Tuesday 25 August 2020

India

Coronavirus Updates: NEET, JEE to be held as per schedule, says NTA amid demands for postponing exams

00:02 (IST)

Coronavirus in West Bengal Latest Update

COVID-19 death in West Bengal under-reported, claims Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury

 
Senior Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury alleged on Tuesday that the number of deaths taking place in West Bengal due to COVID-19 is being under-
reported. He alleged that private hospitals in the state are "hiding" COVID-19 deaths, fearing that patients would avoid those establishments if the cause of the fatalities are reported. "The state government is underreporting deaths caused due to COVID-19, there is no proper mechanism in the rural areas to ascertain whether a person has died of coronavirus infection or some other disease," he said in a video message.
 
PTI

23:43 (IST)

Coronavirus in Meghalaya Latest Update

COVID-19 cases in Meghalaya cross 2,000

 

The COVID-19 caseload of Meghalaya crossed the 2,000-mark on Tuesday after 42 people tested positive for the virus, a senior health department official told PTI. The state's coronavirus tally has now reached 2,018. Forty-three patients have been cured of the disease, taking the total number of recoveries in the state to 832, Health Services Director Aman War said, adding that eight patients have died so far. Meghalaya currently has 1,178 active COVID-19 cases, he said. "Eleven Armed Forces personnel are among the new patients - 10 from East Khasi Hills and one from West Garo Hills," he further said.

PTI

22:58 (IST)

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

NEET, JEE to be held as per schedule: NTA

 
The Joint Entrance Examination (Main) and the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG) will be conducted in September as scheduled, officials said on Tuesday, amid a growing chorus for postponing the crucial tests in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. The National Testing Agency said it has planned several steps to conduct the papers safely which include increasing the number of examination centers, alternate seating plan, fewer candidates per room and staggered entry and exit.  These steps have been introduced to ensure adherence to social distancing norms at the centres in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, it said. Officials in the Ministry of Education asserted the exams will be conducted as per schedule.  While the Joint Entrance Examination (Main) is scheduled from September 1-6, the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) is planned on 13 September.

22:28 (IST)

Coronavirus in Assam Latest Update

Two more Assam MLAs test positive

Assam legislators Ajanta Neog of Congress and Ramendra Narayan Kalita of Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) tested positive for coronavirus on Tuesday, taking the total MLAs infected by the virus to a dozen. Both Neog and Kalita were examined during the day as they were suffering from fever and were found to be COVID-19 positive, officials said. Both the MLAs have been admitted to Gauhati Medical College Hospital (GMCH). Out of the 12 legislators who have tested positive so far, seven are from BJP,two each from Congress and AGP while one is from AIUDF.

PTI

22:01 (IST)

Coronavirus in Mumbai Latest Update

Mumbai reports 587 new cases;low numbers due to glitch in website, says BMC

 
Mumbai on Tuesday reported 587 new COVID-19 cases, taking the total tally to 1,37,678, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said. At 587, the number could have been the lowest in the last 100 days but the civic body clarified that a glitch on the website of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
showed "incomplete data". Meanwhile, the toll went up to 7,474 with 35 patients succumbing to the infection. "The city has recorded lesser number of cases (587) due to some glitch in the ICMR website as the complete case data is not available today. It will be updated tomorrow," the civic body said.
 
PTI

21:43 (IST)

Coronavirus in India Latest Update

Govt relaxes export conditions for N95 masks, medical coveralls

The government has relaxed curbs on exporting of masks and medical coveralls that are mostly used to control coronavirus infections, reports PTI.  "The export policy of N-95/FFP2 masks or its equivalent is revised from prohibited to restricted category," the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said in a notification. A montly export quota of 50 lakh units has been fixed for N-95/FFP2 masks or its equivalent for issuance of export licenses to eligible applicants, it said. The criteria for export of these masks would issued separately.
 
