Coronavirus news highlights: Delhi records highest daily spike with 4,853 new cases; toll touches 6,356

India's Covid-19 tally nears 80 lakh with the death toll touching 1,19,941. India's daily cases went below 37,000 after more than three months. India's active cases remain below 7 lakh. Active cases now comprise only 8.26% of the total positive cases in the country.

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Pfizer not yet ready to release Covid-19 vaccine data

Pfizer's CEO Albert Bourla has said the company could release data on whether or not the vaccine works as early as this month, but the company said in a presentation that the independent data monitoring board which will determine whether or not the trial has been successful has not conducted any interim efficacy analyses yet.

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Covid-19 vaccine shows ‘strong immune response’ in all adult groups: Oxford University

The ChAdOx1 nCov-2019 vaccine, called AZD1222 by AstraZeneca, is currently undergoing worldwide trials with some reports raising hopes for a rollout within months.

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Covid-19 could not deter Banni, a gory Dasara event on Andhra Pradesh-Karnataka border

The pandemic scare elsewhere could not force thedevoutvillagers along the Andhra-Karnataka border give a break toBanni,the Dasaranighttraditionwhenscores of participantsarewoundedbythe belligerent swirling of sticks.

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Bengaluru Urban worst affected by Covid-19 in India, Mumbai far second: Union Ministry of Health

With 8.65% of active cases, Bengaluru Urban is way above the second-highest district, Mumbai (3.25%). It is also the only district from Karnataka that featured in the list of 18 districts.

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4,853 fresh Covid-19 cases, highest single-day spike till date, take Delhi's tally to over 3.64 lakh; death toll reaches 6,356: Authorities

People are seen at a market amidst the spread of the coronavirus diseasein the old quarters ofDelhi. Credit: Reuters Photo

Maharashtra reports 5,363 new Covid-19 cases, 7,836 recoveries and 115 deaths

Maharashtra reports 5,363 new Covid-19 cases, 7,836 recoveries and 115 deaths, as per State's Public Health Department.

The Covid-19 tally of the state rises to 16,54,028, with 14,78,496 recoveries and 43,463 deaths. Active cases at 1,31,544

Covid-19's cognitive costs: Some patients' brains may age 10 years

A non-peer-reviewed study of more than 84,000 people, led by Adam Hampshire, a doctor at Imperial College London, found that in some severe cases, coronavirus infection is linked to substantial cognitive deficits for months.

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Coronavirus lockdown in containment zones to continue till Nov 30; no e-permit needed for inter-state travel: MHA

The MHA said there is a need to exercise abundant caution by adopting Covid-19 appropriate behaviour and referred to the 'Jan Andolan' launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi October 8 to follow three 'mantras' -- wear your mask properly, wash your hands frequently and maintain a safe distance of six feet.

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Declining trend of Covid-19 in India, except for 2 to 3 states: Government

The Covid-19 pandemic in India is showing a declining trend, except for two to three states, the government said on Tuesday, noting that it is "particularly noteworthy" vis-a-vis some countries in the northern hemisphere where a severe increase in the intensity of the virus' spread is being seen.

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Karnataka: MLC elections for four seats on October 28 under Covid-19 shadow

However, in the wake of the pandemic, it was postponed for an indefinite period. Subsequently, the Election Commission in September decided to conduct the elections on October 28.

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Exposure to air pollution increases Covid-19 deaths by 15% worldwide: Study

5,457 new Covid-19 cases reported in Kerala, taking the state's active patients to 92,161.

Devotees stand in a queue to offer prayers at Sabarimala temple after the Lord Ayyappa temple opened after remaining closed for over six months due to thecoronaviruspandemic, in Pathanamthitta district. Credit: PTI Photo

452 new Covid-19 cases reported in Jammu and Kashmir today; 194 from Jammu division and 258 from Kashmir division. Total number of cases now at 92,677 including 6,990 active cases, 84,236 recoveries and 1,451 deaths: Govt of Jammu and Kashmir

Tamil Nadu reports 2,522 new Covid-19 cases, 27 deaths and 4,029 discharges today, as per the State Health Department. The total number of cases in the state is now at 7,14,235 including 6,75,518 discharges and 10,983 deaths.

