Coronavirus news updates: India, Russia in talks to advance localised development of Covid-19 vaccine

India is in talks with Russia to explore the possibility of cooperation between the two countries for advancing the Covid-19 vaccine locally, while Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said that 3 potential vaccines are in advanced stages of clinical trials. Stay tuned for more updates.

Govt talking to Russia for possible advancement of its Covid-19 vaccine here: Health Ministry

TheCentre is in consultations with the Russian government for exploring the possibility of cooperation between the two countries for advancing the Covid-19 vaccine in India, Parliament was told on Friday.

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Three Covid-19 vaccine candidates in advanced stage of clinical trials: Harsh Vardhan

Three of the nearly 30 coronavirus vaccine candidates in the country are in advanced stages of clinical trials, while four are in the pre-clinical development stage,Minister of HealthHarsh Vardhan said on Friday.

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Thank you for tuning in to our coverage of coronavirus cases in India. Click here for more updates on the Covid-19 situation in the country.

No relief for private doctors dying on Covid-19 duty

A doctor from Hassan became the 42nd medical practitioner from a private hospital to die of Covid in the state on Wednesday. Yet, his family will receive no compensation under the Centre’s Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package Insurance Scheme for health workers fighting Covid-19 because private doctors are not eligible for it.

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Karnataka reports 9,366 new Covid-19 cases, 93 deaths

As many as 9,366 cases new cases and 93 Covid deaths were reported on Thursday. But the data logjam continued due to the doctors' strike as 15 districts reported zero discharges and seven districts reported new cases in double digits.

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Assam reports 1380 Covid-19 cases out of 20557 tests. Positivity rate is at 6.71%. Total number of cases now at 1,50,349 including 1,19,364 discharges, 30,454 active cases and 528 deaths.

US CDC reports 196,277 deaths from coronavirus

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Thursday reported 6,613,331 cases of the new coronavirus, an increase of 41,464 cases from its previous count, and said the number of deaths had risen by 1,224 to 196,277.

The CDC's tally of cases of the respiratory illness known as Covid-19, caused by the new coronavirus, was as of 4 p.m. ET on Sept. 16 versus its previous report a day earlier.

The CDC figures do not necessarily reflect cases reported by individual states.

England all-rounder David Willey tests positive for Covid-19

The Yorkshire player said he was "gutted to be missing the remaining (group) games" of the domestic T20 league Vitality Blast.

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1,793 new Covid-19 cases and 14 deaths reported in Rajasthan today. The total number of cases rises to 1,09,473 including 17,495 active cases and 1,293 deaths: Health Department, Rajasthan.

11 new Covid-19 cases reported in Andaman and Nicobar taking the total number of cases to 3,604 including 52 deaths and 174 active cases: Andaman and Nicobar Administration.

644 new Covid-19 cases reported in Goa, infection tally climbs to 26,783; eight more fatalities take death toll to 327: Health Department.

Himachal Pradesh records 108 new Covid-19 cases today, taking the total positive cases in the state to 11,190 so far, including 4,144 active cases, 6,919 recoveries and 96 deaths: State Health Department.

2,389 new Covid-19 cases and 43 deaths reported in Mumbai today. The total number of positive cases increases to 1,78,275 in Mumbai, including 32,849 active cases, 1,36,739 recovered cases & 8,320 deaths: Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

4,241 new Covid-19 cases and 3,607 recoveries reported in Odisha in the last 24 hours. The total number of cases rise to 1,67,161 including 1,33,466 recoveries, 32,973 active cases and 669 deaths: State Health Department.

Maharashtra reports 24,619 new coronavirus cases which takes case count to 11,45,840, while death toll rises to 31,351 with 398 more fatalities: Health Official.

DMER institutes to provide 1,204 medical personnel for Covid-19 duty

Urgent requirement of specialist medical staff to man intensive care units (ICU) of Covid-19 dedicated hospitals in Maharashtra has also prompted the premature service recruitment of students from medical institutions affiliated to the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER).

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Gujarat records 1,379 Covid-19 cases, highest one-day spike to take tally to 1,19,088; toll at 3,273 as 14 die: Health Department.

West Bengal's Covid-19 death toll mounts to 4,183 with 60 fatalities; 3,197 fresh cases push tally to 2,15,580: Health Department

Covid-19 cases in Delhi will show a rise in the next 10-15 days as testing capacity has been quadrupled. The plan is to contain the spread of the infection in the long run through effective isolation: Health Minister Satyendar Jain.

Madhya Pradesh reports 2391 new Covid-19 cases and 33 deaths today. Total cases now at 97,906 including 1,877 deaths and 21,631 active cases: State Health department.

The total number of Covid-19 cases in Delhi rises to 2,34,701 with 4,432 new cases and 38 deaths reported today. The numbers of active and recovered cases are 31,721 and 1,98,103 respectively. Death toll is at 4,877: Delhi Government.

I will donate my blood plasma for treatment of Covid-19 patients, as and when my doctors allow me to do it: Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.

Haryana reports 2,457 new Covid-19 cases and 24 deaths today, taking the total number of cases to 1,03,773 including 81,690 recoveries and 1,069 deaths. There are 21,014 active cases: State Health Department.

Flattening the curve will require international multi-sectoral collaborative efforts: Harsh Vardhan

Flattening the curve will require international multi-sectoral collaborative efforts to ensure that health systems across the world are able to maintain sufficient capacity to address the flux of complicated Covid-19 cases & protect the vulnerable & elderly: Harsh Vardhan.

The current pandemic and the global crisis arising out of that, highlights more than ever the need for national and global solidarity: Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan at the joint meeting of G20 Finance and Health Ministers, being held through video-conferencing.

8,702 new Covid-19 cases and 72 deaths reported in Andhra Pradesh in last 24 hours. Total cases in the state rise to 6,01,462, including 5,08,088 recovered and 5,177 deceased. Active cases stand at 88,197: Andhra Pradesh Health Department.

1,192 new Covid-19 cases reported in Uttarakhand today. The total number of cases in the state is now 37,139 including 24,810 recoveries, 11,714 active cases and 460 deaths: State Government.

Punjab reports 2,896 new Covid-19 cases and 57 deaths today, taking the total number of cases to 90,032 including 65,818 recoveries, 21,568 active cases and 2,646 deaths: State Health Department.

11,616 Indians abroad infected with coronavirus: Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan

In a written reply to a question in the Upper House, Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said Indian Missions arranged for the welfare of Indian nationals, where required, including through the Indian community associations.

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DCP Operations has issued an order under 144 CrPC yesterday which will be applicable in Mumbai City upto 30th September. It is issued as per the guidelines received from State Govt on 31st August regarding Easing of Restrictions and Phase wise Opening of Lockdown (Mission Begin Again) & no new/fresh restrictions have been imposed by Mumbai Police: Mumbai police PRO

Nitin Gadkari undergoes medical check-up

The senior BJP leader visited a medical facility in the morning and was in good health, a source close to him said.

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Manipur reports 110 new Covid-19 cases, taking total to 8,430, including 1,840 active cases. A total of 51 deaths reported in the state. (ANI)

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation suffered loss of Rs 1,609 crore due to closure of metro services in view of coronavirus pandemic: Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri.

NIH launches trial of Rigel drug for severe Covid-19

The USNational Institutes of Health on Thursday launched a clinical trial of fostamatinib, currently used to treat a blood platelet-destroying autoimmune disorder, in patients hospitalised with severe Covid-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

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From The Newsroom: India's Covid-19 recoveries over 40 lakh; Govt aims to reduce coronavirus fatality rate to under 1%

In your evening news brief, From The Newsroom, Rajnath Singh says India and China have different perceptions of LAC; the government aims to bring the Covid-19 mortality rate down to less than 1% andIndia's Covid-19 recoveries have crossed 40 lakh.

Listen to the entire podcast here

5,560 new Covid-19 cases, 5,524 discharges and 59 deaths reported in Tamil Nadu today. Total number of cases now at 5,25,420 including 46,610 active cases, 4,70,192 discharges and 8,618 deaths: State Health Department.

4,531 new Covid-19 cases and 10 deaths reported in the state today. The number of active cases now at 34,314: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan.