The DGFT has also removed export curbs on 2/3 ply surgical masks, and medical coveralls of all classes and categories. However, the DGFT said that medical goggles continue to remain in restricted category with a monthly export quota of 20 lakh units and nitrile/NBR gloves continue to remain prohibited for outbound shipments.
 
PTI

21:33 (IST)

Coronavirus in Gujarat Latest Updates

Gujarat's case count climbs to 88,942

 
Gujarat's COVID-19 tally rose to 88,942 on Tuesday with the addition of 1,096 new cases, while 20 more patients succumbed to the infection, the state health department said. With the death of 20 COVID-19 patients, the toll rose to 2,930, it said.So far, a total of 71,261 patients have recovered from the infection in Gujarat with 1,011 of them getting discharged on Tuesday, the department said in a release. With this, the state has achieved a recovery rate of 80.12 percent, it said.

20:53 (IST)

Coronavirus in Odisha Latest Updates

Maharashtra reports 10,425 new cases, 329 deaths

Maharashtra on Tuesday reported 10,425 fresh cases of coronavirus infection, taking the state's case tally to 7,03,823, said a state health official. With this, cases in Maharashtra crossed the seven lakh-mark. The state had crossed the six lakh-mark on August 17. The toll due to the pandemic in the state rose
to 22,794 with 329 fatalities being reported during the day, the official said.
 
PTI

20:32 (IST)

Coronavirus in Odisha Latest Updates

Odisha slashes testing rates at pvt labs to Rs 1,200

 
The Odisha government on Tuesday slashed the maximum price of RT-PCR tests for COVID-19 to be charged by private laboratories to Rs 1,200, an official said. The state government on 3 July had capped the rate of RT-PCR tests at private laboratories at Rs 2,200. The Rs 1,000 reduction in rates is aimed at stepping up testing in the state, the official said. Initially, the private laboratories were charging Rs 4,000-4,500 per test. "The government after careful consideration has been pleased to refix the maximum price of RT-PCR COVID-19 test @ Rs 1,200 (inclusive of GST and all other incidental charges)", as per a notification issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department.
 
PTI

20:16 (IST)

Coronavirus in Delhi Latest Updates

Delhi reports 1,554 cases, 17 deaths

Delhi reports 1,544 new COVID-19 cases, 1,155 discharges and 17 deaths today, taking the total number of cases in the National Capital to1,64,071  and toll to 4,330. With 1,47,743 recovered cases the recovery rate stands at 90.04 percent and there are 11,998 active cases at present, according to updates released by the CMO.

19:47 (IST)

Coronavirus in Kerala Latest Updates

Kerala's case count crosses 60,000

Kerala's COVID-19 count crossed the 60,000 mark on Tuesday as 2,375 fresh cases were reported, while 10 more fatalities took the toll to 244, Health minister KK Shailaja said. Of the infected, 2,141 were through contact, including 174 whose source of infection is not known. While 61 had come from abroad, 118 were from other states, the minister said in a press release. The COVID-19 tally touched 61,878, while as many as 40,343 have recovered, including 1,456 who were discharged. Presently 21,232 are under treatment, she said. Forty-nine health workers are among those who tested positive, the minister added. Malappuram recorded the highest number of cases with 452, followed by Thiruvananthapuram 391,Kozhikode 260 and Thrissur 227.

PTI

19:32 (IST)

Coronavirus in Manipur Latest Updates

Manipur minister tests positive

 
Manipur's social welfare  minister Nemcha Kipgen took to Facebook on Tuesday to announce that she has tested positive for COVID-19. She asked all those who came in contact with her recently to get tested as soon as possible. "After getting symptoms of coronavirus, I got myself tested and the report came back positive. I sincerely request all of you who have come in contact with me in the past few days to kindly isolate yourselves and get tested at them earliest," she said on Facebook. According to a spokesperson of the COVID-19 control centre , she has been asked to undergo home isolation.
 
