Coronavirus news highlights: India's Covid-19 tally breaches 73-lakh mark

India reports 63,509 fresh Covid-19 cases as tally reaches 72,39,389 while 730 new deaths take the toll to 1,10,586, according to Union Health Ministry. Recovery rate breaches 87 per cent as 63,01,927 people recover.

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France declares public health state of emergency over Covid-19

The French government on Wednesday declared a public health state of emergency.

WHO fears spike in deaths after global Covid-19 surge

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday warned against any complacency in the coronavirus death rate, saying with the increasing number of cases, mortality would also rise.

Slight laxity could make Covid-19 situation in Odisha grave: Patnaik

Cautioning against complacence, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday asked officials to refer to Kerala and the European countries where there has been a resurgence of Covid-19 cases, while tackling the pandemic in the state in view of the upcoming festival season.

IMF recommends three policy priorities to overcome Covid-19 crisis

IMF on Wednesday proposed three policy priorities, including continuing with essential measures to protect lives and livelihoods, building a more resilient and inclusive economy, and dealing with debt, to overcome the Covid-19 crisis and build a brighter future.

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Actor Soumitra Chatterjee tests negative for coronavirus

Celebrated actor Soumitra Chatterjee has tested negative for coronavirus and his condition improved Wednesday evening, doctors treating him at a private hospital in the city said.

Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav tests positive for coronavirus.

Top-seeded Fabio Fognini has withdrawn from the Sardinia Open after testing positive for coronavirus.

Uttar Pradesh reports 41 more Covid-19 deaths, pushing toll to 6,507, tally now 4,44,711 after detection of 2,778 fresh cases

Active case in the state count 36,898.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan has said that during Navratri, all temples of Goddess Durga in the state will remain open

All devotees to follow Covid-19 guidelines. Not more than 200 people allowed at a time in the temple premises: Chief Minister's Office

Delhi reports 3,324 new Covid-19 cases, 44 deaths and 2,867 recoveries today

The total tally rises to 3,17,548, including 5,898 deaths and 2,89,747 recoveries. Active cases stand at 21,903.

People wearing facemasks to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 walk along a commercial street in Chennai. Credit: AFP Photo

How to avoid coronavirus while voting?

Zeke Dunn of Brooklyn has worked at polling places in nearly every primary and general election since 2017. The 39-year-old television producer says doing so provides a way for him to connect with his neighbours and fulfil his civic duty. But this past June he skipped working in New York State’s primary: his partner is pregnant, and he could not risk bringing the novel coronavirus home from a polling place. As infection rates in New York City declined to low levels over the summer, Dunn decided to work the polls this November. But he worries about getting Covid-19.

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Mumbai reports 2,211 new Covid-9 cases, 3,370 discharges and 48 deaths. Total cases here rise to 2,34,606, including 2,01,497 discharges and 9,552 deaths.

Active cases stand at 20,790

Record single-day high of 64 fatalities pushes West Bengal's Covid-19 death toll to 5,808; caseload mounts to 3,05,697 with 3,677 infections.

Karnataka sees 10,552 new Covid-19 cases, 19,517 recoveries in 24 hours.

Maharashtra's Covid-19 tally rises to 15,54,389 with the addition of 10,552 cases; death toll goes up by 158 to 40,859.

1,205 new Covid-19 cases, 1,324 discharges, and 13 deaths reported in Haryana today, taking the total number of positive cases to 1,45,507 till date, including 10,187 active cases, 1,33,706 recovered cases & 1,614 deaths.

Air cargo industry not yet ready for Covid-19 vaccine distribution: Survey

Only 28 per cent of participants in the air cargo industry feel they are well prepared to distribute a Covid-19 vaccine once available, according to a survey released on Wednesday, as the industry begins to gear up for a major logistical challenge.

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Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker Vipin Singh Parmar says he has tested positive for Covid-19.

Manipur reported 301 new Covid-19 cases, 86 recovered cases and six deaths in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of positive cases to 14,094 including 10,915 recovered cases, 3,076 active cases and 103 deaths till date.

