<ul><li>Maharashtra on Thursday saw a new record high of 11,514 <keyword id="8785701" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="COVID-19-cases">Covid-19 cases</keyword>, besides 316 deaths, the third-highest fatality figure so far, health officials said.</li><li>The new daily tally surpassed the previous high of 11,147 (July 30), even as Thane became the third district after Mumbai and Pune to surpass the one lakh case mark.</li><li>With the fresh fatalities, the state's death toll shot up to 16,792, while the total cases rose to 479,779 - both highest in the country. Maharashtra on Thursday saw a new record high of 11,514 Covid-19 cases, besides 316 deaths, the third-highest fatality figure so far, health officials said.</li></ul> The new daily tally surpassed the previous high of 11,147 (July 30), even as Thane became the third district after Mumbai and Pune to surpass the one lakh case mark. With the fresh fatalities, the state's death toll shot up to 16,792, while the total cases rose to 479,779 - both highest in the country. According to Thursday's figures, there was one death roughly every 5 minutes and a staggering 480 new cases every hour. The state's recovery rate increased marginally from 65.25 per cent to 65.94 per cent on Thursday, while the current mortality rate stood stable at 3.50 per cent. The Health Department said that of the total cases till date, 146,305 are active. A total of 10,854 recovered patients have returned home, taking the total number of discharged patients to 316,375. Of Thursday's deaths, Pune notched the highest, at 62, followed by Mumbai's 57, and Thane's 56 deaths. As Mumbai deaths again crossed the 50-plus range, the city's toll rose to 6,648 and the number of cases increased by 910 to 120,150. There were also 18 deaths in Nagpur, 15 in Solapur, 13 each in Nashik, Jalgaon and Kolhapur, 10 in Palghar, seven each in Aurangabad, Parbhani, and Amravati, six in Latur, five each in Raigad, Ahmednagar, Sangli, and Nanded, three in Buldhana, two each in Dhule, Satara, and Yavatmal, and one each in Nandurbar, Ratnagiri, and Akola. Governor <keyword id="314718" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bhagat-Singh-Koshyari">Bhagat Singh Koshyari</keyword> e-inaugurated a new Covid-19 testing lab at Bhaktivedanta Hospital in Mira Road, one of the corona hotspots, in the presence of the hospital Chairman Hrishikesh Mafatlal, Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation Mayor Jyotsana Hasnale and MLA Gita Jain. The MMR has seen its toll shooting up sharply by 128 to 10,371 deaths and 2,913 new cases pushed up the number to 257,278. Pune district's cases have risen to 104,353, with the death toll increasing to 2,496. Thane district became the third after Mumbai and Pune to shoot past the 1-lakh case mark, with cases rising to 100,875 and 2,879 fatalities. With 79 more fatalities, the Pune division's death toll has reached 3,209 and the case tally zoomed up with 3,568 new cases to reach 119,932. Nashik division has 1,340 fatalities and 42,722 cases, followed by Aurangabad division with 656 deaths and 18,811 cases, Kolhapur division with 372 fatalities and 14,013 cases, Latur division with 308 fatalities and 8,496 cases, Akola division with 299 fatalities and 9,067 cases, and Nagpur division with 184 deaths and 8,989 cases. Meanwhile, the number of people sent to home quarantine now stands at 976,332, while those in institutional quarantine total 37,768. SEE ALSO <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/news/rbi-governor-shaktikanta-das-leaves-repo-rate-unchanged-to-check-inflation/articleshow/77387591.cms">‘Watchful’ RBI leaves repo rate unchanged to keep inflation in check</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/the-beirut-explosion-created-a-huge-mushroom-cloud-and-visible-blast-wave-but-nuclear-weapons-experts-say-it-wasnt-an-atomic-blast-heres-why-/articleshow/77362144.cms">The Beirut explosion created a huge mushroom cloud and visible blast wave, but nuclear weapons experts say it wasn't an atomic bomb. Here's why.</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/microsoft-for-startups-lathika-pai-says-entrepreneurs-pitching-for-investments-need-to-have-this-one-question-answered-in-their-pitch-decks/articleshow/77352935.cms">Microsoft for Startups’ Lathika Pai says entrepreneurs pitching for investments need to have this one question answered in their pitch decks</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/careers/news/linkedin-tcs-disney-hotstar-zee-and-other-companies-hiring-right-now-in-india/slidelist/77352775.cms">LinkedIn, TCS, Disney+ Hotstar, Zee and other companies hiring right now in India</a>

Maharashtra adds a records 11,514 COVID-19 cases and witnesses 316 deaths in a single day

Latest updates on coronavirus crisis in India and other parts of the world at 1.42 pm on 21st March 2020. Kasaragod district, which reported eight positive cases of Covid-19, put under total lockdown, while cases were registered against 10 traders who opened their shops despite warning. 1.39 pm Samples of 28 people who came in contact with UP Health Minister Jai Pratap Singh have tested negative for COVID-19: KGMU Hospital. 1.38 pm Potato prices in parts of West Bengal jump at least 20 per cent due to panic-buying, according to market sources. 1.37 pm Authorities ban entry of devotees at two famous jyotirlinga temples in Madhya Pradesh - Omkareshwar and Mahalakeshwar - till March 31. 1.35 pm Commercial establishments, corporate firms and manufacturing units in neighbouring Navi Mumbai will remain closed till further orders to promote social distancing during coronavirus pandemic, an official says. 1.33 pm Six coronavirus positive cases reported in Gujarat, number of patients rises to 13: Minister. 1.31 pm Delhi Food and Civil Supplies Minister Imran Hussain says face masks, gloves, soaps and hand sanitisers, which have been declared essential commodities, can be sold at fair price shops. 1.28 pm Railways relaxes refund rules for PRS counter-generated tickets from March 21 to April 15. 1.24 pm UP Health Minister Jai Pratap Singh, who was at a party with singer Kanika Kapoor, tests negative for coronavirus: Official sources. 1.22 pm Couple deboarded from Delhi-bound Rajdhani train after co-passengers notice home quarantine seal on husband's hand, says Railways. 1.04 pm Indian embassy in France issues advisory for its nationals who wish to return home before India's week-long ban on international commercial flights comes into force on March 22. 1.04 pm Goa imposes section 144 of CrPC across state to prohibit large gatherings of people. 1.04 pm Celebrity television host Andy Cohen tests positive for novel coronavirus. 12.45 pm Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope says state has witnessed a "big rise" in the number of coronavirus patients with addition of 11 cases, appeals to people to avoid using public transport. 11.58 am Case registered against couple in Maharashtra's Jalgaon district for failing to report to authorities their trip to Thailand, police say. 11.56 am State Election Commission of Arunachal Pradesh decides to temporarily put on hold the municipal and panchayat elections, an official says. 11.54 am Dakshina Kannada district administration lays down travel restrictions through Talapady border check-post to Kerala in view of increasing coronavirus cases in the neighbouring state's Kasaragod. 11.43 am A 52-year-old man with travel history to Sri Lanka tests positive for coronavirus in Gujarat; total in the state now eight, officials say. 11.36 am Two persons, including a woman, become first fatalities of coronavirus pandemic in Singapore, health ministry says. 11.34 am Woman in her early 40s tests positive for coronavirus in Pune, an official says. 11.33 am Novel coronavirus cases in India rise to 258, the Health Ministry says. 11.26 am Maldives pledges USD 200,000 contribution to the SAARC Corona Emergency Fund proposed by PM Narendra Modi. 11.26 am Fresh novel coronavirus case reported in Karnataka, total number of infections rise to 16 in the state. 11.15 am National carrier Air India to send a 787 Dreamliner aircraft to Rome in the afternoon to evacuate Indians stranded there amid the coronavirus crisis. 10.52 am One more person tests positive for the novel coronavirus in Noida, taking the number of COVID-19 cases to five here, district officials say. 10.42 am Number of coronavirus positive patients in Maharashtra rises to 63 with 11 more positive cases reported in last 24 hours, officials say. 10.34 am Indian Council of Medical Research revises strategy to fight spread of coronavirus, saying all hospitalised patients with severe acute respiratory illness, shortness of breath and having fever and cough will now be tested for COVID-19 infection. 10.21 am US President Donald Trump says he greatly respects China and shares a "very good" relationship with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, but terms it "unfortunate" that coronavirus started in the Communist nation and got out of control. 10.04 am Three more people in Punjab test positive for coronavirus, taking the total in the state to six, an official says. 9.40 am Six fresh cases of new coronavirus surface in Rajasthan; total in the state 23, officials say. 9.35 am Over 800 persons have been kept under home quarantine in Maharashtra's Aurangabad district, amid the coronavirus outbreak, a senior official says. 9.29 am Woman with recent travel history to Scotland tests positive for novel coronavirus, making it the third confirmed case in West Bengal, a state official says. 9.22 am With the number of coronavirus positive cases on the rise in Mumbai, BMC decides to discharge all 'stable' patients from municipal hospitals to make space available for exigencies: civic official. 6.09 am US Defence Secretary Mark Esper holds telephonic conversation with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, praises India's COVID-19 initiative for SAARC countries, says the Pentagon. IJT