PTI

19:20 (IST)

Coronavirus in Andhra Pradesh Latest Updates

Andhra Pradesh records 9,927 new cases, 92 deaths

As many as 9,927 persons tested positive for the novel coronavirus infection in Andhra Pradesh, taking the state's total to 3,71,639, while the toll rose to 3,460 with 92 more succumbing to the disease. With  9,419 persons being discharged today, the total number of recoveries is now 2,78,247, said reports.

19:07 (IST)

Coronavirus in India Latest Updates

Phase 2 human trial of Oxford vaccine may start in Pune hospital tomorrow

Doses of the potential coronavirus vaccine developed by researchers at Oxford University arrived at the Bharti Vidyapeeth's Medical College here for phase-2 human trials on Tuesday, an official said.

The trial may begin from Wednesday, said a top official of the institute, one of the 17 sites selected for the phase 2 human trials in the country by Serum Institute of India (SII).

"To start with we have identified five volunteers who will undergo COVID-19 and antibodies test. Those whose reports are negative will be shortlisted for vaccination on Wednesday," said Dr Sanjay Lalwani, Medical Director, Bharti Vidyapeeth's Medical College and Hospital and Research Centre.

He said the hospital has been given a target of enlisting 300 to 350 volunteers. Those chosen for receiving a dose of vaccine will be in the age group of 18 to 99 years, he told PTI.

(PTI)

18:16 (IST)

Coronavirus in UK LATEST Updates

Treating COVID-19 may lead to increased antibiotic resistance, finds study 

The use of antibiotics in people with COVID-19 could lead to raised levels of the drugs within rivers or coastal waters which may in turn result in an increase in antimicrobial resistance, according to a UK study.Patients hospitalised due to the novel coronavirus infection are being given a combination of medications to prevent possible secondary bacterial infections, noted the researchers at the University of Plymouth in the UK. The study, published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, suggests their increased use during the pandemic could be placing an additional burden on waste water treatment works.

Scientists noted that this could lead to raised levels of antibiotics within rivers or coastal waters which may in turn result in an increase in antimicrobial resistance (AMR), where bacteria become resistant to the action of antibiotics. This would be particularly acute in receiving waters from waste water treatment works serving large hospitals, or emergency hospitals, where there is a concentration of COVID-19 patients, they said. The findings are based on reports that up to 95 percent of COVID-19 inpatients are being prescribed antibiotics as part of their treatment, and concerns that such a large-scale drug administration could have wider environmental implications, according to the researchers.
 
PTI

17:58 (IST)

Coronavirus in Punjab  LATEST Updates

Punjab minister, two MLAs test posiitve

Punjab industries minister Sunder Sham Arora and two legislators from Patiala, Hardial Singh Kamboj and Harinder Pal Singh Chandumajra, have tested positive for the coronavirus infection, said reports. Arora took to Twitter to announce his health status. “I have tested positive for Covid-19 and have quarantined myself at my Chandigarh residence. I request all those persons who came in contact with me during the last few days to please get tested for coronavirus infection. Otherwise, I am at present not having any physical problem,” he tweeted. He is the fourth Punjab fourth state minister to have tested positive for the infection, the reports further stated.

17:31 (IST)

Coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh LATEST Updates

Uttar Pradesh registers 5,124 new cases, 72 deaths

As many as 5,124 new coronavirus positive cases were reported in Uttar Pradesh, taking the total to 1.97 lakh. Of these, 49,575 are active cases and the toll has risen to 3,059 with 72 more deaths, reports PTI quoting a health official.

17:11 (IST)

Coronavirus in India LATEST Updates

Difficult to accurately assess economic impact of COVID-19: RBI

The Reserve Bank on Tuesday said it is difficult to accurately assess the economic impact of COVID-19 pandemic as the dynamics are still evolving. "COVID-19's epidemiological dynamics are still rapidly evolving in India, rendering difficult an accurate assessment of its full macroeconomic effects," RBI said in its annual report.
 
