Coronavirus News Highlights: India added 42,982 new coronavirus infections in a single day taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 3,18,12,114, while the active cases increased to 4,11,076, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Thursday. The death toll climbed to 4,26,290 with 533 fresh fatalities. The active cases comprise 1.29 per cent of the total infections and the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 97.37 per cent, the data updated at 8 am showed. The active cases comprise 1.29 per cent of the total infections and the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 97.37 per cent, the data updated at 8 am showed. An increase of 723 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours. India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16.It went past 60 lakh on September 28, India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16.It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19.India crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4 and three crore on June 23. As many as 16,64,030 tests were conducted on Wednesday taking the total cumulative tests conducted so far for detection of COVID-19 in the country to 47,48,93,363. As many as 16,64,030 tests were conducted on Wednesday taking the total cumulative tests conducted so far for detection of COVID-19 in the country to 47,48,93,363. The daily positivity rate was recorded at 2.58 per cent and the weekly positivity rate was recorded at 2.37 per cent, according to the ministry. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 3,09,74,748, while the case fatality rate stands at 1.34 per cent, the data stated. Cumulative vaccine doses administered so far has reached 48.93 crore under the nationwide vaccination drive. The 533 new fatalities include 195 from Maharashtra and 108 from Kerala.
A total of 4,26,290 deaths have been reported so far in the country including 1,33,410 from Maharashtra, 36,680 from Karnataka, 34,197 from Tamil Nadu, 25,058 from Delhi, 22,767 from Uttar Pradesh, 18,180 from West Bengal and 17,211 from Kerala. The ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities.
India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7; 30 lakh on August 23; 40 lakh on September 5; and 50 lakh on September 16. It went past 60 lakh on September 28; 70 lakh on October 11; 80 lakh on October 29; 90 lakh on November 20; and the one-crore mark on December 19. India crossed the grim milestone of two crore coronavirus cases on May 4 and three crore cases on June 23.
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Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Xi says China aims to provide 2 bln COVID-19 vaccine doses to world in 2021
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday said China will strive to provide 2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines to other countries in 2021, state broadcaster CCTV reported.
In his written message to an international COVID-19 vaccine cooperation forum, Xi also said China would donate $100 million to the COVAX global vaccine distribution scheme, according to the CCTV report.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Kerala posts 22,040 new COVID-19 cases, 117 deaths
Kerala on Thursday reported 22,040 fresh coronavirus cases and 117 deaths, taking the total infection count to 34.93 lakh and the toll to 17,328.
As many as 20,046 people have been cured of the infection since Wednesday, taking the total recoveries to 32,97,834. The number of active cases stood at 1,77,924, a state government release said. The state tested 1,63,376 samples in the last 24 hours and the test positivity rate was 13.49 per cent. So far, 2.80 crore samples have been tested, it said.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Moderna COVID-19 vaccine tallies more than $4B in Q2 sales
Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine brought in more than $4 billion in second-quarter sales, helping to push the vaccine developer into a profit.
The company also said Thursday an analysis showed that its vaccine remains 93% effective as much as six months after the second dose.
Moderna’s announcement comes after pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc. said its COVID-19 vaccine remained effective months after the second doseand had become a top seller. It brought in nearly half the company’s revenue — $7.84 billion from direct sales and revenue split with its partner, Germany’s BioNTech.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Andhra Pradesh logs 2,145 new COVID-19 cases, 24 deaths
The number of active coronavirus cases increased by 118 as Andhra Pradesh reported 2,145 afresh, 2,003 recoveries and 24 deaths in the 24 hours ending 9 am on Thursday.
The active caseload increased to 20,302 after a total of 19,42,371 recoveries and 13,468 deaths.
The cumulative positive cases registered in the state rose to 19,76,141, according to the latest bulletin.
In 24 hours, East Godavari reported 428, Chittoor 369, SPS Nellore 304, Krishna 251, Guntur 181, Prakasam 160, West Godavari 108 and Kadapa 103 fresh Covid-19 cases.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Japan expands COVID-19 curbs as surges strain hospitals
Japan decided on Thursday to expand its COVID-19 emergency curbs to cover more than 70% of the population, as a record surge in cases strained hospitals in the Olympics host city Tokyo and other parts of the country.
Japan had avoided the explosive outbreaks seen elsewhere. But infections are rising fast as new cases hit record highs in Tokyo, overshadowing the July 23-Aug.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Ignoring WHO call, Germany, France to give COVID-19 vaccine boosters
Germany and France will go ahead with COVID-19 vaccine boosters from September, disregarding an appeal by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to hold off until more people are vaccinated across the globe.
