COVID-19 Highlights: It took 183 days for India to cross 16 lakh coronavirus cases. (File)
Coronavirus Highlights: India reported a new record surge on Saturday morning in coronavirus cases with more than 57,000 fresh infections, the Union Health Ministry said, taking the total number of cases to 16.95 lakh.
More than 10.94 lakh patients have recovered; the recovery rate stood at 64.52 per cent this morning.
With 764 new deaths in 24 hours, the health ministry put total fatalities at 36,511, giving India the world's fifth-highest death count behind the United States, Brazil, Britain and Mexico. This is the third consecutive day that more than 50,000 new cases have been reported in 24 hours.
Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh on Friday surpassed Delhi to become the third worst coronavirus-hit state in the country. The state has added over 30,000 cases to its tally in the last three days, taking its total of those infected by the deadly virus to 1,40,933, including 1,349 fatalities.
Andhra Pradesh reported 10,376 cases and 60 deaths on Friday.
The national capital, which remained on the third spot behind Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu for weeks on the list, added 1,195 cases, taking its total to 1,35,598.
The infection positivity rate in Andhra Pradesh shot up to 7.22 per cent due to the abnormal spurt in the number of cases in the last three days when it added 30,636 cases.
As many as 3,822 patients recovered and were discharged from hospitals in a day. Overall, the state now has 75,720 active cases after 63,864 were cured, the bulletin added.
Here are the Highlights on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Cases:
Punjab Safety In Hands Of Its People: Amarinder Singh As Covid Cases RiseTaking note of the "highly irresponsible" behaviour of some people not following the COVID-19 rules, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Saturday said the state's safety is in the hands of its people.
He warned of dangerous consequences for the state, which has been witnessing a spike in COVID-19 cases over the past few days, if people did not follow the safety norms.
Pointing out that 4,900 challans were issued to people for various violations on Friday, Singh asked why it is so difficult for people to wear masks, wash hands or not spit on roads.
"Don't you care for your fellow Punjabis?" he asked during his weekly Facebook Live "Ask Captain" interaction.
Citing the example of Maharashtra and Delhi, which have high COVID-19 caseload, he said the safety of Punjab was in the hands of its people.
During the interaction, Mr Singh told a youth that while his government had allowed gyms to reopen from August 5, in line with the Centre's Unlock3 guidelines, people would need to strictly follow all protocols and directives which will be issued by the health department shortly.
Senior Jharkhand BJP Leader Chandreshwar Prasad Singh Recovers From COVID-19Senior Jharkhand BJP leader Chandreshwar Prasad Singh recovered from COVID-19 and was discharged from a state-run hospital here on Saturday, authorities of the medical establishment said.
Mr Singh, a former state urban development minister, had tested positive for the infection on July 22.
The BJP MLA was admitted to the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS).
He has been advised home quarantine for 14 days, a hospital spokesperson said.
After being discharged from the hospital, Mr Singh returned home late on Saturday night, his personal secretary Saswat Dubey said.
Odisha Allows Private Labs To Conduct COVID-19 TestsIn a bid to augment the testing facilities, Odisha government on Saturday allowed private hospitals, nursing homes and laboratories to conduct COVID-19 tests through Rapid Antigen and RT-PCR methods, a notification issued by the health and family welfare department said.
The department issued a separate set of guidelines for conducting sample tests both under Rapid Antigen and RT-PCR.
The private health establishments have to abide by the ICMR norms.
The sample test results should first be informed to the state authorities before being released to the person whose test was conducted, the notification said.
For Rapid Antigen tests, the private bodies can charge a maximum of Rs 450 while the price for RT-PCR tests is fixed at Rs 2,200 per test. The nursing homes, hospitals and laboratories should be mandatorily registered under the Odisha Clinical Establishment (control & regulation) Act, 1990.
Coronavirus Update From Haryana: 7 More Deaths, 793 New Cases
Haryana on Saturday reported seven more deaths due to COVID-19 while 793 fresh cases were detected pushing the infection tally to 35,758, according to official figures released by the state government. Faridabad, the worst-hit district, reported three fatalities, while one person died in Gurgaon, which is another worst-hit district in the National Capital Region, two deaths were reported from Kurukshetra and one from Panipat.
738 new COVID-19 cases reported in Jharkhand today. Total number of cases rises to 12,104 including 7,477 active cases, 4,513 recovered and discharged cases and 114 deaths: State Health Department
Coronavirus Update From Madhya Pradesh: Phase 2 Of COVID-19 Campaign Between August 1-14
Madhya Pradesh government on Saturday launched the 14-day second phase of its ''Kill Corona'' campaign launched after a spike of cases in the state. The second phase will see a ban on stone-laying ceremonies and public rallies. The public representatives will be prevented from meeting more than five persons at a time in their homes of offices.
