Coronavirus India News highlights: Tamil Nadu reports 3,536 fresh COVID-19 cases, 49 deaths

Ireland's cabinet will be asked to approve a move to the highest level of COVID-19 constraints for six weeks on Monday, and not a combination of the top two levels as initially considered, a source familiar with the plan said.

The Irish Times was first to report that senior ministers would propose the move to "Level 5" measures, where people would be asked to stay at home other than for exercise within 5km of home. Non-essential retail would also be shut and restaurants only allowed to operate take-away and delivery services.

Two different sources familiar with the plan told Reuters that the initial discussions had considered incorporating parts of Levels 4 and 5 of the five-step framework. National broadcaster RTE said schools would remain open under the new Level 5 plan.

In welcome signs, the fresh and active COVID-19 cases continued to slide in Tamil Nadu with the state on Monday recording just above 3,500 infections and a little over 38,000 people remaining under treatment.

The state capital too saw fresh cases falling below the 1,000 mark after a gap of 25 days.

Chennai posted 885 new infections. It was on September 23, the state capital had last recorded less than 1,000 cases (980). On Sunday, it had added 1,036 cases.

Mumbaireports 1,233 new COVID-19cases, 2,092 discharges and 45 deaths today, as per Municipal Corporation Greater Mumbai.

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Maharashtra records 5,984 new coronavirus cases whichtakes caseload to 16,01,365; while 125 fatalities take deathtoll to 42,240.

3,992 new COVID-19cases and 3,272 discharged cases reported in West Bengal today, as per the State Health Department.

Punjab reported 473 new COVID-19cases, 884 discharged cases and17 deaths, taking total positive cases to 1,28,103 till date, including 1,18,767 discharges, 5,307 active cases and4,029 deaths.

India has one of the highest recovery rates of 88 percent. This happened because India was one of the first countries to adopt a flexible lockdown....India is now at forefront of vaccine development for COVID-19.

ICUs without air-conditioning could shield doctors from COVID-19: Study

Intensive care units (ICUs) at hospitals treating COVID-19 patients should do away with air-conditioning to limit the risk of infecting doctors, a study from a top Indian research institute has said.

Frontline health workers around the world have borne the brunt of the coronavirus crisis. More than 500 doctors have died from COVID-19 in India - the world's second-worst hit nation - as infections near 8 million, straining the country's weak and underfunded public health system.

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Gujarat reports 996 new COVID-19cases, 8 deaths and 1,147 discharged/recovered cases today. Total cases now at 1,60,722 including 1,42,799 recoveries, 3,646 deaths and 14,277 active cases.

Karnataka reports 5,018 new COVID-19cases, 8,005 discharges, and 64 deaths today. Total cases in the State rise to 7,70,604 including 1,06,214 active cases, 6,53,829 discharges and 10,542 deaths.

2,154 new COVID-19cases, 31 deaths and 2,845 recoveries/discharges/migrations reported in Delhi today. Total cases rise to 3,33,171 including 3,04,561 recoveries/discharges/migrations and 6,040 deaths. Active cases stand at 22,570.