The recovery rate is 77.44 per cent.

Gujarat reports 1,175 new coronavirus cases, 1,414 discharged cases and 11 deaths today, taking total cases to 1,55,098 including 1,36,541 recoveries, 3,598 deaths and 14,959 active cases.

New UK lockdown would be a disaster but all options open: PM Boris Johnson

Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday said a new UK-wide lockdown would be a "disaster" but refused to rule it out as demands grew for a temporary shutdown to stop the spread of coronavirus.

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72 new Covid-19 cases, 12 discharged cases & 2 deaths reported in Chandigarh in the last 24 hours. The total number of positive cases stands at 13,403 till date, including 1085 active cases, 12,119 cured cases, and 199 deaths.

Coronavirus threatens to reverse progress in TB fight: WHO

The novel coronavirus pandemic threatens to reverse global progress toward eliminating tuberculosis, the World Health Organization warned Wednesday.

"The Covid-19 pandemic threatens to unwind the gains made over recent years," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, because it was drawing resources away from fighting TB.

At least 54 persons tested positive for coronavirus, while four died of the infection in Maharashtra's Amravati district on Wednesday.

3,892 fresh coronavirus cases were reported in Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday as the aggregate went up to 7,67,465.

AstraZeneca is set to provide Indonesia with 100 million coronavirus vaccines next year, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said on Wednesday.

Jammu and Kashmir reported 701 new Covid-19 cases, 816 recoveries and 12 deaths today, taking total cases to 85,409 including 74,318 recoveries, 9,739 active cases and 1,352 deaths.

Why Kosovo leads the world in Covid-19 fatality rate

Kosovo is one of the most deadliest places in the world right now for coronavirus.

The Balkan state, where more than half of the 1.8 million population is under the age of 25, has recorded 54.2 fatalities per million people resulting from Covid-19 in the past week -- just ahead of second-placed Colombia. While new infections during the same period are better, Kosovo also tops that chart if the range is expanded to a month.

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Covid-19 tests in India cross 9 crore; 20 states, UTs report positivity rate less than national average

The total number of tests for detection of Covid-19 has crossed nine-crore in India, while the cumulative positivity rate is 8.04 per cent and is on a "continuous decline", the Union Health Ministry said on Wednesday.

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Putin says Russia approves second Covid-19 vaccine

Russia has granted regulatory approval to a second Covid-19 vaccine, President Vladimir Putin said at a government meeting broadcast on state television on Wednesday.

Rajasthan records 2,021 new coronavirus cases, 2,541 discharges and 15 deaths, taking active cases to 21,711, discharged cases to 1,41,805 and death toll to 1,694.

UP's Gautam Buddh Nagar district records one more fatality due to Covid-19, pushing death toll to 61, infection tally reaches 15,327 after detection of 139 new cases; active case count 1,528.

Maharashtra Police recorded 98 coronavirus cases and one death in the last 24 hours, taking active cases in the force to 2,052 and death toll to 263.

Schools for classes X, XII to reopen in Uttarakhand from November 1

Schools will reopen in Uttarakhand for classes X and XII on November 1 after their prolonged closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The decision was taken by the state Cabinet at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat here on Wednesday, government's spokesperson and Cabinet Minister Madan Kaushik said.

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Himachal Pradesh records 98 new Covid-19 cases and 168 recoveries since the 9 pm bulletin yesterday. Total cases in the state rise to 17,860, including 250 deaths and 15,153 recoveries.

Active cases stand at 2,436.

Odisha sees 2,604 new Covid-19 cases, tally crosses 2.59 lakh

Odisha's Covid-19 tally surged to 2,59,541 on Wednesday as 2,604 people tested positive for the disease, while 15 more fatalities pushed the death toll to 1,072, a health department official said.

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The Dalai Lama wished a speedy recovery to Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, who is in home quarantine after being tested positive for Covid-19.

CM thanked him for his wishes.

