Coronavirus LIVE: Govt panel advises sustainable pricing model at hospitals

Coronavirus update: US is the worst-hit country with 12,268,678 coronavirus cases, followed by India, which has 9,050,442 cases, Brazil (5,912,903), France (2,109,170), Russia (2,039,926)

8:52 PM

Lack of testing facilities in rural areas resulted in underreporting of Covid cases: Parl panel

A parliamentary panel has lauded the ramping up of COVID-19 testing facilities in the country but noted that the testing facilities are mainly limited to bigger districts and cities and "lack of testing facilities in rural areas has also resulted in the underreporting of cases". The committee observed that initially only NIV-Pune was equipped to carry out COVID-19 testing and by April 1, testing facilities were increased to 151 labs. It said that testing capacity was expanded to 1,321 labs by July 31 and to 2,082 labs by November 10.

"This ramping up is commendable. However, the Committee finds that the testing facility is only limited to bigger districts and cities. Lack of testing facilities in rural areas has also resulted in the underreporting of cases. The PHCs and CHCs are still largely devoid of any testing facilities and the required technical workforce," the panel said. Ram Gopal Yadav, the Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare, virtually presented 121st, 122nd, 123rd and 124th reports to Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu. While 121st, 122nd and 124th reports are action taken reports, the 123rd report is a subject report on 'Outbreak of Pandemic COVID-19 and its Management', an official release said.

The committee strongly recommended to the Health Ministry "to establish a strong network of Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratories in the country to tackle the constantly increasing incidence of COVID-19 cases and enhance the efficacy plan of containment of the pandemic".

8:36 PM

57 officer trainees have tested positive for Covid-19 National Academy of Administration in Uttarakhand

57 officer trainees have tested positive for Covid-19 at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Uttarakhand, since yesterday: Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions

8:20 PM

Covid-19 infection offers protection from reinfection for at least 6 months: Study

A new UK study on Saturday suggests that individuals who have previously had COVID-19 are highly unlikely to contract the illness again for at least six months following their first infection. The study, done as part of a major collaboration between the University of Oxford and Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) NHS
Foundation Trust involving frontline healthcare workers, suggests that most people are unlikely to get COVID-19 again if they have already had it in the previous six months.

This is really good news because we can be confident that, at least in the short term, most people who get COVID-19 won't get it again, said Professor David Eyre of the University of Oxford's Nuffield Department of Population Health, one of the authors of the paper which is in pre-print stages. This ongoing study involving a large cohort of healthcare workers has shown that being infected with COVID-19 does offer protection against reinfection for most people for at least six months we found no new symptomatic infections in any of the participants who had tested positive for antibodies, while 89 of those who had tested negative did contract the virus, he said.

Prof Eyre explained that we know from a previous study that antibody levels fall over time, but this latest study shows that there is some immunity in those who have been infected.

7:50 PM

Himachal Pradesh: Shimla district administration orders closure of shops/markets on Sunday; shops selling groceries, milk, fruits, vegetables, meat, medicines, & restaurants exempted.

7:49 PM

Delhi Police issued 1,306 challans for not wearing facemask in public places

Delhi Police issued 1,306 challans for not wearing facemask in public places, one challan for spitting, and 51 challans for violation of social distancing norms today (till 4 pm). 735 facemasks were distributed to needy persons

7:29 PM

Gujarat records highest single-day spike of 1,515 coronavirus cases

Gujarat records highest single-day spike of 1,515 coronavirus cases, tally rises to 1,95,917; death toll reaches 3,846 with nine new fatalities: Health Department

7:27 PM

Phase 3 trialsto determine Covaxin's effectiveness: Principal investigator

In phase 3, we'll see if COVAXIN is effective enough to prevent the disease. Out of 1000 people recruited, we'll give vaccine to 50% of them & placebo to others: Dr E Venkata Rao, Principal investigator of COVAXIN trial at Institute of Medical Sciences & SUM Hospital, Bhubaneswar

7:13 PM

Bengal govt to come out with guidelines on Covid-19 follow-up treatment

The West Bengal health department will soon come out with guidelines on follow-up treatment of those who have recovered from Covid-19, amid rising cases of people falling sick or dying shortly after being cured of the disease, a senior official said on Saturday. Depending on their present health parameters after recovering from COVID-19, the department would divide them into two groups and continue the necessary treatment for a period of at least two months, he said.