Army band performs special tunes for Covid warriors in Bengaluru
It was a special moment for 25 Covid warrriors here on Saturday when the Army Band of Pioneer Corps Training Centre performed specially composed tunes for them in honour of their stellar work in fighting the virus.
The group, comprising doctors, lab technicians and sanitation workers, were treated to special tunes at a rehearsal of Independence Day celebrations at the Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace here.
"This is to honour and appreciate the efforts of the Corona warriors in their fight against the Pandemic, and as a gesture of thanks," an official release said. The summer palace, located in the centre of Bengaluru, was built by Tipu Sultan in 1791.
1,118 fresh COVID-19 cases, 26 deaths in Delhi in 24 hours
Delhi recorded 1,118 fresh COVID-19 cases and 26 deaths due to the disease in the last 24 hours, authorities said on Saturday.
The city has so far recorded a total of 1,36,716 coronavirus cases, of which 1,22,131 patients have either recovered or migrated, they added.
There are 10,596 active cases in the national capital currently, of which 5,560 are under home isolation.
West Bengal's Daily Rise In COVID-19 Cases Cross 2,500-Mark, Record 48 New Deaths
West Bengal reported highest single-day COVID-19 fatality of 48 on Saturday, even as the daily rise in cases crossed the 2,500-mark for the first time, as per a bulletin issued by the state Health Department.
The state detected 2,589 fresh cases, taking the tally to 72,777, it said. The toll rose to 1,629 with the new deaths, it added.
There are 20,631 active cases in the state at present.
Coronavirus Update From Karnataka: COVID-19 Cases Reach 1.29 Lakh
Karnataka's COVID-19 tally rose to 1.29 lakh with the state on Saturday recording 5,172 fresh infections and 98 fatalities. The death count has gone up to 2,412 with the new fatalities. There were as many as 53,648 discharges including 3,860 on Saturday whereas there were 73,219 active cases in the state including 602 in the ICU, the department said in a statement.
Manish Sisodia Writes To Amit Shah After Lt Governor Blocks Unlock3 MoveDelhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia wrote to Amit Shah Saturday to ask him to overrule Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal's decision to reject two measures proposed by the Arvind Kejriwal government as part of the third phase of easing the COVID-19 lockdown.
In his letter Mr Sisodia said the Delhi government was preparing to re-send these decisions - the re-opening of hotels and weekly markets (the latter on a week's trial) - to the Lieutenant Governor's office on Tuesday and asked Mr Shah to ensure that they were passed this time.
"Coronavirus cases are steadily decreasing in Delhi and the situation is under control. Cases, however, are increasing in Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka, but over there hotels and weekly markets are allowed to function," Manish Sisodia pointed out.
Read Belur Math Closes Gates For Devotees As COVID-19 Rages Bengal
Belur Math, the global headquarters of Ramakrishna Math and Mission, Saturday announced that entry of devotees will be banned in its premises from August 2 as the COVID-19 pandemic is still raging.
Senior functionary Swami Suvirananda said in a video message on Saturday that the Math is being closed for visitors for the second time from August 1.
Bhopal Streets Wear Deserted Look On Eid-Al-Adah Due to 10-Day COVID-19 Lockdown
Streets of Bhopal wore a deserted look on Eid-al-Adah as a 10-day lockdown is being observed in the city due to the COVID-19 outbreak. "I thank people for cooperating with us and celebrating the festival at their homes. It shows Bhopali Tehzeeb (good manners), I wish everyone on Eid," Avinash Lavania, Bhopal District Collector said.
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Coronavirus Update From Delhi: 1,118 Fresh COVID-19 Cases, 26 Deaths
Delhi has recorded 1,118 fresh coronavirus cases, and 26 deaths due to the disease in the last 24 hours, authorities said on Saturday. The national capital has so far recorded a total of 1,36,716 cases, of which 1,22,131 have recovered, been discharged or migrated.
"Should Follow Delhi Model": Union Minister's Praise Over Covid OutbreakAll states should follow the "Delhi model" to control the spread of the COVID-19 virus, Union Minister of State (Home) G Kishan Reddy said Saturday, in a moment of praise for the Arvind Kejriwal government that has frequently found itself at odds with the centre over managing the outbreak in the national capital. "You know, Delhi (is) a union territory (that) I am personally monitoring. There is 84 per cent recovery rate in Delhi. All the states should emulate the Delhi model," Kishan Reddy said at an event in Hyderabad's Telangana Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (TIMS).
