Coronavirus cases in India: India trails the US in the list of nations hit worst by COVID-19. (File)
India recorded 86,821 new coronavirus cases and 1,181 deaths in the last 24 hours, taking its COVID-19 tally past the 63-lakh mark, according to the Health Ministry data released this morning.
The country now has 63,12,585 cases of coronavirus, including 9,40,705 active cases, 52.7 lakh recoveries and 98,678 deaths.
At 85,376, India recorded fewer one-day recoveries than new cases. The overall recovery rate in the country is 83.5 per cent. Its daily positivity rate was 6.1 per cent and fatality rate is 1.6 per cent.
A total of 14 lakh tests were done in the last 24 hours and 7.6 crore tests have been done in India till now.
India, which trails the US in the list of nations hit worst by coronavirus, has been recording the world's highest daily Covid spike since August 8.
While announcing the next phase of lifting of coronavirus-related restrictions, the Centre said schools and colleges, shut since March as lockdown was announced across the country, will be allowed to re-open from October 15. The final call, however, has been left to the states and the institutions involved. Online and distance learning shall continue to be the preferred mode of teaching and shall be encouraged, the Centre said.
The government also gave a go ahead to cinema halls, multiplexes, and exhibition halls, but their reopening will be tempered with certain restrictions.
Here are the Highlights on Coronavirus cases:
Second Russian Virus Vaccine Passes Early Trials: Report
Early clinical trials of a second Russian coronavirus vaccine have proved successful, its developer said Thursday after Russia boasted of approving the world's first vaccine. Russia's Vektor -- a top-secret state virology research centre in Siberia -- said that early-stage trials were successful for its own experimental vaccine, named EpiVacCorona.
"The first two phases of clinical trials demonstrated the effectiveness and safety of the EpiVacCorona vaccine," Vektor's press department told the Interfax news agency.
Karnataka Hikes Fine For Mask Rule Violation Up To Rs 1,000
Karnataka government under its fresh guidelines for "re-opening" announced those violating the rule would face a fine of Rs 1,000 in municipal areas and Rs 500 in other places.
An order by Chief Secretary TM Vijay Bhaskar also said the Department of Primary and Secondary Education may take a decision in respect of re-opening of schools and coaching institutions, after October 15, in a graded manner.
Till now, the fine for not wearing mask was Rs 200 and the steep hike has been made in view of people not wearing masks in public places as required to check the spread of COVID-19.
Assam records 14 Covid deaths, 1,585 new cases
Assam's COVID-19 death count rose to 711 with 14 people dying due to the disease on Thursday, while 1,585 new positive cases were detected taking the tally to 1,82,396, Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
He said that 1,904 patients were cured of the disease during the day, pushing the number of recovered people to 1,47,519. The recovery rate is 80.53 per cent.
Mask is ultimate scientific remedy to combat COVID-19: Karnataka Minister
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Dr Ashwathnarayan CN said that wearing masks was the ultimate scientific remedy to combat COVID-19.
"Wearing a mask is the ultimate remedy to prevent COVID-19. This has been proved scientifically also. The public should realise this and use the cleansed masks without negligence," said Mr Ashwathnarayan.
He also said that everyone should feel duty-bound to ensure that the coronavirus is not allowed to spread further.
2,352 new COVID-19 cases, 43 deaths reported in Mumbai
A total of 2,352 new COVID-19 cases were reported from Mumbai.
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation said that the count of cases in the city has reached 2,07,494 including 27,435 active cases, 1,70,678 recoveries, and 8,969 deaths. The city reported 43 deaths due to the disease on Thursday.
Paris to be under maximum COVID-19 alert
Paris is set to be placed on maximum COVID alert from as soon as Monday, Health Minister Olivier Veran said, a move likely to force the closure of restaurants and bars and impose further restrictions on public life.
Veran said the wider Paris region had now passed all three of the government's criteria for being put on the highest level of alert. In the past 24 hours, the coronavirus infection rate had surpassed 250 cases for every 100,000 inhabitants.
"It is getting worse faster in Paris and its surrounds," Veran told a news conference.
Second sero survey indicates decrease in Covid cases in Mumbai slums: Civic Body
The presence of COVID-19 antibodies in samples from slums in the city was found to have decreased by 12 per cent in the second sero survey, the Mumbai civic body said.