"There are reports that several of those who recovered from COVID-19 are falling sick again. There are cases where people have even died. So, we have decided that those who have recovered must continue follow-up treatment," the official said. The decision was taken following an expert-committee meeting held on Friday.

7:11 PM

Noida limits gatherings at social functions to 100

With the coronavirus pandemic continuing unabated across the country, Uttar Pradeshs Noida district has reduced the number of persons allowed at a social gathering to a maximum of 100. The national Capital and neighbouring states Uttar Pradesh and Haryana have reported a sudden spike in corona cases during the last few days. Recently, the Kejriwal-led Delhi government reduced the number of persons to 50 from the earlier limit of 200 allowed to attend a wedding or other social events in Delhi.

Noida District Magistrate (DM) Suhas L. Y. has appealed to all residents of the district to comply with the new U.P government order which says, "In the wake of the rise in spread of Covid-19 pandemic, not more than 100 persons will be allowed to attend any function, marriage and other social event whether held outdoors or indoors." The DM said that strict action would be taken as per law against those found violating the new order by the state government.

6:55 PM

Delhi govt directs district officials to visit Covid-19 patients under home isolation

Delhi government directs district officials to visit Covid-19 patients under home isolation and ensure that they follow isolation rules, a move that comes amid instances of such people flouting norms in national capital

6:29 PM

Rajasthan reports 3,007 new Covid-19 cases

Rajasthan reports 3,007 new Covid-19 cases, 16 deaths and 1,963 recoveries/discharges today. Total cases in the state rise to 240,676  including 2,146 deaths and 216,579  recoveries/discharges. Active cases stand at 21,951

5:55 PM

Obese people at higher risk of contracting coronavirus, suggests study

The effects of cardiovascular risk factors on the risk of COVID-19 infection have been investigated through a novel approach by researchers at Queen Mary University of London. Several observational studies have reported the link between cardiovascular risk factors and COVID-19 severity. However, these studies could not ascertain the cause and effect relationship due to the observational design.

The new study, published in the science journal Frontiers in Genetics, used a novel approach called 'Mendelian Randomisation', which leveraged the individual genetic information, to investigate the effects of cardiovascular risk factors on the risk of COVID-19 infection. Lead author Dr Nay Aung from the Queen Mary University of London said: "Our results show that individuals with high body mass index (BMI), a marker of obesity, and high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (also known as 'bad' cholesterol) are at an increased risk of getting COVID-19. Other cardiovascular risk factors (high blood pressure and diabetes) do not appear to elevate the COVID-19 risk.

5:46 PM

Andhra Pradesh reports 1,160 new Covid-19 cases

Andhra Pradesh reports 1,160 new Covid-19 cases taking the total positive cases in the State to 8,61,092. There are 14,770 active cases and 8,39,395 recovered cases in the State; the death toll is at 6,927, as per the State Health Department

5:24 PM

411 ICU beds added for Covid-19 patients in hospitals in last 5 days: Delhi govt

Following Delhi CM's order, 411 ICU beds have been added for Covid-19 patients in hospitals of state and Central governments in last 5 days. This includes beds in several private hospitals to increase reservation for ICU beds in private hospitals up to 80%: Delhi government

5:20 PM

US reports over 194,000 new Covid-19 cases, sets new record

The United States on Friday made a new record after reporting over 194,000 new COVID-19 cases, and the hospitalisation of over 82,000 people, reported New York Times. Over the past week, there has been an average of 166,272 cases per day, an increase of 73 percent from the average two weeks earlier, NYT further reported.

California is the latest to issue an overnight curfew, according to the New York Times. Governor Gavin Newsom of California, a Democrat, issued the order for most of the state's counties on Thursday, requiring that, beginning Saturday, people do not leave their homes between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. except for essential reasons. However, Governor Mike DeWine of Ohio, a Republican, issued a similar curfew that went into effect on Thursday.

5:02 PM

130 mn Covid-19 tests done so far, cumulative positivity rate falling steadily: Health Ministry

The total number of tests conducted in India for the detection of COVID-19 infection has crossed the 13-crore mark with last one crore done in just 10 days, while the cumulative positivity rate remained low and continues a downward trajectory, the Union Health Ministry said on Saturday. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), over 13.06 crore samples have been tested till November 20 with 10,66,022 being tested on Friday.

The cumulative national COVID-19 positivity rate has declined and stood at 6.93 per cent as on date while the daily positivity rate on Friday was just 4.34 per cent. Higher volumes of testing eventually lead to low positivity rate, the ministry said. "An average of more than 10 lakh tests conducted daily has ensured that the cumulative positivity rate is sustained at low levels and is presently following a downward trajectory," the ministry underlined.