Mr Reddy's comments - he also referred to Delhi's 84 per cent recovery rate, which compares favourably with the national average of 64.52 per cent - comes a day after Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal rejected two moves by Mr Kejriwal's government as part of the third phase of easing the lockdown.
Read Coronavirus Update: Andhra Pradesh Witnessed 865% Rise In Covid Cases In JulyAndhra Pradesh reported 1,26,337 COVID-19 cases in the month of July, registering an 865 per cent rise in the number of infections - the most by any state in the country.
From 14,596 cases on June 30, the figure jumped up by 1.26 lakh by July end. East Godavari district, which is the most populous district in the state, saw a record 1,800 per cent jump. The positivity rate - percentage of patients who have tested positive for coronavirus - for July was 11.9 per cent.
On Friday alone, the state reported 10,376 cases, taking tally to 1,40,933 cases. With 68 COVID-19 deaths in last 24 hours, the total fatlaities in the state stand at 1,349.
While the recovery rate is at 45.3 per cent, the overall positivity rate stood at 7.22 per cent.
Andhra Pradesh has now surpassed Delhi to become the third worst coronavirus-hit state in the country. The state has added over 30,636 cases to its tally in the last three days, taking its total of those infected by the deadly virus to 1,40,933, including 1,349 fatalities.
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Biggest single-day spike of 107 COVID-19 cases in Arunachal Pradesh as tally rises to 1,591.
Kerala Minister's son tests COVID-19 positive
A Kerala Minister on Saturday informed that his son has tested positive for COVID-19.
However, the minister tested negative for COVID-19.
"After a staff working in the official residence tested positive for COVID-19, everyone staying here was in self-quarantine. In the test conducted my result and of other members came negative. But the PCR test of my son came positive for COVID-19," he said.
Kerala Police reports first COVID-19 death
Kerala on Friday reported its first death of a police officer due to COIVD-19, informed the state police department on Saturday.
The 55-year-old officer was undergoing treatment at Idukki Medical College and as he was suffering from a heart ailment his condition worsened and was shifted to Kottayam medical college, as per the hospital.
After his death, Kerala Police extended condolences to his family and remembered him for his valuable contributions in the service.
563 more COVID-19 cases, 10 deaths in Rajasthan
As many as 563 new COVID-19 cases and 10 deaths have been reported from Rajasthan on Saturday, taking the total coronavirus cases in the state to 42,646, said the State Health Department.
According to the official data, the state currently has 11,979 active cases and 29,977 recovered cases. With 10 more deaths, a total of 690 people have lost their lives to COVID-19.
Second round of sero survey begins in DelhiThe second round of sero-prevalence survey began in the national capital on Saturday, with the five-day exercise set to cover all districts and various demographic segments.
The exercise is being undertaken for a comprehensive assessment of the COVID-19 situation in Delhi.
The survey has begun and samples will be collected from four districts, including North Delhi and Northwest Delhi, to start with on Saturday.
A senior government official said 15,000 samples would be collected from August 1 to 5 as part of the exercise, spanning different areas and age groups. Representative samples will be taken from all the 11 districts.
A sero-prevalence survey involves testing the blood serum of individuals to check for the prevalence of antibodies against infection.
Mumbai hospital devises ''kavach'' to move COVID-19 patientsIn a bid to prevent the spread ofcoronavirus infection among its medical staff, the state-run J
J Hospital has developed a transport chamber for contactless movement of COVID-19 patients within the premises.
Developed by the general surgery department of the hospital with the help of engineers of a firm named Indomed Devices, the patient transport ''kavach'' aims to reduce the risk of infection among the hospital staff, visitors and other patients.
Telangana reports 2,083 new COVID-19 cases in record single day spikeTelangana reported 2,083 new COVID-19 cases, the highest single day spike so far, breaching
the two thousand mark for the first time, taking the tally of positive cases in the state to 64,786.
With 11 more deaths, the COVID-19 count in the state rose to 530, a state government bulletin said on Saturday, providing data as of 8 pm on July 31.
Odisha's COVID-19 tally rises to 33,479 with record 1,602 new casesOdisha registered its highest single-day spike of 1,602 COVID-19 cases, pushing the state's
tally to 33,479, while the death count rose to 187 with 10 more fatalities, a health department official said.