78 per cent of active cases are present in 10 states and UTs: Union Health Ministry

Covid-19: 58% deaths in last 24 hours reported from Maharashtra, West Bengal, Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, says the Health Ministry.

During the festival season, cases have increased in Kerala, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Delhi, says Health Ministry

Women devotees wearing PPE kits perform rituals during 'Bijoya Dashami' celebrations at a communityDurgaPujapandal, in Kolkata, Monday, Oct. 26, 2020. Credit: PTI Photo

It took us 57 days to register a recovery of 10 lakhs from 1 lakh; however the latest 10 lakh recoveries have been achieved in 13 days which is a satisfactory sign: Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary, Union Health Ministry

India's cases per million population is amongst the lowest in the world; stands at 5,758, where as global average is 5,504. With 86 deaths per million population, India's Deaths per Million Population is also amongst the lowest in the world.

RPI chief Ramdas Athawale tests positive for Covid-19

Republican Party of India President and Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale tests positive for Covid-19.

India's Covid-19 active cases stand at 6.25 lakh, lowest after 11 weeks

Active cases of Covid-19 in the country have "drastically declined" to 6.25 lakh comprising merely 7.88 per cent of the total caseload, with 35 per cent of the total active infections being reported from only 18 districts as on date, the Union Health Ministry said on Tuesday.

The new coronavirus infections reported in a span of 24 hours have fallen below 36,500 for the first time in three months, the ministry said. The new cases were 34,884 on July 18.

Czech Republic reports 10,273 new Covid-19 cases, deaths climb by 164

The Czech Republic reported 10,273 new Covid-19 cases on Monday as it faces one of Europe's biggest surges in infections, according to health ministry data,.

The rise is the seventh highest daily tally for the country of 10.7 million people, where the number of cases has jumped past 10,000 since the middle of October. In the past week, the daily number of cases has averaged more than 12,000.

Italy okays trial of osteoporosis drug to treat Covid-19

Italy's main medicines regulator gave the go-ahead on Tuesday for human clinical trials on raloxifene, a generic osteoporosis drug that researchers hope may also help reduce Covid-19 symptoms and make patients less infectious.

The drug was identified as a potential Covid-19 treatment by researchers using supercomputers to screen more than 400,000 molecules for chemical characteristics that might inhibit the virus, focusing on those already approved for use in humans.

Ministry of Health

Champagne and donuts: Coronavirus-beating Melbourne readies reopening party

Melbourne on Tuesday achieved what elated residents called the "double donut" -- two days of no new coronavirus cases -- as bars in Australia's second city readied for a midnight reopening after a gruelling months-long lockdown.

While much of Europe and North America looks ahead to a tough winter of restrictions, Melbourne is preparing its coming out party, with stay-at-home orders and forced closures of "non-essential" business coming to an end.

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No fresh Covid-19 death in Puducherry for second straight day; adds 147 new infections

The union territory of Puducherry did not record a fresh Covid-19 related death for a second straight day while 147 new infections were reported, Health Minister Malladi Krishna Rao said on Tuesday.

While no death was recorded on October 18 for the first time this month, no fatalities were added in the last two days, Rao said at a virtual press conference.

The toll in the union territory remained at 588.

France should prepare for 'difficult decisions' on new Covid-19 curbs: Minister

France should get ready for "difficult decisions" on new measures to tackle the resurgence of Covid-19 cases, interior minister Gerald Darmanin said on Tuesday ahead of a cabinet meeting to discuss the pandemic.

French authorities are looking at options for still tighter measures to fight Covid-19, which has kept spreading despite some of the strictest restrictions in Europe, according to three sources familiar with the government's thinking.

New business jet travellers help fuel order recovery during pandemic

Affluent travelers avoiding commercial flights during the pandemic are helping fuel a recovery in pre-owned corporate aircraft transactions this year and reviving shoots of demand for new planes even as the business aviation industry braces for a slump in 2020 deliveries.

Jets built as corporate aircraft, which can carry from roughly a handful to 19 travelers, tout less risk of exposure to the coronavirus because their passengers can avoid airports and generally select who comes on board.

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Delhi BJP leaders participate in coronavirus awareness campaign

Delhi BJP leaders, including party president Adesh Gupta, on Tuesday participated in a coronavirus awareness campaign at prominent road intersections in the city and appealed to people to follow safety measures.