Coronavirus Updates: kasargod distrcit under lockdown, potato prices jump 20% in West Bengal due to panic buying

<ul><li>The Ministry of Health <a href="https://www.mohfw.gov.in/">data</a> shows that there are 1,636 active cases, 132 recovered and 38 dead. </li><li>The number of positive <keyword id="1754604" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="coronavirus">coronavirus</keyword> cases linked to the Nizamuddin Markaz where the Tablighi Jamaat held a congregation of thousands has risen to 93. </li><li>Maharashtra saw the sharpest spurt since lockdown, the number of positive cases notched staggering 302, with the highest number from Mumbai.</li></ul>It is day eight of a 21-day lockdown here in India. As the country entered the critical phase of Coronavirus pandemic, it touched a new high today, nearing the 1400 mark with regards to the number of infected people. The Ministry of Health <a href="https://www.mohfw.gov.in/">data</a> shows that there are 1,466 infected people, out of which 132 recovered and 38 died. 13 new COVID-19 cases in Rajasthan, tally reaches 106 A total of 13 new cases of COVID-19 positive patients was reported on Wednesday in Jaipur, taking the total tally to 89 in Rajasthan which when counted with 17 evacuees from Iran, who tested positive in Jodhpur, counted 106 in state, confirmed health officials. All 13 are the contacts of the first person who tested positive in Ramganj a few days ago. They have been kept in isolation at the Rajasthan University of Health Services and NIMS and samples were taken from there, said Additional Chief Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh. The man who tested positive a few days ago after returning from Oman is now been termed as a super-spreader as he also infected his friend a day after he returned. Govt sets up national monitoring dashboard on COVID-19 grievances The government has set up a National Monitoring Dashboard where novel coronavirus or COVID-19 related grievances received in Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System with all ministries, departments, states and Union Territories are monitored on priority basis by a technical team. It aims to ensure timely redress of COVID-19 grievances. Directions have been issued to all ministries and departments to prioritize these grievances and provide redress in three days. The grievances monitored by a technical team of Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) which developed the dashboard and implemented it at https://darpg.gov.in. DARPG is the nodal agency of the Central government for administrative reforms as well as redress of public grievances relating to the states in general and those pertaining to Central Government agencies in particular. 25-year-old man succumbed to death in UP Uttar Pradesh reported its first coronavirus-related death on Wednesday after test reports of a 25-year-old man, who died two days ago, came COVID-19 positive. The man was admitted to the BRD Medical College here on Sunday and he was suffering from kidney and liver problems, the institute's principal Ganesh Kumar said. "The sample of the patient was found positive for the coronavirus," an official of the King George's Medical University (KGMU) said in Lucknow. Coronavirus droplets could travel up to 27 feet: MIT scientist New coronavirus droplets could travel up to 27 feet as a sneeze or a cough results in a turbulent gas cloud that could contain SARS-CoV-2 droplets, an MIT researcher has claimed in a paper published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). Lydia Bourouiba, associate professor at MIT and an expert in fluid dynamics, has suggested to revise social distancing of six feet (2 metres) to limit the risk of exposure as well as currently used surgical and N95 masks which "are not tested for these potential characteristics of respiratory emissions". "Mask efficacy as source control depends on the ability of the mask to trap or alter the high-momentum gas cloud emission with its pathogenic payload. Peak exhalation speeds can reach up to 33 to 100 feet per second (10-30 m/s), creating a cloud that can span approximately 23 to 27 feet (7-8 m)," Bourouiba wrote. 6.88 lakh persons surveyed in TN under corona containment plan Around 6.88 lakh individuals residing in 182,815 houses in 16 districts of Tamil Nadu have been surveyed under the Coronavirus Containment Plan. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the state government said that 688,473 individuals were surveyed till March 31 under the plan to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Under the plan, seven km radius from the residence of a corona positive person would be marked and officials check each house within the area to ascertain whether anyone else shows signs of coronavirus infection. Covid-19 positive cases from Nizamuddin event at 93, cause a national spike The number of positive coronavirus cases linked to the Nizamuddin Markaz where the Tablighi Jamaat held a congregation of thousands has risen to 93. Due to this, there has been a big spike in India's number of cases and on Tuesday (March 31), 146 new cases were reported by the Union Health Ministry. This takes the total number of COVID-19 positive cases to 1,397 in India, including 1,238 active cases and 35 deaths while 124 persons have been cured. Jamaat participants identified in MP, Noida, Bhopal and Jaunpur After Delhi’s Nizamuddin Markaz congregation incident led to six deaths in Telangana, many states are scrambling to trace contacts. The Madhya Pradesh government claimed to have identified 82 out of 107 persons who attended a religious congregation of Tablighi Jamaat in Delhi. "We have the addresses of 82 persons out of 107 who have attended Tablighi Jamaat in Delhi. Some of them have been taken for quarantine. The rest of the persons would soon be tracked down," he said. This came after 32 people from Bhopal were put under quarantine in the national capital itself and the Jaunpur administration quarantined about 50 people in the Jaunpur district. Noida administration also twice home quarantined 34 attendees from Gautam Buddh Nagar, who have shown no symptoms of coronavirus yet. Covid-19 positive cases cross 100-mark in <keyword id="6354780" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Karnataka">Karnataka</keyword> After Maharashtra and Kerala Covid-19 positive cases crossed the 100-mark in Karnataka. As many as 13 more people tested positive in the last 24 hours, raising the state's tally 101, an official said on Tuesday (March 31). "Till date, 101 Covid-19 positive cases have been confirmed. This includes three deaths and eight discharges," an official said. Among the 90 people currently admitted to different hospitals across the state, the condition of 88 persons is stated to be stable while two are critical -- case number 43 and 101. The 43rd case was a 63-year-old man from Bengaluru who returned on March 19 after travelling to Brazil and Argentina while a 62-year-old woman from the city emerged as positive case number 101. COVID-19 positive cases rise to 4 in Odisha A 29-year-old male from Odisha's Bhadrak district with travel history to Dubai has been tested COVID-19 positive, said the Health department, on Tuesday (March 31). "Fourth COVID-19 positive case in Odisha; 29 years old male of Bhadrak district with travel history to Dubai," tweeted the Health department. Health Secretary Nikunja Bihari Dhal spoke to Bhadrak district collector and asked him to shift the patient to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. UP gets strict as COVID-19 tally reaches 103 The coronavirus tally in Uttar Pradesh reached 103 by Tuesday (March 31) night. Chief Minister <keyword id="43254" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Yogi-Adityanath">Yogi Adityanath</keyword>, in a late-night meeting on Tuesday, also asked officials to strictly enforce the lockdown in the state and ensure strict punishment for violators. Seven new cases were reported from different parts of the state -- five from Bareilly and one each from Noida and Ghaziabad— on Tuesday(March 31). State surveillance officer, Vikasendu Agarwal, said, "The cases in Bareilly are all close relatives of the previous patient who worked in the Noida factory." Chief medical officer of Ghaziabad N.K. Gupta informed that the patient who tested positive for corona was a resident of Murad Nagar area and worked in the cease-fire company of Noida. He said that this is the third case of coronavirus in Ghaziabad associated with the Noida factory. Maha Covid-19 positive cases shoot to 302, 11 deaths Eighteen more people have tested positive for coronavirus in Maharashtra, taking the total number of such cases in the state to 320, a health official said on Wednesday. "Maharashtra's COVID-19 tally till Tuesday night was 302. Today, we got reports of 18 more people testing positive for the viral infection. This has taken the state tally to 320," the official said. Of the 18 new cases, 16 have been reported from Mumbai and two from Pune, he said. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/data-of-coronavirus-patients-state-wise-in-india/articleshow/74669748.cms">Coronavirus cases in India state wise</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/coronavirus-myths-and-facts-here-are-some-rumours-about-covid-19-that-arent-true/articleshow/74487962.cms">Coronavirus myths and facts</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/coronavirus-dos-and-donts-for-protection-against-convid-19/articleshow/74475858.cms">Do’s and Don’ts for protection against COVID-19</a>

