Coronavirus News highlights: Today is the 116th day since India implemented a nationwide lockdown, to curb the novel coronavirus pandemic. India has so far recorded 10,38,716 cases, which includes more than 26,273 deaths. Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi and Gujarat have reported the highest number of cases. However, the recovery rate is rising and now stands at 62.94 percent.
Globally, there have been over 1.40 crore confirmed cases of COVID-19. More than six lakh people have died so far. Catch the highlights here:
Coronavirus in Pune LIVE Updates | Pune Jt. Police Commissioner Ravindra Shisve:
It was decided that shops of grocery, chicken, mutton, eggs andfish will remain open b/w 8 am and12 pm during lockdown from July 19 andJuly 23. Since a huge crowd is expected at these shops tomorrow, they will remain open b/w 8 am and6 pm.
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates | Dr S Rai, Principal investigator, Project Covaxin trial to news agency ANI:
We got approval from Ethics Committee today. Starting trial on healthy volunteers Monday onward. In phase-1 from AIIMS Delhi about 100 volunteers, between15 to 55 yearsof agewill be selected and further 275 from other sites.
Coronavirus in J&K LIVE Updates |
Jammu and Kashmir reported 441 new COVID-19 cases (398 in Kashmir) and 5 deaths in last 24 hours, taking active cases to 5,797 and death toll to 236. A total of 7,165 patients have recovered from the disease till date.
Coronavirus in Madhya Pradesh LIVE Updates |
682 COVID-19 cases and 9 deaths reported in Madhya Pradesh in the last 24 hours, taking total cases to 21,763 including 14,864 recoveries and 706 deaths. 5,83,655 samples have been tested in the state till date.
Coronavirus in West Bengal LIVE Updates | West Bengal's single-day rise in COVID-19 cases crosses 2,000-mark for first time
West Bengal reported over 2,000 new COVID-19 cases on a single-day for the first time on Saturday as the state's tally breached the 40,000-mark, as per the state health department. The state detected 2,198 new cases, following which its active cases soared to 15,594, it said in a bulletin.
Twenty-seven more people died, taking the state's total fatalities to 1,076, the department said. The state has so far reported 40,209 cases of COVID-19.
Record 1,286 people also recovered from the disease in the last 24 hours and since Friday evening, 13,465 samples have been tested, it said.
Coronavirus in Karnataka LIVE Updates |
4,537 new COVID-19positive cases, 1018 discharged and 93 deaths reported in Karnataka today. The total number of positive cases in the state rises to 59,652 including 21,775 discharged and 1240 deaths.
Coronavirus in Maharashtra LIVE Updates |
With 8,348 fresh cases, Maharashtra has breached the 3 lakh cases mark out of which 1 lakh are from Mumbai. 144 deaths have also been reported from the state today.
Coronavirus in Punjab LIVE Updates |
Punjab has reported 350 new COVID-19 cases and seven deaths in the last 24 hours. Total number of cases in the state now stands at 9,792 including 6,454 recoveries 246 deaths.
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates | Govt of India:
Recovery rate among COVID-19 patients stands at 63 percent. 3,61,024 samples have been tested in the country in the last 24 hours; the cumulative number of 1,34,33,742 samples tested has raised the testing per million for India to 9734.6.
Coronavirus in Tamil Nadu LIVE Updates | State Health Dept:
4,807 new COVID-19positive case, 88 deaths and 3,049 people discharged today in Tamil Nadu. The total number of positive cases in the state rises to 1,65,714 including 2,403 deaths and 1,13,856 discharged.
Coronavirus in West Bengal LIVE Updates | No need to panic, COVID-19 situation under control: West Bengal govt
The West Bengal government on Saturday said there was no need to panic as the COVID-19 situation in the state was under control.
Addressing a press conference, Chief Secretary Rajiva Sinha also ruled out the possibility of clamping a total lockdown in Kolkata or across the state, asserting that the restrictions would be enforced strictly only in containment zones.
He said the spike in the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the state was normal as "more the number of tests, more the number of cases". (PTI)
Coronavirus in Kerala LIVE Updates | CM Pinarayi Vijayan:
60 percent of COVID-19 cases are due to local transmission. Community spread of coronavirus has been confirmed at two places in Thiruvananthapuram. Everyone should strictly adhere to COVID-19 guidelines to break the chain.
Coronavirus in Kerala LIVE Updates | CM Pinarayi Vijayan:
Kerala reported 593 new COVID-19 cases and two deaths in the last 24 hours, taking total number of cases to 11,659 out of which 6,416 patients are undergoing treatment. 173 cases have been reported in Thiruvananthapuram in the last 24 hours.