The last one crore COVID-19 tests were conducted in a span of just 10 days. Twenty-four states and Union Territories have conducted more tests per million population than India as a whole. Twelve states have lower tests per million population than the national average and they have been advised to substantially ramp up the levels of testing, the ministry underscored. According the the health ministry data updated at 8 am on Saturday, 46,232 people were found to be infected with COVID-19 in a span of 24 hours.

3:59 PM

Parliament panel on Covid-19: Pvt hospitals charged exorbitantly; spending on health abysmally low

Amid rising COVID-19 cases, inadequate beds in government hospitals and absence of specific guidelines for COVID treatment resulted in private hospitals charging exorbitant fees, a parliamentary panel on Saturday said, asserting that a sustainable pricing model could have averted many deaths. Chairperson of the parliamentary standing committee on health Ram Gopal Yadav submitted the report on 'Outbreak of Pandemic Covid-19 and its Management', to Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu.

This is the first report by any parliamentary committee on the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Underlining that healthcare spending in the country with a population of 1.3 billion is "abysmally low", the panel said fragility of Indian health ecosystem posed a big hurdle in generating an effective response against the pandemic.

"The committee, therefore, strongly recommends the government to increase its investments in the public healthcare system and make consistent efforts to achieve the National Health Policy targets of expenditure up to 2.5 per cent of GDP within two years as the set time frame of year 2025 is far away and the public health cannot be jeopardised till that time schedule," the report stated. The National Health Policy 2017 has set a target of government expenditure on healthcare up to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2025 from just 1.15 per cent in 2017.

3:44 PM

15 security personnel among 66 new Covid-19 patients in Mizoram

Mizoram's COVID-19 tally rose to 3,607 on Saturday as 66 more people, including 15 security personnel, tested positive for the infection, an official statement said. Aizawl district reported the highest number of new cases at 46, followed by Lawngtlai (eight) and Serchhip (six), the statement issued by the state Information and Public Relations Department said.

Forty-two infections were detected during RT-PCR tests, seven during TrueNat and 17 during rapid antigen tests, it said. Eleven policemen, three Assam Rifles personnel and one Army jawan are among the new patients, the statement said.

3:41 PM

278 more Covid-19 positive cases have been reported on 20th November, taking the total count of active cases in Bihar to 5,881: State Health Department

3:25 PM

Churches in Mumbai to restart mass for public from Nov 29

All churches in Mumbai will resume Sunday masses and other celebrations from November 29 with strict adherence to all the government regulations and necessary COVID-19 protocols, according to a circular issued by the Archbishop of Bombay on Friday. Although the Maharashtra government allowed religious places to reopen from November 16, churches in Mumbai remained shut for the public and only private prayers were allowed inside the church premises till now.

"The government suddenly announced the reopening of religious places at a time when we were not prepared with the necessary infrastructure in regard to COVID-19 precautions. So we took our time for all the necessary arrangements like foot pedal sanitiser dispenser, demarcation for social distancing and availability of spare masks for the visitors," Father Nigel Barrett, spokesperson for Archbishop of Bombay, told ANI. Father Barrett said the church will continue with online masses despite the reopening of churches for people who cannot step out as of now.

3:23 PM

Officials at Nehru Place imposing fine of Rs 2,000 on people for not wearing a mask in public.

2:52 PM

Social isolation amid Covid outbreak linked to high BP: Study

The Covid induced lockdown and social isolation is associated with an increase in high blood pressure (BP) among patients admitted to emergency, researchers have found. According to the study, admission to the emergency department during the mandatory social isolation period was linked with a 37 per cent increase in the odds of having high blood pressure - even after taking into account age, gender, month, day and time of consultation.

"After social isolation began, we observed that more patients coming to the emergency had high blood pressure. We conducted this study to confirm or reject this impression," said study author Matias Fosco of Favaloro Foundation University Hospital in Argentina. The frequency of high blood pressure among patients aged 21 and above during the three-month social isolation (20 March to 25 June 2020) was compared to two previous time periods: the same three months in 2019 and the three months immediately before social isolation (13 December 2019 to 19 March 2020).

Blood pressure is a standard measurement on admission to the emergency department and almost every patient (98.2 per cent) admitted between 21 March 2019 and 25 June 2020 was included in the study. The most common reasons for admission were chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, abdominal pain, fever, cough, and hypertension.

