19 more patients dying of the infection in the last 24 hours, the count crossed the 1,000-mark and reached 1,015, they said.
With 654 patients being discharged in the day, the number of recoveries in the state rose to 29,674 while the count of active cases reached 9,202.
Ahmedabad records over 28,000 COVID-19 cases
The number of COVID-19 cases in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, rose by 144 to 28,042, the Gujarat health department said.
With four deaths, the count went up to 1,637 in the district, it said.
At the same time, 113 patients were discharged in the day, taking the number of recoveries to 22,612, an official release said.
At least 133 of the 144 new cases were reported from Ahmedabad city while 11 patients were found in rural areas, it said, adding that all four fatalities occurred in the city municipal corporation limits.
Gujarat COVID-19 case count rises to 72,120
Gujarat reported 1,056 new COVID-19 cases, taking the overall count to 72,120, state health department said.
With 20 more people dying due to the infection, the count rose to 2,674 in the state, it said.
The number of recoveries rose by 1,138 to 55,276, an official release said.
"Never too late" to turn coronavirus outbreak around: WHO
The World Health Organization insisted there was still hope of conquering the coronavirus pandemic despite the suffering behind the looming landmarks of 750,000 deaths and 20 million cases.
With both figures expected to be reached within days, the WHO stressed it was never too late to take action to suppress the COVID-19 crisis that has gripped the planet.
"This week we'll reach 20 million registered cases of COVID-19 and 750,000 deaths," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a virtual press conference. "Behind these statistics is a great deal of pain and suffering. Every life lost matters. I know many of you are grieving and that this is a difficult moment for the world. But I want to be clear: there are green shoots of hope and... it's never too late to turn the outbreak around."
Only 79 active cases in Mumbai's Dharavi, says official: Report
The Dharavi slum colony in Mumbai reported nine new COVID-19 cases, taking the overall count to 2,626, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said.
With 2,289 out of the 2,626 patients already recovered, the area is now left with only 79 active cases, an official said.
The BMC had successfully broken the chain of coronavirus transmission in densely-populated Dharavi, which was once a hotspot of the coronavirus infection.
Centre has betrayed "Corona Warriors", says Rahul Gandhi
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that the government had "betrayed" COVID-19 frontline workers by not providing adequate protective equipment to them.
In a tweet, Mr Gandhi tagged a news report claiming that so far 196 doctors have died due to the coronavirus in 18 states and the Indian Medical Association has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking proper care for affected doctors and their family members.
"The public expressed confidence in (PM) Modi by clapping for 'Corona Warriors'. But as always, the PM Modi government pulled their hands from helping out 'Corona Warriors' and betrayed them," Mr Gandhi said in the tweet in Hindi.
Puducherry minister tests positive for coronavirus
Puducherry Agriculture Minister R Kamalakannan has tested positive for COVID-19, reports news agency ANI.
He has been admitted to Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) in Puducherry.
Meghalaya faces shortage of doctors amid pandemic, says official
The Meghalaya government is facing a shortage of doctors even as the number of COVID-19 cases is increasing at a rapid rate in the state, an official said.
The state government had given advertisement for filling up the vacant posts of doctors, but very few turned up, the official said.
"There is a shortage of more than 100 doctors as per the present vacant posts. The health department could not even get 50 doctors to appoint on a contractual basis for tackling the COVID-19 situation," Health Services director Aman War said.
Face masks made mandatory in Paris
Face masks have become compulsory in tourist hotspots in Paris amid warnings of a resurgence of coronavirus cases, as infections in the world's worst-hit country the United States topped five million.
The requirement came as France along with much of Western Europe sweltered in a heatwave, with temperatures soaring above 35 degrees Celsius (95 F).
The blistering heat sent crowds flocking to beaches at the weekend despite health warnings about the risk of infection.
In Berlin, thousands of children returned to school today after the summer break, sporting masks which are compulsory in common areas like school courtyards. Schools in some other German regions also reopened, though with differing rules on masks.
PM Modi raises concerns over rescue efforts in flood-hit states amid coronavirus
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has raised concerns over rescue efforts in flood-hit states amid the coronavirus pandemic, saying that states must ensure that people follow all health precautions such as wearing face masks, hand sanitisation and maintaining adequate physical distance.
He said this during a virtual meeting with chief ministers of six states -- Assam, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala -- to review the flood situation there.
PM Modi said relief material should include provision for hand washing or sanitising and face masks for the affected people.
Gujarat to impose Rs 1,000 fine for not wearing mask in public places
The Gujarat government has increased the fine for not wearing mask in public places to Rs 1,000 from the present Rs 500.
The decision came after the Gujarat High Court in its order last month asked the government to collect a minimum fine of Rs 1,000 from those found without mask in public places.
Amid rising number of coronavirus cases in the state, the high court had observed that "masks are logically the best defense individuals have against COVID-19."
UP officials asked to monitor private medical college COVID-19 hospitals
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has asked the Medical Education Department to post an official for monitoring at each private medical college hospital treating COVID-19 patients.
The CM during a review meeting at his residence said the private medical colleges where COVID-19 hospitals have been established, an official should be appointed by the department for "monitoring and ensuring quality treatment to patients."
He also asked officials to increase the number of beds in hospitals.
600 people, part of rescue ops after plane crash in Kerala, under quarantine
At least 600 people who were part of the rescue operations after a plane crashed at the airport in Kozhikode, Kerala have gone under quarantine as a precautionary measure to check spread of coronavirus, reports news agency ANI.