Gupta along with other party leaders participated in the campaign at ITO crossing in the morning and were seen carrying posters with the message "Jab Tak Dawai Nahi, Tab Tak Dhilai Nahi" (No laxity until there is a cure).

Odisha's Covid-19 tally rises to 2,83,942 with 1,247 new cases; 13 fresh fatalities push death toll to 1,272:

105 MSRTC bus staff contract Covid-19 after working in Mumbai

At least 105 drivers and conductors of the MSRTC's Sangli division, who were deployed in BEST buses in Mumbai earlier this month, have tested positive for Covid-19 after returning to Sangli, an official said on Tuesday.

The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST), the Mumbai civic body's transport wing, had hired buses, drivers and conductors from the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) on contract for easing the woes of commuters in the state capital.

Arunachal reports 147 new Covid-19 cases, two more deaths

At least 147 people, including three security personnel, tested positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday, pushing the caseload in the state to 14,391, while two more persons succumbed to the infection, raising the toll to 35, a senior official here said.

Barring 32, all new patients are asymptomatic and have been shifted to Covid care centres.

A pedestrian takes a photo of a Halloween-decorated home that combines election and coronavirus themes

AP Photo

Covid-19 patients with heart injury are at higher risk, says study

The following is a roundup of some of the latest scientific studies on the novel coronavirus and efforts to find treatments and vaccines for Covid-19, the illness caused by the virus.

Higher death risk found if Covid-19 causes changes to the heart. A new study may help identify which Covid-19 patients with signs of heart injury are at higher risk for death. Doctors looked at 305 hospitalized patients with elevated levels of troponin, a protein released when the heart has been injured.

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Air pollution may hinder India's fight against Covid-19, say scientists

The causal link between air pollution and Covid-19 cases is yet to be established conclusively but long-term exposure will certainly make people more vulnerable to lung infections, warn scientists as the skies over large parts of north India, including Delhi, turn smoky and the air quality deteriorates rapidly.

Their concerns come amid several global studies pointing to the possible connection between higher air pollution levels and increased Covid-19 cases and deaths.

A study by researchers at Harvard University in the US in September showed that an increase of only one microgram per cubic metre in PM 2.5 is associated with an 8 per cent increase in the Covid-19 death rate.

No, mouthwash will not save you from the coronavirus

A rash of provocative headlines recently offered a tantalizing idea: that mouthwash can “inactivate” coronaviruses and help curb their spread.

The stories sprang from a new study that found that a coronavirus that causes common colds — not the one that causes Covid-19 — could be incapacitated in a laboratory when doused with mouthwash. The study’s authors concluded that the products they tested “may provide an additional level of protection against” the new coronavirus.

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Can fashion photography survive the Covid-19 pandemic?

In the 1930s and ’40s, when photographer Louise Dahl-Wolfe took models out of the studio and onto location — shooting them poolside for Harper’s Bazaar, say — she was making pictures about freedom, about women’s changing role in society, about travel and leisure culture.

In 1975, when Helmut Newton took his famous image of model Vibeke Knudsen in Yves Saint Laurent’s Le Smoking tuxedo, flanked by a nude female companion, he was capturing new ideas of sexuality and gender, lust and power.

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Jharkhand reports 220 new Covid-19 cases, six more fatalities

Jharkhand's Covid-19 tally rose to 99,906 as 220 more people tested positive for the infection, a health department official said on Tuesday.

Six more patients succumbed to the disease, pushing the state's coronavirus death toll to 872, he said.

Of the fresh fatalities, three were reported from East Singhbhum district and one each from Ranchi, Koderma and Saraikela, the official said.

Not doing many rallies to prevent spread of coronavirus: Joe Biden

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has justified his decision not to hold public rallies and restrict his travel, arguing that he does not want the spread of coronavirus in the country.

The US had more than 481,372 new cases of Covid-19 last week, setting a record for the most new infections reported in a week since the pandemic began. Nearly half the country set records for new Covid-19 cases in a week while five states had a record number of deaths in a week: Montana, North Carolina, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Credit: ICMR

With 36,470 new infections, India reports lowest daily rise in Covid-19 cases in over 3 months

Politics upends search for Covid vaccine in Brazil

Brazil is a top testing ground for vaccines against Covid-19, but its plans for vaccinating its own population have been plunged into chaos by a political war waged by President Jair Bolsonaro.