It indicates that infection spread in slums in the city may have come down, it said in a release. Presence of anti-bodies in the blood indicates that the person has been exposed to the coronavirus.
Uttar Pradesh issues Unlock5 guidelines
The Uttar Pradesh government issued guidelines for Unlock5, allowing schools and other educational institutions outside COVID-19 containment zones to reopen gradually after October 15.
Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Awanish Awasthi said district administrations will assess the coronavirus situation in their respective jurisdictions and decide in consultation with the management of schools and other educational institutions when to reopen. He, however, said online education would encouraged.
Coronavirus news: Ahmedabad reports 193 new COVID-19 cases, 256 recoveries
Ahmedabad district of Gujarat recorded 193 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, taking its tally to 37,040 on Thursday, the state government said.
With the death of three more COVID-19 patients during the same period, the count in the district reached 1,831, nearly half of the total 3,463 fatalities registered in Gujarat till now, it said.
Coronavirus news: New York worries over 20 coronavirus hot spots, Wisconsin sees troubling trends
New York state reported an uptick of positive coronavirus tests in 20 "hot spots" on Thursday, while Midwest states also reported rising caseloads led by Wisconsin, where U.S. President Donald Tramp will hold rallies over the weekend.
New cases of COVID-19 rose in 27 out of 50 U.S. states in September compared with August, with an increase of 111% in Wisconsin, according to a Reuters analysis.
Coronavirus news: Next sero survey in Delhi to begin within fortnight, says health minister
The next serological survey to check for the prevalence of antibodies against the novel coronavirus among people will start in Delhi within a fortnight, Health Minister Satyendar Jain said on Thursday.
Coronavirus news: French health minister warns on coronavirus spread in Paris
French Health Minister Olivier Veran on Thursday said that Paris region has passed three thresholds for maximum alert in new coronavaris infection rates.
Veran also told a news conference that new curbs would be imposed if the highest alert was reached.
Coronavirus news: Coronavirus positivity rate in 20 New York 'hot spots' rises to 6.5%
The rate of positive coronavirus tests in 20 New York "hot spot" ZIP codes rose to 6.5% from 5.5% the day before, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo told reporters on Thursday.
The overall rate in the state was 1.27%, or 1,382 positive tests out of the 109,218 reported on Wednesday, Cuomo said.
Coronavirus news: Britain reports slight dip in new COVID-19 cases on Thursday
Britain on Thursday reported 6,914 new COVID-19 cases, a slight fall from the previous two days when there were more than 7,000 cases reported daily.
There were 59 deaths within 28 days of a positive COVID-19 test, down from 71 cases reported on Tuesday and on Wednesday.
Coronavirus news: Italy tops 2,000 daily coronavirus cases for first time since April 29 Italy has registered 2,548 new coronavirus infections over the past 24 hours, the health ministry said on Thursday, the first time the country has exceeded 2,000 cases in a single day since the end of April.
There were 24 COVID-related deaths on Thursday against 19 the day before -- far fewer than at the height of the pandemic in Italy in March and April.
Coronavirus news: Tamil Nadu's COVID-19 case count tops six lakh markWith an addition of 5,600 plus new COVID-19 cases, Tamil Nadu on Thursday crossed six lakh virus cases while the count mounted to 9,586 with 66 more fatalities.
The tally of positive cases stood at 6,03,290 which includes 5,688 new infections, PTI reported.
Coronavirus news: Two more deaths, 119 fresh cases in Chandigarh
Chandigarh reported two more COVID-19 fatalities on Thursday, taking the death count to 164, while 119 new cases pushed the infection count in the Union territory to 12,057.
Gujarat reports 1,351 new coronavirus cases, tally rises to 1,38,745; death count up by 10 to 3,463: Health department
Coronavirus news: Second Russian virus vaccine passes early trials: reportEarly clinical trials of a second Russian coronavirus vaccine have proved successful, its developer said Thursday after Russia boasted of approving the world's first vaccine.
Russia's Vektor -- a top-secret state virology research centre in Siberia -- said that early-stage trials were successful for its own experimental vaccine, named EpiVacCorona.
Coronavirus news: Delhi's COVID-19 tally breaches 2.82 lakh mark with 3,037 fresh cases
A total of 3,037 fresh coronavirus cases in the national capital took the infection tally to 2.82 lakh on Thursday, while the death count mounted to 5,401, authorities said.