Lilly, Amgen partner to manufacture potential Covid-19 drugs

Through the collaboration, the two companies will have the ability to scale up production should one or more of Lilly's antibody therapies prove receive regulatory approval, the companies said in a statement.

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10 more discharges reported till 5 pm in Mizoram today. Covid-19 tally in the state rises to 1,506, including 949 discharges. Active cases stand at 557: Department of Information and Public Relations, Government of Mizoram.

International arrivals to Abu Dhabi must wear Covid-19 tracking device

A health ministry official on Sept. 10 said 12% of cases in the previous two weeks were from international arrivals while 88% were linked to people gathering in large groups. The UAE recorded 786 new novel coronavirus cases on Thursday, down from 1,007 on Saturday, it biggest daily total so far.

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'Nations need to come together to control Covid-19'

"This is also the moment when the international community needs to come together to defeat the virus. Many pin their hopes on a vaccine - but let’s be clear: there is no panacea in a pandemic. A vaccine alone cannot solve this crisis; certainly not in the near term,” Guterres said at a press conference on Wednesday.

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Less than 3% population in tribal-dominated districts Covid-19 positive: Government

Less than 3 per cent population in 177 tribal-dominated districts in the county has been detected as positive for coronavirus, the government told the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

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Immune system's T cells play bigger role in reducing Covid-19 severity

Vaccine candidates for Covid-19 should elicit a broad immune response that includes antibodies, and the body's helper and killer T cells, according to a study which says weak or uncoordinated immunity may lead to a poor disease outcome.

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Jharkhand reports 1,618 new Covid-19 cases, 8 fresh fatalities

Jharkhand's Covid-19 caseload rose to 66,074 on Thursday as 1,618 more people tested positive for the infection, while eight fresh fatalities pushed the state's coronavirus death toll to 579, a health bulletin said.

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Buzz missing but IPL aims to bring normality amid Covid-19 pandemic

After months of uncertainty due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the delayed season of the popular Indian Premier League will kick off in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday with a clash between defending champions Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings.

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South Korea approves Phase 2/3 trials of Celltrion's Covid-19 antibody drug

South Korea said on Thursday it has approved Celltrion Inc's experimental Covid-19 treatment for Phase 2/3 clinical trials, as the firm plans to seek an emergency use authorisation for the antibody-drug.

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BBMP issues show-cause notice to 36 hospitals for not allocating 50% beds for Covid-19 patients

It has warned that any failure to comply with the same will be "viewed seriously" and action will be initiated under the relevant provisions of the Karnataka Epidemic Diseases Ordinance, 2020, Karnataka Private Medical Establishment Act, 2017 and Disaster Management Act, 2005, which include suspension of registration, fines and even imprisonment.

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Honour PM's birthday; subsidise Covid-19 treatment at private hospitals in Goa, says Opposition

The main Opposition party in Goa, the Congress, on Thursday, goaded the ruling BJP-led coalition government to honour Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 70th birthday by subsidising the exorbitant prices charged by private hospitals in Goa for Covid-19 treatment.

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Maharashtra has Rs 25,000 crores of dues from the Centre that they are not ready to give. How will we fight against Covid-19?: Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut

Devotees gather to perform Tarpana, a religious ritual, on the banks of the Ganges river to honour the souls of their departed ancestors during the auspicious day of Mahalaya, amidst the spread of the coronavirus disease in Kolkata. Credit: Reuters

83-year-old among 26 new Covid-19 cases in Mizoram; tally crosses 1,500-mark

Mizoram's Covid-19 tally crossed the 1,500-mark on Thursday as 26 more people, including an 83-year-old man, were found to be positive, an official said.

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Rajasthan sees 7 more Covid-19 deaths, toll stands at 1,286

Seven more people died from coronavirus in Rajasthan, taking toll to 1,286, while number of infections rose to 1.08 lakh with 814 new cases: Heath Department

Residents wearing facemasks as a preventive measure against Covid-19, line up while Bharatiya Janatha Party (BJP) members of the fishermen cell distribute fish during the birthday celebrations of India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Credit: AFP Photo

Why is Singapore's Covid-19 death rate the world's lowest?

Singapore has the lowest coronavirus case fatality count globally, with just 27 deaths among the more than 57,000 people who have been infected with Covid-19 in the Southeast Asian island.At 0.05%, Singapore's death rate is well below the global average of around 3%, according to data compiled by Reuters from countries that have recorded more than 1,000 cases.

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Lawyer challenges challan for not wearing mask when driving alone; HC seeks govt reply

The Delhi High Court Thursday sought response of the Centre and AAP government on a lawyer's plea challenging the Rs 500 challan issued to him for not wearing a mask while he was driving alone.
Justice Navin Chawla issued notice to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Delhi government, Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) and the police seeking their stand on the petition which seeks quashing of the challan, refund of the Rs 500paid as fine and compensation of Rs 10 lakh for mental harassment suffered by the petitioner.

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Centre should release funds to states from PM Cares Fund to deal with Covid-19: Shiv Sena

Stressing that there should no politicisation of the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, the Shiv Sena on Thursday asked the Centre to release money to states from the PM Cares Fund and also clear GST dues to help them deal with the coronavirus situation.

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BBMP starts Covid-19 testing in factories as number of infected workers increase

The Bommanahalli Zone is carrying out a concerted testing programme within factories in its 16 wards after an assessment revealed that a large number of factory workers are testing positive for the disease.
According to an order issued by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), daily reports being collated by Bommanahalli Zone has discovered that garment factory workers are among the worst hit.
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Spain's Covid-19 tracing app tries to balance public health, privacy

"What does RadarCOVID not do?" a promotional video for Spain's contact-tracing app asks. The answer: while navigating the country's decentralised healthcare system, it does not locate users, identify them, record personal details, or send data.

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Puducherry adds 323 fresh Covid-19 cases; 13 deaths take toll to 431

Puducherry on Thursday logged 323 fresh coronavirus cases while 13 related fatalities pushed the death toll in the union territory to 431.The 323 new cases were identified after examination of 4,867 samples during the last 24 hours while 330 patients were discharged from hospitals, Director of Health and Family Welfare S Mohan Kumar said in a release.

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Immune system's T cells play bigger role in reducing Covid-19 severity: Study

Vaccine candidates forCovid-19 should elicit a broad immune response that includes antibodies, and the body's helper and killer T cells, according to a study which says weak or uncoordinated immunity may lead to a poor disease outcome. (PTI)

Palestinian recruits participate in a training session to reinforce police forces to fight the spread of the coronavirus disease in Gaza City.

India's Covid-19 mortality rate at 1.64% is lowest in the world and the government is targeting to bring it down to less than 1%: Health Minister Harsh Vardhan

Rajasthan sees 814 new Covid-19 cases, 7 deaths

Seven more people died from the novelcoronavirusin Rajasthan, taking the toll to 1,286 on Thursday, while the number of infections rose to 1.08 lakh with 814 new cases, the Heath Department said. (PTI)

India’s Covid-19 recoveries cross 40-lakh mark, active infections past 10 lakh

Devotees perform rituals to honour the souls of their departed ancestors on the auspicious day of Mahalaya, amid the spread of the coronavirus disease in Mumbai, India, September 17, 2020. Credit: Reuters

Wuhan next-of-kin accuse China of blocking Covid-19 lawsuits

Wuhan pensioner Zhong Hanneng endured every parent's worst nightmare when coronavirus claimed her son in February, and -- alongside other bereaved relatives -- she wants to sue the local government she blames for his death.

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Coronavirus: Janta Curfew returns to Nagpur

As Covid-19 cases shoot up in Nagpur, the orange city in Maharashtra, will go on a two-day Janta Curfew over the next two weekends of September.

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Odisha reports 4,241 new coronavirus cases, 13 deaths

Odisha'sCovid-19 tally rises to 1,67,161 with detection of 4,241 new cases. The state reported13 fresh fatalities pushing the death toll to 669.

In Kashmir, fake Covid-19 negative reports on sale

Even as Covid-19 positive cases continue to rise at an alarming rate in Jammu and Kashmir, some greedy officials are selling fake coronavirus negative tests to people, in exchange for money.