PTI

16:48 (IST)

Coronavirus in India LATEST Updates

Serum Insitutes's vaccine candidate is in phase 2(B), says ICMR

The ICMR said that there are three COVID-19 vaccineswhich are ahead in the race in India. "Serum Institute's vaccine is in phase 2(B) & phase 3 trials and Bharat Biotech and Zydus Cadila's vaccines have completed phase 1 trial," DG Balram Bhargava said.

16:46 (IST)

Coronavirus in India LATEST Updates

Irresponsible people are driving the pandemic, says ICMR

Irresponsible people, those who dont use masks or maintain social distancing, are driving the pandemic, said ICMR DG Balram Bhargava, when asked about which age group was driving the pandemic. "There are two groups- one who are not very cautious and one group which is very cautious. You will find some cases in the cautious group also but I think it is the less cautious group who is driving the pandemic", said Bhargava,

16:43 (IST)

Coronavirus in India LATEST Updates

Health ministry informs about COVAX

Asked about countries having made upfont payments for COVAX, the health ministry gave detailed information abou the initiatiave. The health secretary said that according to WHO,172 member countries have become part of COVAX facility, which is a collaborative arrangement for pooling the demand and supply of certain vaccine candidates, "They have so far done projected estimates on demand and supply of some vaccines but as per my knowledge, no upfront payment has been made by any country, nor has it been demanded by the COVAX authorities", said the health secretary.

16:39 (IST)

Coronavirus in India LATEST Updates

Re-infection in viral diseases rare occurence, says ICMR

Only one case of re-infection has been reported (in Hong Kong) so far. However, this is a very rare occurrence. In the case of measles, we know that the immunity lasts life-long but since COVID-19 is only 7-8 months old, we are still learning, said the ICMR when asked about re-occurrence of the coronavirus infection.

16:37 (IST)

Guidelines for JEE, NEET released, says health ministry

Issue of NEET and JEE has been deliberated at length in several forums, also by the Supreme Court of India so it won't be proper to comment on this issue. However, a SOP had been prepared and shared with authorities who conduct exams and with states.

16:35 (IST)

Sero-surveys gives an idea of spread of infection, guides policy making

Sero-surveys guide us about what phase of the epidemic are we in a particular area and guides policymaking, says ICMR. The health ministry said that this is gives an idea of the spread of the infection. In Delhi, first round was  conducted in mid-June and second in mid July. In South east Delhi, first over 22 percent prevalence in first round and 33 percent in second round. So this impacted the kind of containment policies which had to be implemented. But it doesn't mean that we lower our guard even in areas with high prevalence.

16:30 (IST)

Coronavirus in India LATEST Updates

JMG committee working on guidance document for post-COVID complications, says health ministry

 
Answering a question of post-COVID care facilities, the health ministry said a committe headed by DG health services- JMG committee- and constituting of members from WHO, AIIMS and other experts- is working on guidance document on post covid complications and how to address them. The panel is obtaining data from AIIMS and other hospitals about recovered patients who have come back and were treated.

16:25 (IST)

Coronavirus in India LATEST Updates

Second ICMR countrywide sero-survey likely to be completed by first week of September, says ICMR

 
ICMR DG  Balram Bhargava during a press briefing said that the publication of ICMR survey is in process and will be published by this week. Most sero-surveys are being conducted by states, and the second ICMR sero survey is also underway should be completed by first week of September, he added.

16:22 (IST)

Coronavirus in India LATEST Update

14 Tele ICUs held till date, says health ministry

Asked about the present status of Tele ICU exercise, the health ministry said it was started by MoHFW and AIIMS Delhi to train doctors and answers questions faced by them. The exercise was started on 8 July and every Tuesday and Friday, the tele-ICUs are held from AIIMS Delhi. "One such tele-ICU is happening as we speak," said the health secretary. Till date, 14 such tele ICUs have been held covering 148 COVID hospitals across the country. Documentation is maintained and is to be shared with states at a later date. Experience so far has been quite good, he said.