Forty fatalities due to the disease were recorded in the last 24 hours in the city, they said.
Coronavirus news: Cinemas, swimming pools may not open soon in Delhi as government decides to maintain status quo
Cinemas, theatres, and swimming pools in the city are unlikely to open soon with the Delhi government deciding to maintain status quo on prohibited and permitted activities till October 31 in the national capital.
According to an order issued by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority, these establishments will remain closed till further orders.
Coronavirus news: Cases cross seven lakh mark in Andhra Pradesh
Coronavirus cases cross the seven lakh mark in Andhra Pradesh; Active cases down to about 57,000: Government bulletin.
Coronavirus news: 16 new coronavirus cases found in Mumbai's Dharavi area Mumbai
The tally of coronavirus cases in Mumbai's Dharavi area rose to 3,192 on Thursday with 16 new cases coming to light, a senior Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) official said.
Coronavirus news: Punjab Chief Minister orders end to night curfew, Sunday lockdown
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Thursday ordered a slew of relaxations amid COVID-19 outbreak, including lifting of night curfew and Sunday lockdown, while directing the DGP to strictly enforce wearing of masks and other safety norms.
Coronavirus news: Europe's worst infection hotspot Madrid heads for lockdown
Madrid is to go into lockdown in coming days after the region's leader reluctantly agreed on Thursday to obey a central government order to ban non-essential travel in the Spanish capital that is Europe's worst COVID-19 hotspot.
The Madrid region has 859 cases per 100,000 people, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), during a resurgence of the coronavirus in Spain, which was one of the worst-hit countries during the first wave.
Coronavirus news: Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel tests positive for COVID-19
Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel on Thursday said he has tested positive for COVID-19 and has gone into self-isolation at his residence.
Announcing his infection on Twitter, he urged all those who have come in close contact with him recently to self-isolate themselves.
"I have tested positive for COVID-19. I request all those who came in close contact with me recently, to self-isolate," he said on Twitter.
Coronavirus news: UP reports 4,095 new cases
With 4,095 fresh cases, the COVID-19 tally in Uttar Pradesh reached 4,03,101 on Thursday.
As many as 4,444 patients were discharged in the last 24 hours during which 4,095 fresh cases were reported, Additional Chief Secretary Health Amit Mohan Prasad said.
Coronavirus news: Mizoram's COVID-19 tally crosses 2,000 mark
Mizoram's COVID-19 tally on Thursday crossed the 2,000 mark as 31 more people, including
23 security personnel tested positive for the virus, a health department official said.
At least 1,252 samples were tested in the last 24 hours of which 31 were diagnosed with COVID-19, pushing the state's coronavirus tally to 2,017, the official said.
Coronavirus news: Cardiac arrest common in critically ill patients with COVID-19, says study
Scientists have found that cardiac arrest is common among critically ill patients with COVID-19, and is associated with poor survival, particularly among those aged 80 or older, an advance that may help guide end-of-life care discussions in people severely affected by the coronavirus infection.
The researchers, including those from the University of Michigan in the US, estimated the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes associated with in-hospital cardiac arrest in critically ill adults with COVID-19, PTI reported.
Coronavirus news: September accounted for 41.53 per cent of total cases in IndiaIn the eight months since the first case of coronavirus infection was detected on January 30, September alone recorded 26,21,418 infections, accounting for 41.53 per cent of the over 63 lakh COVID-19 cases reported in the country so far.
The past month also saw 33,390 deaths due to the disease, which is around 33.84 per cent of the total 98,678 deaths recorded so far, PTI reported.
Coronavirus news: Delhi government to maintain status quo on prohibited, permitted activities till Oct 31
The Delhi government has decided to maintain status quo on prohibited and permitted activities till October 31 in the national capital.
In an order issued by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority on Wednesday night, Chief Secretary Vijay Dev said that two weekly markets in each civic body zone will be allowed.
Coronavirus news: UK health minister extends COVID measures in northern England
British health minister Matt Hancock introduced more coronavirus restrictions on Thursday across a wider area of England, including the northern city of Liverpool, extending a tighter regime to try to stem rising COVID-19 cases.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson appealed to people on Wednesday to adhere to the rules, repeating his desire to not only protect public health but to also keep the economy going.