The decision to press ahead with booster shots despite the strongest statement yet from the WHO highlights the challenge of dealing with a global pandemic while countries try to protect their own citizens from the more infectious Delta variant.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Japan expands COVID-19 curbs as surges strain hospitals
Japan decided on Thursday to expand its COVID-19 emergency curbs to cover more than 70% of the population, as a surge in cases strained hospitals in the Olympics host city Tokyo and other parts of the country. Japan had avoided the explosive outbreaks seen elsewhere. But infections are rising fast as new cases hit record highs in Tokyo, overshadowing the July 23-Aug. 8 Olympics and fuelling doubts over Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's pandemic response.
Suga announced the new steps - which are mostly voluntary, unlike strict lockdowns overseas - as new daily cases in Tokyo hit a record 5,042. Medical advisors to the capital said the figure could double in two weeks, NHK public TV reported. "The situation on the ground (at hospitals) is extremely severe," Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura told a panel of experts before Suga's formal announcement. He said serious cases had doubled in the past two weeks.The panel signed off on the proposal to declare "quasi-emergencies" in eight more of Japan's 47 prefectures. But Nishimura told a news conference some members had said the situation was severe enough to require a nationwide emergency.
Coronavirus LIVE Update | Australia's 2nd-largest city Melbourne enters 6th lockdown
Australia's second-largest city Melbourne went into a 6th lockdown on Thursday, with a state government leader blaming the nation's slow COVID-19 vaccination rollout for the decision. Melbourne joins Sydney and Brisbane, Australia's most populous and third-most populous cities respectively, in locking down due to the spread of the highly contagious delta variant.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Indian Expat who has to return to Saudi Arabia for work files petition in Kerala HC to get revaccinated with Covishield
Kochi: Indian expat who has to return to Saudi Arabia for work files petition in Kerala HC seeking permission to get re-vaccinated with Covishield vaccine, as Covaxin is not recognised in Saudi. Petitioner already vaccinated with both shots of Covaxin. HC seeks Centre's response. pic.twitter.com/U5vME1DP96
— ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2021
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Treat as representation PIL on COVID spread in closed, AC spaces: HC to Centre, Delhi govt
The Delhi High Court Thursday directed the Centre, Delhi government and others to treat as representation a plea cautioning against the risk of airborne spread of COVID-19 infection in closed spaces having air conditioning with no ventilation. A Bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice Singh directed that the representation be decided as per the law and policy by the two governments, Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi Pollution Control Committee, Delhi Development Authority, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Bureau of Indian Standards and Central Public Works Department as expeditiously as possible and practicable.
Coronavirus LIVE Update | Treat as representation PIL on COVID spread in closed, AC spaces: HC to Centre, Delhi govt
The Delhi High Court Thursday directed the Centre, Delhi government and others to treat as representation a plea cautioning against the risk of airborne spread of COVID-19 infection in closed spaces having air conditioning with no ventilation. A Bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice Singh directed that the representation be decided as per the law and policy by the two governments, Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi Pollution Control Committee, Delhi Development Authority, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Bureau of Indian Standards and Central Public Works Department as expeditiously as possible and practicable.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Chief Justice Mumbai suggested to make arrangements for a separate local train pass issuance to the people who are fully vaccinated in Mumbai
, ANI reported.
On the matter of allowing fully vaccinated people to travel even in local trains, matter adjourned for next Thursday.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Malaysia grants conditional approval for Moderna COVID-19 vaccine
Malaysia's Health Ministry on Thursday said it has granted conditional approval for the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use. The ministry will continue to evaluate the quality, safety and effectiveness of the vaccine to ensure that its benefits outweigh the risks, director-general, Noor Hisham Abdullah, said in a statement.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan report record daily COVID-19 cases
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan reported record new COVID-19 infections on Thursday, standing at 7,792 and 951 respectively, authorities in the two biggest Central Asian countries said. Uzbekistan has a population of 34 million compared with Kazakhstan's 19 million but the latter does more tests while Uzbek daily figures are more indicative of cases requiring hospitalisation.