2,778 new Covid-19 cases, 3,736 discharges and 41 deaths in Uttar Pradesh in the last 24 hours. The total cases in the state rise to 4,44,711, including 36,898 active cases, 4,01,306 discharges and 6,507 deaths.

Private hospitals request West Bengal government to lower GST on Covid-19 test kits

Private hospitals in the city have welcomed the state government's decision to reduce the cost of Covid-19 test from Rs 2,250 to Rs 1,500 as well as fixing rates for ambulance services.

Malaysian king postpones meetings due to coronavirus curbs

Malaysia's King Al-Sultan Abdullah has postponed all meetings scheduled for the next two weeks due to coronavirus curbs, a senior palace official said on Wednesday, as opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim bids to replace Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

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Swine coronavirus could potentially jump from animals to people, say scientists

A strain of coronavirus which causes acute diarrhoea in piglets may have the potential to spread to humans as well, according to a new study which says the virus could "negatively impact the global economy and human health."

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Coronavirus caused unprecedented emissions drop: Study

Pandemic restrictions saw an unprecedented fall in greenhouse gas emissions in the first half of 2020 —larger than during the 2008 financial crisis and even World War II —experts said Wednesday.

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Who will get the Covid-19 vaccine first in India? Health Ministry prepares plan

A vaccine against Covid-19 will be first made accessible to those who need it most regardless of the fact that if they can afford it or not, the committee created to decide who gets the vaccine first, an ANI report said.

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Film industry on edge as cinemas set to re-open

In movie-mad India, millions of filmgoers are excitedly waiting for cinemas to reopen this week after a seven-month-long, pandemic-induced halt. It’s a step toward lifting the fortunes of the world’s most prolific film industry.

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A worker wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) sanitizes the premises of the Inox Leisure movie theatre ahead of its reopening, amidst the outbreak of the coronavirus disease, in Mumbai. Credit: Reuters Photo

Over 10 lakh Covid-19 suspects tested in Thane so far

Over 10.15 lakh persons have been tested for coronavirus so far in Maharashtra's Thane district, of which more than 8 lakh tested negative for the infection, an official said on Wednesday.

With the addition of 959 new Covid-19 cases on Tuesday, the count of infections in the district reached 1.94 lakh, the official said.

Apart from this, 39 patients died of the infection, raising the toll to 4,913, he said.

Covid-19 deaths in many nations exceed official tallies, says study

Deaths directly or indirectly attributable to the first wave of Covid-19 infections across 21 wealthy nations earlier this year exceeded government tallies by 20 percent on average, according to a study published Wednesday.

Looking at the period from mid-February through May 2020, researchers reported 206,000 more deaths than would have been expected without the pandemic.

Indonesia reports 4,127 new Covid-19 cases, 129 deaths

Indonesia reported 4,127 new coronavirus infections on Wednesday, bringing the total number of cases in the Southeast Asian country to 344,749, data from its Covid-19 task force showed.

Balochistan CM tests Covid-19 positive; 615 new cases reported in Pakistan

The chief minister of Pakistan's Balochistan province has tested positive for coronavirus, as the national tally rose to 320,463 cases on Wednesday after 615 new infections were detected in the last 24 hours.

Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan announced on social media that he has coronavirus. He is quarantining at home.

“My coronavirus test has turned out to be positive,” Khan tweeted on Tuesday night. Officials said Khan was being given the required treatment at his residence.

Covid-19 linked to sudden permanent hearing loss in some rare cases, say scientists

Although uncommon, infection with the novel coronavirus may cause sudden permanent hearing loss in some patients, according to a study which is the first case report linking the disabling condition to Covid-19 in the UK.

According to the scientists, including those from the University College London in the UK, awareness of this possible side effect is important since a prompt course of steroid treatment can reverse the hearing loss.

Odisha's Covid-19 tally jumps to 2,59,541 with 2,604 fresh cases

Odisha's Covid-19 tally surged to 2,59,541 on Wednesday as 2,604 people tested positive for the disease, while 15 more fatalities pushed the death toll to 1,072, a health department official said.

