Coronavirus news highlights: India's Covid-19 tally crosses 71 lakh-mark, total recoveries rise over 61 lakh

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan urges people to stay away from large congregations and diligently follow Covid-19 guidelines during upcoming festive season, saying no religion or God asks people to celebrate ostentatiously. India’s tally crosses 70.5 lakh with 74,383 new Covid-19 cases, 918 deaths. Total cases stand at 71,13,749 including 9,74,369 active cases, 61,38,774 recover & 1,09,128 deaths. The five top states with maximum cases (61% active cases) are also contributing more than half (54.3%) of the total recoveries, according to Union Ministry of Health.

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Assam reported 396 new Covid-19 cases today. Total cases 1,93,783, including 1,63,552 recoveries and 816 deaths. Active cases stand at 29,612: Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma

Karnataka reports 9,523 new Covid-19 cases and 75 deaths

Karnataka reports 9,523 new Covid-19 cases and 75 deaths in the last 24 hours.

Total cases in the state stand at 7,00,786 including 5,80,054 discharges & 9,966 deaths. Number of active cases stand at 1,20,270. Bengaluru reported 4,623 new positive cases: State Health Department

Record single-day spike of 3,612 Covid-19 cases pushes West Bengal's tally to 2,94,806; death toll jumps to 5,622 with 59 more fatalities: Health Department

West Bengal reports 3,612 new Covid-19 cases, 59 deaths and 3,110 discharges today. Total cases in the state rise to 2,94,806, including 5,622 deaths and 2,58,948 discharges. Active cases stand at 30,236: Government of West Bengal

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In your evening news brief, From The Newsroom, Schools in Karnataka will be shut for ‘midterm holidays’; Harsh Vardhan says government has not yet taken a view on granting emergency authorisation to Covid-19 vaccines in India; Doctors say Donald Trump is no longer a transmission risk for Covid-19 and Rahul Gandhi attacks Yogi Adityanath government.

India's Covid-19 tally crosses 70-lakh, over 60-lakh recovered

India's Covid-19 tally crossed 70-lakh mark with a spike of 74,383 new cases and 918 deaths reported in the last 24 hours. Recoveries in India cross 60-lakh mark coronavirus tally stands at 70,53,807 including 8,67,496 active cases, according to Union Health Ministry. Recoveries in India have crossed the 60-lakh mark. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), informed that 10.78 lakh samples were tested on October 10. 8,68,77,242 samples tested in the country till October 10.

Kerala's 11,755 new Covid-19 cases on October 10 higher than daily count of Maharashtra, Karnataka

From just a solitary new Covid-19 case on May 8 to clocking over 10,000 fresh infections in a single-day, Kerala has seen a total reverse in the pandemic situation in the last five months.

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In Pics | People seen moving without masks in a Kalaburagi market

People seen moving without masks in a Kalaburagi market, earlier today

"Mostly the youth is taking it very lightly. It's important to use masks, distance & sanitise," says Dr Deshmukh, COVID19 Committee, Kalaburagi Medical College

Delhi reports 2,780 new Covid-19 cases

Delhi reports 2,780 new Covid-19 cases and 29 deaths over the last 24 hours. Total positive cases stand at 3,09,339 out of which 21,701 are active patients. 5,769 deaths and 2,81,869 patients discharged so far: Delhi Government

Tamil Nadu reports 5,015 new Covid-19 cases

Tamil Nadu reports 5,015 new Covid-19 cases, 5,005 recoveries & 65 deaths today, taking total positive cases to 6,56,385, including 6,02,038 discharged cases, 10,252 deaths & 44,095 active cases: State Health Department

We can't blame govt for easing restrictions: Kerala Health Minister

It is incorrect to say that cases are very high in Kerala. The cases are definitely rising. But the mortality rate is not as high as other states. The ultimate aim is to reduce the mortality rate, says K K Shailaja, Health Minister, Kerala, on the Covid-19 situation in the state.

We could contain cases when there was lockdown. But now measures are eased. We can't blame govt for easing restrictions because people need to work & earn or else they'll starve to death. But people need to follow all precautions, she said.

Kerala reports 9,347 new Covid-19 cases, taking active patients in the state to 96,316. A total of 1,91,798 people have recovered from the infection.

Kerala reports 9,347 new Covid-19 cases

Kerala reports 9,347 new Covid-19 cases, taking active patients in the state to 96,316. A total of 1,91,798 people have recovered from the infection: State government

Covid-19 cases are definitely rising: K K Shailaja, Health Minister, Kerala

It is incorrect to say that cases are very high in Kerala. The cases are definitely rising. But the mortality rate is not as high as other states. The ultimate aim is to reduce the mortality rate: K K Shailaja, Health Minister, Kerala, on the Covid-19 situation in the state

Tamil Nadu reports 5,015 new Covid-19 cases

Tamil Nadu reports 5,015 new Covid-19 cases, 5,005 recoveries & 65 deaths today, taking total positive cases to 6,56,385, including 6,02,038 discharged cases, 10,252 deaths & 44,095 active cases: State Health Department

Andhra Pradesh reports 5210 new Covid-19 cases today, taking the state's tally to 7,55,727, including 7,03,208 recoveries and 6224 deaths. Active cases stand at 46,295: State Command Control Room, Andhra Pradesh

Indian ambassador in self-isolation after meeting Nepal minister who tested Covid-19 positive

India's Ambassador to Nepal Vinay Mohan Kwatra has been staying in self isolation after he met Nepal's Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Yogesh Bhattarai, who tested positive for the coronavirus on Saturday, an Indian official said on Sunday.

