Coronavirus LIVE: Delhi past 2nd wave peak, situation mostly controlled: CM

Coronavirus update: Maharashtra has 1,453,653 coronavirus cases, Andhra Pradesh 723,512, Karnataka 647,712, Tamil Nadu 625,391 and UP 417,437. Stay tuned for coronavirus India LIVE update

2:01 AM

US FDA safety guidelines likely to push Covid-19 vaccine authorization past election

The US Food and Drug Administration told coronavirus vaccine developers on Tuesday it wants at least two months of safety data from half of their trial volunteers in order to authorize emergency use, a requirement that would likely push any US vaccine availability past the Nov.3 presidential election.
 

The FDA released the guidance laying out more stringent recommendations for drugmakers hoping to apply for an emergency use authorization (EUA) for their experimental vaccines.

10:15 PM

Compulsory Covid tests, physical checks of tourists being considered by Karnataka govt

Compulsory Covid-19 tests and physical checks of visitors to tourist destinations in Karnataka are among the guidelines being considered to prevent spread of the virus, Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar said here on Tuesday.
 

"Instructions have been given to officials to introduce new and improved guidelines to ensure that Coronavirus does not spread due to people visiting tourist spots in the state," he told reporters.
 

The Minister was speaking after reviewing the Covid-19 situation in the district headquarters town of Kodagu and the steps taken by the administration to prevent its spread.
 

"Guidelines like compulsory Covid-19 tests and physical checking of tourists, with the help of police, health and revenue department staff at tourist spots, are under consideration for framing new guidelines," Sudhakar added.
 

To a question on reopening school as per the Centre's guidelines, he said the state was not considering it now in view of the surge of infections in Karnataka.

On the Covid situation in the district, the minister there were certain shortcomings in the health services, which would be sorted out.
 

Referring to the mortality rate in the district, it was earlier in the green zone, but was now in the red zone due to increase in Covid-19 deaths after unlock relaxations The minister directed the officials to ensure that the that a death audit be conducted every day.
 

He also recommended that local people be inducted in the booth level task force committee.
 

9:00 PM

Covid-19: Goa govt announces safe service to cater to needs of patients

The Goa government on Tuesday announced that it would be providing helpers to cater to the needs of COVID-19 patients undergoing treatment at state-run ESI Hospital in Margao.

This would be the country's first-ever service for safe patient handling, state health minister Vishwajit Rane claimed.

Taking to Twitter, the minister said, "In addition to the treatment of patients, providing drug therapy, nutrition, etc, patients also require assistance in the ward with numerous things, to cater to the same, we have started Patient Handling Services at ESI Hospital for COVID patients."

8:44 PM

Maharashtra: Nashik's Covid-19 count goes up by 983; tally at 81,895

With single-day addition of 983 new infections, the Covid-19 tally in Maharashtra's Nashik district rose to 81,895 on Tuesday, a health official said.

At least 12 persons died of the infection, taking the toll to 1,463, the official said.

Of the latest casualties, seven were reported from the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) limits and five from other parts of the district.

Among the cases reported so far, 55,077 were from Nashik city, 22,371 from other parts of the district, 3,882 from Malegaon and 545 from outside the district, the official said.

8:34 PM

Delhi records 39 new Covid-19 deaths, toll 5581 now; nearly 2700 fresh cases push tally to 295,000

The national capital recorded 39 Covid-19 fatalities on Tuesday, pushing the toll to 5,581, while 2,676 fresh cases took the tally to over 295,000, authorities said.

These fresh cases came out of the 53,591 tests conducted the previous day.

Thirty-nine new fatalities have been recorded, taking the death toll to 5,581,according to the latest bulletin issued by the Delhi health department.

The active cases tally on Tuesday stood at 22,720.

The bulletin said the total number of cases has climbed to 2,95,236

8:28 PM

Italy prepares to make masks outdoors mandatory to fight coronavirus

Italy's health minister says the government is examining a proposal to make masks mandatory outdoors as the country enters a difficult phase of living alongside Covid-19, with the number of infections growing steadily for the last nine weeks.

Roberto Speranza told the lower house of parliament on Tuesday that as infections spread, it is necessary to return to restrictions that were gradually loosened over the spring and summer months after Italy's strict nearly three-month lockdown.

''We must raise our guard with the awareness that our county is better off than others,'' Speranza said.

8:15 PM

8:10 PM

48% of Covid-19 deaths concentrated in 25 districts of 8 states: Health Ministry

About 48 per cent of total Covid-19 deaths in the country are concentrated in 25 districts of 8 states, out of which 15 districts are in Maharastra alone, the Health Ministry said on Tuesday.