16:18 (IST)

12 Elisa testing kits of indegenous make, says ICMR

The ICMR DG said 700 testing kits have been evaluated. 62 RNA extraction kits are of indigenours make, as are 42 RT-PCR and 12 Elisa kits are indigenous. This has reduced the cost of testing tremendously, he said.

16:15 (IST)

 

Testing capacity increased to 10 lakh per day, says ICMR

ICMR DG said over testing capacity is  one million per day  as of this week. The capacity has been augmented from 10 test 30th Jan to 10 lakh tests per day on 21 Aug.

16:12 (IST)

Coronavirus in India LATEST Updates

Only 2.70% active cases on oxygen support

 
2.70% of active cases as of today are an on oxygen support, 1.92% in ICU and 0.29% are on ventilators. 69% of the deceased are men, above51% of patients who died are above 60 years. said the health secretary. 

16:09 (IST)

Fatality rate now 1.84% ,says health secretary

75.92% patient have been discharged while the fatality rate is 1.84% which among the lowest in the world. Active caseload has fallen by 6423 in th last 24 hours- for the first time, said the Health secretary.

16:06 (IST)

Testing increased, but positivity rate has fallen says health ministry

Number of tests have increased exponentially, the positivity rate has simultaneously declined, says health ministry. The seven-day rolling average.positivity rate in fist week of August, which has today come down to 8 percent. Historical positivity rate is 8.86%

16:04 (IST)

Recovery rate above 75%, says health ministry

Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan: Over 3.60 crore tests have been conducted so far. Over 24 lakh recovered patients, which is more than 3.4 times the active patients. The recovery rate has gone over 75% and active cases are 22% of active caseload.

15:54 (IST)

Coronavirus in India LATEST Updates

Rajasthan's COVID-19 fatalities up by six to 973

 
Rajasthan recorded six more fatalities due to the novel coronavirus on Tuesday, taking the COVID-19 death toll in the state to 973, reports PTI quoting a health department official. The state also reported 695 new cases of the virus. The total number of people infected by COVID-19 now stands at 72,650 in Rajasthan and out of these 14,883 people are under treatment. The official said that 56,091 people have been discharged after treatment till now.

15:49 (IST)

Coronavirus in Karnataka LATEST Updates

Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar tests COVID-19 positive

According to reports,  Karnataka Congress State President DK Shivakumar says he has tested positive for COVID19.  He has been admitted to a private hospital in Bengaluru.

15:42 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak LATEST Updates

Oxford COVID-19 vaccine data could go to regulators this year

Andrew Pollard, the director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, says the vaccine being developed by the university and AstraZeneca could be put before regulators this year if scientists are able to collect the required data, Reuters reports, citing BBC Radio.

15:37 (IST)

Coronavirus in India LATEST Updates

COVID-19 makeshift hospital at Muzaffarpur to be functional by 31 August, says Union minister

Union Minister Nityanand Rai on Tuesday said that a 500-bed COVID-19 makeshift hospital at Muzaffarpur will be functional by 31 August, reports PTI.

The Union Minister of State for Home said this after visiting the hospital site near Patahi airport in Muzaffarpur town. The makeshift hospital is being built by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and financed by the PM Cares Fund Trust.

The COVID-19 makeshift hospital at Bihta was inaugurated by Rai on Monday.

15:35 (IST)

Coronavirus in India LATEST Updates

COVID-19 tests per million in India touch 26,685

With India having tested nearly 3.7 crore cumulative COVID-19 samples so far, the tests per million have further risen to 26,685 while the positivity rate has come down to 8.60 per cent, the Union Health Ministry said on Tuesday. India is focusing on the "test, track and treat" strategy to contain the spread of the infection.

15:28 (IST)

Coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh LATEST Updates

UP CM asks officials to keep strict vigil in Kanpur Nagar, Lucknow, Varanasi

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday directed officials to maintain a strict vigil in districts, including Kanpur Nagar and Lucknow, which are reporting a high number of COVID-19 cases.

He also stressed on conducting more tests for the disease in these districts which also include Gorakhpur, Prayagraj, Varanasi and Ballia, an official statement said.