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Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan hopeful that India will have Covid-19 vaccine by 2021

India is making efforts just like other countries. Under PM's guidance, an expert group is looking at it & we have advanced planning in place. We are hopeful that by start of next year, vaccine will be available in India, saysHealth Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan in Rajya Sabha

Medical workers wearing protective suits pass by barbed wire in a red zone under enhanced lockdown, amid the novel coronavirus outbreak, in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. Credit: Reuters Photo

Covid-19 testing four times due to which numbers are likely to rise: Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain

We have increased Covid-19 testing four times due to which numbers are likely to rise in Delhi, for 10-15 days. This will help in isolating the positive cases and have a positive impact on national capital, saysDelhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on rise in active cases in the UT.

Delhi reports 4,473 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours: Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain

Delhi reported 4,473 new coronavirus cases yesterday. Total tests conducted were 62,553 while positivity rate was 7.15. The death rate is at 0.7% from the last 10 days. The bed availability here is 14,521 out of which 50% are occupied: Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain

Jharkhand reports 1,618 fresh Covid-19 cases, 8 fatalities

Jharkhand's Covid-19 caseload rises to 66,074 as 1,618 more people test positive.Eight fresh fatalities pushed state's coronavirus death toll to 579.

Government wasted the golden months to stop Covid-19: Congress MP G N Azad

The Government wasted the golden months to stop Covid-19.As China is our neighbouring country, we should have been alert first. Congress's Rahul Gandhi had also alerted that an epidemic was looming over us, says Congress MP Ghulam Nabi Azadin Rajya Sabha

14,12,835 Indian nationals have returned to India through Vande Bharat Mission, says Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharaan

With record 97,894 new infections, India's Covid-19 tally crosses 51-lakh mark

A record single-day increase of97,894 infections pushed India'sCovid-19 tally to over 51 lakh,while the number of people who have recuperated from the disease crossed 40 lakh on Thursday,according to the Union Health Ministry data.

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814 new Covid-19 cases reported in Rajasthan: State Health Department

The total number of Covid-19 cases in Rajasthan rises to 1,08,494 with 814 fresh cases reported in the last 24 hours. Death toll is at 1,286: State Health Department

Yorkshire lose four players after positive Covid-19 result

Four Yorkshire players, including David Willey, will miss their two remaining Vitality Blast group matches after the England all-rounder tested positive for Covid-19.

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100-year-old woman, Mai Handique, beats Covid-19 in Assam

A nurse (C top) wearing a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) suit pushes a wheelchair carryingMaiHandique(C bottom), 100, who got admitted as a Covid-19 coronavirus patient on September 7 at Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital, as she is being released from the hospital a day after lastly testing negative for the Covid-19 in Guwahati. Picture Credit: AFP Photo

Telangana records 2,159 Covid-19 cases, 9 deaths in the last 24 hours

Telangana recorded 2,159 Covid-19 cases, 2,108 recoveries and 9 deaths yesterday, taking total cases to 1,65,003 including 1,33,555 recoveries, 1005 deaths and 30,443 active cases: State Health Department.

Mainland China reports 9 new Covid-19 cases vs 12 a day earlier

Mainland China reported nine new Covid-19 cases as of September16, down from 12 reported a day earlier, the country's national health authority said on Thursday.

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China's Sinovac to test coronavirus vaccine candidate in teenagers, children

Chinese vaccine maker Sinovac Biotech plans to start a clinical trial of its experimental coronavirus vaccine with children and adolescents later this month, widening its test on a shot that's already in the final stage of study with adults. Picture Credit: Reuters Photo

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Mumbai-Pune belt worst-affected in India as Covid-19 cases cross 6.5 lakh-mark

A possible second Covid-19 wave seems to hover over the Mumbai-Pune belt as the progressive cases cross the 6.5 lakh-mark and deaths nearing the 20,000-mark.
The combined figures of the Mumbai-Pune exceed some states – and even ahead of some countries.
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Facebook, Instagram flag Tucker Carlson's coronavirus posts as false information

Facebook and Instagram flagged posts from the Fox News show “Tucker Carlson Tonight” as false information Wednesday, saying that they repeated information about Covid-19 “that multiple independent fact checkers say is false.”

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Australian unemployment falls, raising recovery hopes

Australia's unemployment rate fell slightly to 6.8 per cent in August, spurring hopes that the worst of a coronavirus-fuelled recession may have passed.

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Cataclysm of hunger, disease and illiteracy

We think of Covid-19 as killing primarily the elderly around the world, but in poor countries it is more cataclysmic than that.
It is killing children through malnutrition. It is leading more people to die from tuberculosis, malaria and AIDS. It is forcing girls out of school and into child marriages. It is causing women to die in childbirth.It is setting back efforts to eradicate polio, fight malaria and reduce female genital mutilation. It is leading to lapses in vitamin A distribution that will cause more children to suffer blindness and die.

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Common public screening methods unreliable; student athletes may need heart test after Covid-19

Covid-19 screening tests used at airports, schools, and other public places are not particularly effective, a large analysis shows. Researchers synthesized the evidence from 22 studies of various screening methods, including taking people'stemperature, asking about symptoms, travel history and exposure to infected or possibly infected people, and combinations of those and other approaches.

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Donald Trump rebukes CDC chief over masks, coronavirus vaccine timeline

President Donald Trump on Wednesday rejected the professional scientific conclusions of his own government about the prospects for a widely available coronavirus vaccine and the effectiveness of masks in curbing the spread of the virus as the deathtoll in the United States from the disease neared 200,000.

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Rich nations have cornered half of future Covid-19 vaccine supply: Oxfam

A group of wealthy nations representing 13 percent of the global population have already bought up more than half of the promised doses of future Covid-19 vaccines, according to a report by Oxfam on Wednesday.

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India's Covid-19 case tally crosses 51-lakh mark with a spike of 97,894 new cases and 1,132 deaths in last 24 hours. The total case tally stands at 51,18,254 including 10,09,976 active cases, 40,25,080 recovered/discharged/migrated and83,198 deaths, according to the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

Donald Trump 'not near' staffer who tested Covid-19 positive

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said a White House staffer tested positive for Covid-19 but the individual was not "near" him or "associated with" him.

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High demand for hand sanitiser may fuel child labour

Soaring global demand for hand sanitiser to combat the new coronavirus could increase the use of forced and child labour in sugarcane plantations, UK-based researchers said on Thursday.

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Joe Biden: Donald Trump Covid-19 pandemic failure 'utterly disqualifying' for presidency

Democrat Joe Biden said Wednesday that President Donald Trump's refusal to take key steps to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, like instituting national guidelines on social distancing and testing, should disqualify him for the presidency.

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Party selfies, hazmat suits: How New York’s worst campus outbreak unfolded

It was the middle of the night when a man in a hazmat suit led a first-year student from her dormitory at State University of New York at Oneonta to a van as she cried quietly, a scary experience later shared on social media. She had tested positive ...

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Properly implement government's livelihood programmes to protect rural people: Odisha CM Patnaik

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik asks district magistrates to properly implement government's livelihood programmes to protect rural people from adverse impact of economic slowdown due to Covid-19 pandemic

Some Covid-19 fatalities had infection for weeks

An analysis of the recent Covid-19 deaths has shown that some people have a gruelling struggle with the disease before succumbing to it, despite advances in therapies. Official data on the known cases and fatalities say that only about 1.57%% of people in Karnataka who have contracted Covid-19 have died.

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Post-Covid-19 care clinics yet to incorporate Ayurveda

In apost-Covid management protocol released on September 13, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had recommended immunity-boosting Ayush medicine for patients who have recovered from acute Covid illnesses.

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US officials debut plan to distribute free Covid-19 vaccines

Federal officials outlined details Wednesday of their preparations to administer a future coronavirus vaccine to Americans, saying they would begin distribution within 24 hours of any approval or emergency authorization, and that their goal was that ...

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A laboratory staff wearing Personal Protective Equipments (PPE) receives samples collected for Covid-19coronavirustesting as part of Project Ummeed, a public-private initiative dealing with large scale Covid-19 RT-PCR tests available for low-income households, at the Metropolis Healthcare Ltd. diagnostic centre in Mumbai. Credit: AFP Photo

Increase RT-PCR testing capacity as Covid-19 cases shooting up daily: HC to Delhi govt

The Delhi High Court Wednesday suggested that the AAP government increase the RT-PCR test capacity to the maximum possible to detect Covid-19 infection, as Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) were only 60 per cent accurate.

