COVID-19 Updates: India is third on the list of worst-affected countries. (File)
India has crossed 19 lakh-mark in coronavirus cases after 52,509 people tested positive in the last 24 hours, the Union Health Ministry said this morning.
Nearly 12.82 lakh patients in the country have recovered so far, 39,795 have died so far. In the last 24 hours, 857 deaths were reported The recovery rate stood at 67.19 per cent this morning, positivity rate stood at 8.47 per cent.
Maharashtra has reported the highest number of cases, followed by Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh.
India is third on the list of worst-affected countries after the United States and Brazil The UN health agency has warned that the coronavirus pandemic would be lengthy and could lead to "response fatigue", as India and the Philippines reported a record rise in new cases.
Here are the Live Updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Cases:
Coronavirus News: US Adds 1,242 COVID-19 Deaths In 24 Hours, Shows Johns Hopkins Tally
The United States added 1,262 more deaths to its COVID-19 toll in the 24 hours ending at 8:30 pm Wednesday (0030 GMT), according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University, reported news agency AFP. The world's largest economy also added 53,158 new cases of the virus, the Baltimore-based institution's tracker showed. The US has now recorded 4,818,328 total cases, which have resulted in 157,930 deaths, making it by far the worst-hit country in the world.
Coronavirus News: Odisha Observes One Minute Silent Prayer As Tribute To COVID Warriors
Odisha observed a minute of silent prayer on Wednesday in tribute to COVID warriors who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty, reported news agebcy ANI. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik led the prayer. "The fight against COVID-19 has been going on for the past five months. Today, the number of cured patients in the state has risen to 25,000 and it's happened due to the sacrifices of COVID warriors as they risked their lives to serve the people of Odisha", the chief minister said, adding, "In Odisha 25 frontline workers have sacrificed their lives in this battle, setting a unique example of service, sacrifice and humanity."
Coronavirus News: COVID-19 Cases In Florida Cross Half-Million-Mark
Florida, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus pandemic in the southeastern US, has surpassed half a million cases and now has a death count of more than 7,600, state health authorities said Wednesday, reported news agency AFP. The Florida Health Department reported only 5,409 new daily cases in its latest count, a considerable drop after recent figures of around 10,000 new infections per day in recent weeks. The number of cases however may have decreased because testing was largely halted during the recent passage of Tropical Storm Isaias. Public testing centers where people could go for a nose swab were closed Thursday, reopening only on Monday.
Coronavirus News: Karnataka Inaugurates COVID Care Centre At Bengaluru Bus StationThe Karnataka government on Wednesday inaugurated a COVID Care Centre at Sri Basaveshwara Bus Station in Bengaluru, reported news agency ANI.
"KSRTC has provided the (ground floor and first floor) Sri Basweshwara Bus Station premises in Peenya, Bengaluru for the establishment of COVID care centre," the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) said in a press release.
The COVID centre provided 50 per cent of the beds for KSRTC, Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) and North Eastern Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NEKRTC) employees and their families.
A swab collection centre has been set up. Patients will receive basic medical services along with food and other services.
The centre has clean toilets, bathing facilities with hot water and clean drinking water. Nutritious food will be provided to all patients and provision has been made for the staff to stay at the centre.
Coronavirus News: Amsterdam Enforces Face Masks In Crowded Places
Amsterdam and the port of Rotterdam on Wednesday made face masks compulsory in certain busy areas including the Dutch capital's Red Light district, as coronavirus infections showed a worrying spike, reported news agency AFP. The new measures come as the number of infections doubled in a week in the country, where more than 55,000 people have now been infected and some 6,150 have died. "We're starting this experiment because we're worried about the increasing number of coronavirus infections," the Amsterdam city council said. "Face masks are compulsory in crowded and busy areas and where other measures didn't work or have adverse economic effects," it said in a statement.
Delhi Records 1,076 Fresh COVID-19 Cases
Delhi recorded 1,076 fresh coronavirus cases and 11 deaths in the last 24 hours, authorities said on Wednesday. The active case tally on Wednesday rose to 10,072 from 9,897 the previous day.
