This Article is From Oct 19, 2020

Coronavirus India LIVE Updates: 61,871 New Covid Cases In A Day Take India's Tally Close To 75 Lakh

Coronavirus India News LIVE Updates: According to the Union Health Ministry, the number of active cases of coronavirus infection remained below 8 lakh for the second consecutive day.

Coronavirus India LIVE Updates: 61,871 New Covid Cases In A Day Take India's Tally Close To 75 Lakh

Coronavirus cases in India: The COVID-19 case fatality rate stands at 1.52 per cent. (Representational)

New Delhi:

India's COVID-19 caseload mounted to 74,94,551 with 61,871 new infections being reported in a day, while the recoveries surged to 65,97,209 pushing the recovery rate to 88.03 per cent, according to the Health Ministry data updated on Sunday.

The coronavirus deaths climbed to 1,14,031 with the virus claiming 1,033 lives in a span of 24 hours, the data updated at 8 am showed. 

The number of active cases of coronavirus infection remained below 8 lakh for the second consecutive day. There are 7,83,311 active cases of coronavirus infection in the country, comprising 10.45 per cent of the total caseload, the data stated. 

The COVID-19 case fatality rate stands at 1.52 per cent.

Here are the Updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Cases:

Oct 19, 2020 04:25 (IST)
COVID-19: Kolkata restaurant provides masks with zips to customers
Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a restaurant in Kolkata is providing its customers with masks that have zips attached to them.

It is given to the customers upon entry and allows the patrons to relish the delicacies served at the restraunt without the hassle of removing the masks.

According to Wok'ies, a 2D theme restaurant, owner Somoshree Sengupta, the masks are being given free of cost to customers keeping the COVID-19 threat in mind.

"In the COVID-19 situation wearing masks is very important for the individuals safety and that of the society at large. We are thankful to the government for allowing the restaurant to reopen, and our business to resume. It's a customised mask which can be worn even while they are having their food, it has a zipper which they can zip in or out as per the need," Sengupta told ANI.
Oct 19, 2020 04:09 (IST)
China Extends Emergency Use Of Its Covid Vaccines To Three More Cities
Days after joining the World Health Organisation's (WHO) COVAX alliance to equitably distribute COVID-19 vaccines across the world, China has stepped up the usage of its coronavirus vaccines to three more cities for urgent use.

Three more cities in East China's Zhejiang Province are stepping up efforts to offer COVID-19 vaccines for urgent use, with priority being given to key groups in need before they can be rolled out to the general public, official media reports here said.

The cities of Yiwu, Ningbo and Shaoxing are targeting key groups with urgent need for vaccinations against COVID-19 following the city of Jiaxing, state-run Global Times quoted another daily, The Paper, as reporting on Saturday.
Oct 19, 2020 03:28 (IST)
COVID-19: Europe surges past 250,000 virus deaths as Israel lifts lockdown
Europe passed the milestone of 250,000 deaths from Covid-19 on Sunday as Israel and Australia's second-largest city of Melbourne began to gradually ease their strict lockdowns.

European nations have ratcheted up restrictions on daily life to tackle soaring infections, with a 44 percent increase in cases this week.

Nighttime curfews on millions came into force in France this weekend and Switzerland required all its citizens to wear masks in indoor public places.

But Israel has managed to flatten its outbreak through draconian measures including a ban on travelling more than a kilometre from home.

The government lifted that restriction on Sunday and reopened kindergartens, beaches and national parks.
Oct 19, 2020 02:58 (IST)
Coronavirus news: Direct flight between Goa, London commences under air bubble arrangement
Direct Air India flight between Goa and London commenced from the Goa International Airport on Sunday.

The flight services which has begun on a weekly basis will soon turn into a bi-weekly service from November under the Air Bubble agreement, according to the official Twitter handle of Goa Airport.

"Important day for Goa International Airport. Today Air India starts its direct flight LHR-GOI-LHR, B787. Initially once a week then twice a week from November under Air Bubble. Goa connects to London directly now," the tweet by the handle read.
Oct 19, 2020 02:21 (IST)
COVID-19: 1,894 new cases, 39 deaths in Chhattisgarh
With 1,894 new COVID-19 cases and 39 more deaths, Chhattisgarh's count rose to 1,60,396 and fatalities to 1,478 on Sunday, a health official said.

The number of recovered patients increased to 1,32,168 after 305 people were discharged from various hospitals while 1,772 others completed their home isolation during the day.