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Wide US rollout of coronavirus vaccine could happen mid-2021: CDC

A Covid-19 vaccine could be broadly rolled out in the United states by the middle of next year or a little later, the head of the federal government's disease control agency said on Wednesday.

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Sikkim reports 49 fresh Covid-19 cases, taking the state's tally to 2,221: Officials

Coronavirus India updateState-wise total number of confirmed cases, deaths on September 17

Coronavirus in India: Total number of positive cases (including deaths):51,03,663as of September 17

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9,725 cases new Covid-19 cases, 70 deaths in Karnataka

Karnataka reported 9,725 new Covid cases and 70 deaths. This took the active case tally to 1,01,626. This is the second time in the past few days when the active cases in the state havebeen above the one-lakh mark.

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This testing device can check Covid-19 in five minutes

A Covid-19 antigen test device that will provide results in just about five minutes using saliva has been developed by the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-M) and Ricovr Healthcare, a US-based diagnostics platform company.

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Mandatory coronavirus testing for passengers landing at Indian airports: Report

International airports in Mumbai and Delhi are planning to arrange Covid-19 tests for incoming passengers under the assumption that testing will be made mandatory at the airports once the normal functioning of the flights resume.

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Jharkhand reports 1,618 new Covid-19 cases

Jharkhand reports 1,618 new Covid-19cases and 8 deaths, taking total cases to 66,074 including 51,357 recoveries and 579 deaths. The number of active cases stands at 14,138: State Health Department

Assam reports 2,394 new Covid-19 cases

Assam reported 2,394 Covid-19 cases today, taking total cases to 1,48,969 including 1,16,900 recoveries, 31,555 active cases, and 511 deaths: State Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari tests positive for Covid-19

Cases of assault on women at Covid-19 care centres on rise: Devendra Fadnavis

Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday alleged that cases of assault on women at Covid-19 care centres are increasing in the state.

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CSIR and Aurobindo Pharma partner to develop Covid-19 vaccine

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Aurobindo Pharma Limited have announced a collaboration to develop Covid-19 vaccines.

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Madhya Pradesh report 2,462 new Covid-19 cases

Madhya Pradesh reports 2,462 new Covid-19 cases and 24 deaths today. Total cases now at 95,515 including 1,844 deaths and 22,136 active cases: State Health department

Karnataka records nearly 10,000 new Covid-19 cases, 70 deaths

Karnataka reported 9,725 new Covid-19 cases, 6,583 discharges and 70 deaths today, taking total number of cases to 4,84,990 including 1,01,626 active cases, 3,75,809 discharges and 7,536 deaths: State Health Department

Maharashtra records more than 23,000 new Covid-19 cases in 24 hours

23,365 new Covid-19cases and 474 deaths reported in Maharashtra today; 17,559 patients discharged. Total cases in the state rise to 11,21,221 including 30,883 deaths and 7,92,832 patients discharged. Active cases at 2,97,125: Public Health Department, Maharashtra

Gujarat's Covid-19 tally rises to 1,17,709 with 1,364 new cases; toll up to 3,259 as 12 more patients die: Health Department

Odisha records highest single-day recovery with 4,121 discharges

Highest single-day Covid-19recovery recorded in Odisha with 4121 discharges today. The total number of recovered cases now stands at 1,29,859: Health & Family Welfare Department, Odisha

Covid-19 pandemic to cost football $14 billion this year, says FIFA

The Covid-19 pandemic is likely to cost club football $14 billion this year worldwide, around one-third of its value, a leading official at global soccer body FIFA said on Wednesday.

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Carbohydrate that novel coronavirus uses to infect cells, identified

Scientists have identified a key carbohydrate molecule, called heparan sulphate, which the novel coronavirus uses to infect human cells, an advance that may provide a potential new approach for preventing and treating Covid-19.

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Delhi's Covid-19 tally crosses 2 lakh-mark with 4,473 new cases

The total number of Covid-19cases in Delhi rises to 2,30,269 with 4,473 new positive cases and 33 deaths reported today. The numbers of active and recovered cases are 30,914 and 1,94,516 respectively. Death toll 4,839: Delhi Government

Coronavirus cases in Manipur reach 8,320

110 new Covid-19cases, 103 recoveries & 1 death reported in Manipur over the last 24 hours. The total number of cases in the state stands at 8,320, including 1,751 active cases, 6,521 recovered cases & 48 deaths: State Health Department, Govt of Manipur

Global recession not as deep as expected: OECD

The global recession this year will not be as deep as expected as a result of countries' efforts to counter the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, the OECD said on Wednesday.

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6,337 new coronavirus cases in Uttar Pradesh, tally 3.30 lakh, active cases 67,002; toll rises to 4,690 with 86 more deaths: Health official

J&K reports 1,590 new Covid-19 cases

1,590 new Covid-19 cases (832 from Jammu division & 758 from Kashmir division), 747 recoveries & 11 deaths reported in Jammu & Kashmir today. Total number of cases now at 58,244 including 19,503 active cases, 37,809 recoveries & 932 deaths: Govt of Jammu and Kashmir

Covid-19 cases in Army, Navy, IAF at 16,758 1,365 & 1,716 respectively

No. of Covid-19 cases in Army, Navy & IAF are 16,758, 1,365 & 1,716 respectively. No. of deceased due to Covid-19 in Army & IAF are 32 & 3, respectively & 'nil' in Navy. All deaths while in service awarded terminal benefits: MoS Defence Shripad Naik in a written reply in Lok Sabha

Coronavirus cases in Himachal Pradesh rises to 10,513

Himachal Pradesh records 178 new Covid-19 cases & 18 recoveries since 9 pm yesterday, taking total cases to 10,513, including 6,435 recovered cases, 3,960 active cases & 89 deaths: State Health Department

Andhra Pradesh reports 8,835 new Covid-19 cases

8,835 new Covid-19cases, 10,845 recoveries & 64 deaths reported in Andhra Pradesh today. Total number of cases now at 5,92,760 including 90,279 active cases, 4,97,376 recoveries and 5,105 deaths so far: State Health Department

Mizoram reports 7 new Covid-19 recoveries

7 new Covid-19recoveries reported in Mizoram today, taking the total number of recoveries to 929. Total number of positive cases stands at 1,480 so far, including 551 active cases in the state till date: State Health Department

Air India earned a revenue of Rs 2556.60 crore from flights that have been operated under Vande Bharat mission till August 31: Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri

Mitra, the robot, helps Covid-19 patients speak to loved ones

A hospital in India has deployed a customer-service robot to patrol its wards, connecting coronavirus patients to friends and relatives.

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MP: Some villagers declared coronavirus positive without tests

Two persons involved in collecting and analysing samples in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar district have been dismissed from service after some villagers received a message saying they had tested coronavirus positive even though they were never tested, an official said on Wednesday.

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Rajasthan reports 7 more Covid-19 deaths, toll at 1271

Rajasthan on Wednesday recorded seven more coronavirus fatalities, taking the overall toll in the state to 1,271, according to a health department bulletin.

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Tripura records 454 new Covid-19 cases, 10 more fatalities; infection tally rises to 20,172: Health official

Delhi BJP Chief Adesh Gupta tests positive for coronavirus

Russia to supply India’s Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories with 100 million doses of the Sputnik-V vaccine against Covid-19 once it receives regulatory approval in India: Reuters

After admitting to it, Donald Trump denies downplaying Covid-19

President Donald Trump denied Tuesday that he downplayed the threat of the coronavirus that has taken more than 1,95,000 lives in the United States, directly contradicting his own recorded words in which he admitted doing exactly that. And then he pr...

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Walls used to teach math to poor students in Maharashtra villages amid pandemic

Amid the Covid-19 crisis when poor students are unable to take up online classes, the zilla parishad here in Maharashtra has started an innovative way of imparting education to them by painting walls on streets and public places with mathematical concepts.

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5.4 crore Covid-19 samples tested; 40 lakh people under surveillance: Government

As many as 5.4 crore samples have been tested for coronavirus and 40 lakh people are under surveillance, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Wednesday.
Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai also said India is testing about one million samples a day at 1,697 laboratories across the country.
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Gap between Recovered and Active cases has crossed 29 lakh: Dr Harsh Vardhan

The gap between Recovered andActive cases has crossed 29 lakh today, tweetedUnion Minister for Health & Family Welfare Dr Harsh Vardhan. He also added thatRecovered Cases are nearly 4 times (3.96) the number of Active Cases.