Coronavirus cases in India rise to 1,636, 132 cured and 38 dead

<keyword id="927991" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="The-Brihanmumbai-Municipal-Corporation">The BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation</keyword>'s 'Chase the Virus' strategy in Dharavi -- Asia's biggest slum -- has found a new fan in the <keyword id="1193333" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Philippines-government">Philippines government</keyword>. as the Southeast Asia nation also grapples with the Covid-19 pandemic, a top official said here on Tuesday. "The Philippines government will follow and implement the Dharavi Model for containing Covid in densely populated slums" an elated BMC Municipal Commissioner I.S. Chahal told IANS. The BMC has already shared details of the 'Chase the Virus' policy with the Philippines' Department of Health (DOH). A news portal, Inquirer.net on Tuesday, has quoted the Philippines DOH which declared that it would follow the <keyword id="9780178" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="dharavi-mumbai">Dharavi-Mumbai</keyword> campaign conceptualized by BMC's Assistant Municipal Commissioner Kiran Dighavkar which earned all round praise. The Philippines, with a population of around 10.1 crore crammed in an area of nearly 2.98 lakh sq.km, is slightly smaller than Maharashtra with 3.07 lakh sq. km area and a population close to 11.5 crore. However, the archipelagic country currently ranks 22nd on the Corona Worldometer with 169,213 cases and 2,687 fatalities compared to Maharashtra's 604,358 cases and 20,265 deaths. Like Mumbai, around 30-lakh people live in congested slums in Manila, besides other cities in the Philippines. The high population density of Dharavi posed a huge challenge to the BMC and state health authorities to tackle the Corona spread. Civic officials said that the city succeeded in achieving what was earlier considered virtually a "mission impossible", especially in Dharavi, earning the BMC and Maharashtra government a pat from <keyword id="2555741" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="The-World-Health-Organisation">the World Health Organisation</keyword> in early July. Chahal said that as a result of its strategy, there are only 17,704 'active cases' in Mumbai, of which around 5,338 symptomatic patients are currently in hospitals. The city - which last week came down to the second worst-hit city (after Pune district moved to the top slot) in terms of Covid cases - is witnessing an average of less than 1,000 new cases daily, the recovery rate is 80 percent, doubling rate of cases is 86 days, and infection rate is 0.8 percent - among the lowest anywhere. The situation has eased to the extent that since late June, the BMC started moving out of Dharavi, and later shut down several small or medium quarantine facilities in the city. Patients are now being referred to the jumbo facilities at NSCI, Mahalaxmi Race Court, <keyword id="102951" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bandra-Kurla-Complex">Bandra Kurla Complex</keyword> and in Dahisar and Mulund to ensure centralised care. Amid apprehensions of patients unable to get beds, the current bed strength is 16,075 for complicated or serious cases, 23,437 for mild and asymptomatic patients besides 10,525 oxygen beds, 1,844 ICU beds and 1,096 ventilator beds. Of these, nearly 14,548 are vacant, but ready for operationalisation whenever required, besides 330 vacant in ICUs, giving a very comfortable position, said Chahal. Buoyed by the success of the 'Chase the Virus' game, the state government is now implementing it in Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Pune, Aurangabad, Solapur, Nashik, Jalgaon and other upcoming hotspots even as the Mumbai Corona crisis has practically been 'chased' away. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/careers/news/how-much-deloitte-kpmg-ey-and-pwc-accountants-and-consultants-make-from-entry-level-to-executive-roles/articleshow/77533447.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">How much Deloitte, KPMG, EY, and PwC accountants and consultants make, from entry level to executive roles</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/dream11-wins-ipl-2020-sponsorship-indias-first-gaming-unicorn-bags-the-rights-for-250-crore/articleshow/77609909.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Dream11 wins IPL 2020 sponsorship – India’s first gaming unicorn bags the rights for ₹222 crore</a>

Philippines government to follow India's ‘Dharavi model’ to fight coronavirus

Nobel Peace Laureate <keyword id="83501" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Muhammad-Yunus">Muhammad Yunus</keyword> on Saturday said building rural economy is important to stop migration amid the challenges caused due to coronavirus pandemic. "Micro credit is about building rural economy. Corona crisis has given the industry an opportunity to aid in creating a strong rural economy. Creating a strong independent rural economy will not only halt rural to urban migration but in the years to come, the migration will be urban to rural," Yunus said at a webinar by <keyword id="477100" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="microfinance-industry">microfinance industry</keyword>. Microfinance institutions should create programmes like venture capital to create entrepreneurs in rural India, he said. There is a need for creating a national disaster fund for the sector and managed by the sector in India, Yunus said while speaking in the webinar organised by Sa-Dhan, a self regulatory organisation for the industry. Notably, India has been witnessing reverse migration of labourers and workers to their home states as lockdown imposed due to coronavirus pandemic affected them badly economically alongside huge number of job losses as well. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/with-233-fresh-cases-bihars-covid-19-tally-rises-to-4831/articleshow/76238545.cms">Bihar registers 233 new coronavirus cases with its overall tally rising to 4.831</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/noida-21-new-covid-19-cases-tally-591/articleshow/76238339.cms">Noida’s total coronavirus cases hit 591 with 21 new cases detected in the past 24 hours</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/342-new-coronavirus-cases-in-pune-district-six-deaths/articleshow/76239001.cms">Six more people die of coronavirus in Pune with 342 fresh cases</a>

Nobel Peace Laureate Muhammad Yunus says building the rural economy is the key to halt migration