The state now has 26,750 active cases, the official informed.

"Raipur district reported 144 new cases, taking its total count to 39,089, including 518 deaths. Balrampur district recorded 179 new cases, Raigarh 176, Korba 159, Rajnandagon 119 and Janjgir-Champa 118, among other districts," he said.

Oct 19, 2020 02:04 (IST)
COVID-19: Tamil Nadu reports 3,914 new cases, 56 deaths
As many as 3,914 new COVID-19 cases and 56 deaths were reported in Tamil Nadu in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of positive cases in the state to 6,87,400.

The total figure includes 39,121 active cases and 6,37,637 recoveries.

So far, 10,642 deaths have been reported from the state.

Meanwhile, India reported 61,871 new COVID-19 cases and 1,033 deaths in the last 24 hours, taking the national COVID-19 count to 74,94,552, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) informed on Sunday.
Oct 19, 2020 01:25 (IST)
Coronavirus deaths 6,000-mark in West Bengal, tally races to 3,21,036
The COVID-19 death count in West Bengal went past the 6,000-mark on Sunday with 64 more fatalities, even as a record number of 3,983 fresh cases pushed the tally to 3,21,036, the health department said.

A total of 6,056 people have succumbed to the virus so far in the state, it said in a bulletin.

Since Saturday, 3,113 people have recovered from the disease, bettering the discharge rate to 87.55 per cent. The total number of recoveries stood at 2,81,053.

North 24 Parganas district accounted for 17 deaths, while the metropolis registered 13 fatalities and Howrah (7), it said.

Oct 19, 2020 00:36 (IST)
COVID-19: Sikkim reports 30 new cases, one more death
Sikkim reported 36 fresh COVID-19 cases, taking the state's tally to 3,567, an official said
on Saturday.

East Sikkim registered 33 new cases, while South Sikkim reported three, state's Information, Education and Communication (IEC) member Sonam Bhutia said.

According to the official, East Sikkim has so far logged 2,805 coronavirus cases, followed by 709 in South Sikkim.

The state now has 275 active cases, while 3,152 patients have recovered from the disease and 59 died, Bhutia said, adding that 81 others have migrated out.
Oct 19, 2020 00:16 (IST)
COVID-19: 3,986 new cases reported in Andhra Pradesh
A total of 3,986 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Andhra Pradesh, taking the total number of cases to 7,83,132 in the state.

"Andhra Pradesh reports 3,986 new COVID-19 cases today taking total positive cases to 7,83,132 including 36,474 active cases, 7,40,229 recoveries and 6,429 deaths," the State Health Department stated.

With a spike of 61,871 new COVID-19 cases and 1,033 deaths, India's COVID-19 count reached 74,94,552 on Sunday, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Oct 18, 2020 23:51 (IST)
Coronavirus update: Daily COVID-19 infections in Tamil Nadu drops below 4,000 mark; death count mounts to 10,642

Tamil Nadu's daily COVID-19 case count on Sunday dipped below the 4,000 mark, with the tally
touching 6.87 lakh, while 56 fatalities pushed the death count to 10,642, PTI reported. 
Oct 18, 2020 23:17 (IST)
Coronavirus update: Europe surges past 250,000 virus deaths as Israel lifts lockdown

Europe passed the milestone of 250,000 deaths from coronavirus on Sunday, as Israel and Australia's second-largest city of Melbourne began to gradually ease their strict lockdowns.
European nations have ratcheted up restrictions on daily life to tackle soaring infections, with a 44 per cent increase in cases this week, AFP reported. 
Oct 18, 2020 23:07 (IST)
Coronavirus update: 1,894 new cases, 39 deaths in Chhattisgarh

With 1,894 new COVID-19 cases and 39 more deaths, Chhattisgarh's count rose to 1,60,396 and count to 1,478 on Sunday, a health official said.
Oct 18, 2020 22:50 (IST)
Coronavirus update: 457 cases, 10 deaths, 938 discharged in Nashik
The count of COVID-19 cases in Nashik district of Maharashtra rose to 89,318 with an addition
of 457 cases on Sunday, while 10 deaths took the count to 1,601, an official said.