Eleven fatalities in the last 24 hours was the lowest single-day dealth count for the city in many weeks, news agency PTI reported. The death count now stands at 4,044 while the case count is 1,40,232.
West Bengal Logs Biggest 24-Hour Jump In Coronavirus Cases, DeathsWest Bengal logged the highest number of fresh coronavirus cases and virus fatalities on Wednesday. 2,816 new cases were registered on Wednesday in the state while 61 COVID-19 patients died in the last 24 hours. In a first, the state's North 24 Parganas raced past Kolkata and reported 709 new coronavirus cases, 44 more than the state capital.
Pinarayi Vijayan Defends Involving Police In COVID-19 Containment Work
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said that the decision to entrust certain COVID-19 mitigation responsibilities with the force was taken to ease the burden of the health workers.
He added that the police were only asked to help them trace contacts, ensure home quarantine and containment zone restrictions, he said, joining issue with opposition Congress which has questioned the decision.
Coronavirus news: COVID-19 cases slow in South African hotspot provinces, minister says
Three South African provinces considered coronavirus hotspots have seen new infections slow in recent weeks, though it is too early to say whether the country's peak has passed, the health minister said on Wednesday.
South Africa has the world's fifth highest number of infections, with cases passing 500,000 over the weekend, despite a strict lockdown since late March.
On Wednesday the World Health Organisation (WHO) said it was sending a "surge team" of 43 experts to the country to help the Health Ministry with "surveillance and streamlining of epidemiological systems and WHO global COVID-19 response guidelines".
Financial hub Gauteng, tourist centre Western Cape and the Eastern Cape have seen steep rises for months, with total cases at roughly 183,000, 97,000 and 80,000 respectively, Reuters reported.
Coronavirus news: 5 COVID-19 warriors died in Odisha so far, says Official
As many as 25 corona warriors have died in Odisha while performing COVID-19 related duty, a senior official said on Wednesday.
The frontline warriors who have succumbed to the viral infection were deployed in dedicated hospitals, COVID-19 care centres, temporary medical camps and COVID care homes, he said.
The 25 deaths account for 11.11 per cent of the state's coronavirus death count which stands at 225, the official said.
Tamil Nadu reports single day highest COVID-19 deaths of 112, taking count to 4,461 while 5,175 fresh cases push tally to 2.73 lakh.
Coronavirus news: WHO says North Korea's COVID-19 test results for first suspected case "inconclusive"
North Korea's test results for a man suspected of being the country's first coronavirus case were inconclusive, though authorities have quarantined over 3,635 primary and secondary contacts, a World Health Organization official told Reuters.
On July 26 North Korea said it had declared a state of emergency and locked down the border city of Kaesong after a person who defected to South Korea three years ago returned across the fortified border with what state media said were symptoms of COVID-19.
Coronavirus news: For second consecutive day India tests over 6 lakh COVID-19 samples, says Health Ministry
For the second consecutive day, India has tested over 6 lakhs COVID-19 samples taking the tests per million to 15,568, Union Health Ministry said on Wednesday.
"With 619,652 tests conducted in the last 24 hours, the cumulative testing as on date has reached 21,484,402. The tests per million have seen a sharp increase to 15,568," the ministry said.
India had conducted 661,715 tests on Tuesday, ANI reported.
Coronavirus news: Tamil Nadu to allow gyms to open from Aug 10
After remaining closed for over four months as part of measures to fight COVID-19, gyms in Tamil Nadu are all set to resume services from August 10.
The decision was taken by Chief Minister K Palaniswami, considering a representation from the Tamil Nadu Gym Owners and Trainers Welfare Association, the government said in an official release.
Mr Palaniswami ordered allowing gyms to resume operations from August 10 and the Centre has allowed such facilities to work from today, PTI reported.
Coronavirus news: India's "Amazing" Support Could Help Bring "Good News" To World On Rapid COVID-19 Tests: Israel
Applauding as "amazing" India's support in developing a rapid test for COVID-19, Israel on Wednesday expressed hope that the joint efforts could bring "good news" to the world within a few months.
Israeli and Indian scientists are jointly working on an ambitious project to develop a rapid corona test that can provide results within tens of seconds, PTI reported.