Malappuram District Collector K Gopalakrishnan, who was also a part of the rescue efforts, has gone under quarantine.
Air passengers visiting Assam for less than 72 hours don't need to quarantine
Any air traveller to Assam who will depart from the state within 72 hours of his arrival will not have to undergo quarantine provided his Rapid Antigen Test result at the airport is negative, an order issued by the state government has said.
The passenger will also have to provide a copy of their return ticket indicating departure within 72 hours, the order issued by the state Health Department's Principal Secretary Samir Sinha said.
The visitor will have to provide swab samples for Rapid Antigen Test immediately on arrival and if the result is negative, then they will be allowed to proceed. But if the result is positive, they will have to proceed for isolation or treatment as per the protocol for COVID-19 patients.
Idol makers from Pune, Maharashtra, say Covid-19 has affected their businesses as they have not got orders for Ganesh idols ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi.
52 New COVID-19 Cases In Meghalaya; Tally Rises To 1,114
Meghalaya on Monday reported 52 new COVID-19 cases, including 29 BSF personnel, taking the state's tally to 1,114, officials said, reports PTI.
BMC Starts Second Phase Of Sero-Survey In Mumbai To Access Spread Of COVID-19
The Mumbai civic body has started the second phase of the sero-surveillance study in the city from Monday to assess the spread of COVID-19 and how many people have developed antibodies against the disease, reports PTI.
Coronavirus News: Gyms Reopen In Hyderabad As Part Of Unlock3.
BJP president JP Nadda condemns Telangana government's Covid-19 management.
Former President Pranab Mukherjee Tests Positive For Coronavirus
Former President Pranab Mukherjee this afternoon said that he has tested positive for coronavirus. In a tweet, Mr Mukherjee, who was India's president between 2012 and 2017, urged all those, who have come in contact with him in the last week, to isolate themselves as a precaution and get tested for COVID-19. The outbreak has affected over 22 lakh people in the country.
Coronavirus News: 56 Prison Inmates Test Positive For Coronavirus In UP's Bareilly
At least 56 inmates of two prisons in Bareilly of Uttar Pradesh have tested positive for COVID-19, officials said. "Reports of 51 inmates of central jail and five inmates of district jail have been found positive for COVID-19" District Surveillance Officer, Ashok Kumar said, reports PTI.
Coronavirus News: Odisha's COVID-19 Caseload Crosses 47,000-Mark
Odisha registered its highest single-day spike in COVID-19 deaths on Monday as 14 patients succumbed to the disease, while 1,528 new infections pushed its caseload to 47,455, a health official said. The fresh fatalities have taken the COVID-19 death count in the state to 286, he said, reports PTI.
20 Security Personnel Among 38 Fresh COVID-19 Cases In Arunachal Pradesh
Thirty-eight more people, including 20 security personnel, have tested positive for COVID-19 in Arunachal Pradesh, taking the northeastern state's caseload to 2,155 on Monday, a health official said. Eleven of the fresh cases were reported in East Kameng district, five in East Siang, four in Lower Siang, three each in the Capital Complex region and West Siang and Tirap districts, two each in Anjaw, Papumpare, Tawang and Namsai and one in Upper Siang district, State Surveillance Officer Dr L Jampa said.
Telangana Reports 1,256 New COVID-19 Cases As Overall Tally Crosses 80K Mark
Telangana reported 1,256 new COVID-19 cases, taking the total infection count in the state to 80,751. With 10 more deaths, the death toll mounted to 637, a state government bulletin said on Monday, providing data as of 8 pm on August 9.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath holds a meeting with the officers of 'COVID-19 management team-11'.
Coronavirus Latest News: India's Covid Tally Reaches 2.21 Million With 62,064 Cases
A huge spike of 62,064 new coronavirus patients in the last 24 hours has taken India's tally to 22,15,074, the Union Health Ministry said this morning, adding that over 69.33 lakh patients have recovered so far. More than 44,000 deaths linked to the highly infectious disease have been recorded by India since the beginning of the pandemic; 1,007 patients died in the last 24 hours.
The total number of coronavirus samples tested up to 9th August is 2,45,83,558 including 4,77,023 samples tested yesterday: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
Coronavirus News: Gyms Reopen In Chennai As Part Of Unlock3
Vande Bharat Mission continues to bring home stranded Indian Nationals.
COVID-19: Air India Repatriates 114 Indians Stranded In UAE Due To Coronavirus Lockdown
An Air India flight carrying 114 Indians, who were stranded in UAE due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown, reached Indore on Sunday night, an official said. Of the total number of passengers, 64 deboarded at Indore, while the remaining 50 were flown to Mumbai, the official said, reports PTI.
Coronavirus News: Mizoram's COVID-19 Tally Reaches 620
The number of coronavirus cases reaches 620 in Mizoram; active cases stand at 322: Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Mizoram
Coronavirus News: Bengal's COVID-19 Death Count Rises To 2,059
West Bengal reported 54 more COVID-19 fatalities on Sunday, taking the death toll to 2,059, the state's health department said in a bulletin, reported news agency PTI. A total of 2,939 fresh cases increased the caseload to 95,554, it said. Kolkata accounted for the highest number of 21 deaths, followed by neighbouring North 24 Parganas district (15). Of the 54 fatalities, 53 were due to comorbidities where COVID-19 was incidental, the department said. Kolkata also topped the list of fresh cases (615), while North 24 Parganas reported 588 infections. Since Saturday, 1,996 patients have recovered from the disease, taking the number of those cured to 67,120, the bulletin said.