A total of 81,061 persons have been discharged so far, including 938 on Saturday, PTI reported. 
Oct 18, 2020 22:21 (IST)
Coronavirus update: 817 COVID-19 cases, 31 deaths, 698 discharged in Pune

The COVID-19 tally in Pune district reached 3,14,462 in the last 24 hours with 817 people being
detected with the infection, while this period also saw 31 deaths and 698 getting discharged, an official said on Sunday.
Oct 18, 2020 22:01 (IST)
Coronavirus update: Karnataka reports 7,012 fresh COVID-19 cases, 51 deaths

Karnataka on Sunday reported 7,012 new COVID-19 cases and 51 deaths taking the total
infection count in the state to 7,65,586 and the count to 10,478, the Health department said. The total infections comprise 6,45,825 discharges including 8,344 today and 1,09,264 active cases including 945 in the ICU, PTI reported. 
Oct 18, 2020 21:35 (IST)
Coronavirus update: Goa's COVID-19 case count rises by 187, recoveries up by 360
The coronavirus infection count in Goa reached 40,587 on Sunday with the addition of 187
cases, a health department official said. The death count in the state mounted to 544 after six
patients died due to the infection, PTI reported. 
Oct 18, 2020 21:01 (IST)
Coronavirus update: At Plasma Centre Event, Uddhav Thackeray Warns Against Let Up In Covid Fight

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday inaugurated a plasma treatment centre in Ratnagiri, over 340 kilometres from Mumbai, at an e-function.

He said the fight against the coronavirus outbreak was at a decisive stage and people must adhere to all social distancing norms strictly, including wearing masks, PTI reported. 

Oct 18, 2020 20:41 (IST)

West Bengal's coronavirus death count tops 6,000-mark with 64 more fatalities; highest single-day spike of 3,983 cases pushes tally to 3,21,036: Health Department. 
Oct 18, 2020 20:23 (IST)
One more COVID-19 fatality takes Gautam Buddh Nagar's death count to 65; infection tally 15,913

Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddh Nagar recorded one more fatality linked to COVID-19 on Sunday, pushing the district's death count to 65, official data showed.

The district also recorded 110 fresh COVID-19 cases, taking the infection tally to 15,913, even as the recovery rate came close to 92 per cent, according to the data released by the UP Health Department for a 24-hour period.

The number of active cases came down further to 1,229 from 1,384 on Saturday, the data showed. 
Oct 18, 2020 20:18 (IST)
Coronavirus update: Case registered against Gujjar leader, others for holding Mahapanchayat in Bharatpur

A case has been registered against Gujjar leader Kirori Singh Bainsla and 32 others for holding a Mahapanchayat in Bharatpur on Saturday in violation of COVID-19 protocols.

The case has been filed at the Bayana police station, ANI reported. 
Oct 18, 2020 20:03 (IST)
Coronavirus update: No new COVID-19 cases reported in Mizoram
No new COVID-19 cases were reported in Manipur in the latest 24 hours, while three patients tested negative in the state, the state health department informed on Sunday.

The total number of positive cases in the state stands at 2,253, out of which 105 are active patients.

As many as 2,148 COVID-19 patients in the state have been discharged so far.

No deaths have been reported in the state to date, ANI reported. 
Oct 18, 2020 19:47 (IST)
Coronavirus update: No new COVID-19 fatality reported in Haryana in last 24 hours

No coronavirus-related fatality was reported in Haryana during the past 24 hours as the state reported 952 fresh cases on Sunday, according to the Health Department's daily bulletin.
The death count in the state stands at 1,640, the PTI reported. 
Oct 18, 2020 19:29 (IST)
Coronavirus update: No fresh COVID-19 death in Puducherry; Positivity rate drops to 4.3%

In a welcome development, the union territory of Puducherry reported no fresh fatalities due to COVID-19 on Sunday for the first time this month while the test positivity rate dropped to 4.3 per cent. The infection count rose to 33,141 with the addition of 177 cases while recoveries outnumbered with 306 patients being discharged after treatment from various hospitals during the
last 24 hours ending at 10 AM today, the PTI reported. 
Oct 18, 2020 18:53 (IST)
Coronavirus update: Young US poll workers brace for Election Day as virus fears keep elders home

After scrambling to replace an aging force of poll workers most at risk from the coronavirus, US election officials face the challenge of running the November 3 voting with untested volunteers tasked with following strict health protocols in an intensely partisan environment.