Coronavirus news: Tamil Nadu Governor Still Asymptomatic For COVID-19, Doing Well
Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit, in home quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19, continues to be asymptomatic, active and doing well, according to a hospital bulletin here on Wednesday.
Eighty-year old Purohit was on self isolation since July 29 after three Raj Bhavan staff tested positive for the virus earlier. Later, he too tested positive on Sunday and was advised home quarantine, PTI reported.
Coronavirus news: Recovered Maharashtra minister donates plasmaMaharashtra Housing Minister Jitendra Awhad, who recovered from COVID-19 infection nearly three months ago, on Wednesday donated his plasma for treatment of other patients.
Mr Awhad donated his plasma at a collection centre in Thane city, PTI reported.
Coronavirus news: 90% of recovered COVID-19 patients in Wuhan suffering from lung damage, says report
Ninety per cent of a sample group of coronavirus-recovered patients from a prominent hospital in China's Wuhan city where the pandemic broke out have reported lung damage and five per cent of them are again in quarantine after testing positive for the virus, according to a media report on Wednesday.
A team at the Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University led by Peng Zhiyong, director of the hospital's Intensive Care Unit, has been conducting follow-up visits with "100 recovered patients" since April.
The first phase of this one-year programme finished in July. The average age of the patients in the study is 59.
According to the first phase results, 90 per cent of the patients' lungs are still in a damaged state, which means their lungs ventilation and gas exchange functions have not recovered to the level of healthy people, PTI reported.
Coronavirus news: Lupin launches COVID-19 drug Favipiravir in India at Rs 49 per tabletDrug major Lupin on Wednesday announced the launch of its Favipiravir drug under the brand name "Covihalt" for the treatment patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms at Rs 49 per tablet in India.
Favipiravir has received authorisation from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for emergency use, Lupin said in a regulatory filing, PTI reported.
Coronavirus news: 36-year-old cardiac surgeon dies of COVID-19 in KolkataA 36-year-old cardiac surgeon has died of COVID-19 in Kolkata, Health Department sources said on Wednesday.
Dr Nitish Kumar was diagnosed with COVID-19 in mid-July and was undergoing treatment at a private hospital where he worked, PTI reported.
Coronavirus news: India's COVID-19 recovery rate rises to 67.19 per cent; case fatality drops to 2.09 per cent: Government
A total of 51,706 patients have recuperated from COVID-19 in India in a span of 24 hours, the highest in a day, pushing the recovery rate to 67.19 per cent on Wednesday while the case fatality rate has further dropped to 2.09 per cent, the Union health ministry said.
The recoveries have surged to 12,82,215 and are more than twice the active cases of the coronavirus infection, it said.
Due to the record highest daily recoveries, the active cases have reduced to 5,86,244 and comprise 30.72 per cent of the total COVID-19 caseload, PTI reported.
Coronavirus news: Gyms reopen in Amritsar after 3-month COVID-19 lockdownGym owners and fitness trainers sighed a breath of relief as gym-goers walked into their establishments on Wednesday after Punjab Chief Minister announced Unlock 3.0 guidelines that gave gyms a thumbs up to reopen after the three-month COVID-19 lockdown.
"I am very grateful to the Centre for allowing us to reopen our establishments. We are being extra careful now that gyms are allowed to open. We only call 10 people at a time to the gym and sanitise all the equipment after every use. We have requested members to bring their own bottles, hand sanitizers and towels, and have a strict social distancing policy," Madhav Khurana, owner and fitness coach of a gym in Amritsar told ANI, adding that they also recommend immunity-boosting meal plans so that members can also learn how to eat healthily.
Gursimran Kaur, a gym goer said that coming to the gym after several weeks of the COVID-induced lockdown made her feel healthier and stronger, ANI reported.
Coronavirus news: Indonesia reports 1,815 new coronavirus cases, 64 new deaths
Indonesia recorded 1,815 new coronavirus infections on Wednesday, bringing the total number of cases in the Southeast Asian country to 116,871, data by the country's health ministry showed.
There were 64 additional deaths, taking the overall number of fatalities to 5,452, Reuters reported.
Coronavirus news: Philippines confirms 3,462 more coronavirus cases, nine deaths
The Philippines' health ministry on Wednesday reported 3,462 new coronavirus infections and nine additional deaths.