Kazakhstan also reported a record 158 deaths from COVID-19 and pneumonia on Thursday. The figure refers to deaths registered on Aug. 3.Kazakhstan has administered a first COVID-19 vaccine dose to 5.6 million people and 4.1 million have been fully inoculated. In Uzbekistan, 5.2 million people have received the first dose, with about 1.3 million fully vaccinated.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Tokyo logs record 5,042 cases as infections surge amid Games
Tokyo reported 5,042 new daily coronavirus cases on Thursday, hitting a record since the pandemic began as the infections surge in the Japanese capital hosting the Olympics. The additional cases brought the total for Tokyo to 236,138. Nationwide, Japan reported more than 14,000 cases on Wednesday for a total of 970,000.Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has denied the Olympics have caused a rise in infections.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | South Korea pledges nearly $2 billion to become major COVID-19 vaccine producer
South Korean President Moon Jae-in said on Thursday he plans to invest 2.2 trillion won ($1.92 billion) to turn the country into one of the world's five largest COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing bases by 2025, his office said. The remarks were made at a meeting of a public-private committee newly launched to explore ways to boost vaccine production amid global supply shortages and shipment delays.Moon said he will designate COVID-19 vaccines as one of the three national strategic technologies, along with semiconductors and batteries, to ramp up investment, tax breaks and other incentives to help firms localise materials, parts and equipment.
Coronavirus LIVE Update | Flu shot may protect against severe effects of COVID-19: Study
The annual influenza vaccine may reduce the risk of stroke, sepsis, blood clots and several other severe effects in patients with COVID-19, according to the largest study of its kind. The researchers from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, US, also found that patients with COVID-19 who had been vaccinated against the flu were significantly less likely to visit the emergency department (ED) and be admitted to the intensive care unit.
The study, published in the journal PLoS One on August 3, analysed patient records from a number of countries, including the US, the UK, Germany, Italy, Israel and Singapore. The researchers screened de-identified electronic health records on the TriNetX research database for more than 70 million patients to identify two groups of 37,377 patients. The researchers screened de-identified electronic health records on the TriNetX research database for more than 70 million patients to identify two groups of 37,377 patients.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Continued closure of malls in Maharashtra a big blow to business, employment: RAI
Retailers Association of India (RAI) on Thursday said that the continued closure of malls in Maharashtra due to COVID-19 pandemic is a big blow to business and lakhs of people working there. The retailers' body claimed there is a misconception that being air-conditioned spaces, malls could exacerbate the pandemic situation and "there is no medical guideline or evidence that prohibits the use of air conditioners in view of the virus"
Coronavirus LIVE Update | Arunachal Pradesh reports 319 new COVID-19 cases, 2 more deaths
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Delta variant now reported in 135 countries, global coronavirus cases could exceed 200 million by next week: WHO
The COVID-19 Weekly Epidemiological Update dated August 3, released by WHO, said globally 132 countries have reported cases of the Beta variant and 81 countries of the Gamma variant. It said the cases of Alpha variant have been reported in 182 countries, territories or areas, while 135 countries have reported cases of the Delta variant, which was first identified in India.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Govt tells states to impose local curbs ahead of festivals
India's busy festival season begins this month, with several celebrations dotting the calendar until November, when the Hindu festival of lights, Diwali, celebrated by millions, takes place. Jolted by the devastating second wave that killed thousands in April and May, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has asked states to be cautious while opening up their stringent lockdowns this time around, saying the second wave was not yet over.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | US plans to require COVID-19 shots for foreign travellers
The Biden administration is taking the first steps toward requiring nearly all foreign visitors to the U.S. to be vaccinated for the coronavirus, a White House official said Wednesday. The requirement would come as part of the administrations phased approach to easing travel restrictions for foreign citizens to the country. No timeline has yet been determined, as interagency working groups study how and when to safely move toward resuming normal travel. Eventually all foreign citizens entering the country, with some limited exceptions, are expected to need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter the U.S.
Coronavirus LIVE Update | Jennifer Aniston says she has severed ties with 'few people' who aren't vaccinated
Hollywood star Jennifer Aniston says she has drawn a line between her and some people who wouldn't receive a COVID-19 vaccine, leading her to lose them from her inner circle. The 52-year-old actor, who was fully vaccinated in May, said it is unfortunate that things had to turn out this way. The 52-year-old actor, who was fully vaccinated in May, said it is unfortunate that things had to turn out this way.
"There's still a large group of people who are anti-vaxxers or just don't listen to the facts. It's a real shame. I've just lost a few people in my weekly routine who have refused or did not disclose (whether or not they had been vaccinated), and it was unfortunate," Aniston said in her InStyle September cover interview. The "Friends" alum said it is a "moral and professional obligation to inform" people about the benefits of the vaccine but acknowledged people have their own beliefs.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | India reports 42,982 new coronavirus cases in last 24 hours.
India reported 42,982 new cases of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, the federal government said in a statement on Thursday.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Centre considering reducing gap for Covishield jabs for 45+ ages
The Centre may reduce the gap between Covishield doses for those aged 45 and more, once the vaccine’s availability picks up. This comes amid growing criticism over the decision to set a 12-16 weeks wait between two Covishield doses – taken to tackle vaccine shortage and “without much scientific backing”, Mint reported.