2:07 PM

Fight against Covid-19 in crucial phase, India can't relax now: Ambani

Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani on Saturday said India has entered a crucial phase in its fight against coronavirus and cannot afford to let the guard down at this juncture.

 

He said the bold reforms undertaken by the government will lead to swift recovery and rapid progress in the years to come.

 

The remarks come amid growing number of COVID-19 cases in certain pockets of the country, which has led authorities to re-introduce restrictions on movements like in the case of Ahmedabad and also mull restricting travel to cities like the national capital.

1:45 PM

ICMR increases RT-PCR testing capacity on directions of Amit Shah: MHA

ICMR has increased RT-PCR testing capacity from 27,000 tests/day to 37,200 RT-PCR tests per day on directions of Home Minister Amit Shah. 30,735 RT-PCR samples collected in Delhi on 19 November as compared to 12,055 RT-PCR samples on 15 November: Ministry of Home Affairs

1:27 PM

Delhi: Officials at Delhi-Noida border imposing fine of Rs 2,000 on people for not wearing masks while travelling

1:23 PM

Odisha reports 778 new COVID-19 cases, 17 fresh fatalities

Odisha's COVID-19 tally rose to 3,13,323 on Saturday as 778 more people tested positive for the infection, a health official said.

 

Seventeen fresh fatalities pushed the coastal state's coronavirus death toll to 1,625, he said.

 

As many as 446 new cases were reported in quarantine centres, while 332 fresh infections were detected during contact tracing, the official said.

 

Angul district reported the highest number of new cases at 68, followed by Sundergarh (64) and Khurda and Balasore (61 each), he said.

1:14 PM

Maharashtra mulls halting flights, trains to & from Delhi over rising Covid cases in the national capital

The Maharashtra government is toying with the idea of suspending train and flight operations to and from Delhi in view of the rising coronavirus cases in the national capital, a senior official said on Saturday.

This is one of the steps being considered by the state government to curb the spread of the virus, he said.

"Various measures are being discussed in order to curb the virus spread in the state, and suspension of train and flight operations to and from Delhi is one of them," Principal Secretary Sanjay Kumar told PTI.

"However, no decision has been taken so far on this," he added.

12:56 PM

Number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Germany surpasses 900,000: Robert Koch Institute

Germany has confirmed 22,964 new Covid-19 cases over the past 24 hours, with the total count reaching 902,528, the Robert Koch Institute said on Saturday.

 

The death toll has grown by 254 to 13,884 people within the same period of time. More than 593,000 patients have recovered from the disease.

 

A day earlier, the country confirmed 23,648 new coronavirus cases and 260 fatalities.

12:43 PM

One-fourth of UP's active Covid-19 cases are in its eight NCR districts

Uttar Pradesh's eight districts that lie in the National Capital Region (NCR) account for over 25 per cent or one-fourth of the state's active COVID-19 cases and nearly 11 per cent of the deaths linked to the disease, according to official data.

 

UP's Gautam Buddh Nagar, Ghaziabad, Hapur, Bulandshahr, Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Baghpat and Shamli districts are a part of the NCR, a wider region that also comprises districts from Haryana, Rajasthan and entire Delhi.

 

According to UP's official data updated till Friday, there were a total of 5,21,988 COVID-19 cases in the state, while the number of active cases stood at 23,357, of which 5,863 (25.10 per cent) were in its NCR districts.

 

Meerut has the highest number of 2,102 active cases among these eight districts, followed by Gautam Buddh Nagar (1,401), Ghaziabad (1,195), Muzaffarnagar (431), Bulandshahr (304), Shamli (168) Hapur (167) and Baghpat (149), according to the data.

12:31 PM

Recent breakthroughs on COVID-19 vaccines offer ray of hope: UN chief Guterres

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has described the recent breakthroughs towards development of COVID-19 vaccines as a "ray of hope that needs to reach everyone and called on the G-20 nations to support the global collaboration to accelerate development of coronavirus treatments and drugs.

 

This week, global drugmakers Pfizer and BioNTech said their COVID-19 vaccine candidate is 95 per cent effective, including in adults over 65 years of age.

 

The recent breakthroughs on COVID-19 vaccines offer a ray of hope. But that ray of hope needs to reach everyone, Guterres said at a news conference on Friday.

 

That means ensuring that vaccines are treated as a global public good accessible and affordable to everyone, everywhere. A people's vaccine. This is not a do-good' exercise. It is the only way to stop the pandemic dead in its tracks, he said.