A nationwide drive that recruited hundreds of thousands of younger poll workers - the people who set up equipment, check in voters and process ballots - means most battleground states will not be understaffed, a Reuters review of Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin found.
Oct 18, 2020 18:35 (IST)
Coronavirus update: COVID-19 is additional layer to ''gender equality in education'' challenge, says UNESCO report

The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered an education crisis, fuelled by deep and multiple forms of inequality having gender roots and implications, the Global Education Monitoring (GEM) report by UNESCO has pointed out.
Oct 18, 2020 18:11 (IST)
Coronavirus update: Hope of COVID-19 vaccine deployment in UK by New Year, says Report

One of the UK's senior-most medical chiefs has indicated that a vaccine against COVID-19 could be ready to be deployed by the start of the New Year, according to a media report on Sunday.
Oct 18, 2020 17:34 (IST)
Coronavirus update: UK government scientists warn COVID-19 reinfections "to be expected"

The UK government's senior scientific advisers have warned that reinfections with COVID-19 are "to be expected" as the novel coronavirus spreads and that the timeframe between each infection may be "relatively short".

According to a paper by the COVID-19 Genomics UK Consortium, released with a batch of documents by the government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) on Friday, it remains unclear at what point recovered people become vulnerable to reinfection but the prospect of reinfections does exist based on human response to other kinds of coronaviruses, such as those behind flu and common cold, the PTI reported. 

Oct 18, 2020 17:05 (IST)
Coronavirus update: Harsh Vardhan says Kerala paying price for "gross negligence" during Onam; No shortage of medical oxygen

With Kerala witnessing a spike in coronavirus infections recently, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Sunday said the state was paying the "price for gross negligence" during Onam festivities when unlocking of services along with an increase in travel for trade and tourism led to the spread of COVID-19.

The minister said this ought to serve as a good lesson for all the state governments that were being negligent in planning for the festival season, the PTI reported. 
Oct 18, 2020 16:39 (IST)
Coronavirus update: 4 inmates, nine prison staff COVID-19 positive in three Delhi jails

Four inmates and nine jail staff in the three prison complexes of Delhi are presently undergoing treatment for COVID-19, officials said on Sunday.

Of the four inmates undergoing treatment, three of them were recently sent to these jails, they said.

According to data shared by officials, the number of active COVID-19 cases in Delhi Prisons till Thursday stands at 13, including nine jail staff, the PTI reported.

Oct 18, 2020 16:27 (IST)
Coronavirus update: China beefs up laws to handle epidemics, protect whistleblowers

China has passed a new law to improve its handling of disease outbreaks -- including protecting whistleblowers -- following a cascade of criticism over its coronavirus response and accusations of an early cover-up.

The new biosecurity law, approved by lawmakers on Saturday, flags the right to report "acts that endanger biosecurity" and calls for risk prevention systems, ranging from active monitoring to emergency plans.

It takes effect from April 15 next year. the AFP reported.
Oct 18, 2020 15:51 (IST)
Coronavirus news: Thane recovery rate over 90%, active cases 7.27%

The recovery rate from the COVID-19 infection in Thane district has crossed 90 per cent even as
the number of cases reached 1,99,386, an official said on Sunday.

The caseload includes 5,045 deaths and 1,79,847 people getting discharged post recovery, PTI reported. 
Oct 18, 2020 15:29 (IST)
Coronavirus update: No clinching evidence to support China's claim of simultaneous outbreak of COVID-19, says Harsh Vardhan

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Sunday refuted the claim made by China that there was a simultaneous outbreak of coronavirus across the world, citing lack of "clinching" evidence to support the argument.

Oct 18, 2020 15:04 (IST)
Australia's COVID-19 hotspot partially eases lockdown

Australia's state of Victoria, the epicentre of the country's coronavirus outbreak, will see more freedom of movement as of Monday after months-long restrictions, but retailers and restaurants must wait longer, making some of the owners unhappy.

After more than 100 days in a strict lockdown that allowed only for two hours of outdoor activity a day, the 5 million people living in Melbourne, Victoria's capital, will be able to spend as much time exercising outdoors as they wish
Oct 18, 2020 14:41 (IST)
Tripura reports 141 new COVID-19 cases

At least 141 people tested positive for COVID-19 in Tripura on Sunday, pushing the tally in the state to 29,468, a health department official said.

West Tripura district, of which state capital Agartala is a part, has accounted for 174 of the 326 COVID-19 deaths.