Coronavirus in Chhattisgarh LIVE Updates | State Minister Ravindra Choubey:
Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel today chaired a meeting of his Cabinet over COVID-19 situation. It has been decided that testing will be increased to almost double. District collectors can impose curfew but they should announce it 3 days in advance.
Coronavirus in Uttarakhand LIVE Updates | Complete weekend lockdown begins in four districts of Uttarakhand
A complete weekend lockdown began on Saturday in four districts of Uttarakhand with Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat observing that the decision was taken in view of the recent surge in cases of COVID-19.
According to an order issued late on Friday night, the districts of Dehradun, Haridwar, Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar that have reported the highest number of coronavirus cases over the past few days will observe complete lockdown till Sunday in a bid to break the cycle and contain the spread of the infection.
However, essential services including operations of industrial units in multiple shifts, agricultural and construction activities, liquor shops, hotels, movement of persons and vehicles associated with these activities, movement of goods on national and state highways, loading and unloading of cargo and people travelling to their destinations after disembarking from buses, trains and airplanes have been exempted from the ambit of the weekend lockdown. (PTI)
Coronavirus in Dharavi LIVE Updates |
Six new COVID-19 cases reported in Dharavi area of Mumbai today, taking active cases in the area to 107.
Coronavirus in Uttarakhand LIVE Updates | CM Trivendra Singh Rawat:
110 Army personnel in Dehradun have tested COVID-19positive, out of which around 100 cases have come up in last 2-3 days. Tracing andorigin of virus will not be an issue as their travel history remains specified. We are taking care of it.
Coronavirus in West Bengal LIVE Updates |
State government announces toll-free number 1800313444222 for home isolation service, for the people living in West Bengal.
Coronavirus in Uttarakhand LIVE Updates | CM Trivendra Rawat:
There were 3 super spreaders in Udham Singh Nagar which caused rise in COVID-19cases there. Problem was that there was no information about domestic workers anda domestic worker infected 49 people. Lockdown implemented there has been successful.
Coronavirus in Pune LIVE Updates | 'Antigen testing may be behind rise in Pune COVID-19 cases', say officials
The surge in COVID-19 cases in Pune district of Maharashtra since the last few weeks can be attributed to the use of rapid antigen detection tests, district officials said on Saturday.
Simultaneously, the case recovery rate has gone up to 65 per cent while the mortality rate has fallen to 2.65 percent, stated a report released by the district health officer on July 17.
The number of COVID-19 cases in Pune city reached 34,040 after 1,705 people were detected with the infection on July 17. The single-day rise on Friday was more than the number of cases reported in Mumbai. The death toll in Pune district stood at 917.
Coronavirus in Andhra Pradesh LIVE Updates | State Health Dept:
Andhra Pradesh reported 3,963 new COVID-19 cases and 52 deaths in the last 24 hours, taking total cases to 44,609 including 21,763 recoveries and 586 deaths.
Coronavirus in West Bengal LIVE Updates |
West Bengal Chief Secretary Rajiva Sinha:The state government has no plans for introducing lockdown in the state but there will be strict lockdown only in containment zones. There is no plan for further lockdown.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates |
Scientists identify six distinct clusters of COVID-19 symptoms in patients
Scientists have claimed that there are six distinct 'types' of COVID-19, each distinguished by a particular cluster of symptoms in patients, findings, if validated, can help physicians better diagnose and monitor those infected with the novel coronavirus.
The yet-to-be peer reviewed study, published in the medRxiv preprint platform, used a machine learning algorithm to analyse data from a subset of around 1,600 users in the UK and US with confirmed COVID-19, who had regularly logged their symptoms using the app in March and April.
The study noted that patient symptoms can fall under one of the six following categories: 'flu-like' with no fever,flu-like' with fever, gastrointestinal, severe level one with fatigue, severe level two with confusion, and severe level three accompanied by abdominal and respiratory pain. (PTI)
Coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh LIVE updates |
1,986 new COVID-19 cases reported in the state in the last 24 hours. The total active cases now stand at 17,264. A total of 28,664 people have been discharged after recovering from the disease, death toll 1,108: Uttar Pradesh Principal Health Secretary Amit Mohan Prasad (ANI)
Coronavirus in Bihar LIVE updates |
Bihar reports 739 new COVID-19 cases today, taking the total number of positive cases to 24,967: State Health Department (ANI)
Coronavirus in Tamil Nadu LIVE updates | Chennai sees dip in COVID-19 positivity ratio
After clocking 37 percent COVID-19 positivity ratio a month ago, the city has now brought it down to around 12 per cent following measures such as ramped up testing and increased surveillance, a top official of the Greater Chennai Corporation told news agency PTI.
The government announcing a 12-day lockdown last month had also been largely beneficial as it reduced people's mobility, GCC Commissioner G Prakash said.
Coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh LIVE updates |
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra attacked the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh over the rapid rise in coronavirus cases, alleging that the disease has taken a "gigantic form" as the Yogi Adityanath dispensation did not pay attention to key containment measures such as testing and contact tracing.
The Congress general secretary has been criticising the state government's response to the COVID-19 crisis, alleging that it is indulging in propaganda, instead of dealing with the pandemic.
Coronavirus in Madhya Pradesh LIVE updates |
Health authorities have expressed fears that the COVID-19 outbreak in Madhya Pradesh's Indore district, which has so far reported more than 5,900 cases, is likely to reach its peak by late July or early August.
In view of this possibility, the authorities have started gearing up to reserve more than 10,000 beds for coronavirus patients in the district hospitals.
According to officials, more than 125 COVID-19 cases were reported in the district for the last three consecutive days. (PTI)
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates | Bachchans responding well to treatment: hospital sources
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, son Abhishek Bachchan, daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and granddaughter Aaradhya Bachchan are responding well to the treatment to COVID-19, hospital sources said.
Amitabh, 77, and Abhishek, 44, are in the isolation ward of Nanavati hospital since July 11 after they were diagnosed with COVID-19, while Aishwarya, 46 and eight-year-old Aaradhya were shifted to the facility on Friday night, almost a week after they tested positive for the virus.
"They all (referring to Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek, Aishwarya and Aaradhya) are ok. They are responding well to the treatment. They are in the isolation ward. Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan will be in the hospital maybe for a day or two," a hospital source told news agency PTI.
Coronavirus in Bihar LIVE Updates | Another Bihar legislator tests positive for COVID-19
A ruling JD(U) legislator in Bihar has tested positive for novel coronavirus which is on the rise in the state.
JD(U) Legislative Council member Khalid Anwar on Saturday said that he tested positive and is now under home quarantine in Patna.
"I was suffering from fever for the past 3-4 days after which I decided to undergo the coronavirus test. I underwent a rapid test at a private hospital here on Friday and the result came within 10 minutes. I have kept myself in home quarantine on doctors' advice," Anwar told news agency PTI.
COVID-19 has been spreading sharply in Bihar and ministers, legislators and top-ranking officials have also fallen prey to it.
Coronavirus in Iran LIVE Updates | Rouhani says 25 million Iranians infected with COVID-19
Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday that 25 million Iranians have been infected with the coronavirus and that another 35 million are at risk of acquiring it.
The figures, which Rouhani said were based on a new Health Ministry report, are far higher Iran’s official toll of 269,440 infected.Rouhani in a televised speech did not address the discrepancy.
"Our estimate is that as of now 25 million Iranians have been infected with this virus and about 14,000 have lost their dear lives,” Rouhani said in the speech.
"There is the possibility that between 30 and 35 million other people will be at risk," he said. (Reuters)
Coronavirus in Maharashtra LIVE updates | Mumbai's COVID-19 recovery rate better than national: Data
Even as Mumbai's COVID-19 case count is nearing the one lakh-mark, the recovery rate of the country's financial capital is nearly 70 per cent, which is seven percent more than the national average, official data has revealed.
A release issued by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) yesterday said that there were 3,42,756COVID19 cases in the country (till that day) and the number of of recovered patients was approximately 6.35 lakh, which was 63 percent of the reported cases. (PTI)
Coronavirus in Tripura LIVE updates |
The COVID-19 tally in Tripura has risen to 2,380 as 118 more people have tested positive for the disease, Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb said. He appealed to the people to follow government guidelines to contain the spread of COVID-19. (PTI)
Coronavirus in Arunachal Pradesh LIVE updates | 66 fresh COVID-19 cases in Arunachal; count rises to 609
Sixty-six more people, including five police and security personnel, have tested positive for COVID-19 in Arunachal Pradesh, taking the northeastern state's tally to 609, a health official said today.
The Capital Complex region reported 58 new cases, Changlang district four, East Siang district two and Namsai and Lower Siang districts one each, State Surveillance Officer DrL Jampa said.
"This is the second-highest single-day spike in COVID-19 cases in the state after 75 infections were detected on July 15," he said. (PTI)
Coronavirus in Kerala LIVE updates | Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja:
We are trying to break the chain of transmission from one cluster to another. We are thoroughly locking the clusters. We need to give more attention to coastal areas. Today, there are 84 clusters in Kerala. Inside the clusters, local transmission is more than 50%, but outside the clusters, it is below 10%. We should prevent cluster forming and community spread of infection. (ANI)
Coronavirus LIVE updates | New studies clarify what drugs help, hurt for COVID-19
Fresh studies give more information about what treatments do or don't work for COVID-19, with high-quality methods that give reliable results.
British researchers on Friday published their research on the only drug shown to improve survival -- a cheap steroid called dexamethasone.