New Delhi, No contact of coronavirus patients detected with UK strain has tested <keyword id="6439681" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="positive">positive</keyword> in a surveillance drive undertaken by the <keyword id="6354952" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Delhi-Government">Delhi government</keyword>, <keyword id="6354750" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="health">Health</keyword> Minister Satyendar Jain said on Thursday. Jain told IANS that all contacts of Covid-19 patients infected with the mutant strain of novel coronavirus had been tested by the <keyword id="26362" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Government">government</keyword> but none was found infected. "We have tested all contacts of the patients with UK strain infection. Noone has been found infected, apart from those 38 admitted in the LNJP," he said. IANS had reported that the number of persons suspected to be infected with the new strain had risen to 38 in Delhi after three more persons, including returnees from the UK and a contact, were found corona positive during a surveillance drive on Wednesday. All 38 patients are kept in isolation at the Lok Nayak Jaiprakash (LNJP) Hospital. Of them, 17 are UK returnees while remaining are their contacts. "All the patients found infected with the new variant have been isolated in different rooms of a special ward designated for suspected patients or those found infected with the new variant," Dr Suresh Kumar, Medical Director of Delhi government-run hospital had said. Besides, the AAP government has quarantined around 200 people, who either returned from the UK within a month or are in contact with those travellers found positive, at two facilities in Aerocity and Chattarpur. The UT government has found over 14,000 passengers who arrived at the <keyword id="89772" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indira-Gandhi-International-Airport">Indira Gandhi International Airport</keyword> (IGIA) since November 25. Of them, around 4,000 were found to be residing in Delhi. The Delhi government has designated 2,000-bed LNJP as the nodal centre for isolation of persons suspected to carry the new variant of Covid-19. Meanwhile, the Centre said on Thursday that five more cases of mutant coronavirus strain from the UK have been detected in the country, taking the total tally of such cases to 25, based on genome sequencing of positive samples released by the Indian Sars-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) labs. The samples have so far been sequenced in seven of the 10 designated labs across the country, with seven samples testing positive in NIMHANS, Bengaluru; two in CCMB, Hyderabad; five in NIV, Pune; eight in NCDC, Delhi; two in IGIB, Delhi and one in NIBG, Kalyani (West Bengal). SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/top-stocks-to-watch-tata-steel-vedanta-adani-green-tata-motors-maruti-mm-dhfl-v-mart-indian-bank-and-others/articleshow/80038635.cms">Top stocks to watch — Tata Steel, Vedanta, Adani Green, Tata Motors, Maruti, M&amp;M, DHFL, V-Mart, Indian Bank, and others</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/checkout-the-list-of-upcoming-new-mobiles-in-january-2021-with-expected-price/articleshow/80039794.cms">Upcoming smartphones in India in January 2021</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/news/ten-of-the-most-outrageous-predictions-for-2021-according-to-saxo-bank/slidelist/80040045.cms">From Amazon buying Cyprus to Germany bailing out France — here are ten of the most ‘outrageous’ predictions for 2021</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/india-edtech-in-charts-how-the-shi[%E2%80%A6]es-of-byjus-unacademy-and-others/articleshow/80040270.cms">India’s edtech in charts – How the shift to online learning meant money, valuation and users for the likes of BYJU’S, Unacademy, and others</a>

No contacts of UK returnees in Delhi with new variant of COVID-19 have tested positive so far

<ul><li>From developing cheaper test kits, hand sanitizers and sterilization techniques — IITs are doing all it takes to control the virus. </li><li><keyword id="6354859" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="IIt">IIT</keyword> Roorkee researchers prepared 150 litres of herbal hand sanitizer. </li><li><keyword id="57604" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="iit-delhi">IIT Delhi</keyword> researchers developed ‘cheaper’ test kits to trim the cost of diagnosis. </li><li>IIT and AIIMS alumni came up with a device called ‘Airlens Minus Corona’ that can travel the streets to sterilize them.</li></ul>As India locks down to contain <keyword id="1754604" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="coronavirus">Coronavirus</keyword>, India’s researchers of Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are busy at labs to come up with smart solutions for the same. From developing cheaper test kits, hand sanitizers and sterilization techniques — IITs are doing all it takes to control the virus. Herbal hand sanitizers <div type="image" title="sanitize" msid="74788983" hostid="261"></div>

 Researchers at IIT Roorkee, Hyderabad and Kharagpur campuses made their own sanitizers. IIT Roorkee said that its researchers — Siddharth Sharma and Vaibhav Jain — prepared 150 litres of herbal hand sanitizer. These herbal sanitizers, which also act as moisturizers, comprise 80% ethanol along with antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory ingredients. They plan to distribute the sanitizer free across the campus. “In view of the prevailing <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/coronavirus/india-lockdown-live-updates-coronavirus-janata-curfew-6327325/">Covid-19 pandemic</a>, it is imperative to maintain basic hygiene practices since there is no specific treatment or vaccine for the disease. This IIT Roorkee-incubated product will be useful to the entire community by promoting basic hygiene,” Siddharth Sharma, a research scholar of Centre of Nanotechnology, IIT Roorkee told the Indian Express. This was after IIT Hyderabad developed its own hand sanitizers as recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO). ‘Cheaper’ test kits for diagnosing Coronavirus infection <div type="image" title="images" msid="74789000" hostid="261"></div>

 IIT Delhi researchers developed ‘cheaper’ test kits to trim the cost of diagnosis. These test kits are now at clinical trial stage. However, the cost of the kits hasn’t been disclosed as yet. “The way we are trying to make testing for COVID-19 cheaper is by making some changes at the third stage of testing. The COVID-19 test is a three-step process, and at the third stage, amplification is needed, for which a probe is supposed to be used. We are not using a probe, and this would potentially save cost,” assistant professor Vivekanandan Perumal <a href="https://theprint.in/health/iit-delhi-researchers-develop-cheaper-test-kits-for-covid-19-undergoing-clinical-trial/385865/">said</a>. Sterilizing the streets <div type="image" title="clean street" msid="74789107" hostid="261"></div>

 IIT and AIIMS alumni — Debayan Saha and Shashi Ranjan — came up with a device called ‘Airlens Minus Corona’ a device that can travel the streets, hospitals, bus stops, railway stations, shopping malls and other public places and sterilise them. They have invented a way to kill Coronavirus using charged or ionised water droplets by electrifying, to kill Coronavirus, IANS reported. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/india-can-double-coronavirus-test-kits-to-200000-in-a-week-thanks-to-pune-based-mylabs/articleshow/74787231.cms">India can double coronavirus test kits to 200,000 in a week, thanks to Pune-based Mylabs</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/coranavirus-cases-in-punjab-news-and-updates/articleshow/74771047.cms">Coronavirus cases in Punjab spike to 23, IAS officers donate salaries</a>

IITs against Coronavirus — All the experiments from electrified water to herbal sanitizers to cheap test kits

New Delhi, Apr 17 () Around 650 armed forces medical officers, pursuing post graduation, are being deployed at military healthcare facilities handling coronavirus patients across the country, officials said on Friday.At present, the medical officers are undergoing training at Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) in Pune.The decision to deploy the officers for treatment of coronavirus patients was taken at a meeting Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held to review contribution of the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) in assisting civilian authorities in various parts of the country to deal with rising COVID-19 cases.In addition, 100 medical officers are also being deployed to work in hospitals offering treatment to infected people.The defence ministry, in a statement, said orders notifying 50 AFMS healthcare facilities as 'COVID-19 hospitals' and 'mixed COVID-19' hospitals have been issued."These hospitals have a combined bed capacity of 9,038 patients. Civilian COVID-19 cases would also be admitted in these hospitals as a surge capacity to augment the state healthcare facilities," it said, detailing decisions taken at the meeting chaired by Singh.Those who attended the meeting include Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar, Director General of AFMS Lt Gen Anup Banerji, Director General, Director General Medical Services (Navy) Vice Admiral M V Singh and Director General Medical Services (Air) Air Marshal M S Butola.The officials briefed Singh about various actions taken in terms of issuing advisories to Armed Forces personnel, providing assistance to civilian authorities and provisioning of hospitals and healthcare facilities to fight the pandemic.A list of retired medical officers and paramedical staff of the armed forces hospitals is being readied for deployment in hospitals treating the virus infected people, officials said.The AFMS is also extending support to the government in helping several countries to deal with the pandemic. A 15-member medical team is currently in Kuwait to help the country in handling COVID-19 cases."While appreciating various measures initiated by the Armed Forces Medical Services, Rajnath Singh directed them to extend all possible assistance to civil authorities to overcome the challenges posed by COVID-19," the ministry said.The AFMS has set up multiple quarantine facilities across the country to keep suspected cases besides taking care of hundreds of people evacuated from corona-virus hit countries. MPB TDSTDS

650 armed forces medical officers pursuing post graduation to be deployed to treat COVID-19 patients

