LIVE: Kerala considering re-opening schools, consulting experts, says CM

Covid-19 live updates: Tamil Nadu extends ban on religious gatherings; Microsoft won't forecast new date for returning to office.

10:08 PM

Mumbai reports 441 COVID-19 cases, five deaths

Mumbai on Friday reported 441 new COVID-19 cases and five deaths, taking the tally of infections in the city to 7,34,337 and death toll to 16,011, a civic official said.

 

Incidentally, the 10-day Ganesh festival began on Friday, though a slew of restrictions are in place to ensure there is no crowding on the streets.

 

The discharge of 175 people during the day took the recovery count in the city to 7,11,322, which is 97 per cent of the overall case tally.

 

The country's financial capital has 4,537 active cases now. On Thursday, the city had reported 458 cases and six deaths.

9:34 PM

PM Modi chairs high-level meeting on Covid situation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday chaired a high-level meeting on the Covid situation and vaccination as the government noted high caseloads in states like Kerala and Maharashtra to say that there can be no room for complacency.

 

Modi reviewed the status of augmentation of bed capacity for pediatric care and of facilities supported under "COVID Emergency Response Package II", and it was noted that states have been advised to redesign and orient primary care and block level health infrastructure in these areas to manage the situation in rural areas, a statement said.

 

States are being asked to maintain a buffer stock for drugs used in management of COVID-19, mucormycosis, MIS-C at the district level, it added.

 

"It was discussed that across the world, there are countries where the number of active Covid cases continues to remain high. In India too, the figures from states like Maharashtra and Kerala indicate that there can be no room for complacency," the statement said.

9:04 PM

One death, 10 fresh coronavirus cases in Uttar Pradesh

One more person died from coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh on Friday as 10 fresh cases surfaced, taking the state's infection count 17,09,512, according to a statement. So far,22,864 people have died from the infection in the state. Of the 10 fresh cases, three were reported from Gautam Buddh Nagar and one each from Allahabad, Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Jalaun, Rae Bareli and Kaushambi, the UP government said in the statement.

 

One death was reported from Banda during this period, it said.

 

In the past 24 hours, 16 patients have recovered from the disease in the state, taking the number of cured people to 16,86,457. The recovery rate has now come to 98.7 per cent, the statement said. An official spokesperson said there is no active case in 33 of 75 districts of the state. The count of active cases in the state stands at 191, the statement said.

8:58 PM

Maha records 4,154 Covid-19 cases, 44 deaths

Maharashtra reported 4,154 new coronavirus infections and 44 fatalities on Friday, a health official said, according to PTI.

 

It took the tally of COVID-19 cases in the state to 64,91,179 and death toll to 1,38,061.

 

The number of daily cases and fatalities witnessed a marginal dip. 

8:47 PM

Haryana reports 12 fresh cases

Haryana reported 12 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, raising its tally to 7,70,626, PTI reported.

 

The state did not record any death in the past 24 hours and the fatality toll stood at 9,686, a health bulletin said.

 

Of the fresh cases, six were reported from Gurgaon and three from Ambala districts.

8:46 PM

US Federal mandate takes vaccine decision off employers' hands

Larger US businesses now won't have to decide whether to require their employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Doing so is now federal policy, AP reported.

 

President Joe Biden announced sweeping new orders Thursday that will require employers with more than 100 workers to mandate immunizations or offer weekly testing. The new rules could affect as many as 100 million Americans, although it's not clear how many of those people are currently unvaccinated.

 

Large swaths of the private sector have already stepped in to mandate shots for at least some of their employees. But Biden said Thursday that "many of us are frustrated with the nearly 80 million Americans who are not fully vaccinated.

8:12 PM

Telangana logs 220 new Covid-19 cases, one death

Telangana on Friday logged 220 new COVID-19 cases, pushing the tally to 6,61,006, while the death toll rose to 3,892 with one more fatality, PTI reported.

 

The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) accounted for the most number of cases with 71, followed by Nalgonda (17) and Khammam and Ranga Reddy (12 each) districts, a state government bulletin said, providing details as of 5.30 PM today.

7:56 PM

UAE allows return of fully vaccinated with WHO-approved Covid-19 jabs from 15 countries, including India

The UAE on Friday said it will allow the return of those vaccinated fully with WHO-approved COVID-19 jabs and holding valid residence visas from 15 countries previously on the suspended list, including India, from September 12, PTI reported.

 

The National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) in a tweet shared an official statement saying that those who can return also include those who stayed abroad for over six months.

 

"UAE allows return of fully vaccinated (WHO-approved vaccines) holders of valid residence visa, including those who stayed abroad for over six months, starting from September 12, 2021," the statement said.

