Coronavirus News highlights | Tamil Nadu reports 1,714 fresh COVID-19 cases, 18 deaths

A Danish study released on Wednesday found face masks provide the wearer with only limited protection against COVID-19 infection, but said this should not be used to argue against their widespread use to prevent people infecting others.

In the study, which was carried out in April and May when Danish authorities did not recommend wearing face masks, 6,024 adults were divided into two groups, one wearing face masks and one control group.

After one month, 1.8% of the people wearing masks had been infected, while 2.1% of the people in the control group had tested positive, Copenhagen University Hospital said in a press release.

"The study does not confirm the expected halving of the risk of infection for people wearing face masks," it said. "The results could indicate a more moderate degree of protection of 15-20%, however, the study could not rule out that face masks do not provide any protection."

3,668 new COVID-19cases, 54 deaths and 4,429 discharged cases reported in West Bengal today, as per the State Health Department. Total cases: 4,41,885 Active cases: 26,296 Death toll: 7,820 Total discharges: 4,07,769.

Punjab reports 802 new COVID-19 cases, 651 discharges and 31 deaths today. Total cases in the state rise to 1,43,395, including 1,32,917 recoveries and 4,541 deaths. Active cases stand at 5,937.

Europe has half of world's 4 million new virus cases but sees hope

Europe made up almost half of the world's 4 million new coronavirus cases last week but recorded a nearly 10 percent fall in infections compared to the week before, thanks in part to strict government lockdown measures that have fanned some discontent, the World Health Organization reported Wednesday.

In the German capital of Berlin, violent clashes between those protesting coronavirus restrictions and police erupted Wednesday near the center of the city after protesters disregarded police advice to wear masks and social distance.

Read more here.

Maharashtra reports 5,011 new COVID-19cases, 6,608 recoveries and 100 deaths today. The total number of cases in the state is 17,57,520 There are 80,221 active cases in the State and 16,30,111 patients have recovered so far. The death toll is at 46,202.

Mumbai reports 871 new COVID-19cases, 1,372 recoveries/discharges and 16 deaths today. Total cases here rise to 2,71,525, including 2,48,711 recoveries/discharges and 10,612 deaths. Active cases stand at 8,658.

Haryana reports 2,562 new COVID-19cases, taking the total tally in the state to 2,07,039. A total of 1,85,403 discharged so far after recovering from the infection, death toll 2,093. Active cases stand at 19,543.

Dolly Parton: Singer, songwriter, pandemic saviour?

She wrote “I Will Always Love You” and “Jolene” on the same day and built a theme park around herself. She has given memorable on-screen performances as a wisecracking hairstylist and harassed secretary. She even helped bring about the creation of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”

Now, Dolly Parton’s fans are crediting her with saving the world from the coronavirus.

Read more here.

Tamil Nadu reports 1,714 new COVID-19 cases, 2,311 discharges, and 18 deaths today. Total positive cases in the State rise to 7,63,282 including 7,37,281 discharges and 11,531 deaths. Active cases stand at 14,470.

Gujarat reports 1,282 new cases of COVID19 and 1,274 recoveries today. The state's COVID-19 case tally rises to 1,91,642 including 1,75,362 recoveries and 3,823 deaths till now. Total active cases are 12,457.

Yesterday, a total of 66 people including 8 teachers and 11 school students were detected positive for COVID19 in Jind. Our health teams are visiting schools daily for sampling. We will soon complete sampling at all schools here.

Pfizer, BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine 95% effective in final results, shows study

The experimental COVID-19 vaccine of American pharma company Pfizer and BioNTech SEhas proved to be 95 percent effective in final results from a pivotal study.

It is also showing signs of being safe, key pieces of data as the companies prepare to ask health regulators to authorize use.

Read more here.

Andhra Pradesh reports 1,236 new COVID-19 cases taking the total positive cases in the State to 8,57,395 There are 16,516 active cases and 8,33,980 recovered cases in the State; the death toll is at 6,899 as per the State Health Department.