<ul><li>The state's death toll climbed to 5,751 and total cases shot up to 1,20,504 till date.</li><li>The health department said that of the total number of cases declared till date, 53,901 are active.</li><li>After the first case was detected on March 9, the weekly growth in cases on June 16 stood at 3%.</li></ul><keyword id="13126" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Maharashtra">Maharashtra</keyword> recorded the biggest single-day spike of 3,752 <keyword id="8763838" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="covid-19">Covid-19</keyword> cases on June 18, with over 100 deaths. The state's death toll climbed to 5,751 and total cases shot up to 1,20,504 till date, with a recovery rate of 50.49% and a mortality rate of 4.77%. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">S. No. </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">State/Country </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Active cases </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Cured </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Deaths </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Total confirmed cases </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">1 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Maharashtra </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">53915 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">60838 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">5751 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">120504 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">2 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">India </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">163248 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">204711 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">12573 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9960975000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">380532 </td></tr></tbody></table> For most days in June, the state has been recording three-digit highs of deaths and 3,000 plus figures of infection. Which comes to roughly one death in every 14 minutes, and a whopping 156 new cases every hour in the state. The health department said that of the total number of cases declared till date, 53,901 are active cases, and this number is favourable vis-a-vis the number of patients cured, indicating a positive sign. Of the total 100 fatalities on Thursday, <keyword id="6358070" type="DEFINITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="mumbai">Mumbai</keyword> notched 67 deaths — taking the city's death toll to 3,311, while the number of Covid-19 positive patients went up by 1,288 cases to touch 62,875 now. The situation in Dharavi — Asia's biggest slum — continues to improve with 28 new cases, taking the total to 2,134 cases and the number of fatalities remaining unchanged at 77. Besides Mumbai's 67 deaths, there were 31 fatalities in Thane and one each in Palghar and Nagpur. On the positive side, a total of 1,672 fully cured patients returned home on Thursday, taking the number of those discharged to 60,838 now, relatively higher than the 53,901 active cases. In another heartening development, the health department said that in the past 100 days, the spread of Covid-19 has been arrested in the state with reducing weekly average growth in cases and the increase in the doubling rate of patients. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has directed all labs to submit their Covid-19 test reports directly to the BMC and asked all hospitals to report Corona deaths within 48 hours to ensure better coordination among various departments, said an official. After the first case was detected on March 9, the weekly growth in cases on June 16 stood at 3%. The MMR (Thane Division) remains a jittery issue with a total of 4,153 <keyword id="8770319" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="covid-19-deaths">Covid-19 deaths</keyword>, while the number of positive cases touched 88,987 on Thursday. Thane with 21,093 cases and 673 fatalities has emerged as the second worst-hit district after Mumbai in the state. Pune district has dropped to the third position with 14,000 patients and 610 deaths till now. The next major region of concern is Nashik Division with 379 deaths and 5,130 positive cases, followed by Aurangabad Division with 185 fatalities and 3,709 cases, and Akola Division with 96 deaths and 1,937 cases. There's Latur Division with 35 deaths and 710 cases, Kolhapur Division with 40 deaths and 1,642 patients, and Nagpur Division with 15 deaths and 1,435 cases. Meanwhile, the number of people sent to home-quarantine decreased from Wednesday's 582,699 to 581,650 now, while those in institutional quarantine decreased from 27,582 on Wednesday to 26,740 now. In another relief for the patients, there are as many as 92,141 beds currently available in 2,203 institutions for Covid-19 related quarantine in the state. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/data-of-coronavirus-patients-state-wise-in-india/articleshow/74669748.cms">Coronavirus cases in India state wise</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/topic/coronavirus">Coronavirus News and Updates</a>

Maharashtra alone accounts for 45% of the total coronavirus deaths in India

New Delhi, Apr 23 () India was first in responding to the COVID-19 crisis and stands on a better footing than the rest of the world because of the valuable and sincere services of 'corona warriors', Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Thursday.Referring to the active surveillance efforts of the government agencies to monitor potential victims or carriers of the disease, Vardhan said, "We are able to check this enemy through community surveillance, issuance of various advisories, cluster containment and dynamic strategy". He said the government intends to increase the numbers of government labs to 300 and ramp up the present daily testing capacity of 55,000 to one lakh per day by May 31. "India's response has been proactive, pre-emptive and graded in handling the situation arising out of COVID-19 outbreak," Vardhan said while participating in an online interactive session with Health Ministers of member countries of World Health Organization (WHO) on the measures being taken for containment of COVID-19.Underlining that the current situation on COVID-19 in the world is alarming and requires special measures to mitigate the number of casualties, the minister exhorted the WHO officials and said, "We are meeting in troubled times and we have to work together by sharing our best practices to eradicate coronavirus infection".The death toll due to COVID-19 rose to 686 and the number of cases climbed to 21,700 in the country on Thursday, according to the Union Health Ministry.However, a tally of the figures reported by various states as on Thursday showed 22,951 cases and 721 deaths in the country.There has been a lag in the Union Health Ministry figures, compared to the number of deaths announced by different states, which officials attribute to procedural delays in assigning the cases to individual states. Speaking about how the crisis arising out of COVID-19 has been turned into an opportunity to strengthen the healthcare delivery system in the country, Vardhan said, "We had only one lab at the National Institute of Virology (NIV) at Pune to perform tests for COVID-19 initially. During the last three months we have scaled up the number of government labs along with 87 private labs."Till now we have tested more than 5 lakh people for COVID-19. We are going to increase the numbers of government labs to 300 and ramp up our present daily testing capacity of 55,000 to one lakh per day by May 31."Elaborating further on the preparations made by the country to deal with the crisis, he said the government has classified COVID-19 treatment facilities, based on severity of the disease, into three categories – COVID Care Centres for patients with mild symptoms, COVID Health Care Centres for patients with medium symptoms and dedicated COVID Hospitals for patients with severe symptoms. These three types of COVID-19 centres are duly mapped to facilitate transfer of patients as per the severity of the case. Further, while referring to the solutions meant to address the curiosity of people to know about the risk hovering around, Vardhan highlighted the effectiveness of 'Aarogya Setu' mobile application which has been downloaded by more than 7.2 crore people. It is a mobile application developed by the government to connect essential health services with the people of India in the combined fight against COVID-19, he said."The App is aimed at augmenting the initiatives of the government in proactively reaching out to and informing the users of the app regarding risks, best practices and relevant advisories pertaining to the containment of COVID-19," he said.Concluding his session, the minister said, "...People have also supported our efforts in making the lockdown successful. I can assure that we are prepared for any eventuality and we are in a position to provide proper health care to all patients to make them healthy and fit for all times to come." PLB RDMRDM