Deeply disappointing that Members were not allowed to speak fully on the Covid-19 situation: MP Jairam Ramesh

Why India should take the lead on Covid-19 vaccine delivery

The pressures of the pandemic have fallen hardest on developing countries with weak governments. They’re struggling to determine who is being infected and why, and to mitigate the economic impact of lockdowns and social distancing measures.If dealing with Covid-19 is stressing those states, however, the effort required to end the pandemic may exhaust them.

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An artisan wearing a protective face mask adorns idols of Lord Vishwakarma, the Hindu deity of architecture and machinery, kept on display for sale ahead of the Vishwakarma festival, amidst the spread of the coronavirus disease, in Kolkata,India, September 16, 2020. Credit: Reuters Photo

Reaching herd immunity in the coronavirus pandemic

The novel coronavirus pandemic has brought "herd immunity" to the public consciousness, kindling hope the phenomenon can help slow or even end the outbreak. As the global community awaits Covid-19 vaccine, Reuters explains thetwo pathways one can attainherd immunity: natural infection or vaccination and more.

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Buildings in Mumbai with 10 or more Covid-19 cases to be sealed

Earlier, the BMC in July said if there is a Covid-19 case in a society or building, only the particular floor will be sealed and the entire building need not be sealed. (PTI)

247 Maharashtra Police personnel test positive for Covid-19 in the last 24 hours

247 police personnel of Maharashtra Police tested positive for coronavirus and2 died in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of infections in the state force to 20,003 including 3,728 active cases, 16,071 recovered cases and 204 deaths: Maharasthra Police

Covid-19 negative certificate is not needed to enter Himachal Pradesh: Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur

Mahabharata of Covid-19 on but Modi govt missing: Congress as India tally tops 50 lakh

As India’s coronavirus case tally topped 50 lakh on Wednesday, the Congress asked the government to tell the nation how the pandemic will be controlled and if it will blame god to evade accountability.

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala also compared the battle against Covid-19 to the Mahabharata.

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Australia tweaks national football players' pay deal to reflect Covid-19 impact

Australia's national footballplayers have agreed to pay-cuts as part of an adjusted collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that takes into account the economic impact of the novel coronavirus, the players union said on Wednesday.

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US poverty hit a record low even before the Covid-19 recession

A record-low share of Americans were living in poverty, incomes were climbing, and health insurance coverage was little changed in 2019, a government report released Tuesday showed — although the circumstances of many have deteriorated as pandemiclockdowns and industry disruptions have thrown millions out of work.

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Coronavirus, bacteria may work together to increase disease severity in some patients: Study

The severity of Covid-19 in people with obesity and diabetes may be explained by the combined effects of the novel coronavirus and the body's natural community of bacteria -- the microbiota -- working together in the lungs, according to a new study.

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Bayern Munich's Kingsley Coman in isolation after coronavirus contact

Bayern Munich forward Kingsley Coman is in isolation at home ahead of the new Bundesliga season after he had contact with a person infected with the coronavirus, the Champions League-winning club said.

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Odisha govt tells districts to strengthen Covid-19 care facilities

In view of the extra load on medical facilities in the state capital following surge of coronavirus cases, the Odisha government has asked district authorities to strengthen Covid care facilities and to refer less patients to hospitals in Bhubaneswarand Cuttack.

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Delhi BJP chief Adesh Gupta says he has tested positive for Covid-19.

Karnataka Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai tests positive for coronavirus

Covid-19: 400 people stranded in Pakistan returned to India via Attari-Wagah border

Odisha reports 4,270 new Covid-19 cases, 11 deaths

Odisha reports 4,270 new Covid-19 cases and11 deaths taking the state's tally to1,62,920: State Health Department

Women and Asian medics vulnerable to Covid-19 due to ill-fitting masks

Women healthcare workers and medical staff with Asian heritage are less likely to be using face masks that fit them properly making them more vulnerable to infection, according to a report on Tuesday calling for more robust equipment testing.

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Australia's Covid-19 hotspot on target for easing lockdown as cases drop

Australia's Victoria state on Wednesday said the daily rise in infections in its coronavirus hot spot of Melbourne has eased further, setting it on course to relax an extended hard lockdown in the city by the end of the month.

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Rajasthan records 802 new Covid-19 cases, 7 deaths

India records 10 lakh cases in 11 days, tally is at the 50.2 lakh-mark

India's total coronavirus cases passed 50 lakhon Wednesday, health ministry data showed, as the pandemic extends its grip on the vast country at an ever-faster rate.

With its latest one million cases recorded in just 11 days, a world record, India now has 50.2 lakh infections. Only the United States has more, with 65.9 lakh.

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Disneyland, California theme parks push for reopening

Disneyland, Universal Studios and other theme parks have called on California officials to set out the health criteria required for them to reopen, warning that tens of thousands of jobs are at stake.

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Even as cases rise, Europe is learning to live with coronavirus

In the early days of the pandemic, President Emmanuel Macron exhorted the French to wage “war” against the coronavirus. Today, his message is to “learn how to live with the virus.”

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Wadhwani Institute design AI tool to screen cough to detect Covid-19

In a path-breaking innovation in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Mumbai-based Wadhwani Institute for Artificial Intelligence has secured a US patent for its AI-based tool ‘Cough against Covid’. The tool can effectively screen for Covid-19, based on cough sounds.

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UN assembly chief calls for global cooperation on Covid-19

The new president of the UN General Assembly warned Tuesday that unilateralism will only strengthen the Covid-19 pandemic and called for a new commitment to global cooperation, including on the fair and equitable distribution of vaccines.

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Coronavirus vaccine could be 3-4 weeks away, says President Donald Trump

USPresident Donald Trump on Tuesday said a vaccine against the deadly coronavirus could be three or four weeks away, underscoring predictions made by USpublic health officials and Pfizer Inc earlier this month.

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India reports 90,123 Covid-19 cases, 1,290 deaths in the last 24 hours

Outbreak of coronavirus disease in Babla Village

A healthcare worker puts a pulse oximeter on a woman's finger to check her oxygen level during survey for thecoronavirusdiseaseat the construction site of a railway track, amidst the spread of the disease in Babla village on the outskirts of Ahmedabad,India,September 15, 2020. Credit: Reuters Photo

Telangana records 2,273 Covid-19 cases. 12 deaths

Telangana records2,273 Covid-19 cases, 2,260 recoveries and 12 deaths on September 15, taking total cases in the state to 1,62,844.

Over 11 lakh Covid-19 samples tested on Sept 15: ICMR

5,94,29,115 samples tested up to 15th September for Covid-19. Of these, 11,16,842 samples tested yesterday: ICMR

Inside a nursing home devoted to treating those with Covid-19

Since April, there has been no bingo, nail hour or birthday cake sliced and distributed at communal tables. Residents sit in their rooms for 24 hours a day. The dining room has been converted to a socially distant break area for the 18 nurses and 27 certified nursing assistants.

Every resident at Canyon has Covid-19.

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FedEx wrings out profit as coronavirus-fuelled ecommerce deliveries surge

US delivery firm FedEx Corp reported a bigger-than-expected quarterly profit on Tuesday, after price hikes, lower fuel costs and efficiency gains countered negative impacts associated with a pandemic-fueled surge in e-commerce shipments.

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China suspends poultry imports from second US plant over Covid-19, industry group says

China has suspended imports from an OK Foods poultry plant in Fort Smith, Arkansas, because of coronavirus cases among workers, the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council said on Tuesday.
China, the world's top meat importer, has blocked products from some plants in foreign countries as part of an all-out effort to control the spread of Covid-19.

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In coronavirus vaccine race, China inoculates thousands before trials are completed

China is inoculating tens of thousands of its citizens with experimental coronavirus vaccines and attracting international interest in their development, despite expert concerns over the safety of drugs that have not completed standard testing.