Ambassador Kwatra has quarantined himself as he had met with Bhattarai, Indian Embassy spokesperson Abhisekh Dubey said.

However, his health is good and he has not developed any symptoms of infection, the spokesperson added.

Bhattarai and Kwatra had a face-to-face meeting on Friday during which they discussed ways to promote tourism in both countries.

On Saturday, Bhattarai, 54, announced on social media that he tested positive for the COVID-19. He requested all those who came in his contact to be on alert.

(PTI)

Britain is at a coronavirus tipping point, says deputy chief medical officer

Britain is at a "tipping point" in the coronavirus crisis and the country must act now to stop history repeating itself, the deputy chief medical officer for England said on Sunday, urging people to follow the rules.

With the number of cases rapidly rising particularly in the north of England, ministers are readying a new set of rules to try to tackle the crisis that will include handing more power to local leaders to track the virus' spread.

Jonathan Van Tam said in an opinion article that the spread of COVID-19 was now moving from younger adult age groups to older people in the worst affected areas, and "just as night follow day, increases in deaths will now follow".

"In our national fight against Covid-19, we are at a tipping point similar to where we were in March; but we can prevent history repeating itself if we all act now," Van Tam said.

(Reuters)

Inhaled vaccines aim to fight coronavirus at its point of attack

The Covid-19 vaccines closest to the finish line are designed to be injected into the arm. Researchers are looking at whether they can get better protection from inoculations that fight the virus at its point of attack — the nose and mouth.

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British Sikh fined for breach of COVID rules with Kisaan Rally

A British Sikh man has been handed a 10,000 pound fine for breach of the Covid-19 restrictions on large gatherings following a "Kisaan Rally” organised in west London “in solidarity” with farmers in Punjab.

Deepa Singh, of Sikh Activists UK, was seen on social media soon after being handed the fixed penalty notice by police on October 4.

“The fine was for arranging a gathering under COVID restrictions. We are standing in solidarity with our farmers in Punjab,” Singh said.

The group, however, went on to thank its many supporters who turned out in large numbers for the rally.

“Thousands attended and Southall was gridlocked, we cannot thank you all enough for taking that time out to make an effort to attend,” said Sikh Activists UK.

“Everyone who attended stood shoulder to shoulder with our families in Punjab, it is at times like this we unite and structure ourselves on political issues to help educate the sangata (community),” they said.

Southall in west London is home to the UK capital's largest Sikh population and witnessed a gathering of cars, trucks and motorbikes during the rally on October 4 to protest against India's new agricultural laws.

(PTI)

Musicians prepare to play the wind instruments called nadaswaram during a worship event to save people from the Covid-19 coronavirus in Chennai on October 9, 2020. Credit: AFP

Health Minister denies the rumours of prioritizing young & working-class for vaccine

Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan interacts with social media users during Sunday Samvaad 5; shares his contact details in the public platform and assured that all issues faced by people in his constituency would be resolved on priority.

Health Minister highlights the need of massive advocacy required for building community sensitization activities to understand and address vaccine hesitancy and also denies the rumours of prioritizing young & working-class for vaccine.

Telangana recorded new 1,717 Covid-119 cases

Telangana recorded 1,717 Covid-119 cases, 2,103 recoveries and 5 deaths yesterday, taking total cases to 2,12,063 including 1,85,128 recoveries, 1,222 deaths and 25,713 active cases: State Health Department

Biryani love overpowers Covid-19 fear in Bengaluru

People stood in 1.5 kilometer queue at an eatery in Bengaluru to buy Biryani amid pandemic. Foodies seem to be clueless about over 1 lakh deaths due to coronavirus in the country.

COVID has claimed over 9,000 deaths alone in Karnataka. Social distancing norms were non-existent near famous Biryani store in Hoskote.

One of the customers said, "I came here at 4 am, but got my order at 6:30 am, as there's a long queue of about 1.5 km for Biryani. The food is too delicious." The owner of the eatery claimed that thousands of kilograms of Biryani get sold each day.

Less than 1000 coronavirus deaths recorded for 8 consecutive days in India

India's Covid-19 recoveries crossed the 60-lakh mark, while less than 1000 coronavirus deaths have been recorded daily for eight consecutive days, the Union Health Ministry said on Sunday.

New framework for areas badly affected by coronavirus, says UK minister

Britain's government is designing a new framework for those places in England where coronavirus cases are rapidly increasing which should hand more control to local leaders, housing minister Robert Jenrick said on Sunday.