Adityanath said more than 85,000 rapid antigen tests should be conducted every day besides over 45,000 RT-PCR tests.

15:15 (IST)

Coronavirus in India LATEST Updates

More than 100% rise in recovery in last 25 days; recovery rate rises to 75.92%

With a record 66,550 patients recovering from COVID-19 in a day, the total recoveries have surged to 24.04 lakh pushing the recovery rate to 75.92 per cent, while the active cases comprise only 22.24 per cent of the total cases, the Union Health Ministry said on Tuesday.

In testimony of the government's policy of testing aggressively, tracking comprehensively and treating efficiently, the total number of recoveries have outpaced the active cases by more than 17 lakh.

"The steadily falling COVID-19 case fatality rates stands at 1.84 per cent as on date. There has been more than 100 per cent increase in the recoveries in the last 25 days," the ministry highlighted.

15:13 (IST)

Coronavirus in Haryana LATEST Updates

Strict COVID-19 protocols in place as Haryana Assembly session begins from tomorrow

The monsoon session of the Haryana Assembly is set to begin here on Wednesday with the authorities putting strict protocols in place in view of the coronavirus pandemic, reports PTI.

Besides the MLAs and officials requiring a coronavirus negative certificate to gain entry into the Assembly complex, seating arrangement has also been changed to ensure social distancing in the 90-member House.

Just before the starting of the session, the pandemic has already cast its shadow with Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Speaker Gian Chand Gupta and Transport Minister Mool Chand Sharma testing positive for the virus.

13:41 (IST)

Coronavirus in Maharashtra LATEST Updates

351 cops test positive in Maharashtra

351 more police personnel were found COVID19 positive on Tuesday, while 3 died in the last 24 hours in Maharashtra. The total number of coronavirus positive police personnel in Maharashtra reaches 14,067 including 2,569 active cases, 11,356 recoveries & 142 deaths till date.

13:37 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak LATEST Updates

Global tourism lost USD 320 billion in 5 months due to pandemic, says UN

The tourism global industry has been devastated by the coronavirus pandemic, with USD 320 billion lost in exports in the first five months of the year and more than 120 million jobs at risk, the UN chief said on Tuesday, reports PTI.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a policy briefing and video address that tourism is the third-largest export sector of the global economy, behind fuels and chemicals, and in 2019 it accounted for 7 percent of global trade.

It employs one in every 10 people on Earth and provides livelihoods to hundreds of millions more, he said.

13:32 (IST)

Coronavirus in Haryana LATEST Updates

Haryana Transport minister tests COVID-19 positive

Haryana Transport Minister Mool Chand Sharma tests positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday, a day before the monsoon session of the state Assembly is convened, PTI reports.

13:30 (IST)

Coronavirus in Odisha LATEST Updates

Odisha's COVID-19 caseload jumps to 84,231, toll mounts to 428

Odisha's COVID-19 tally increased to 84,231 on Tuesday with 2,752 fresh cases, while nine more fatalities pushed the toll to 428, a health department official said. Of the new fatalities, two each were reported from Ganjam and Sundargarh districts and one each from Balasore, Bolangir, Cuttack, Gajapati and Khurda.

13:28 (IST)

Coronavirus in Manipur LATEST Updates

Manipur minister tests COVID-19 positive

Manipur minister Nemcha Kipgen says she has tested positive for the coronavirus and asks those who came in contact with her to isolate and get themselves tested.

13:24 (IST)

Coronavirus in India LATEST Updates

I stand with Indian students to postpone JEE, NEET exams, says Greta Thunberg

13:15 (IST)

Coronavirus in India LATEST Updates

Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai actors, crew members test COVID-19 positive

Makers of the popular Hindi soap Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai had to halt shooting and production after actor Sachin Tyagi, who plays the role of Manish Goenka, tested positive for COVID-19.

According to SpotboyE.com, the actor had a fever and hence got himself tested. Some other cast and crew members also took the test thereafter, with some of them testing positive.