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Pfizer says coronavirus vaccine study shows mostly mild-to-moderate side effects

Pfizer Inc said on Tuesday participants were showing mostly mild-to-moderate side effects when given either the company's experimental coronavirus vaccine or a placebo in an ongoing late-stage study.

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Coronavirus impacts idol makers, business hit ahead of Vishwakarma Puja

Business of idol makers in Agartala remains affected ahead of Vishwakarma Puja, due to Covid-19pandemic.An idol maker says, "We are facing difficulties as we depend on festivals for our livelihood. There is very less work. It has become difficult for us to sustain."

Over 9.5 lakh samples are tested by government labs daily: Ministry of Health

RT-PCR and Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) capacities have been substantially scaled up in all States, tweeted the Ministry of Health.It added that on an average, over9.5lakh samples are tested by government labsand more than 1.2 lakh samples are tested dailyin privatelabs.

A family holding a No Obligation to Return to India (NORI) visa, returns after being stranded in Pakistan amid concerns over coronavirus, at the India Pakistan Wagah Border Post, about 35 km from Amritsar. Credit: AFP Photo

DCGI gives permission to SII to resume clinical trials of Oxford Covid-19 vaccine

Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) Dr V G Somani gives permission to Serum Institute of India to resume clinical trial of the Oxford COVID-19 vaccine candidate in the country while revoking its earlier order of suspending any new recruitment for phase two and three trial

India blunted aggressive progression of Covid-19: Minister of State for Health

ICU shortage crisis getting worse; man turned away by hospital dies

Five days since Bengaluru first began encountering a shortage in ICU and ICU ventilator beds, the situation showed no signs of abating on Tuesday.So far, the crisis has claimed one confirmed victim:a 46-year old man who was sent to a private hospital in Bommanahalli on Sunday to occupy an ICU ventilator bed under the government quota.

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Lockdown successfully blunted aggressive spread of Covid-19, saved 37-78k lives: MHA

India managed to prevent 14-29 lakh Covid-19 cases and 37-78,000 related deaths by imposing a nationwide lockdown and "successfully blunted" the "aggressive spread" of the coronavirus in the country, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said on Tuesday.

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US CDC reports 194,092 deaths from coronavirus

The USCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Tuesday reported 6,537,627 cases of the new coronavirus, an increase of 34,597 cases from its previous count, and said the number of deaths had risen by 387 to 194,092.

Covid-19 reinfection ‘very rare’ occurrence, not a matter of concern: ICMR DG

Responding to a question on the issue, Bhargava told a press conference that reinfection was "very, very rare" with Covid-19, but it can happen as had been seen in a case in Hong Kong.

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Gujarat reports 1,349 new Covid-19 cases, taking its tally to 1,16,345; toll rises to 3,247 as 17 more die: Health Department

Irish government to self-isolate after health minister falls ill

Ireland's parliament has been suspended for a week and cabinet ministers have been told to self-isolate after Health Minister Stephen Donnelly fell ill, the speaker of parliament said on Tuesday.

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Goa caps Covid-19 treatment charges in private hospitals

Amid complaints of steep fees charged by private hospitals for providing Covid-19 treatment, the Goa government on Tuesday ordered a capping of prices for private health facilities.

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Coronavirus cost global tourism $460 billion in January-June: UN

The coronavirus crisis cost the global tourism sector $460 billion in lost revenue during the first six months of 2020 as the number of people traveling plunged, the UN said Tuesday.

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UK: Creaking Covid-19 tests endangers health services

Britain's testing system for Covid-19 was creaking on Tuesday as a bottleneck prevented people including medics from getting a test in a potential threat to key health services, with the government saying it may take weeks to resolve the problem.

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Karnataka massively underreports Covid-19 cases as medical officers refuse to share reports

As government medical officers refused to share Covid-19 reports with the government, an information black hole and massive underreporting of Covid-19 cases was seen in the state on Tuesday.

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Lockdown successfully blunted aggressive spread of Covid-19, saved 37-78k lives: MHA

India managed to prevent 14-29 lakh Covid-19 cases and 37-78,000 related deaths by imposing a nationwide lockdown and "successfully blunted" the "aggressive spread" of the virus infection in the country, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said on Tuesday.

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Clinical trial of fourth Covid-19 vaccine to start in October

The clinical trialof a fourth Covid-19 vaccine is set to start in India in October in partnership with an ICMR laboratory.

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AstraZeneca resumes Covid-19 vaccine trials in South Africa: Health Department

AstraZeneca has resumed Covid-19 vaccine trials in South Africa, more than a week after tests were paused due to serious side effects in a participant in Britain, an official at the country's Department of Health told Reuters on Tuesday.

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20,482 new Covid-19 cases reported in Maharashtra today

19,423 patients discharged today; 7,75,273 Covid-19 patients discharged after full recoveryuntil today; Recovery rate in the state is 70.62%

20,482 new cases in the state today

515 Covid-19 deaths reported in the state today. Case fatality rate in the state: 2.77%

Out of 54,09,060 laboratory samples, 10,97,856 have been tested positive (20.29%) for Covid-19 until today.

Currently 17,34,164 people are in home quarantine and 37,225 people are in institutionalquarantine.

Madhya Pradesh reports 2,323 new Covid-19 cases and 29 deaths today. Total cases now at 93,053 including 1,820 deaths and 21,620 active cases: State Health department - ANI

In view of Covid-19, the decision on permitting students of class 9-12 to visit their schools on voluntary basis for taking guidance from teachers has been deferred till 30th September: Uttarakhand Government - ANI

1,391 new Covid-19 cases detected in Uttarakhand today. Total positive cases in the state are now 34,407 including 10,739 active cases and 23,085 recovered cases: State Health Department - ANI

Karnataka reports 7,576 fresh Covid-19 cases, 97 deaths; state tally rises to 4,75,265

The total number of Covid-19 cases in Delhi rises to 2,25,796 with 4,263 new positive cases and 36 deaths reported today. The numbers of active and recovered cases are 29,787 and 1,91,203, respectively. Death toll 4,806: Delhi Government. - ANI

'Excellent safety' of two indigenous Covid-19 candidate vaccines revealed during Phase-I trials: Ashwini Choubey

Phase-Iclinical trials have revealed "excellent safety" of the two candidate vaccines indigenously developed byBharatBiotechin collaboration with ICMR andCadila Healthcare Ltd and theirimmunogenicity testing is now in progress, Minister of State for Health Ashwini Choubey informed the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

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Kolkata Metro relaxes entry norms for senior citizens

Kolkata Metro on Tuesday relaxed its norms for senior citizens, allowing them to board trains without an e-pass during non-peak hours, provided they furnish identity proof at the gates.

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3,215 new Covid-19 cases, 2,532 recoveries & 12 deaths reported in Kerala in the last 24 hours. Count of active cases now stands at 31,156 till date: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan

Coronavirus pandemic pushed 37 million into extreme poverty: Gates Foundation

The coronavirus pandemic has pushed almost 37 million people into extreme poverty besides reversing the progress made in the health sector for the past several decades, a report by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation said on Tuesday.

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Some immunosuppressants do not increase Covid-19 risk: Scientists

Therapeutics which suppress the immune system in those with inflammatory diseases like psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis "are not associated with a significantly greater risk" for contracting Covid-19, according to a study which says these patients should continue taking their medicine as prescribed.

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Covid-19 spreads through saliva, respiratory secretions of infected people: Choubey

Minister of State for Health Ashwini Choubey on Tuesday informed the Rajya Sabha that current evidence, according to WHO, suggests that transmission of coronavirus occurs primarily through direct, indirect, or close contact with infected people through saliva and respiratory secretions.

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China says Covid-19 vaccine could be ready for public by November

A China-developed coronavirus vaccine could be ready for the public as early as November, a Chinese official has told state television, as the global race to clear the final round of trials heats up.

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Lockdown from Mar 25 to May 31 controlled progression of Covid-19: Govt

The lockdown from March 25 to May 31 successfully controlled the aggressive progression of Covid-19 in India but there has been a steady rise in the number of cases in the post-lockdown phase, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Ashwini Choubey said on Tuesday.

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US & countries of Europe had a peak, then they came down & there is a 2nd wave occurring there. We took learning from that. We distributed the curve in a way that we didn't have many deaths. It was because we had an effective lockdown. We didn't have a huge peak at all: DG ICMR

India has contributed internationally to randomized trial on 464 patients in 39 hospitals in 25 districts across 14 States & Union Territories & have shown that it (plasma therapy) does not reduce mortality or prevent progression from moderate to severe disease.