7:55 PM

Goa records 45 Covid-19 cases, two deaths

Goa's COVID-19 infection tally reached 1,74,770 on Friday with an addition of 45 cases, a health official said, PTI reported.

 

The state also recorded two deaths due to the viral infection during the day, while 81 people were discharged from hospitals.

 

The death toll in the coastal state rose to 3,214 and the recovery count stood at 1,70,716.

7:25 PM

Kerala considering re-opening schools, consulting experts, says CM

7:13 PM

Karnataka reports 967 new cases

7:11 PM

Moderna to develop single-dose booster shot for Covid-19 and flu

US drug maker Moderna has announced the development of a single-dose vaccine candidate that is a combination of a Covid-19 booster as well as a seasonal flu jab, IANS reported.

 

"We believe our mRNA platform can solve the world's greatest health challenges, from diseases impacting millions, to ultra-rare diseases impacting dozens, to medicines personalised down to the individual level," CEO Stephane Bancel said.

 

"Today we are announcing the first step in our novel respiratory vaccine programme with the development of a single dose vaccine that combines a booster against Covid-19 and a booster against flu," she added.

6:53 PM

Japan vaccine minister seeks to be next prime minister

Japan's outspoken vaccinations minister, Taro Kono, announced Friday that he is running to become head of the governing party, who usually is chosen prime minister, and pledged to be reform-minded and gets things done, AP reported.

 

Kono, 58, a graduate of Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., who is fluent in English, has many fans among younger people, with whom he communicates via social media. Such things are still a rarity in Japanese politics.

 

I will embrace your views and worries, share information with you, convey a solid message and work with you to overcome this crisis that we face, Kono said at a packed news conference in Tokyo, referring to the pandemic.

6:52 PM

Sikkim reports 57 new Covid-19 cases, one more fatality

Sikkim's COVID-19 tally rose to 30,501 as 57 more people tested positive for the virus while one more fatality pushed the death toll to 377, a health department bulletin said on Friday, PTI reported.

 

South Sikkim district registered 20 new cases followed by 19 in East Sikkim, 15 in South Sikkim and 3 in North Sikkim district.

 

The Himalayan state now has 847 active COVID-19 cases, as 28,980 people have recovered from the virus, it said.

6:19 PM

Concern over 'sharp increase' in Covid cases as Singapore plans to reopen

As Singapore plans to reopen economic activities, the government on Friday expressed concerns over a "sharp increase" in the number of COVID-19 cases in the coming weeks that might "overwhelm" the city-state's healthcare system, PTI reported.

 

The average daily number of Covid-19 cases has risen from 76 two weeks ago to 288 in the past week, according to media reports.

 

While we expected an increase in the number of cases every day when we open up, the sharp rate of increase is worrying, Covid-19 multi-ministry task force co-chair Gan Kim Yong told a press conference.

6:10 PM

Kerala sees 25,010 new cases, 177 deaths in last 24 hrs

5:53 PM

Mass booster doses not needed, says UK Covid-19 vaccine creator

A widespread booster shots campaign as planned by the UK government is not required for everyone as immunity against COVID-19 among fully vaccinated people is lasting well, the creator of the Oxford University vaccine said on Friday, according to PTI.

 

Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert, a leading scientist who led the development of the Oxford University/AstraZeneca vaccine being administered in India as Covidshield said the elderly and people with weakened immune systems may well require the boosters but other doses should be prioritised for countries with low vaccination rates.

 

As the virus spreads between people, it mutates and adapts and evolves, like the Delta variant, she told The Daily Telegraph'.

5:52 PM

Andhra: Active Covid-19 cases cross 15,000 again

Active Covid-19 cases in Andhra Pradesh once again went past the 15,000 mark as the state reported 1,608 fresh coronavirus infections as against 1,107 recoveries on Friday, PTI said.

 

The state reported six deaths in the 24 hours ending 9 am on Friday, according to the latest bulletin. The state's Covid-19 chart now showed a gross of 20,27,650 positives, 19,98,561 recoveries and 13,970 deaths. 

5:16 PM

Odisha reports 745 new Covid cases, 6 more deaths

Odisha reported 745 new COVID-19 cases on Friday and six more deaths, a Health Department official said, according to PTI.

 

The state reported an average of 66 deaths per day in August, while the average in July was 61, and in June it was 42, he said.

 

Odisha has so far reported 10,15,083 cases and 8,084 deaths, he said.

5:12 PM

WATCH | PM Modi chairs a high-level review meeting on Covid situation

4:58 PM

PM Modi chairs high-level meet to review Covid situation, says report

4:57 PM

Maha: Ganesh fest begins under COVID-19 shadow, CM prays for destruction of 'evil' virus

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Friday urged citizens to launch a strong movement against coronavirus and said he prayed to Lord Ganesh to destroy all "evil and negativity" as the 10-day festival dedicated to the deity began amid the pandemic and looming threat of a third wave, PTI reported.