The deaths were reported from Ganjam, Khurda, Gajapati and Sundergarh districts, he said.
Ganjam district, Odisha's coronavirus hotspot, has so far accounted for 99 fatalities, followed by Khurda 25, the official said.
Of the new cases, 993 people were detected positive from quarantine centres, he said, adding, contact-tracing and follow-up action have been initiated.
Over 57,000 Covid Cases In 24 Hours For 1st Time, 10.94 Lakh RecoveriesIndia reported a new record surge this morning in coronavirus cases with 57,118 fresh infections in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of cases to 16,95,988.The country also witnessed 764 COVID-19 related deaths in the last 24 hours, the Union Health Ministry said. The total fatalities due to the virus now stand at 36,511. The country's Covid tally had crossed the 16 lakh-mark just three days after crossing the 15 lakh infections. More than 10.94 lakh patients have recovered; the recovery rate stood at 64.52 per cent this morning. India has tested a total of 1,93,58,659 samples so far. The positivity rate - percentage of patients who have tested positive for coronavirus - stood at 8.57 per cent this morning.
BREAKING: Over 57,000 coronavirus cases in biggest 1-day jump in India, 16.95 lakh total cases so far, 36,511 deaths
US records over 25,000 coronavirus deaths in July
US coronavirus deaths rose by over 25,000 in July and cases doubled in 19 states during the month, according to a Reuters tally, dealing a crushing blow to hopes of quickly reopening the economy.
The United States recorded 1.87 million new cases in July, bringing total infections to 4.5 million, for an increase of 69%.
Deaths in July rose 20% to nearly 154,000 total.
The biggest increases in July were in Florida, with over 310,000 new cases, followed by California and Texas with about 260,000 each.
Noida Cinema Halls, Gyms To Remain Closed Till August 31All cinema halls, gyms, swimming pools and amusement parks will remain closed till August 31, said Noida Police.
Except for medical services and essential emergencies, other movements are prohibited in the containment zone.
No person will visit public places without a mask/face cover while spitting in public places will be forbidden.
Out of the total 81,039 cases so far, the state currently has 32,649 active cases. As many as 46,803 have been cured. The state also saw 1,587 deaths till now.
With 826 New COVID-19 Cases, Jharkhand Reports Total 11,314 CasesJharkhand reported 826 new COVID-19 positive cases and two new deaths on Friday, said State Health Department.
The total number of cases have now reached 11,314 including 6,894 active cases, 4,314 recovered and discharged cases and 106 deaths, according to the State Health Department.
As per data from the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, with the highest single-day spike of 55,079 COVID-19 cases reported in the last 24 hours, India crossed 16 lakh-mark on Friday.
Odisha: Government Offices To Function With 50 Per Cenr Staff In August Due To COVID-19 In view of the unabated rise in COVID-19 cases, all the government departments and sub-ordinate offices in Odisha will function with the 50 per cent of the employees' strength (all staff including Group A officers) in the month of August.
All departments will ensure that government work does not suffer, all the state government offices will remain closed on Saturdays in August, said an official Order issued by General Administration and Public Grievance Department.
"The department/ heads of offices are at liberty to decide the manner of selection of employees, who will attend office on a roster basis, however, the essential offices/ services such as Special Relief Commissioner, Odisha State Disaster Management Authority, Police Fire Services, Health Services and Municipal Services will function in full strength" the order further said.
Odisha's COVID-19 Cases Cross 31,000-Mark, Death Count At 177Odisha's COVID-19 caseload crossed the 31,000-mark on Friday with 1,499 more people testing positive for the infection, while eight more fatalities pushed the death count due to the disease to 177 in the state, a health official said.
The fresh cases were reported from 29 of the state's 30 districts, he said.
With an average 827 new cases being added to the tally every day in July, the virus count in the state now stands at 31,877, the official said.
Odisha reported the third-highest single-day spike in COVID-19 cases on Friday. The state registered the highest single-day spike of 1,594 cases on July 3 and the second- highest spike of 1,503 infections on July 26.
Karnataka Minister BC Patil Tests Positive For COVID-19Karnataka Minister BC Patil on Friday said that he has tested positive for coronavirus.
"The report has confirmed me to be corona positive. I am in home quarantine at my residence in Bangalore," he said in a tweet.
"During a recent visit to Koppal district, five of the staff members who accompanied me were reported to be coronavirus positive," he tweeted.
Meanwhile, a total of 5,483 new COVID-19 cases and 84 deaths were reported in Karnataka, the state's health department informed on Friday.