Read full report here

13:10 (IST)

Coronavirus in Maharashtra LATEST Updates

COVID-19 cases in Thane cross 1.15 lakh

The number of COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra's Thane district reached 1,15,625 on Tuesday after 860 more people tested positive for the disease, a senior district official said. He said 33 deaths were also reported on Monday, taking the total number of fatalities in the district to 3,301.

As of now, there are 12,262 active cases in the district, while 1,00,062 patients have recovered from the viral infection, he said. The COVID-19 recovery rate in the district was 86.54 percent while the mortality rate was 2.85 percent.

13:06 (IST)

Coronavirus in india LATEST Updates

Antibody that may protect against COVID-19 identified

Scientists have identified a human antibody that they say may potentially prevent or limit SARS-CoV-2 infection that causes COVID-19 disease, reports PTI.

The researchers from the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) in the US discovered and characterised a cross-reactive human monoclonal antibody (MAB) to SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins which blocks ACE2 receptor binding on the mucosal tissue of the respiratory tract.

The origins of this rapid and important discovery go back 16 years, when the researchers at UMMS developed an IgG monoclonal antibody that was effective against a similar virus, SARS, according to the study published in the journal Nature Communications.

Coronavirus LATEST Updates: The Joint Entrance Examination (Main) and the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG) will be conducted in September as scheduled, officials said, amid a growing chorus for postponing the crucial tests in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Health Ministry said though testing for COVID-19 has been increased exponentially, there has been a steady decline in the positivity rate and highlighted that the number of active cases of the infection reduced by 6,423 within a span of 24 hours.

Conducted between 1 and 7 August, the survey, second in the city, showed that 29.1 percent of the population in the National Capital has now developed antibodies against SARS CoV-2.

Metro rail services may be allowed from 1 September when the 'Unlock 4' phase in the graded reopening from the coronavirus-induced lockdown will begin, an official said.

According to the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, India has tested more than 3.5 crore people for COVID19  so far, resolutely following its 'TEST TRACK TREAT' strategy

The tally of coronavirus cases in India crossed 31 lakh with a rise of 61,408 new cases on Monday, and the recovery rate rose to 75.27 percent with a total of 23,38,035 cured patients recorded so far, the Union health ministry said.

The COVID-19 caseload mounted to 31,06,348, a day after it crossed 30 lakh, while the toll rose to 57,542 with 836 new casualties being reported in a span of 24-hours, the data updated at 8 am showed.

The COVID-19 case fatality rate has declined to 1.85 percent, the ministry said. The total count of cases includes 7,10,771 active cases, which comprise 22.88 percent of the total caseload.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), a cumulative total of 3,59,02,137 samples have been tested up to 23 August with 6,09,917 samples being tested on Sunday.

ML Khattar, Haryana Speaker test COVID-19 positive

Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Assembly Speaker Gian Chand Gupta, and two BJP MLAs tested positive for COVID-19, two days before the Monsoon Session of the Assembly is set to begin.

Khattar's test report came positive on Monday, six days after he had attended a meeting with Union Jal Shakti minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who was later found infected with the virus.

Khattar was taken to the PGIMER hospital for a detailed check-up in the evening, PTI reported, adding that his condition was stable.

"I was tested for novel coronavirus today. My test report has returned positive. I appeal to all colleagues and associates who came in my contact over the last week to get themselves tested. I request my close contacts to move into strict quarantine immediately," the chief minister tweeted.

Khattar's earlier test report came negative for COVID-19 on Thursday, two days after he had attended the meeting with Shekhawat over the Sutlej Yamuna Link canal issue in New Delhi. The chief minister had on Thursday decided to go into home quarantine for three days as a precautionary measure.

Khattar, who is also the Leader of the Assembly, will not be available for the Monsoon Session. He underwent the test on Monday as mandated by the Speaker for all MLAs and Assembly staffers ahead of the session, beginning 26 August.