Addressing a press briefing, Union Health Ministry Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said India has recorded the highest number of recoveries from COVID-19 at over 56 lakh and India has also conducted the second highest number of tests in the world at 8.10 crore.

"New recoveries have been more than new cases over the last two weeks. New cases being reported in last 14 days are below previous highs of 90,000 cases per day," Bhushan said.

Giving figures on Covid deaths, Bhushan said about 48 per cent of total Covid-19 deaths in the country are concentrated in 25 districts of 8 states.

7:57 PM

Over 65% of beds for Covid-19 patients vacant at Delhi hospitals

With coronavirus cases here witnessing a decline in the last few days, over 65 per cent of beds for Covid-19 patients in the city hospitals are vacant, data on Delhi Corona app showed.

However, the bed occupancy is higher in private hospitals as compared to government-run facilities.

At the LNJP Hospital, which is the Delhi government's biggest COVID facility, 1545 of 2000 beds are vacant, while the GTB Hospital has a vacancy of 1321 beds against its strength of 1500, according to Delhi Corona app.

Indraprastha Apollo Hospital has 110 out of 300 beds vacant, while only 53 out of 250 beds are unoccupied in Max Smart Saket. At Sir Gangaram Hospital, 60 beds are vacant out of 200 beds earmarked for coronavirus patients.

7:51 PM

Covid-19 vaccine may be ready by year-end, says WHO's Tedros Adhanom

A vaccine against Covid-19 may be ready by year-end, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday, without elaborating.

 

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, addressing the end of a two-day meeting of its Executive Board on the pandemic, said: “We will need vaccines and there is hope that by the end of this year we may have a vaccine. There is hope.”

7:49 PM

J-K reports 739 new Covid-19 cases, 16 deaths

Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday recorded 738 fresh Covid-19 cases, while 16 deaths took place in the past 24 hours, taking the tally to 80,476 and the death toll to 1,268, officials said.

Srinagar district reported the highest number of 183 new Covid-19 cases, followed by 91 in Jammu district, they said.

"The Union Territory recorded 738 fresh Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours -- with 290 in Jammu and 448 in the Kashmir Valley," they said.

There are 13,712 active coronavirus cases, while 65,496 patients have recovered so far, the officials said.

7:36 PM

Over 480 Covid-19 patients given plasma therapy at two Delhi govt hospitals

Over 480 COVID-19 patients have been administered convalescent plasma therapy at the Delhi government-run Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital and Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital over the last few months, officials said on Tuesday.

 

LNJP Hospital and RGSSH are dedicated coronavirus facilities.

 

 

Plasma therapy was started at the LNJP Hospital, the largest under the Delhi government, in June. Later, Delhi's second plasma bank was set up at the hospital in July.

7:25 PM

Tripura reports 275 fresh Covid-19 cases, state's tally now at 27,308

At least 275 more people tested positive for Covid-19 in Tripura on Tuesday, pushing the tally in the state to 27,308, a health department official said.

The death toll rose to 298 with two more people succumbing to the infection, he said.

West Tripura district, of which state capital Agartala is a part, has accounted for 161 of the 298 Covid-19 deaths, the official said.

Tripura currently has 4,879 active coronavirus cases, while 22,108 people have recovered from the disease.

7:19 PM

48% of total Covid-19 deaths concentrated in 25 districts of 8 states: Health Ministry

About 48 per cent of total Covid-19 deaths in the country are concentrated in 25 districts of 8 states, out of which 15 districts are in Maharastra alone, the Health Ministry said on Tuesday.

 

Addressing a press briefing, Union Health Ministry Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said India has recorded the highest number of recoveries from Covid-19 at over 56 lakh and India has also conducted the second highest number of tests in the world at 8.10 crore.

 

"New recoveries have been more than new cases over the last two weeks. New cases being reported in last 14 days are below previous highs of 90,000 cases per day," Bhushan said.

 

Giving figures on Covid deaths, Bhushan said about 48 per cent of total Covid-19 deaths in the country are concentrated in 25 districts of 8 states.

7:13 PM

Noida reports 247 fresh Covid-19 cases; tally crosses 14,000-mark

Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddh Nagar registered 247 new Covid-19 cases on Tuesday, taking the district's infection tally to 14,163, official data showed.

The district's active cases count rose to 1,434 from 1,345 on Monday even as 158 more patients were discharged, according to the data released by the UP Health Department for a 24-hour period.