India ramping up preparation to fight COVID-19: Health Min to WHO member nations

(Eds: Changing headline) New Delhi, May 6 () Expressing concern over high fatality rate among COVID-19 patients in some districts of Maharashtra and Gujarat, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Wednesday asked the states to focus on early surveillance, aggressive contact tracing and early diagnosis to reduce the number of deaths in the areas.The minister held a high-level meeting with Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister Nitinbhai Patel and Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope.In the meeting, Vardhan stressed on the need for proper interventions like screening and testing of severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) and Influenza Like Illness (ILI) cases as this may prevent spread of infection in other areas. "Implementation of effective containment strategy needs be on the top priority of the states to reduce the mortality rate. It is the need of the hour to take preventive, pre-emptive and comprehensive measures in a systematic manner and follow the protocols laid down by the Centre to prevent occurrence of fresh cases," he said. It was pointed out that in some cases, the patients either suppressed the information of their infection or reported late to the hospitals for treatment, which may be indicative of some fear or stigma associated with COVID-19. Aggressive behavioural change and communication exercise need to be taken for removing the stigma against reporting COVID-19, which shall contribute towards timely reporting, clinical management and reduction in fatality rates, the minister stressed."This shall also lead to people reporting early for diagnosis and treatment," he said. Of the 1,694 fatalities and 49,391 cases of coronavirus infections reported till Wednesday morning, Maharashtra tops the tally with 617 fatalities and 15,525 cases followed by Gujarat with 368 deaths and 6,245 cases, according to the data provided by the Union health ministry. The health ministry had on Tuesday said the nationwide COVID-19 case status will be updated on its website only once a day in the morning instead of twice a day as was being done previously. In view of Gujarat and Maharashtra reporting larger number of coronavirus deaths and cases, Vardhan suggested that along with the surveillance teams in containment areas, community volunteers may also be identified at the ward-level to spread awareness about the preventive measures like hand washing, physical distancing etc. Some districts such as Aurangabad and Pune have done this, he said. The health ministry would provide full support and handholding to the state governments through the National Health Mission (NHM) for health systems strengthening as part of the immediate and long-term measures, the health minister stated. He also appreciated the move by some districts where the high-risk population, including the elderly and those with non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, were identified and provided focused treatment. The Union minister urged the states to ensure that persons aged more than 65 years having any non-communicable disease are screened on priority in the Ayushman Bharat-Health and Wellness Centers. He also pointed out that in compliance of the guidelines issued by the Centre, non-COVID-19 essential health services such as antenatal care, immunisation drives, Tuberculosis case finding and treatment, providing blood transfusion for dialysis patients, treatment of cancer patients among others should not be neglected. Vardhan suggested that the data available with the states on Health Management Information System (HMIS) for various diseases may be optimally utilised for risk profiling. He also assured that additional teams comprising of officials from the Centre will also be deployed in the states as per their request, adding they may also take support offered by AIIMS, Delhi for treatment guidance and clinical management of COVID-19 patients through the national teleconsultation centre. "A single mobile number (+91 9115444155) can be dialed from anywhere in the country by COVID-19 treating doctors to reach the centre," he informed. The health minister also asked the states to publicise the Aarogya Setu mobile application and the Aarogy Setu Interactive Voice Response System facility for those without smartphones. He also appreciated the best practices shared by the district magistrates, commissioners and other officials of various districts like "Corona Yodha Samitis" developed in slum areas of Surat in Gujarat, distribution of soaps and masks to each family, installation of hand washing machines in slum areas, setting up of fever clinics among others. PLB SRY

Do early surveillance, contact tracing for reducing COVID-19 fatality rate: Vardhan to Guj, Maha

New Delhi, May 6 () Expressing concern over high fatality rate among COVID-19 patients in some districts of Maharashtra and Gujarat, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Wednesday asked the states to focus on early surveillance, aggressive contact tracing and early diagnosis to reduce the number of deaths in the areas.The minister held a high-level meeting with Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister Nitinbhai Patel and Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope.In the meeting, Vardhan stressed on the need for proper interventions like screening and testing of severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) and Influenza Like Illness (ILI) cases as this may prevent spread of infection in other areas. "Implementation of effective containment strategy needs be on the top priority of the states to reduce the mortality rate. It is the need of the hour to take preventive, pre-emptive and comprehensive measures in a systematic manner and follow the protocols laid down by the Centre to prevent occurrence of fresh cases," he said. It was pointed out that in some cases, the patients either suppressed the information of their infection or reported late to the hospitals for treatment, which may be indicative of some fear or stigma associated with COVID-19. Aggressive behavioural change and communication exercise need to be taken for removing the stigma against reporting COVID-19, which shall contribute towards timely reporting, clinical management and reduction in fatality rates, the minister stressed."This shall also lead to people reporting early for diagnosis and treatment," he said. Of the 1,694 fatalities and 49,391 cases of coronavirus infections reported till Wednesday morning, Maharashtra tops the tally with 617 fatalities and 15,525 cases followed by Gujarat with 368 deaths and 6,245 cases, according to the data provided by the Union health ministry. The health ministry had on Tuesday said the nationwide COVID-19 case status will be updated on its website only once a day in the morning instead of twice a day as was being done previously. In view of Gujarat and Maharashtra reporting larger number of coronavirus deaths and cases, Vardhan suggested that along with the surveillance teams in containment areas, community volunteers may also be identified at the ward-level to spread awareness about the preventive measures like hand washing, physical distancing etc. Some districts such as Aurangabad and Pune have done this, he said. The health ministry would provide full support and handholding to the state governments through the National Health Mission (NHM) for health systems strengthening as part of the immediate and long-term measures, the health minister stated. He also appreciated the move by some districts where the high-risk population, including the elderly and those with non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, were identified and provided focused treatment. The Union minister urged the states to ensure that persons aged more than 65 years having any non-communicable disease are screened on priority in the Ayushman Bharat-Health and Wellness Centers. He also pointed out that in compliance of the guidelines issued by the Centre, non-COVID-19 essential health services such as antenatal care, immunisation drives, Tuberculosis case finding and treatment, providing blood transfusion for dialysis patients, treatment of cancer patients among others should not be neglected. Vardhan suggested that the data available with the states on Health Management Information System (HMIS) for various diseases may be optimally utilised for risk profiling. He also assured that additional teams comprising of officials from the Centre will also be deployed in the states as per their request, adding they may also take support offered by AIIMS, Delhi for treatment guidance and clinical management of COVID-19 patients through the national teleconsultation centre. "A single mobile number (+91 9115444155) can be dialed from anywhere in the country by COVID-19 treating doctors to reach the centre," he informed. The health minister also asked the states to publicise the Aarogya Setu mobile application and the Aarogy Setu Interactive Voice Response System facility for those without smartphones. He also appreciated the best practices shared by the district magistrates, commissioners and other officials of various districts like "Corona Yodha Samitis" developed in slum areas of Surat in Gujarat, distribution of soaps and masks to each family, installation of hand washing machines in slum areas, setting up of fever clinics among others. PLB SRY

High fatality rate among COVID-19 patients in Gujarat, Maharashtra worrisome: Harsh Vardhan