Speaker Gupta (73) and BJP MLAs Aseem Goel and Ram Kumar also tested positive for COVID-19, the state government said.

Meanwhile, Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant said that the oxygen levels of Union AYUSH minister Shripad Naik dropped on Monday. Naik is also COVID-19 positive.

Sawant added a joint team of doctors from the Command Hospital, New Delhi and AIIMS  will be arriving in Goa on Monday night to take stock of Naik's medical condition. Naik is an MP from Goa.

The team will decide whether to shift Naik to Delhi for further treatment, Sawant added.

Centre likely to allow metro services to resume from 1 Sept

The Centre is likely to announce 'Unlock 4' guidelines this week, PTI reported. The permission to resume metro services across the country from 1 September, is likely to be among the new guidelines. States will, however, take the final call on reopening the rapid transport networks depending on the coronavirus situation there.

Metro services were suspended in late March to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus, which has infected more than 31 lakh people in the country so far.

The 'Unlock 4' phase is part of the Centre's graded lifting of restrictions due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown.

Meanwhile, schools and colleges may not reopen anytime soon, the report said. Bars, which are so far not allowed to reopen, may be permitted to sell liquor over the counter for takeaway.

The report quoted officials as saying that deliberations are underway on whether to allow reopening of higher educational institutions such as universities, IITs and IIMs.

There is almost no possibility of allowing cinema halls to reopen from 1 September as it will not be commercially viable for film-makers or cinema hall owners to operate following social distancing norm.

In the 'Unlock 4' guidelines, the central government will only mention about prohibited activities and the rest can resume. The state governments will take a final call on additional activities that should continue to remain prohibited during the 'Unlock 4', the report said.

Hong Kong researchers report first documented coronavirus re-infection

Researchers in Hong Kong documented the first case of a cured coronavirus patient getting reinfected, reports said on Monday.

A man who recovered from COVID-19 was infected for the second time, four and a half months later "in the first documented instance of human re-infection", researchers at the University of Hong Kong were quoted as saying by Reuters.

"The findings indicate the disease, which has killed more than 800,000 people worldwide, may continue to spread amongst the global population despite herd immunity," the report said.

SP Balasubrahmanyam tests negative for COVID-19

Singer SP Balasubrahmanyam has tested negative for coronavirus and he is stable and fine, his son SP Charan said on Monday.

"My father is fine and stable and his coronavirus test has tested negative," he said in a statement. The 74-year old, hugely popular for his singing skills in several languages,was admitted to MGM Healthcare on 5 August after he tested positive for COVID-19.

According to a hospital bulletin issued on 22 August, the playback singer was on ventilator in the Intensive Care Unit.

State-wise cases and deaths

Maharashtra reported 11,015 new cases of COVID-19 and 212 deaths on Monday. The total number of cases in the state now stands at 6,93,398, including 5,02,490 recoveries and 1,68,126 active cases, the state's health department said.

Tamil Nadu reported 5,967 new COVID-19 cases and 97 deaths, taking total cases to 3,85,352, including 3,25,456 discharges and 6,614 deaths. The number of active cases stands at 53,282, according to the health department.

In Delhi, 1,061 new cases, 1,200 new recoveries, and 13 deaths were reported. The total number of cases are now at 1,62,527, including 1,46,588 recovered cases, 11,626 active cases and 4,313 deaths, the Delhi government said.

Madhya Pradesh reported 1,292 new cases of coronavirus and 17 deaths. The total number of cases are now at 54,421, including 11,944 active cases, 41,231 recoveries and 1,246 deaths.

Punjab reported 1,516 new cases today. The total number of cases rises to 43,284 including 13,798 active cases, 28,357 recovered cases and 1,129 deaths so far, as per the state's health department.

With inputs from PTI



source https://www.firstpost.com/health/coronavirus-vaccine-tracker-news-india-updates-unlock-4-covid19-pandemic-bus-service-flight-train-shop-lockdown-latest-updates-maharashtra-8748501.html
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