The district has so far recorded12,673 recoveries, seventh highest in the state, according to the data.

The death toll stands at 56 with a mortality rate of 0.39 per cent, it stated.

7:05 PM

Gurugram Covid-19 recovery rate improves to 88%: Officials

The recovery rate of Covid-19 patients in Gurugram is steadily improving and now the district's recovery rate has increased to 88.23 per cent as compared to 86.71 per cent last week.

Health officials said due to increased awareness among residents and several awareness campaigns organised by the district administration and health department, the recovery rate of corona-infected patients is constantly improving.

They further said that while the recovery rate has increased in Gurugram district, the threat of the coronavirus pandemic has not been completely eradicated.

Meanwhile, the Covid-19 tally in Gurugram rose to 22,204 as 266 more people tested positive for the disease on Tuesday, according to the daily health bulletin.

6:53 PM

270 new Covid-19 cases take tally to 7,037 in Meghalaya

Meghalaya's Covid-19 death toll reached 60 with one more person succumbing to the disease on Tuesday, while 270 new infections took the tally to 7,037, a senior official said.

Health Services Director Aman War said that 115 patients were also cured of the disease, pushing the number of recoveries to 4,606.

The Northeastern state now has 2,371 active cases, he said.

East Khasi Hills district, of which state capital Shillong is a part, reported 195 of the fresh cases. The remaining 75 cases were registered in nine other districts.

6:39 PM

Delhi past peak of 2nd Covid wave; situation largely controlled: Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said the national capital is past the peak of the second wave of coronavirus and the situation has been controlled to a large extent.

He said the city government increased the testing exponentially to detect the infection.

"Delhi hit the peak of the second wave of COVID-19 on September 17 when 4,500 cases were reported across the city. The situation has been controlled to a large extent," the chief minister said.

"I hope the second wave will slowly pass," Kejriwal told reporters here.

Testing in Delhi hit the 60,000 a day-mark in September compared to around 20,000 tests per day in August.

6:27 PM

Politicians have greater onus to follow Covid-19 norms: Gujarat CM

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Tuesday said political leaders have a "greater responsibility" to follow Covid-19 guidelines of social distancing and wearing masks, so that they don't send a wrong message to the public.

Rupani's statement came even as several instances have emerged of senior leaders from the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress participating in functions, rallies and addressing large gatherings without following safety norms.

"Everybody should follow rules related to social distancing and wearing masks, and they should do so of their own accord in their fight against coronavirus. It is not that we are arresting common man and not politicians (for flouting these rules)," the chief minister said.

"Political leaders have a bigger responsibility. They should follow the rules properly so that no wrong message is conveyed to the public," Rupani said, and urged the public to support the administration's efforts to contain the viral spread.

6:26 PM

White House nixes updated FDA guidelines on vaccine approval

The White House has blocked new Food and Drug Administration guidelines on bringing potential vaccines for COVID-19 to market that would almost certainly have prevented their introduction before the Nov. 3 election.

At issue was the FDA's planned instruction that vaccine developers follow patients enrolled in their trials for at least two months to rule out safety issues before seeking emergency approval from the agency. A senior administration confirmed the move Monday evening, saying the White House believed there was no clinical or medical reason for the additional requirement.

The White House action was first reported by The New York Times.

The intervention by Trump officials is the latest example of the administration undercutting its own medical experts working to combat the pandemic that has killed more than 210,000 Americans. FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn has been attempting to shore up public confidence in the FDA's vaccine review for weeks, vowing that career scientists, not politicians, will decide if the shots are safe and effective for mass vaccination.

5:54 PM

5:47 PM

Punjab health minister tests positive for Covid-19, shared stage with Rahul Gandhi

Punjab Health minister Balbir Singh Sidhu who recently shared the stage with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tested positive for coronavirus on Tuesday, a health officer said.

 

He has mild fever and a sore throat, Mohali civil surgeon Manjit Singh said.

 

The minister is stable and in isolation at home. People who have come in contact with him will also be tested, the doctor said.

 

Sidhu was in Sangrur on Monday for Kheti Bachao Yatra, taking part in a protest against the new farm laws.

 

The event was also attended by Rahul Gandhi, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and other senior Congress leaders.

5:44 PM

Uttar Pradesh reports 61 more Covid-19 deaths, 3,500 fresh cases

Uttar Pradesh reported 61 more COVID-19 deaths on Tuesday, taking their number to 6,153, while 3,500 new cases pushed the infection tally in the state to 4,20,937.