list of private Coronavirus testing labs approved by the government

(Eds: Combining related stories) New Delhi, May 1 () India will now be under lockdown till May 17 with a complete ban on air travel, trains and inter-state road transport for the general public while educational institutions, theatres, malls, hotels and bars will also remain shut, the government announced on Friday but gave some relaxations for various business activities and people's movement within areas with limited or no COVID-19 cases. The decision to extend the lockdown by two more weeks after May 3, when the second phase of these restrictions was scheduled to end, came amid a continuous rise in the number of people testing positive for the deadly virus infection across various states, including in major metropolitans, with the nationwide tally crossing 35,000. The death toll has crossed 1,100. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had first announced a 21-day nationwide lockdown from May 25, which was later extended by two more weeks to contain the virus spread. However, several experts have cautioned that the lockdown is severely impacting economy and many rating agencies and industry bodies have forecast a sharp dip in the country's economic growth rate for the current fiscal with a few even estimating an overall GDP decline. All major urban centres including Delhi and Mumbai have been identified as 'red zones' or areas with large numbers of cases and therefore not much relaxations would be applicable to them beyond already permitted ones for those involved in essential services. Special trains also began operating during the day, which also happened to be the Labour Day, to help lakhs of migrant workers stranded for over a month at various urban centres due to the lockdown with many of them having rendered jobless and homeless, reach their native places, including in different states. Separately, Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat announced at a special press brieing, along with the three service chiefs, that the armed forces will express their gratitude to all "corona warriors" on Sunday by conducting fly-pasts, showering petals on hospitals treating COVID-19 patients and illuminating naval vessels. Besides, the Army will conduct mountain band displays along some COVID-19 hospitals in almost every district. Rawat also said it is not proper to conclude that the novel coronavirus outbreak is a result of biological warfare. US President Donald Trump had earlier said that the deadly virus originated from a virology lab in China's Wuhan city before it spread across the world and claimed over 233,000 lives and shattered global economies. But Trump's comments undercut a rare public statement from his own intelligence community, which stated no such assessment has been made by them whether the COVID-19 outbreak began through contact with infected animals or if it was the result of an accident at a laboratory in Wuhan. While several countries including Italy, Switzerland, New Zealand, Austria and various states of the US have begun easing their respective lockdowns, India has decided to implement the third phase of its own lockdown, while providing specific relaxations to less affected and 'virus-free' areas by classifying districts and cities into red, orange and green zones. But, some activities will remain prohibited throughout the country, irrespective of the zone, and these include air travel, rail, metro and inter-state movement by road, running of schools, colleges, and other educational and training hospitality services, cinema halls, malls, gymnasiums, sports complexes, as per an order issued by the Union Home Ministry. All social, political, cultural and other kinds of gatherings and religious places or places of worship for public will also remain shut, the order said. Outside the containment zone falling within red zones, certain more activities are prohibited in addition to those banned throughout the country and these include plying of cycle rickshaws and auto-rickshaws, running of taxis and cab aggregators, intra-district and inter-district plying of buses, as also barber shops, spas and saloons. Activities allowed in red zones with restrictions would include movement of individuals and vehicles for permitted activities, with a maximum of two persons (besides the driver) in four-wheelers and with no pillion rider in two-wheelers. Industrial establishments in urban areas including Special Economic Zones (SEZs), Export Oriented Units (EOUs), industrial estates and industrial townships with access control have been permitted. Construction activities in urban areas will be limited to in-situ construction (where workers are available on site and no workers are required to be brought in from outside) and construction of renewable energy projects. Shops in urban areas, for non-essential goods, are not allowed in malls, markets and market complexes. However, all standalone shops, neighbourhood shops and shops in residential complexes are permitted to remain open in urban areas, without any distinction of essential and non-essential. E-Commerce activities in red zones are permitted only for essential goods. Private offices can operate with up to 33 per cent strength as per requirement, with the remaining persons working from home. All government offices can function with senior officers of the level of Deputy Secretary and above at full strength, and up to one-third of remaining staff. Commercial and private establishments allowed in red zones include print and electronic media, IT and IT enabled services, data and call centres, cold storage and warehousing services, private security and facility management services, and services provided by self-employed persons, except for barbers. In orange zones, taxis and cab aggregators will also be permitted with one driver and one passenger only, while inter-district movement of individuals and vehicles will be allowed for permitted activities only. Four-wheeler vehicles will have maximum two passengers besides the driver and pillion riding will be allowed on two-wheelers. In green zones, all activities are permitted except those prohibited throughout the country irrespective of the zone. However buses and bus depots can operate with maximum 50 per cent capacity. Earlier in the day, the Union Health Ministry listed 130 districts in the country in red zone, 284 in orange zone and 319 in green zone. This classification of districts is to be followed by states and UTs till May 10 and the will be revised on a weekly basis or earlier if required, Major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Pune, Bengaluru and Ahmedabad have been designated as red zones in the new classification. A district will be considered under green zone if there has been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 so far or there is no reported case since last 21 days in the district. Red zone districts are those considered to be infection 'hotspots', decided on the basis of number of active cases, doubling rate of confirmed cases and extent of testing and surveillance feedback. Districts which are neither defined as a red or green zone, would be considered as an orange zone. The Health Ministry also said India has ramped up production of COVID-19 protective gears and medical equipment to reduce its dependence on foreign countries for these items which are in high demand globally due to the pandemic. In its evening update, the Ministry said the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in India has risen to 35,365 with 1,152 deaths, while 9,065 people have so far recovered. ACB SKL MPB ASK PLB BJBJ

COVID-19: Lockdown extended for two more weeks; 'Considerable relaxations' for safer zones