 

People welcomed Lord Ganesh in their homes and pandals in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra without pomp and gaiety and with focus on online 'darshan' to avoid gathering as the state government has made it clear it does not want to take any chance in view of an uptick in cases, especially in the metropolis. For the second straight year, the pandemic cast a long shadow on Ganesh Chaturthi festivities with the Maharashtra government placing a slew of restrictions to avoid gathering and processions.

4:17 PM

Subdued celebrations at Mumbai's Lalbaugcha Raja amid Covid restrictions

Amid strict COVID-19 restrictions in Mumbai, the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations at the famous Lalbaugcha Raja pandal are muted as the darshan has gone virtual, ANI reported.

 

Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) has been imposed from September 10 to 19 as a precautionary measure, banning the gathering of people, to curb the transmission of the virus. The police stuck notices outside the pandal that read, "No devotees allowed to go for prayers."

 

The lane outside the pandal wore a deserted look as devotees were not permitted at the venue. Huge contingent of security personnel were lined up outside the venue to maintain the law and order situation.

4:09 PM

Punjab govt extends Covid restrictions till Sept 30

3:59 PM

HC grants time to Delhi govt to decide on implementing CM's promise to pay rent to poor during Covid

The Delhi High Court Friday granted two weeks to Delhi government to decide on implementing Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's announcement that if a poor tenant was unable to pay rent during the COVID-19 pandemic, the state would pay it, PTI reported.

 

Delhi government's counsel Gautam Narayan told Justice Rekha Palli, who was hearing a plea alleging willful disobedience of the court's order directing a decision to be taken in this regard in six weeks, that the matter was under consideration and sought two weeks to arrive at a conclusion.

 

On July 22, the court had ruled that a Chief Minister's promise to citizens was enforceable and directed the AAP government to decide within six weeks on Kejriwal's announcement that the state would pay rent on behalf of a poor tenant who are unable to do so on account of COVID-19.

3:46 PM

Unvaccinated Punjab govt employees to be sent on leave after Sept 15

3:23 PM

Sri Lanka extends nationwide curfew to curb Covid-19 spread

Sri Lankan authorities on Friday further extended a nationwide quarantine curfew till September 21 to prevent further spread of the COVID-19, ANI reported.

 

Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said the curfew will be lifted at 4:00 a.m. on September 21 after a decision made by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa following a meeting with the COVID-19 Task Force.

 

Rambukwella said the number of COVID-19 patients in the country was steadily declining and authorities were confident that Sri Lanka would once again be able to reopen without risk.

3:22 PM

Maha: For 2nd year, austere Ganeshotsav, sans crowds amid Covid fears

For the second consecutive year, millions of people in Mumbai, the coastal Konkan region and other parts of the state on Friday cheerfully welcomed Lord Ganesha amid stringent restrictions to ward off the lurking threats of the Covid-19 'third wave', IANS reported.

The state's biggest public festival's lowkey celebrations were further hit by an abrupt change in the rules -- banning all physical 'darshan' at the 2,400-odd public associations which have erected marquees (pandals) for devotees -- disappointing the organisers.

"We were all geared to conduct the festival with full Covid-19 protocols but at the last-minute, the new rule with Sec. 144 has been clamped. This has come as a shock to all, but we shall strictly adhere to the government norms for public safety," the BrihanMumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshutsav Samanway Samiti (BSGSS) President Naresh Dahibhavkar told IANS.

3:22 PM

Madhya Pradesh CM reviews Covid-19 vaccination programme

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister on Friday held a meeting to review the COVID-19 vaccination programme and district-wise dengue and chikungunya cases at Chief Minister's residence office, according to the Chief Minister's office (CMO), ANI reported.

 

State Health Minister, Director Health, Secretary Chief Minister and other officials were also present at the meeting.

 

Madhya Pradesh has administered over 5 crore COVID-19 doses by September 9. Out of the total number of doses administered, the state has administered 4 crore 10 lakh with the first dose of the anti-COVID shot while over 95.4 lakh received the second dose, as per the CMO.

3:00 PM

Over 10mn people in SL fully vaccinated against Covid

Over 10 million people, above the age of 30 years, have been fully vaccinated in Sri Lanka against Covid-19 since a mass inoculation program was launched in January, the Health Ministry said on Friday, IANS reported.

According to the Ministry's Epidemiology Unit, 10,211,537 people were administered with both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine across the country to date, while 13,264,806 had received the first doses, reports Xinhua news agency.

Official statistics showed that the Sinopharm vaccine was the leading jab used across the island nation.