The state's quarantine centres reported 1,511 infections and the remaining cases were detected during contact tracing.

Seven more deaths due Covid-19 in Rajasthan, toll 180; fresh 251 cases push state's tally to 8,067

Seven more Covid-19 deaths were reported in Rajasthan on Thursday, taking the toll in the state to 180, the health department said.

The state also reported fresh 251 coronavirus cases which raised its infection tally to 8,067.

One death each was reported from Ajmer, Banswara, Dausa, Jaipur, Karauli and Nagaur. The location of one more fatality is yet to be ascertained, Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Rohit Kumar Singh said.

New coroanvirus lockdowns from China to Europe as vaccine trials stumble.

As Europe imposed new restrictions to try to stall a surging second wave of the novel coronavirus, hopes for vaccines to rapidly provide relief suffered a blow Tuesday with the suspension of two clinical trials in the United States.

China meanwhile rushed to test an entire city of nine million within days after a minor coronavirus outbreak in the sprawling country, a far cry from the struggle in Europe to tackle surging infections with tough new steps including partial lockdowns.

The virus is still spreading rapidly worldwide, with over one million deaths and 37 million infections.

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Two minors among 10 new Covid-19 cases in Mizoram

At least 10 more people, including two minors, tested positive for Covid-19 in Mizoram on Wednesday, taking the state's tally to 2,212, a health department official said.

Of the fresh cases, seven were reported from Aizawl and one each from Champhai, Lawngtlai and Kolasib districts.

Immunity against Covid-19 may last for several months: Study

Immunity against Covid-19 may persist for at least five months after being infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, according to a study led by an Indian-origin researcher in the US.

The researchers from the University of Arizona studied the production of antibodies from a sample of nearly 6,000 people infected with the novel coronavirus.

Private hospitals request Bengal govt to lower GST on Covid-19 test kits

Private hospitals in the city have welcomed the state government's decision to reduce the cost of Covid-19 test from Rs 2,250 to Rs 1,500 as well as fixing rates for ambulance services.

They have requested the state government to consider lowering the GST on Covid-19 test kits.

Czech Republic reports more than 8,000 daily Covid-19 cases for second time

The Czech Republic recorded 8,325 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, its second-highest daily tally since the pandemic started, Health Ministry data showed on Wednesday.

Auxiliary police officers wearing 'Smart Helmet', a portable thermoscanner that can measure the temperature of passengers at a distance, patrol inside a commuter train, amid the coronavirus outbreak in Kuala Lumpur

Reuters Photo

Jharkhand reports 701 new Covid-19 cases, 7 deaths

Jharkhand's Covid-19 tally mounted to 93,736 as 701 more people tested positive for the infection, a health department official said on Wednesday.

Seven more patients succumbed to the disease, taking the state's coronavirus death toll to 805, he said.

Of the fresh fatalities, four were recorded in Ranchi, two in Dhanbad and one in Chatra.

Arunachal Pradesh reports 193 new Covid-19 cases, 4 fatalities

Arunachal Pradesh's Covid-19 tally mounted to 12,561 with 193 people testing positive for the virus, while four more fatalities pushed the death toll 28, a senior health department official said here on Wednesday.

A 56-year-old man died at the Dedicated Covid Hospital (DCH) at Chimpu near here on Tuesday. He was suffering from diabetes and hypertension, the official said.

Bulgaria hits daily record for new Covid-19 cases

Bulgaria reported 785 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, setting a daily record for a fourth time in a week as infections keep rising, official data showed.

The Balkan country now has 25,774 confirmed Covid-19 cases, including 923 deaths. A total of 1,307 people are hospitalised and 63 are in intensive care, data from the coronavirus information platform showed.

Himachal Technical Education minister tests Covid-19 positive

Himachal Pradesh Technical Education Minister Ram Lal Markanda has tested positive for coronavirus.

He is the fifth minister, including Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, and the 12th MLA in the 68-member state Assembly to have contracted the virus.