Earlier this week, the government put much of northeastern England under further restrictions, reuters reported.
Puducherry reports 489 fresh COVID-19 cases, four deaths
Puducherry on Thursday logged 489 fresh COVID-19 cases while four people succumbed to the virus taking the toll to 525, a top Health department official said.
The 489 new cases were reported after examination of 5,153 samples, Director of Health and Family Welfare S Mohan Kumar said in a press release.
The overall tally of infections in the union territory rose to 28,024 (after transfer of nine cases to Tamil Nadu), he added.
The four fatalities in the last 24 hours ending 10 am today included a 53-year old woman.
September accounted for 41.53 per cent of total COVID-19 cases in country
September accounted for 41.53 per cent of the total COVID-19 cases in the country, with 26,21,418 infections of the over 63 lakh cases being reported in the month alone.
The past month also saw 33,390 deaths due to the disease, which is around 33.84 per cent of the total 98,678 deaths recorded so far.
September witnessed 24,33,319 people recuperating from coronavirus infection contributing to around 46.15 per cent of the total 52,73,201 recoveries registered so far in the country.
India is at number one position in terms of the number of recovered coronavirus cases followed by Brazil and the US, according to the Johns Hopkins University, which has been compiling COVID-19 data from all over the world.
Ex-Union minister Bharatsinh Solanki recovers from COVID-19 after 101 days
Former Union minister Bharatsinh Solanki, who tested positive for coronavirus in June this year, was discharged on Thursday after being in hospital for 101 days.
Talking to mediapersons after being discharged, the 66-year-old Congress leader thanked doctors of a city-based private hospital, where he was undergoing treatment, for saving his life and providing him good medical care.
Mr Solanki, a resident of Borsad town in Gujarat's Anand district, was first admitted to a hospital in Vadodara on June 22. After his condition deteriorated, he was shifted to CIMS Hospital in Ahmedabad on June 30.
Record 17 COVID-19 fatalities in Odisha push number of deaths to 859
Odisha on Thursday registered its highest single-day spike of 17 COVID-19 fatalities, which raised the number of deaths to 859, while 3,615 new cases pushed the state's tally to 2, 22,734, a health department official said.
Khurda district, of which state capital Bhubaneswar is a part, registered four deaths. Two patients each succumbed to the infection in Cuttack and Nayagarh districts, and one each in Angul, Bhadrak, Balangir, Dhenkanal, Jagatsinghpur, Kalahandi, Kendrapara, Puri and Rayagada.
"Regret to inform the demise of seventeen #COVID19 positive patients while under treatment in hospitals," the Health and Family Welfare Department said on Twitter.
Scientists identify unique patterns in COVID-19 transmission in India
Researchers, including those from the Government of Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh, have conducted one of the largest analysis of COVID-19 epidemiology to date, and have found that both cases and deaths due to the disease have been more heavily concentrated in the 40-69 year age group in India than is seen in high-income countries, among other trends.
The study, published in the journal Science on Wednesday, assessed the disease transmission patterns in 5,75,071 individuals exposed to 84,965 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the two states based on data collected by tens of thousands of contact tracers.
According to the scientists, including Ramanan Laxminarayan from the Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy in New Delhi, the findings offer a peek into the pandemic's trajectory in a low- and middle-income country, where most COVID-19 cases have occurred.
COVID-19 crisis emphasised importance of living in harmony with nature: Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar
The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasised the fact that unregulated exploitation of natural resources coupled with unsustainable food habits and consumption pattern lead to destruction of system that supports human life, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said.
Addressing the UN Biodiversity Summit held virtually on Wednesday, Mr Javadekar said India has been championing the cause of climate action through conservation, sustainable lifestyle and green development model.
"Since time immemorial, India has a culture of not just conserving and protecting nature, but living in harmony with nature. The emergence of COVID-19 has emphasised the fact that unregulated exploitation of natural resources coupled with unsustainable food habits and consumption pattern lead to destruction of system that supports human life," he said.
Odisha: Guidelines for reopening of zoo, deer parks issued, number of visitors capped
The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden, Odisha issued guidelines for reopening of Zoo and Deer parks in the state.
Before the reopening, the department has instructed the concerned authorities to take measures to ensure the safety of visitors, employees, and animals, according to the memo issued on September 30.