In a bulletin, the ministry said total infections had risen to 115,980, putting the tally just behind Indonesia's 116,871 cases, which is the highest in East Asia.
Coronavirus deaths in the Philippines have reached 2,123, Reuters reported.
Coronavirus news: Coronavirus infects 24,000 South African health workers Some 24,000 health workers in South Africa have contracted coronavirus, 181 of whom have died, since the pandemic hit the country in March, the health minister announced on Wednesday.
South Africa is the hardest-hit country in Africa with at least 521,318 infections diagnosed so far, accounting for more than half the continent's cases, AFP reported.
Coronavirus news: Margao COVID-19 hospital incharge removed for "negligence"The Goa government has removed the incharge of the COVID-19 hospital in Margao amid allegations of poor upkeep of the facility, an official said on Wednesday.
State Health Department on Tuesday transferred Dr Ira Almeida, who was heading the facility, and handed over the charge to senior doctor from Goa Medical College Dr Uday Kakodkar.
Dr Almeida has also been relieved of the charge as Medical Superintendent of Hospicio Hospital, a sub-district hospital in Margao town, the official said. She has been replaced by senior surgeon Dr Deepa Correia.
The 170-bed hospital in Margao was set up with all necessary amenities required to treat patients from across the state, PTI reported.
Coronavirus news: 10,026 Maharashtra cops contract COVID-19, death count reaches 107Over 10,000 Maharashtra Police personnel have so far tested positive for coronavirus and 107 of them have died due to the viral infection, an official said on Wednesday.
The police personnel who tested positive for the disease included 1,035 officers, PTI reported.
Coronavirus news: Tripura's COVID-19 caseload rises to 5,646; death count mounts to 30Tripura's COVID-19 caseload increased to 5,646 on Wednesday with the detection of 125 fresh infections, while two more fatalities pushed its coronavirus death count to 30, a health official said.
A 65-year-old woman suffering from cardiac ailments was admitted to the Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) on Tuesday. The woman, who hailed from Sonamura in Sepahijala district, tested positive for COVID-19 and died on the same day, he said.
Another 85-year-old cancer patient from Melarmath area of Agartala, who had tested positive for COVID-19 while undergoing treatment at the AGMC, died on Tuesday night, the official said.
The fresh infections have pushed the number of active cases in Tripura to 1,873, while 3,725 people have recovered from the disease and 18 patients have migrated to other states, he said.
Tripura has so far tested 1,87,851 samples for COVID-19, PTI reported.
Coronavirus news: Rajasthan reports 593 new COVID-19 cases
A total of 593 new COVID-19 cases and 10 deaths were reported in Rajasthan in the last 24 hours, taking the state's total count of positive coronavirus cases to 47,272, the state government said on Wednesday.
The total figure includes 13,630 active cases and 32,900 recovered cases.
So far, 742 deaths have been reported from the state, ANI reported.
Coronavirus news: With 92 new COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra police, tally crosses 10,000-mark
With 92 new COVID-19 cases reported in the Maharashtra Police in the last 24 hours, the tally crossed the 10,000-mark on Wednesday.
The total count of coronavirus-infected cases in the force stands at 10,026, while no new death has been reported.
Of the total number of police personnel infected with coronavirus, 8,060 have recovered and 1,859 cases are active, informed the Maharashtra Police, ANI reported.
Coronavirus news: Global coronavirus deaths exceed 700,000, one person dies every 15 seconds on average
The global death count from the coronavirus surpassed 700,000 on Wednesday, according to a Reuters tally, with the United States, Brazil, India and Mexico leading the rise in fatalities.
Nearly 5,900 people are dying every 24 hours from COVID-19 on average, according to Reuters calculations based on data from the past two weeks.
That equates to 247 people per hour, or one person every 15 seconds, Reuters reported.
Coronavirus news: Telangana records 2,012 new coronavirus cases, 13 deaths
Telangana saw a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases with 2,012 more people testing positive for the virus and 13 related fatalities being reported, taking the total infection tally in the state to 70,958.