Tripura currently has 2,920 active cases, while 26,199 people have recovered from the disease. Twenty-three patients have migrated to other states, the official said.
Oct 18, 2020 14:19 (IST)
No mutation of coronavirus has been detected in India: Harsh Vardhan

Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Harsh Vardhan on Sunday said that as of now no mutation of coronavirus has been detected in India.

The Health Minister assured that as of yet, no mutation of coronavirus has been detected in India, which is either more transmission efficient or more pathogenic.

"I can assure you that as of now no mutation of coronavirus has been detected in India," he said and answered many inquisitive social media interactors on the sixth episode of Sunday Samvaad.
Oct 18, 2020 13:38 (IST)
No fresh COVID-19 death in Puducherry; Positivity rate drops to 4.3

In a welcome development, the union territory of Puducherry reported no fresh fatalities due to COVID-19 on Sunday for the first time this month while the test positivity rate dropped to 4.3 per cent.

The infection count rose to 33,141 with the addition of 177 cases while recoveries outnumbered with 306 patients being discharged after treatment from various hospitals during last 24 hours ending at 10 AM, an official said.

The deaths remained unchanged at 574 as no death due to the coronavirus occurred during the period, Health and Family Welfare department Nodal Officer Ramesh said.
Oct 18, 2020 12:42 (IST)
Odisha reports 2,019 new COVID-19 cases, 14 fresh fatalities

Odisha's COVID-19 tally mounted to 2,68,364 on Sunday as 2,019 more people tested positive for the infection, while 14 fresh fatalities pushed the coastal state's coronavirus deaths to 1,135, a health official said. 

As many as 1,168 new cases were reported in quarantine centres, while 851 infections were detected during contact tracing, he said.
Oct 18, 2020 12:18 (IST)
Telangana COVID-19 tally rises to 2.22 lakh

Telangana's COVID-19 tally climbed to 2,22,111 and the toll touched 1,271 with the addition of 1,436 fresh cases and six deaths, the state government said on Sunday.

The cumulative recoveries rose to 1,98,790 while there were 22,050 active cases in the state as of 8 PM on Saturday, a bulletin said.

The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) areas accounted for the most number of the fresh cases with 249 people testing positive, followed by Rangareddy (110) and Medchal Malkajgiri (105) districts, it said.

As many as 41,043 samples were tested during the period, taking the aggregate of specimens examined so far to 38,30,503.
Oct 18, 2020 11:41 (IST)
Ladakh records one more COVID-related death; 93 new cases

The Union Territory of Ladakh has reported 93 new COVID-19 cases and one more virus-related death, taking the infection case load to 5,534 and the fatalities to 66, officials said on Sunday.

Seventy-four patients have been cured during the past 24 hours, bringing down the number of active cases in the region to 933 - 766 in Leh district and 167 in Kargil district, the officials said this morning.

They said the latest death was reported from Leh on Saturday, raising the COVID-19 death toll in the district to 28 while rest of the 38 such deaths had taken place in Kargil district.
Oct 18, 2020 11:19 (IST)
Jharkhand reports 542 new COVID-19 cases, 8 fresh fatalities

Jharkhand's COVID-19 tally rose to 95,967 on Sunday as 542 more people tested positive for the infection, a health official said.

Eight more patients died due to the infection, pushing the coronavirus deaths in state to 832, he said.

Jharkhand now has 6,576 active coronavirus cases, while 88,559 people have been cured of the disease so far, the official said.

The state has tested 20,952 samples for COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, he added.
Oct 18, 2020 10:54 (IST)
Nearly 100 people fined for violating COVID norms on Delhi Metro

The Delhi Police has issued 98 challans to metro passengers for violating guidelines pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic, officials said on Sunday.

The police personnel at metro stations have been conducting a drive to check on those found violating COVID-19 guidelines. Passengers who were not wearing masks or maintaining social distancing have been challaned, they said.

In the last four days, 1,903 metro trains were checked and 98 challans were issued to passengers for violating the guidelines to control the pandemic, said Jitendra Mani, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Metro).