In a post on social media, Markanda said he has tested positive as he had developed some symptoms after coming in contact with a Covid-19 patient.

A medical worker in protective suit collects a swab from a woman for nucleic acid testing, following new cases of coronavirus disease in Qingdao, Shandong province, China

Reuters Photo

Allow Covid-19-hit companies to adjust salaries against its CSR obligations: NHRC

With the Covid-19 pandemic hitting businesses and resulting in job losses across sectors, an advisory by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has suggested that companies in badly-hit sectors should be allowed to adjust workers' salary against their CSR obligations for two fiscal years from 2021 to 22.

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Vaccine reluctance linked to belief in coronavirus hoaxes, says study

Up to a third of people in certain countries may believe coronavirus misinformation and in turn be less open to immunisation, scientists said Wednesday, warning that development of a vaccine "might not be enough".

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India's Covid-19 caseload tops 72-lakh mark with 63,509 new cases, 730 deaths

India's Covid-19 caseload rose to 72,39,389 with 63,509 infections being reported in a day, while the number of people who have recuperated from the disease crossed 63 lakh pushing the recovery rate to 87.05 per cent, according to the Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday.

Covid-19 vaccine race hits reality as complications mount

The sprint to find medical breakthroughs to contain Covid-19 stumbled this week, as a pair of pharmaceutical giants working to develop treatments and vaccines suffered setbacks in the clinic.

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Jacinda Ardern set to win in New Zealand's 'Covid election'

There were no masks on display as about 1,000 university students gave Jacinda Ardern a rock-star reception during her final Wellington campaign rally this week -- and the New Zealand prime minister was fine with that.

Ardern, also without a face covering, happily posed for selfies alongside dozens of youthful supporters, rubbing shoulders with a disregard for social distancing that would spark outrage almost anywhere else in the world.

Japanese tourist Jesse Katayama holds a Peruvian and a Japanese flag after becoming the first tourist to visit the Inca citadel during the coronavirus pandemic, in Machu Picchu

Reuters Photo

Indian national declared Covid-19 positive during pre-departure testing in Singapore

A 31-year-old man from India, who tested Covid-19 positive during a pre-departure test on Monday before returning home, was among the four new imported cases reported in Singapore, a media report said on Wednesday.

The training employment pass holder developed coronavirus symptoms on completion of Stay-Home Notice (SHN) on October 9 and tested positive on October 12 when he took a pre-departure test in order to return to India, The Straits Times reported.

Mexico's coronavirus death tally rises to 84,420

Mexico's health ministry on Tuesday reported 4,295 new confirmed cases of coronavirus infection and 475 additional fatalities, bringing the total in the country to 825,340 cases and 84,420 deaths.

World Bank approves $12 billion for Covid-19 vaccines

The World Bank said Tuesday that it approved $12 billion for developing countries to finance the purchase and distribution ofCovid-19vaccines, tests and treatment.

The financing "aims to support vaccination of up to a billion people," the bank said in a statement.

Three suspected cases of coronavirus reinfection described in India: ICMR

Three cases of suspected coronavirus reinfection -- two in Mumbai and one in Ahmedabad -- have been "described" in India, the country's apex medical research body said on Tuesday.

Director General Balram Bhargava said the Indian Council of Medical Research had decided upon a cutoff of 100 days for reinfection if it occurs as, according to some studies, antibodies were also assumed to have a life of four months.

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Eli Lilly pauses Covid-19 antibody treatment clinical trials over potential safety concern

A government-sponsored clinical trial that is testing an antibody treatment for Covid-19 developed by drugmaker Eli Lilly has been paused because of a “potential safety concern,” according to emails that government officials sent Tuesday to researchers at testing sites. The company confirmed the pause.

The news comes just a day after Johnson & Johnson announced the pause of its coronavirus vaccine trial because of a sick volunteer and a month after AstraZeneca’s vaccine trial was halted over concerns about two participants who had fallen ill after getting the company’s vaccine.

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