Two other studies found that the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine does not help people with only mild symptoms. (AP)
Coronavirus in Maharashtra LIVE updates |
Senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis has said that he has apprised Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the COVID-19 situation in Maharashtra. He told this to reporters in Delhi last night after a meeting with Modi.
Fadnavis said that the PM asked about the situation in Mumbai, Pune and other parts of the state. (PTI)
Coronavirus in Pakistan LIVE updates | Pak reports 1,918 COVID-19 cases
Pakistan reported 1,918 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday, taking the number of infections in the country to 261,917, the health ministry said.
Out of the total infections, 198,509 patients have recovered, while 5,522 people have died of the disease. A total number of 57,886 cases are still active, the Ministry of National Health Services said, according to news agency PTI.
Coronavirus in Himachal Pradesh LIVE updates |
The total number of COVID-19 cases in Himachal Pradesh stands at 1,421 including 381 active cases, 1,014 recovered and 9 deaths till 12 pm: State Health Department (ANI)
Coronavirus in Puducherry LIVE updates |
Puducherry reported 58 new COVID-19 cases and 3 deaths in the last 24 hours, taking total number of cases to 1,898 including 1,066 recoveries and 28 deaths: Puducherry Health Department (ANI)
Coronavirus in Andhra Pradesh LIVE updates |
Tirupati Balaji in Andhra Pradesh, one of the most visited temples in India will remain open even after a senior priest (Archaka) and staff of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the body which governs the shrine, tested positive for COVID-19.
Coronavirus in India LIVE updates |
According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), a cumulative total of 1,34,33,742 samples have been tested for COVID-19 up to July 17 with 3,61,024 samples being tested yesterday.
Coronavirus in Jharkhand LIVE updates |
The total number of COVID19 positive cases in Jharkhand stands at 5110 (till 10 am today) including 2,487 active cases, 2,577 recovered cases and 46 deaths: State Health Department (ANI)
Coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh LIVE updates |
Two people died of COVID-19 in Muzaffarnagar district while 14 patients recovered from the disease and were discharged from hospitals yesterday, officials said.
According to Chief Medical Officer Praveen Chopra, the number of active COVID-19 cases in the district stood at 123 yesterday.
A total of 357 patients have recovered from the disease in the district so far, he said. (PTI)
Coronavirus in India LIVE updates |
Human clinical trials for Covaxin, a vaccine candidate for COVID-19 being developed by Bharat Biotech has been initiated across the country in 375 volunteers, the company sources told news agency PTI.
The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) had permitted two vaccines -- one developed by the Bharat Biotech International Limited in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research and another one by ZydusCadila Healthcare Ltd to go in for the first and second phase of human clinical trials.
Coronavirus LIVE updates |
More than six lakh people have died of COVID-19 globally and 1.41 crore tested positive for the disease. In the US alone, more than 1.3 lakh Americans have died and 36 lakh people tested positive for coronavirus, according to Johns Hopkins University data.
Coronavirus in Rajasthan LIVE updates |
184 COVID-19 cases, 88 recovered/discharged and 4 deaths reported in Rajasthan today, as of 10.30 am. Total number of cases in the state is now at 27,973, including 6,737 active cases and 550 deaths: State Health Department (ANI)
Coronavirus in India LIVE updates |
Maharashtra has reported the highest number of cases at 2,92,589 followed by Tamil Nadu at 1,60,907, Delhi at 1,20,107, Karnataka at 55,115, Gujarat at 46,430, Uttar Pradesh at 45,163 and Telangana at 42,496.
The number of COVID-19 cases has gone up to 40,646 in Andhra Pradesh, 38,011 in West Bengal, 27,789 in Rajasthan, 24,797 in Haryana, 23,589 in Bihar and 21,081 in Madhya Pradesh.
Assam has instances of 20,646 infections, Odisha 16,110 and Jammu and Kashmir 12,757 cases. Kerala has reported 11,066 novel coronavirus infections so far, while Punjab has 9,442 cases.
A total of 4,964 have been infected by the virus in Chhattisgarh, 4,921 in Jharkhand, 4,102 in Uttarakhand, 3,304 in Goa, 2,366 in Tripura, 1,832 in Puducherry, 1,800 in Manipur, 1,417 in Himachal Pradesh and 1,151 in Ladakh. Nagaland has recorded 956 COVID-19 cases, Chandigarh 660, Arunachal Pradesh 609 and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu together have reported 585 cases.
Meghalaya has reported 403 cases, Mizoram 282, Sikkim has registered 266 infections so far, while Andaman and Nicobar Islands has recorded 194 cases.
Coronavirus in Odisha LIVE updates |
591 new COVID-19 cases reported in Odisha, taking the total tally to 16,701 in state, reported CNN News18.