Oct 18, 2020 10:38 (IST)
Police given access to details of people told to self-isolate by UK government's system

British police forces have been granted access to details of people who have been told to self-isolate under the government's 'test and trace' system, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said late on Saturday

A spokesman for the department said it agreed with the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) that officers could have access on a case-by-case basis to information on whether a specific individual has been notified to self-isolate. 
Oct 18, 2020 10:10 (IST)
Movie theaters outside New York City to reopen at 25% capacity, says Governor

Movie theaters outside of New York City will be allowed to reopen on October 23 after a months-long hiatus spurred by the coronavirus, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Saturday

Theaters will be required to cap capacity at 25% with a maximum of 50 people per screen, and only in counties that have a positivity rate below 2% on the 14-day-average and no cluster areas, Cuomo said.
Oct 18, 2020 09:48 (IST)
Protests in London as COVID alert level is raised

Anti-lockdown demonstrators gathered in central London on Saturday, hours after the British capital moved to the second highest COVID-19 alert level.

As a second wave of infections gathers pace, Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government has stepped up local restrictions in parts of England where cases are surging - hoping to shield the economy by allowing the least-affected regions to remain open. As of midnight, London was moved up to the "tier 2" or "high-risk" level.

Oct 18, 2020 09:03 (IST)
Paris under curfew as Europe battles soaring virus caseload

Millions of Europeans faced tough new coronavirus restrictions on Saturday as governments stepped up efforts to slow the surge in infections, after the World Health Organization reported a "very concerning" 44-percent rise in European cases over one week.

From Saturday evening, Paris and several other French cities go under a nighttime curfew that will last at least a month. England is banning mixed household gatherings in the capital and other areas, and Italy's most populous region is limiting bar openings and suspending sports events.

The need for action in France was underlined as the country recorded another record for new cases, with over 32,000 registered in 24 hours.
Oct 18, 2020 08:10 (IST)
With very high COVID-19 testing, India's positivity rate fallen below 8 pc: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

As India has scaled up its COVID-19 testing capacity from one in January to over 9.32 crore at present, the positivity rate has fallen below 8 per cent, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) on Sunday.

"India has exponentially scaled up its testing capacity from one in January to more than 9.32 cr at present. The very high testing has resulted in the continuous falling positivity rate. It has now fallen below 8 per cent," the Ministry tweeted.

The MoHFW further said that very comprehensive testing has thus worked as a highly effective tool to curb the spread of COVID-19 infection. It also leads to early identification, prompt isolation and effective treatment of COVID-19 cases, and eventual low fatality rate.
Oct 18, 2020 07:43 (IST)
Israel reports 874 new COVID-19 cases, 3,02,770 in total

The total number of COVID-19 cases in Israel rose to 302,770 on Saturday after the addition of 874 new cases, marking a fifth consecutive day of decrease in the number of daily new cases, Israel's Ministry of Health said.

The deaths rose to 2,190, with 49 new fatalities, while the number of patients in serious condition decreased from 714 to 690, out of 1,210 patients currently hospitalized.

The total number of recoveries reached 265,445, with 2,942 new ones, while active cases dropped to 35,130, the lowest figure since September 18.
Oct 18, 2020 06:08 (IST)
COVID-19: Amid outbreak, Goa doctors threaten strike over room sharing
A total of 1,992 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Rajasthan on Saturday taking the total count of reported cases to 1,71,281.

State Health Department said 12 more people succumbed to the virus taking the death toll in the state to 1,735.

According to the State Health Department, of 1,992 new cases, 372 were reported in Jaipur. The state has 21,255 active cases.
Oct 18, 2020 06:01 (IST)
Global COVID-19 cases cross 39.5 million

The global coronavirus caseload now stands at 39.5 million cases, according to the latest updates provided by Johns Hopkins University.

According to the University tracker, there are 39,502,909 COVID-19 cases globally and 1,106,705 patients globally have succumbed to the virus.

Globally, 27,148,927 patients infected from the virus have recovered, the tracker states.

The US continues to be the worst-affected country due to the virus with 8,086,780 cases and 218,980 fatalities, which are the most deaths in the world.

As many as 3,197,539 patients across the US have recovered from the disease.
Oct 18, 2020 06:00 (IST)
Need To Identify Clusters That Can Turn Into Covid Hotspots: WHO Chief Scientist

World Health Organisation Chief Scientist Sowmya Swaminathan on Saturday said clusters and large gatherings which have the potential of spreading COVID-19 need to be identified and suggested continuous testing of samples by the government.

With a huge population in a country like India, she said, one has to go after the virus in order to control its spread before it becomes a community transmission.

"When we look at countries that have succeeded (in controlling the spread of virus) we have to go after the virus where it is present. Then it is easier (to prevent the spread of virus) than it becomes a community transmission," she said.
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