<ul><li>Covishield, Oxford’s coronavirus vaccine candidate being tested by Serum Institute of India in the country, could be ready as early as December. </li><li>Dr Reddy’s Laboratories on October 28 said that phase 3 trials of Russia’s <keyword id="8904563" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="covid-19-vaccine">COVID-19 vaccine</keyword>, Sputnik V, is likely to be finished by the end of March next year. </li><li>PM Modi has <a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/pm-narendra-modi-on-coronavirus-vaccine-distribution-1736090-2020-10-29">assured </a>that every Indian citizen will be vaccinated and no one will be left behind once a vaccine is available. </li></ul>Scientists are still looking for a cure for the deadly coronavirus, which has infected millions of people around the world. Two of the front runners in the race of vaccine — Moderna and Pfizer — are expected to launch their COVID-19 antidote by December. Whereas, Oxford-AstraZeneca’s vaccine is triggering an immune response for both young people and adults. The overall number of global coronavirus cases is nearing the 44 million mark, while the deaths have increased to more than 1,173,270,, according to Johns Hopkins University. There are over 100 potential vaccine candidates being tested on volunteers globally. In India, three vaccines are in advance trials. In India, 3 vaccines are under advanced stage trials while 4 others are in preclinical stages. PM Modi has <a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/pm-narendra-modi-on-coronavirus-vaccine-distribution-1736090-2020-10-29">assured </a>that every Indian citizen will be vaccinated and no one will be left behind once a vaccine is available. Oxford’s COVID-19 vaccine to be ready by December, SII to seek emergency licence Covishield, Oxford’s coronavirus vaccine candidate being tested by Serum Institute of India in the country, could be ready as early as December. "If we don't go for an emergency license, our trials should be over by December and then we can maybe launch in India in January subject to the UK trial, which is on the verge of being completed," <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/adar-poonawalla-coronavirus-vaccine-batch-1-likely-by-middle-of-next-year-2316971">Adar Poonawalla told NDTV in an interview.</a> However, Poonawalla believes data from UK clinical trials is going to play a key role in determining the further status. Dr Reddy’s says Phase 3 trials of Sputnik V will be over by March Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, on October 28, said that phase three trials of Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine, Sputnik V, is likely to be finished by the end of March next year. "Phase-3, we should finish somewhere by March, and then of course, it depends on the ability to compile the data, obtain the approvals, etc. It can be as early as the end of March or April /May and beyond. It depends on the results. It's a combination of phase-2, global phase-3 and phase-3 in India,"<a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/healthcare/biotech/pharmaceuticals/dr-reddys-hopes-to-finish-phase-3-trials-of-covid-19-vaccine-by-march-may/articleshow/78917320.cms"> Dr Reddy’s CEO Erez Israeli said.</a> Dr Reddy’s will test the vaccine on 100 volunteers for phase 2 trials, and is likely to recruit 1,400 volunteers in the phase 3 trials. Bharat Biotech is looking to raise manufacturing capacity above 500 million doses Bharat Biotech — one of three companies conducting advanced stage trials in India for its COVID-19 vaccine candidate — says it is producing Covaxin at its own risk. <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/business/economy/trying-to-raise-manufacturing-capacity-above-500-million-doses-as-soon-as-possible-bharat-biotech-executive-director-6883341/">According to Bharat Biotech executive director Sai Prasad</a>, the pharma company has a manufacturing capacity of 150 million doses per year. However, it is looking to increase “capacity north of 500 million doses as soon as possible.” Bharat Biotech is looking at developing a new facility in Hyderabad — adjacent to the existing one. Biological E to begin phase I and phase II human trials of its <keyword id="9171681" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Covid-19-vaccine-in-India">COVID-19 vaccine in India</keyword> Hyderabad-based Biological E <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/healthcare/biotech/pharmaceuticals/biological-e-gets-nod-for-human-trials-of-covid-19-vaccine/articleshow/78919542.cms?from=mdr">got </a>the approval to conduct phase I and phase II human trials of its COVID-19 vaccine in India. The pharma company has partnered with an unidentified firm to conduct the trials, according to ET. Third phase human trial of COVID-19 vaccine to commence in Bhubaneswar soon The third phase of the human trial of the indigenous vaccine against COVID-19, COVAXIN, will commence at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar soon. Like the previous phases, half of the volunteers would receive placebo and the remaining half would be administered COVAXIN in this phase. Even health care workers would be recruited for the trial. The volunteers would be followed up over a considerable period of time to look at the efficacy of the vaccine in preventing the development of the Corona disease, according to Dr. E Venkata Rao, Principal Investigator in the COVAXIN human trial Bharat Biotech is looking to raise manufacturing capacity above 500 million doses Bharat Biotech — one of three companies conducting advanced stage trials in India for its COVID-19 vaccine candidate — says it is producing Covaxin at its own risk. <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/business/economy/trying-to-raise-manufacturing-capacity-above-500-million-doses-as-soon-as-possible-bharat-biotech-executive-director-6883341/">According to Bharat Biotech executive director Sai Prasad</a>, the pharma company has a manufacturing capacity of 150 million doses per year. However, it is looking to increase “capacity north of 500 million doses as soon as possible.” Bharat Biotech is looking at developing a new facility in Hyderabad — adjacent to the existing one. SII finishes phase II trials of Oxford’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate in Mumbai Serum Institute of India (SII) and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation have completed phase II trials of Oxford-AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine candidate in Mumbai. The civic body is soon going to begin the third phase. “With the approval, we will be able to start the third phase of the trial once the first set of volunteers complete 28 days of the first vaccination. As per ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research), the third trial can only be conducted on volunteers after a gap of 28 days,” said Suresh Kakani, additional commissioner, BMC. Every Indian citizen to get free COVID-19 vaccine, claims Union Minister Pratap Sarangi Union Minister Pratap Sarangi, on October 26, said that all people of the country would be given a free COVID vaccine. This comes amidst the demand by opposition parties to BJP to not use the vaccine as a<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/bihar-election-manifesto-bharatiya-janata-party-bjp-promises-free-covid-vaccine-for-everyone/articleshow/78803796.cms"> poll promise </a>to win Bihar elections. The BJP announcement of free COVID vaccine for Bihar, where assembly polls begin this week, had kicked up a controversy with the opposition parties tearing into the NDA government, alleging that the ruling party was using the pandemic for political reasons. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said the announcement was in order as it was an election manifesto announcement. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that all people will be provided free of cost vaccines. An estimated ₹500 will be spent on vaccination of each person, Sarangi told reporters after addressing a campaign meeting for the November 3 assembly by-poll in Balasore. Intranasal vaccine will be easier to deliver, says Biotech founder Kiran Mazumdar Shaw In India, the intranasal vaccine will be easier to deliver than intramuscular injection, said Biocon’s Kiran Mazumdar Shaw. "Indeed intranasal vaccines will be far easier to deliver than intramuscular injections n Asha workers can be trained to deliver it at mass scale unlike IM injections which will need nurses, doctors n MBBS students which is a challenge," Biocon Executive Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw tweeted Bharat Biotech gets nod to conduct phase 3 trial of its COVID-19 vaccine candidate Bharat Biotech, on October 22, got the approval from the Drug Controller General of India to conduct phase III trials of its COVID-19 vaccine in the country. "The firm has presented their data from Phase I and II along with animal challenge data in two species including NHP on the Inactivated Corona Virus Vaccine (BBV152) along with the proposal to conduct event-driven Phase III clinical trial to assess the efficacy of the vaccine," the expert panel of Subject Expert Committee (SEC) said. Indian government reportedly set aside $7 billion to vaccinate 1.3 billion people The Narendra Modi government has <a href="http://bloombergquint.com/coronavirus-outbreak/india-is-said-to-keep-7-billion-ready-for-vaccine-at-2-a-shot">reportedly </a>set aside ₹50,000 crore ($7 billion) to vaccinate 1.3 billion Indians against COVID-19, said Bloomberg citing sources. The government is estimating the overall cost of nearly $6-7 per person. Moreover, according to the government’s estimates <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-sets-aside-7-billion-to-vaccinate-its-population-sources/articleshow/78808899.cms">a shot of a vaccine is likely to cost around $2. </a> IIT-Indore’s COVID-19 vaccine enters animal trial phase IIT-Indore’s potential COVID-19 vaccine has <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/indore/iit-indores-covid-vaccine-in-animal-trial-phase/articleshow/78759625.cms">entered </a>the animal trials stage at the National Centre for Cell Science in Pune. “The research team, led by Dr Debasis Nayak, has received funds for development of a vaccine against SARS-CoV2. Nayak is a veterinarian and he is running trials on animals to study the vaccine’s side effects,” Prof Neelesh Kumar Jain said. Indian pharma Mankind partners with RDIF to market Sputnik V in India Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) has inked a pact with Delhi-based Mankind Pharma to market and distribute Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V in India, <a href="https://www.livemint.com/news/india/rdif-inks-pact-with-mankind-pharma-for-marketing-sputnik-v-vaccine-11603005186344.html">according to Live Mint. </a> “It depends on how many doses they will give Mankind. RDIF has pacts with Russian and Korean manufacturers for around 50 million doses so far. Talks with Indian manufacturers are also ongoing. Mankind will get the doses once the approvals are in place and the doses are supplied," Mint reported citing sources. The pact comes after Dr Reddy’s Lab got the approval to conduct human trials of Sputnik V in India. Oxford-AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine will be ready by December The Serum Institute of India says Oxford-AstraZeneca’s potential COVID-19 vaccine will be ready by <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/vaccine-ready-by-december-in-market-by-march-serum-institute-reveals-covid-19-vaccine-planning/story-KWBryK3euM7dbWa06GYZfJ.html">December </a>and available in market by March 2021 after procuring a license. "India may get COVID-19 vaccine by March 2021 provided the regulators speed up the process as multiple manufacturers are working on it," Jadhav said at the India Vaccine Accessibility e-summit organised by HEAL Foundation in association with ICCIDD. Meanwhile, Serum Institute has proposed the Drug Controller General of India to broaden the norms of clinical trials by including people with different conditions from all ages. Bharat Biotech partners with Washington University for an intranasal vaccine Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, on October 19, informed that Bharat Biotech would <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/serum-institute-bharat-biotech-to-start-intranasal-covid-19-vaccine-trials-soon-health-minister-2312103">develop </a>an intranasal vaccine for Sars-CoV-2. According to Harsh Vardhan, Bharat Biotech has entered into an agreement with Washington University and St. Louis University for the trials of the nasal vaccine candidate. "It (Bharat Biotech) has entered into an agreement with Washington University's School of Medicine under which the company will conduct trials, produce and market an intranasal vaccine for the COVID-19," Vardhan told his social media audience at his weekly webinar, Sunday Samvaad. The Phase 1 trials of the vaccine candidate will take place in St Louis University's vaccine and treatment evaluation unit, while further stages of the trials will be conducted in India. Dr Reddy’s receive approval for Sputnik V’s human trial in India Dr.Reddy’s Laboratories and Russian Direct Investment Fund, Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, on October 17, announced that they have received approval from the Drug Control General of India to conduct an adaptive phase 2/3 human clinical trial for Sputnik V vaccine in India. Dr Reddy’s said that this will be a multi-center and randomised controlled study, which will include safety and immunogenicity study. Additionally, Phase 3 clinical trial of the vaccine commenced in the UAE last week On August 11, 2020, the Sputnik V vaccine developed by the Gamaleya National Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology was registered by the Ministry of Health of Russia and became the world's first registered vaccine against COVID-19 based on the human adenoviral vectors platform. A month later, Dr Reddy’s and RDIF entered into a partnership to conduct clinical trials of Sputnik V vaccine and its distribution in India. Sputnik V is currently undergoing Phase 3 clinical trials in Russia and the proposed number of subjects is 40,000. Apollo Hospitals is ready to administer 1 million COVID-19 vaccines daily Apollo Hospitals announced on October 15 that it is prepared to administer one million Covid-19 vaccines per day whenever the vaccine is rolled out. The group said it will leverage its robust pan-India network of 19 medicine supply hubs with cold chain facilities, 70 hospitals, over 400 clinics, 500 corporate health centres and 4000 pharmacies alongside their omni-channel digital platform to ensure massive administration capacity of COVID-19 vaccines. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/economy/news/another-round-of-economic-stimulus-not-off-the-table-according-to-sitharaman/articleshow/78760271.cms">Another round of economic stimulus not off the table, according to Sitharaman</a>

You Searched For "Corona Cases in Pune" and got 15 results

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list of private Coronavirus testing labs approved by the government

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COVID-19: Lockdown extended for two more weeks; 'Considerable relaxations' for safer zones

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COVID-19 vaccine updates in India: Oxford’s COVID-19 vaccine trials can be over by December, if SII doesn’t go for emergency licence

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