All those deployed by agencies/contractors/feed suppliers in the zoos should follow COVID guidelines and should be screened at the entry gate.
JustIn| Coronavirus cases in India cross 63 lakh with 86,821 fresh cases; 1,181 deaths in 24 hours, 98,678 total deaths
Maharashtra government extends lockdown till October 31, allows Dabbawalas in Mumbai local
The Maharashtra government on Wednesday extended the lockdown imposed to contain the COVID-19 spread till October 31.
However, hotels, food courts, restaurants, and bars will be allowed to operate with effect from October 5 with a capacity not exceeding 50 per cent or as may be prescribed by the local authorities.
The government also allowed Dabbawalas in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) region in the local trains after procuring of the QR codes from the office of the Commissioner of Police, Mumbai.
JustIn| A total of 7,56,19,781 samples tested up to 30th September, for COVID-19. Of these, 14,23,052 samples were tested yesterday: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee asks officials not lower guard against COVID-19
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday asked officials not to lower guard despite decline in COVID-19 cases in Darjeeling hills and continue testing and tracing protocols in the region.
"The situation has improved in Darjeeling and Mirik. But we need to keep a watch on the situation. We cannot lower guards, more because the festive season is coming," she said at an administrative review meeting here in Darjeeling district.
Durga Puja committees should set up pandals with open spaces to prevent the spread of the virus, Ms Banerjee said.
Hotels To Reopen, Train Services To Resume Amid Covid In Maharashtra
The Maharashtra Government on Wednesday extended coronavirus-induced lockdown till October 31, but also said that hotels, restaurants and bars will be allowed to operate from October 5 with restricted capacity.
All the trains originating and ending the journey within the state will be restarted with immediate effect subject to health protocols for COVID-19, the latest guidelines said.
Hotels, food courts, restaurants and bars can operate from October 5 with capacity not exceeding 50 percent or as prescribed by local authorities.
Unlock 5 Guidelines: Cinemas Permitted With 50% Seating, States To Decide On SchoolsSchools and colleges, shut since March as lockdown was announced across the country, will be allowed to re-open from October 15, the Centre said today while announcing the next phase of lifting of coronavirus-related restrictions. The final call, however, has been left to the states and the institutions involved. Online and distance learning shall continue to be the preferred mode of teaching and shall be encouraged, the Centre said.
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No clear link between school opening and COVID-19 surge: Study
Widespread reopening of schools after lockdowns and vacations is generally not linked to rising COVID-19 rates, a study of 191 countries has found, but lockdown closures will leave a 2020 "pandemic learning debt" of 300 billion missed school days.
The analysis, by the Geneva-based independent educational foundation Insights for Education, said 84% of those 300 billion days would be lost by children in poorer countries, and warned that 711 million pupils were still out of school.
Pandemic has taken "unprecedent toll" on economies: UN
The United Nations chief says the COVID-19 pandemic has taken "an unprecedent toll" especially on the economies of many developing countries and the world has not responded with "the massive and urgent support those countries and communities need."
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that in the United States, Canada, Europe and most of the developed world, governments have adopted packages valued in double-digits of GDP to help tackle the coronavirus crisis and its impact.
"The problem is to mobilize the resources to allow the developing countries to be able to do the same," he said.
International Passenger Flights To Remain Suspended Till October 31
The suspension of scheduled international passenger flights has been extended till October 31, the Indian aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said.
"However, international scheduled flights may be allowed on selected routes by the competent authority on a case-to-case basis," the DGCA added.
Scheduled international passenger services have been suspended in India since March 23 due to the coronavirus pandemic. But special international flights have been operating under the Vande Bharat Mission since May and under bilateral "air bubble" arrangements with select countries since July.
UN needs "immediate infusion" of $15 billion for global vaccine fund
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an "immediate infusion" of $15 billion to a global pool for the procurement and distribution of Covid-19 vaccines at a virtual summit hosted by the world body.
The ACT-Accelerator, led by the World Health Organization, has received around $3 billion of the $38 billion needed to meet the goal of producing and delivering two billion vaccine doses, 245 million treatments and 500 million diagnostic tests over the next year.
Notable new pledges included an additional 100 million euros ($117 million) by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, beyond the 675 million euros Germany has already committed.