Donald Trump seeks to put Covid-19 behind him, get back to election campaign

Donald Trump is no longer a transmission risk for Covid-19, his doctor said late on Saturday, as the USpresident seeks to put his bout with coronavirus behind him and return to the campaign fray.

People protest against the Polish government's decision to impose new measures to curb the spread of coronavirus disease in Lublin.

Reuters Photo

UK study tests if BCG vaccine protects against Covid-19

The widely used BCG tuberculosis vaccine will be tested on frontline care workers in Britain for its effectiveness against Covid-19, researchers running the UK arm of a global trial said.

Britain's Johnson has lost control of coronavirus, says Labour

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has lost control of the coronavirus crisis and while further restrictions are necessary they should be accompanied with additional financial help, opposition Labour's pensions policy chief said on Sunday.

South Korea eases social distancing curbs amid Covid-19 downtrend

South Korea said on Sunday it will begin social distancing rules on Monday, allowing the reopening of nightly entertainment facilities and sports fixtures, as new coronavirus cases have been edging lower in recent weeks.

Schools reopening: Many states unsure, yet to decide in view of Covid-19 situation

While the Central government has given a go ahead for graded reopening of schools from October 15, many states including Delhi, Karnataka and Chhattisgarh have deciding against it while others such as Haryana and Meghalaya are still unsure and are assessing the situation in view of the rising number of Covid-19 cases.

The Indonesian capital of Jakarta will kick off a two-week "transitional" period of eased coronavirus curbs from Monday after the pace of infections slowed over the last two weeks.

Reuters Photo

Schools not to reopen in Maharashtra before Diwali: Minister

As the coronavirus cases continue to rise in Maharashtra, state School Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad has said schools will not reopen in the state before Diwali.

Maharashtra has till now reported 15,17,434 Covid-19 cases and 40,040 deaths due to the disease.

Covid-19: Australian state warns non-complying public

The state government has announced mandatory quarantine will be extended by 10 days for close contacts if they decide not to be tested on the 11th day of isolation. The change will come into effect at midnight Sunday.

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239 new Covid-19 cases in Arunachal Pradesh

At least 239 more people, including two security personnel, have tested positive for Covid-19 in Arunachal Pradesh, pushing the tally to 11,998, a health department official said here on Sunday.

As coronavirus peaks in some states, Karnataka to see 25% spike in November: Study Read more at:

Worryingly, the analysis shows that of the five most-infected states in the country, including Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh, only Karnataka will see a rise in the number of active cases in the next two weeks.

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Jharkhand reports 697 new Covid-19 cases, 3 fatalities

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10,78,544 samples tested for Covid-19. Total 8,68,77,242 samples tested in the country up to 10th October: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)

India’s tally crosses 70.5 lakh with 74,383 new Covid-19 cases, 918 deaths

16 new cases push Covid-19 tally of Andaman and Nicobar Islands to 3,992

The Covid-19 caseload of Andaman and Nicobar Islands rose to 3,992 on Sunday as 16 more people tested positive for the infection, a health official said.

Gujarat govt may consider reopening schools only after Diwali

Vinod Rao, secretary, state education department, said there was no immediate plan to reopen schools.

"We are not doing this immediately. We will consider reopening schools only after Diwali (vacation) after assessing thecoronavirussituation," Rao told PTI.

Germany's confirmed coronavirus cases rise by 3,483 to 322,864

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 3,483 to 322,864, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Sunday.

Mexico's confirmed coronavirus cases rise to 814,328

Mexico's Health Ministry on Saturday reported 4,577 new confirmed cases of coronavirus infection and 135 additional fatalities, bringing the total in the country to 814,328 cases and 83,642 deaths.

Mainland China reports 21 new Covid-19 cases up from 15 a day earlier

Mainland China reported 21 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus on October10, up from 15 a day earlier, the country's national health authority said on Sunday.

US President Donald Trump, with bandages seen on his hand, takes off his face mask as he comes out on a White House balcony to speak to supporters gathered on the South Lawn for a campaign rally that the White House is calling a "peaceful protest"

Reuters Photo

Daily Covid-19 cases in France set new record at almost 27,000

The number of new coronavirus infections in France jumped over 26,000 in one day for the first time since the start of the epidemic, health ministry data showed.

Ireland reports 1,012 Covid-19 cases, highest daily toll since April

Ireland reported 1,012 new cases of Covid-19, the highest daily figure since April and up from an average of 523 over the previous seven days, health department data showed.

US CDC reports 213,037 deaths from coronavirus

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 7,641,502 cases of new coronavirus, an increase of 58,302 cases from its previous count, and said that the number of deaths had risen by 926 to 213,037.

Chhattisgarh reports 2,688 Covid-19 cases, 39 deaths, 713 discharged

Chhattisgarh reported 2,688 coronavirus cases and 39 fatalities, taking the state's caseload to 1,40,258 and toll to 1,235, while 713 people were discharged and 1,691 completed home isolation during the day, an official said.

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