Out of the new cases, 532 were from the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), followed by Medchal-Malkajgiri 198 and Rangareddy 188, a state government bulletin said on Wednesday, providing data as of 8 PM on August 4.
The total number of people who recovered from the infectious disease touched 50,814, while 19,568 were under treatment, PTI reported.
India has been reporting over 50,000 new Covid cases each day over the last week.
Phase-1 Of Human Trials Of Covid Vaccine Candidates Complete, Says ICMRThe Phase 1 human clinical trials of two COVID-19 vaccine candidates developed indigenously by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with top medical body - ICMR - and Zydus Cadila Ltd have been completed and the trials have moved to Phase 2, ICMR Director General Balram Bhargava said on Tuesday, news agency PTI reported.
India COVID Updates: India Has 5.8 Lakh Active Cases
Of 18.55 lakh total cases, nearly 5.8 lakh patients are being treated for coronavirus in different parts of the country, the government data shows.
Goa Opposition Leader Seeks Covid Package For Those Hit By Lockdown In Goa, Digambar Kamat, the leader of opposition, has appealed to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to announce a financial package for all those who have suffered during Covid lockdown and release pending dues of all Social Welfare Schemes on the occasion of foundation laying ceremony of Lord Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
On "this auspicious occasion", Chief Minister Pramod Sawant should announce a financial package "for all those who have suffered badly during Covid Lockdown", the Congress
leader was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
Happy Delhi Model To Fight Covid Being Recognised Across Globe: Arvind KejriwalDelhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday thanked the South Korean ambassador for his words of appreciation for the Delhi Model of COVID-19 management, said an official statement.
Kejriwal said he is happy that the Delhi Model is being recognized across the globe and that all nations need to join hands to fight and defeat COVID-19.
"The ambassador of South Korea Shin Bong-Kil on Tuesday praised the Delhi model of combatting the COVID pandemic. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal thanked the South Korean ambassador for his words of appreciation," it said.
In a video message, Bong-Kil said, "I am very impressed with the Delhi Model. Actually, Korean model is 3T - Test, Trace and Treat. Delhi Model is Test and Home Quarantine, and it is a very effective and wise measure which has been made in India's and particularly Delhi's situation. I am very happy and I would like to congratulate the Delhi government that they accomplished this achievement."
Thanking Bong-Kil, the Delhi Chief Minister tweeted, "Happy that our Delhi Model is being recognized across the globe. I want to thank South Korean Ambassador Shin Bong-kil for his encouraging words. All nations coming together to defeat Covid is the need of the hour."
Delhi has seen a sharp decline in the number of active cases in the last 24 hours, with active cases reducing to less than 10,000, said the statement.
399 COVID-19 cases, 383 recovered/discharged and 1 death reported in Jharkhand today. Total number of cases in the state is now at 14,070, including 8,742 active cases, 5,199 recovered/discharged & 129 deaths: State Health Department
IIT-Kanpur Director Tests Positive For CoronavirusIndian Institute of Technology-Kanpur Director Professor Abhay Karandikar tested positive for coronavirus on Tuesday, his deputy said.
Karandikar developed a mild fever two days back and went for a swab test on the advice of the institute's Medical Officer, Deputy Director Professor S Ganesh said. His test report came positive for COVID-19, Mr Ganesh said.
"As a precautionary measure, and on the advice of the doctors, Karandikar has been taken to the Max Super Speciality Hospital in New Delhi," Mr Ganesh said.
With Oximeters And More, Gyms Ready To Welcome "Fitness In COVID Era"Gyms and fitness centres on Tuesday geared up to open their doors after almost five months with managements busy fine-tuning operational details such as hourly sanitisation, spacing out equipment to ensure social distancing and minimising staff in accordance with government guidelines.
Thousands of small gyms and bigger chains will welcome customers to "fitness in the COVID era" on Wednesday though outlets in states where lockdown rules have not been relaxed will continue to be closed.
After the crippling losses and layoffs, the Ministry of Home Affairs'' July 30 notice allowing gymnasiums and yoga institutes to reopen from August 5 was a huge relief, said gym owners. On Monday evening, the Health Ministry issued its guidelines and establishments are quickly making sure that everything is in place before they reopen for business.