 

The number of active cases in the state stands at 44,031, of which 20,647 are in home-isolation, Additional Chief Secretary, Health, Amit Mohan Prasad said.

 

As many as 3,70,753 patients have fully recovered from the disease and were discharged from hospitals, he said, adding that the recovery rate of the state is at 88.07 per cent.

5:26 PM

Puducherry coronavirus update: Three die of Covid-19, 407 cases added

Three people died of coronavirus in Puducherry on Tuesday, raising the toll in the union territory to 546.

 

Director of Health and Family Welfare S Mohan Kumar told PTI that 53-year-old Antony Dasanwas the first patient who succumbed to the pandemic in Mahe region ever since the outbreak of the disease.

 

In all, three died of the illness in the union territory during the last 24 hours.

5:16 PM

Health Ministry guidelines: No festive events in containment zones

The Health Ministry on Tuesday issued the standard operating procedures (SOP) on preventive measures to contain the spread of Coronavirus during ensuing festivities and urged people in containment zones, and vulnerable populations to celebrate festivals at their homes.

 

"Festive events shall be permitted only outside the Containment Zones. Organisers, staff and visitors from Containment Zones shall not be permitted. People residing inside Containment Zones may be encouraged to observe all festivals inside their homes and not move out," the ministry added. Read more...

4:59 PM

India to overtake China as largest LPG residential market by 2030: Report

India is expected to overtake China as the world's largest cooking gas LPG residential sector market by 2030, Wood Mackenzie said on Tuesday.

"Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) demand in the residential sector will continue to see sustainable growth at a cumulative annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.3 per cent, reaching 34 million tonnes (MT) in 2030 as households' dependence on solid biomass diminishes in the long run supported by rising average household incomes and urban population," it said in a report.

Driven by environmental and health concerns, the government has also been implementing schemes to help lower-income families cope with the cost of switching from dirtier biomass to LPG. Read on...

4:53 PM

Health Minister releases Covid-19 management protocol based on Ayurveda, Yoga

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Tuesday released a protocol for the clinical management of Covid-19, that lists dietarymeasures,yoga andAyurvedicherbs and formulations such as Ashwagandha and AYUSH-64 for prevention of coronavirus infection and treatment of mild and asymptomatic cases.

The 'National Clinical Management Protocol based on Ayurveda and Yoga for Management of Covid-19' was released byVardhanin the virtual presence of Shripad Naik, Minister of State for AYUSH.

"This protocol dealing with preventive and prophylactic measures is a significant step not only in management of Covid-19 but also in making traditional knowledge relevant to solving problems of the modern time," Vardhan was quoted as saying in a statement.

"Unfortunately, Ayurveda did not receive much attention after independence until Prime Minister Narendra Modi took up this cause with the importance it deserves," he said while stressing that Ayurveda had a significant impact in the foundations of modern medicine.

4:40 PM

Govt removes export curbs on N-95 masks

The government on Tuesday removed export curbs on N-95 masks, to promote outbound shipments of the product.

"The export policy of N-95/FFP-2 masks or its equivalent is amended from restricted to free category, making all types of masks freely exportable," the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said in a notification.

In August, a monthly export quota of 50 lakh units was fixed for N-95/FFP2 masks or its equivalent for issuance of export licences to eligible applicants.

4:29 PM

Revamping infra to meet Covid-19 norms to scheduling classes, schools prepare to reopen

From revamping infrastructure to meet Covid-19 guidelines to preparing an "effective" time-line for completing syllabus, schools in Delhi-NCR are taking several steps to resume formal classes in a safe environment when they reopen after nearly six months.

While the Centre has allowed graded reopening of schools from October 15, the Delhi government has extended the closure of schools till October 31 in view of the coronavirus pandemic.

In the National Capital Region (NCR), a few schools have reopened for students from classes 9 to 12 to come on a voluntary basis to seek academic guidance. NCR covers the whole of Delhi and certain districts of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.

4:19 PM

India continues to report declining trend of active Covid-19 cases: Health Ministry

India's active cases comprise merely 13.75 per cent of the total positive cases of the country standing at 9,19,023 and the country continues to report a trend of steadily declining active cases, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) said on Tuesday.

"The declining trend of the percentage active cases is commensurately supported by rising percentage of recovered cases," it stated.

So far, 56,62,490 people have recovered from the novel coronavirus in the country.

According to the statement, a higher number of recoveries has aided the national recovery rate to further improve to 84.70 per cent. 75,787 have recovered and discharged in the last 24 hours whereas the new confirmed cases stand at 61,267.