It's still undergoing peer review. Once peer review happens & we get full publication out, this data will be considered again by National Task Force & joint monitoring group of Health Ministry, then a decision will be taken if we should continue with it: Balram Bhargava, DG, ICMR

Plasma therapy has been used for more than 100 years now in some form or the other for various virus infections. It is being used in Covid-19. Whether it helps or not is being studied: Prof (Dr) Balram Bhargava, DG, ICMR

3 vaccines at clinical trial stage in India. Cadila and Bharat Biotech have completed phase-I trials. Serum Institute has completed phase II-B3 trials, and will start phase-III trial (with 1,500 patients at 14 locations) after clearances: Prof (Dr) Balram

Maharashtra tops daily average Covid-19 deaths in top 5 states: Health Ministry

We took 27 days to go from 1 crore Covid-19 tests to 2 crore, but only 10 days to jump from 4 crore tests to 5 crore tests: Ministry of Health

Only 4 states have more than 50,000 active Covid-19 cases, says Ministry of Health

Covid-19 will likely become seasonal, but not yet, say scientists

Once herd immunity is attained, the novel coronavirus may follow suit and become a seasonal virus in countries with temperate climates, but until that time, Covid-19 will continue to spread across the seasons, a new study says.

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Telangana reports 2,058 new Covid-19 cases, 10 deaths

Telangana recorded 2,058 new Covid-19 cases and ten related fatalities, pushing the tally of infections to 1.60 lakh in the state.

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India's role in production of Covid-19 vaccine critical in containing pandemic: Bill Gates

Billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates has said India's willingness to play a "big role" in manufacturing Covid-19 vaccine and allow it to supply to other developing countries will be a critical part in containing the coronavirus pandemic globally.

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Australia reports no coronavirus deaths for first time in two months

Australia recorded zero new coronavirus deaths for the first time in two months on Tuesday, as a slowdown in new cases allowed a crippling lockdown in its second-biggest city to be eased.

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Labourers work at a wholesale market in the old quarters of New Delhi amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Coronavirus-ravaged economies across the Asia Pacific will make a "swoosh-shaped" recovery next year, the Asian Development Bank forecast on September 15, but it warned that further restrictions to combat the contagion could derail the region's return to growth.

Picture Credit: AFP Photo

40 lakh people kept under surveillance as part of Covid-19 contact-tracing: Centre

Around 40 lakh people have been kept under surveillance as a part of the contact-tracing efforts in the country and 5.4 crore samples were tested for coronavirus till September 10, Union minister Ashwini Choubey told the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

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India's willingness to play big role in manufacturing vaccines, says Bill Gates

India's willingness to play big role in manufacturing vaccines, says Bill Gates. He adds that these vaccines should be sent to developing countries

All of us want to get a vaccine out in India as fast as we can, once we know that it's very effective and very safe, says Bill Gates

India is a leading vaccine producer; we need cooperation from India on manufacturing COVID-19 vaccine. World looking to India for some of that capacity to be available to developing countries, says Bill Gates

It's very likely that roll-out of COVID-19 vaccine will take place in fairly big volume (in India) sometime next year: Bill Gates

I'm quite optimistic that by first quarter of next year, several Covid-19 vaccines will have final stage: Bill Gates

Covid-19 forces people to hold condolence meetings online

As the Covid-19 pandemic upends normal life, it has also changed the way people express grief over the death of their near and dear ones with many taking the virtual route to pay condolences from safe confines of their homes.

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Donald Trump defies coronavirus rules as 'peaceful protests' rallies continue

President Donald Trump is running as the “law and order” candidate. But that hasn't stopped him and his campaign from openly defying state emergency orders and flouting his own administration's coronavirus guidelines as he holds ever-growing rallies in battleground states.

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China's coronavirus vaccine may be ready for public in November, says official

Coronavirus vaccines being developed in China may be ready for use by the general public as early as November, an official with the China Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said.

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Rajasthan records 799 new Covid-19 cases, 7 deaths: State Health Department, Govt of Rajasthan

Odisha reported 3,645 new Covid-19, 3,382 recoveries and 8 deaths

Odisha reported 3,645 new Covid-19, 3,382 recoveries and 8 deaths on September 14, taking total cases to 1,58,650: State Health Department

China locks down city on Myanmar border over coronavirus

China has locked down a city on the border with Myanmar and will launch a mass coronavirus testing programme, officials said Tuesday, after a handful of infections, were detected there.

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Covid-19 has set global health progress back decades: Gates Foundation

The knock-on effects of the coronavirus pandemic have halted and reversed global health progress, setting it back 25 years and exposing millions to the risk of deadly disease and poverty, a report by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation warned on Tuesday

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WHO delivers Europe death warning amid Covid-19 spike

Europe will face a rising death toll from the coronavirus during autumn, the World Health Organization warned on Monday as the number of daily infections around the world hit a record high.

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Coronavirus fact check: Another lockdown from September 25? PIB clarifies

As coronavirus cases surge by the day, rumours of a nationwide lockdown from September25 for 46 days have emerged when a supposed 'NDMA order' went viral on social media. The Press Information Bureauwas quick to debunk the rumour calling it fake.

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Democrats to probe whether Trump government meddled with CDC data pertaining to coronavirus

A House subcommittee examining President Donald Trump's response to the coronavirus pandemic is launching an investigation into reports that political appointees have meddled with routine government scientific data to better align with Trump's public statements.

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India reports 83,809 new Covid-19 cases, 1054 deaths

India's Covid-19case tally crosses 49-lakh mark with a spike of 83,809 new cases and1,054 deaths in last 24 hours. The total case tally stands at 49,30,237 and death toll stands at80,776 deaths: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare

Researchers trial inhaled versions of Oxford and Imperial Covid-19 vaccine candidates

Inhaled versions of Covid-19 vaccine candidates developed by Oxford University and Imperial College will be trialled to see if they deliver a localised immune response in the respiratory tract, British researchers said on Monday.

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India has consistently maintained a low & declining Case Fatality Rate: Ministry of Health

India has consistently maintained a low & declining Case Fatality Rate (1.64 per cent). This is lowest compared to global average of 3.2 per centand many countries, according to the Ministry of Health.

Covid-19 pandemic's global economic impact unlikely to worsen, says Qatar Commerce Minister

The global economy is unlikely to worsen due to the coronavirus pandemic even as countries face a second wave of infections, Qatar's commerce minister said on Monday, forecasting a recovery somewhere between a 'U' and 'V' shape.

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State-wise total number of confirmed cases, deaths on September 15

Total number of confirmed Covid-19 positive cases in India reaches 49,22,039; death toll stands at 80,733 as of September 15

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Minister Byrathi Basavaraja tests positive for Covid-19

Karnataka Urban Development Minister BA Basavaraja (Byrathi) said Monday that he tested positive for Covid-19.

“I got tested positive for coronavirus today, but I don’t have any health problems,” he said. “As per medical advice, I got admitted into Columbia Asia Hospital for treatment,” he said, expressing confidence that he will recover soon “with all your wishes and blessings.”

Building portfolio of therapeutic options for Covid-19 patients: Vardhan

A portfolio of therapeutic options for Covid-19 patients is being built by undertaking 13 clinical trials of repurposed drugs and harnessing traditional knowledge using the modern medicine approach, with planned trials involving medicinal plants like 'Aswagandha', Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Monday.

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Assam's Covid-19 case tally at 1,44,166 with 2,403 fresh positive cases detected in the last 24 hours. The number of active and recovered cases in the state are 30,548 and 1,13,133 respectively. Death toll 482: Assam Government.

414 new Covid-19 cases, 447 discharges and 9 deaths reported in Puducherry today, taking the total number of cases to 20,226: Health Department, Govt of Puducherry.

Himachal Pradesh's Covid-19 tally reaches 9,923. The total number of cases includes 3,663 active cases, 6,167 recoveries and 80 deaths: State Health Department.