Hit hard by the new coronavirus, Brazil has been tapped to help test several of the leading vaccine candidates, giving it a potential edge in the race to secure access to an eventual shot.

That could be a welcome silver lining for the country of 212 million people, which has the second-highest Covid-19 death toll in the world, at more than 157,000.

Mexico reports 4,166 new coronavirus cases, 247 more deaths

Mexico's health ministry reported on Monday 4,166 additional cases of the novel coronavirus and 247 more deaths in the country, bringing the official number of cases to 895,326 and the death toll to 89,171.

Health officials have said the real number of infected people is likely significantly higher than the confirmed cases. On Sunday, the ministry said the true death toll from Covid-19 may be around 50,000 higher.

Australia's Covid-19 hotspot state records two days without new cases for first time in seven months

The Australian state of Victoria, the epicentre of Covid-19 infections, said on Tuesday it had gone 48 hours without detecting any new cases for the first time in more than seven months.

Victoria, the second most populous state, will allow restaurants and cafes in Melbourne to reopen from Wednesday after more than three months under a stringent lockdown.

Philippines' Duterte wants government-to-government deal for Covid-19 vaccines

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Tuesday he would favour a government-to-government deal for the purchase of coronavirus vaccines to prevent the risk of corruption.

"Let me tell everybody that we will not beg, we will pay," Duterte said in a weekly televised address. "To the Chinese government, you need not look for partners, we can make it government-to-government."

Lilly antibody drug fails in a Covid-19 study; others go on

US government officials are putting an early end to a study testing an Eli Lilly antibody drug for people hospitalised with Covid-19 because it doesn't seem to be helping them.

Independent monitors had paused enrolment in the study two weeks ago because of a possible safety issue.

But on Monday, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, which sponsors the study, said a closer look found no safety problem but a low chance that the drug would prove helpful for hospitalized patients.

Mainland China reports 16 new Covid-19 cases vs 20 a day earlier

Mainland China reported 16 new confirmed Covid-19 cases on Oct. 26, down from 20 a day earlier, the country's health authorities said on Tuesday.

The number of new asymptomatic cases also fell to 50, from 161 reported a day earlier amid a fresh wave of symptomless infections being reported in the northwestern Xinjiang region.

On giant blackboards placed in two squares in Lima, people can write with colored chalk what they want to do "when this is over."

AFP Photo

Air pollution linked to 15 percent of coronavirus deaths: Study

Long-term exposure to air pollution may be linked to 15 percent of Covid-19 deaths globally, according to research published Tuesday that highlights the health risks posed by greenhouse gas emissions.

Previous research has showed how air pollution from exhaust fumes and factories takes two years off the life expectancy of every man, woman and child on Earth.

Now experts in Germany and Cyprus say they have estimated the proportion of deaths from coronavirus that can be blamed of the exacerbating effects of air pollution.

Asymptomatic virus sufferers lose antibodies sooner: Study

Asymptomatic coronavirus sufferers appear to lose detectable antibodies sooner than people who have exhibited Covid-19 symptoms, according to one of the biggest studies of its kind in Britain published on Tuesday.

The findings by Imperial College London and market research firm Ipsos Mori also suggest the loss of antibodies was slower in 18-24 year-olds compared to those aged 75 and over.

UK study finds evidence of waning antibody immunity to Covid-19 over time

Antibodies against the novel coronavirus declined rapidly in the British population during the summer, a study found on Tuesday, suggesting protection after infection may not be long lasting and raising the prospect of waning immunity in the community.

Scientists at Imperial College London have tracked antibody levels in the British population following the first wave of Covid-19 infections in March and April.

Wave of new Covid-19 cases crashes across US and Europe as winter looms

The United States, Russia, France and many other countries are setting records for coronavirus infections as a tidal wave of cases washes over parts of the Northern Hemisphere, forcing some countries to impose new curbs.

Protests flare in Italian cities against Covid-19 restrictions

Protests flared across Italy on Monday against a new round of government restrictions aimed at curbing a resurgent coronavirus, with violence reported in at least two major northern cities, Milan and Turin.

Witnesses said a number of luxury stores, including a Gucci fashion shop, were ransacked in central Turin as crowds of youths took to the streets after nightfall, letting off huge firecrackers and lighting coloured flares.