Covid-19 patients needing oxygen tripled in last 45 days: Harsh Vardhan in Lok Sabha

The number of Covid-19 patients requiring oxygen support has increased by nearly three-fold within the last one and half months, prompting the Centre to ask the states to carry out oxygen audits at the hospitals as the pandemic spreads across the country.

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1,730 new Covid-19 cases & 14 deaths reported in Rajasthan in the last 24 hours, taking state's positive case tally to 1,04,138 till date, including 86,162 recoveries, 16,726 active cases & 1,250 deaths so far: State Health Department, Rajasthan.

Covid-19 death toll in West Bengal crosses 4,000-mark with 58 more fatalities; tally mounts to 2,05,919 with 3,211 fresh infections: Health Department.

2,256 new Covid-19 cases and 31 deaths reported in Mumbai today

2,256 new Covid-19 cases and 31 deaths reported in Mumbai today. The total number of positive cases increases to 1,71,949 in Mumbai, including 31,063 active cases, 1,32,349 recovered cases and 8,178 deaths: Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Maharashtra.

70 more Covid-19 deaths bring the toll to 2,424 in Punjab, infection tally climbs to 82,113 with detection of 2,496 new cases; active case count is 20,690: Medical bulletin.

Madhya Pradesh records its highest single-day spike of 2,483 coronavirus cases, pushing tally to 90,730, death toll reaches 1,791 with 29 more fatalities; the number of active cases stands at 21,228: Officials.

1,137 fresh Covid-19 cases in Bihar raise tally to 1,59,526, recovery count 1,45,019 after 1,966 more recover; number of active cases stands at 13,675: Official.

Maharashtra reports 17,066 new Covid-19 cases, 15,789 discharges and 257 deaths today. The total number of cases in the state rises to 10,77,374 including 7,55,850 recoveries and 2,91,256 active cases: Public Health Department, Maharashtra.

Meghalaya reports one more Covid-19 fatality, 139 new cases, pushing the death toll to 27 and infection tally to 3,864; active case count 1,686: Health officials.

Karnataka reported 8,244 new Covid-19 cases, 8,865 discharges and 119 deaths today, taking total cases to 4,67,689 including 3,61,823 discharges and 7,384 deaths: State Health Department.

131 fresh cases push Nagaland's Covid-19 tally to 5,214, number of active cases stands at 1,289: Health Minister S Pangnyu Phom

1,043 fresh positive cases detected in the state today. The total case tally stands now at 33,016. The numbers of active and recovered cases in the state are 10,374 and 22,077 respectively: Uttarakhand Government.

Haryana reports 2,488 new Covid-19 cases and 25 deaths today, taking the total number of cases to 96,129 including 74,712 recoveries and 1,000 deaths. There are 20,417 active cases: State Health Department

Punjab records 2,496 new Covid-19 cases, 1,463 recoveries and 70 deaths, taking active cases to 20,690, recoveries to 58,999 and death toll to 2,424: State Health Department.

1,229 new Covid-19 cases reported in Jammu and Kashmir

1,229 new Covid-19 cases reported in Jammu and Kashmir today; 837 from Jammu division and 392 from Kashmir division. The total number of cases now at 55,325 including 18,049 active cases, 36,381 recoveries and 895 deaths: Govt of Jammu and Kashmir.

7,956 new Covid-19 cases, 9,764 recoveries and 60 deaths reported in Andhra Pradesh

7,956 new Covid-19 cases, 9,764 recoveries and 60 deaths reported in Andhra Pradesh today. Total number of cases now at 5,75,079 including 93,204 active cases, 4,76,903 recoveries and 4,972 deaths: State Health Department.

5,752 new Covid-19 cases, 5,799 discharged cases and 53 deaths reported in Tamil Nadu today. Total number of cases now at 5,08,511 including 46,912 active cases, 4,53,165 discharges and 8,434 deaths: State Health Department.

Women grieve stillborn babies as Covid-19 hits maternity care in rural India

Mantasha Bano was 28-weeks pregnant when her cries of sudden, unbearable pain prompted neighbours to call an ambulance in the rural Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It never came, and Bano's baby was stillborn.

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Delhi: Three MLAs - Girish Soni, Pramila Tokas and Vishesh Ravi have tested positive for Covid-19. Three staff of the Legislative Assembly have also been found positive for the disease.

96 new Covid-19 cases, 149 recovered cases & 0 deaths reported in Manipur over the last 24 hours. The total number of cases in the state stands at 7,971 so far, including 1,585 active cases, 6,340 recovered cases and 46 deaths: Manipur.

UP records 62 more Covid-19 fatalities, 5,208 new cases, bringing death toll to 4,491 and infection tally to 3,17,195 in state; number of active cases now 67,287: Officials.

2,540 new Covid-19 cases, 2,110 recoveries and 15 deaths reported in the state in the last 24 hours. Count of active cases now stands at 30,486, while 79,813 patients have recovered till now. The death toll is at 454: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan.

The total number of Covid-19 cases in Delhi rises to 2,21,533

The total number of Covid-19 cases in Delhi rises to 2,21,533 with 3,229 new positive cases and 26 deaths reported today. The numbers of active and recovered cases are 28,641 and 1,88,122, respectively. Death toll 4,770: Delhi Government.

255 more people test positive for Covid-19 in Tripura, pushing tally to 19,187; active case count 7,429: Health department.

Himachal Pradesh records 41 new Covid-19 cases

Himachal Pradesh records 41 new Covid-19 cases till 5 pm today, taking the total positive cases in the state to 9,655 so far, including 3,418 active cases, 6,143 recoveries, and 77 deaths: State Health Department, Himachal Pradesh.

Bill to cut MPs' salaries by 30% to meet Covid-19 exigencies introduced in Lok Sabha

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on Monday introduced in Lok Sabha a bill that seeks to reduce for one year the salaries of Members of Parliament by 30 per cent "to meet the exigencies arising out of Covid-19 pandemic".

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Odisha reports record 4,198 new Covid-19 cases, 11 more deaths

Odisha registered its highest single-day spike in Covid-19 cases on Monday as 4,198 more people, including state BJP chief Samir Mohanty, tested positive for the infection, a health official said.

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We've 23,624 active cases and 3,945 deaths: Mamata Banerjee

We've 23,624 active cases and 3,945 deaths (86% deaths due to comorbidities). Covid-19 positivity rate in India is 8.53% & here it's 8.21%. Discharge rate in India is 77% & here it is 86.40%. The situation's getting better but we need to be careful: Mamata Banerjee.

SC indicates to modify conditions for release of prisoners in Maharashtra during Covid-19 pandemic

The Supreme Court on Monday indicated to issue directions to the High-powered Committee of the Maharashtra government to decide the release of every prisoner on merit, instead of insisting on excludinga large number of people arrested or convicted under the special laws, amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

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Relatives of patients crowd at the registration counters without following social distancing norms at Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS), amid ongoing coronavirus pandemic, in Patna. Credit: PTI

One more Covid-related death in Ladakh, toll reaches 40

The death toll due to Covid-19 in Ladakh has reached 40 after one more patient succumbed to the infection in the Union Territory, officials said on Monday.

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Covid-19 affected shopping habits on safety concerns: Report

The coronavirus pandemic has largely affected shopping habits with safety now taking over as a new criterion over a price range, variety and convenience, forcing retailers to adapt to the new reality, according to a report.

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More than 60 per cent of active coronavirus cases are concentrated in five states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, the Health Ministry said on Monday, underlining that the recovery rate in India has touched 78 per cent.

KIMS handles deliveries by 101 Covid-19 positive women

Karnataka Institute Medical Sciences (KIMS) in Hubballi, which is also a designated Covid-19 hospital, has so far delivered babies of over 100 coronavirus positive pregnant women.

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311 police personnel of Maharashtra Police tested positive for Covid-19 and 5 died in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of infections in the force to 19,385 including 3,670 active cases, 15,521 recovered cases and 194 deaths: Maharasthra Police.

Government has no data on migrant labourers' job loss, deaths during Covid-19 lockdown

The government has no data about deaths and job loss of migrant labourers during the national lockdown imposed due to the Covid-19, the Ministry of Labour and Employment informed the Lok Sabha on Monday.

It also did not have any report of forced retention of migrant labourers who wanted to return to their home states. This was disclosed by Labour Minister Santosh Gangwar in a series of written replies in Lok Sabha.

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