Coronavirus India lockdown Day 159 updates

India on Sunday set a new COVID-19 record when it reported 78,761 new infections in 24 hours, according to health ministry figures, passing the United States for the world’s highest single-day rise.

Meanwhile, the government has allowed considerable relaxation of restrictions, including resumption of metro rail services, as a part of Unlock 4 guidelines.

You can track coronavirus cases, deaths and testing rates at the national and State levels here. A list of State Helpline numbers is available as well.

Here are the latest updates:

8.55 p.m. | Maharashtra

Maharashtra reports 16,408 new cases in a day

In its second highest single-day spike till date, Maharashtra reported a tremendous surge of 16,408 new Covid-19 cases on Sunday to take the total case tally to 7,80,689 of whom 1,93,548 cases are active. 296 new deaths pushed the total death toll to 24,399.

As many as 7,690 patients were discharged today to take the total recoveries till date to 5,62,401. Pune reported another massive surge of more than 3,500 cases to take its total case tally to 1,73,174 while 39 deaths pushed its total death toll to 4,060. Mumbai reported 1,237 cases to take its total case tally to 1,44,626 of whom 20,321 are active. With 30 deaths, the city’s total death toll has risen to 7,626. Nagpur reported 45 deaths while Kolhapur district reported 28 fatalities.

– Shoumojit Banerjee

8.15 p.m. | Tamil Nadu

TN reports 6495 new cases

Tamil Nadu on Sunday reported 6495 new positive cases, 6,406 discharges and 94 deaths. The total posiive cases are  4,22,085, the total discharges are  3,62,133 and the death toll is 7231. The total active cases as of today are 52,721.

8 p.m. | Madhya Pradesh

M.P. reports 1558 new cases

Madhya Pradesh on Sunday recorded 1,558 new COVID-19 cases, taking the tally to 62,433.  The number of active cases stands at 13,592.

As many as 29 patients died of the illness on the day, taking the State-wide death toll to 1,374.As for recoveries, 1,054 patients were discharged from hospitals on the day. So far, 47,467 persons have been cured of the illness, says the State Directorate of Health Services.

7.30 p.m. | Gujarat

Gujarat reports 1272 new cases

Gujarat recorded 1272 new cases and 17 deaths on Sunday, increasing its numbers to 95155 COVID-19 cases and 3008 fatalities. Active cases are at 15390 and discharges at 76757.

– Mahesh Langa

6.15 p.m. | Tamil Nadu

T.N government announces guidelines for Unlock 4

The Tamil Nadu government on Sunday announced its guidelines for Unlock 4, a day after the Union Home Ministry announced its guidelines. The TN government has also announced a series of relaxations:

 – No ‘complete lockdown’ across Tamil Nadu from September onwards

– All places of worship to open

– Shopping malls, show rooms and big formal stores can open with 100% staff. However, cinema halls cannot open

– Metro rail services to resume from September 7

– Tamil Nadu government drops e-Pass system for inter-district movements; but e-Pass system to continue for entry into Tamil Nadu

– Visitors to be allowed into the Nilgiris, Kodaikanal and Yercaud and hill stations by obtaining e-Passes from respective District Collectors

– Shooting in cinema industry is allowed to operate with 75 persons. However, no audience to be allowed.

– Banks and related services permitted to use 100% of their staff.

– Government offices to function with 100% staff from September 1; However, a Nodal Officer would be appointed to ensure safety norms.

– Parks and playgrounds to open for physical exercise and sports training purposes. However, no audience to be allowed.

– All shops across Tamil Nadu, including those in Chennai to remain open till 8 p.m.

– Intra-district bus services (both government and private) and Chennai metropolitan bus services to resume from September 1 by following Standard Operating Procedure.

– Hotels, resorts and recreation clubs can resume operations by following the Standard Operating Procedure.

– Inter-State rail services allowed only in select routes; But, no intra-State rail services until September 15.

– No reopening of schools, colleges, cinema halls, swimming pools, amusement parks, beaches, zoos, museums, tourist spots, until further orders.

– New protocol for quarantine and testing would be issued for international and domestic Air Passengers and other State Rail Passengers.

– Chennai Airport would be allowed to receive 50 a day (hitherto 25); however, status quo to continue in Coimbatore Tiruchi Madurai Thoothukudi and Salem airports.

– Suspension of suburban train services to continue.

– Fresh relaxations would not apply to any COVID-19 containment zones across Tamil Nadu where the lockdown has been extended till September 30.

– Dennis Jesudasan

5.55 pm | Kerala

Kerala CM announces 100-day action plan to address COVID-19 woes

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday announced a 100-day action plan for mitigating the sufferings faced by the people due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Addressing a press conference on the eve of Thiruvonam day, he announced a hike of Rs 100 in social security pensions per month and distribution of free food kits for the ration card holders in the state for four more months.

Promising to appoint adequate staff in the health sector in 100 days, Mr. Vijayan said 50,000 COVID-19 tests will be conducted per day.

Emphasising the need for giving a boost to the state’s health sector, the Chief Minister said primary health centres will be upgraded as family health centres as part of the action plan.

“A total of 153 family health centres will be inaugurated in 100 days,” he said here.

5.50 pm | New Delhi

Recoveries cross 27 lakh, case fatality rate drops to 1.79%, says Health ministry

India’s COVID-19 recoveries have sprinted past 27 lakh, taking the recovery rate to 76.61%, while the case fatality rate has further dropped to 1.79%, the health ministry said on Sunday.

It also highlighted that active cases of the infection comprise only 21.60% of the total caseload.

With more patients recovering and being discharged from hospitals and home isolation, the country’s total coronavirus recoveries have reached 27,13,933, the ministry said, adding that it has been possible because of effective implementation of the Centre’s policy of “testing aggressively, tracking comprehensively through timely surveillance of close contacts and treating effectively through a widening medical care infrastructure across the country“.

With a total of 64,935 patients having recovered in a span of 24 hours, India’s recovery rate amongst the COVID-19 patients has improved to 76.61% and is demonstrating continuous progress, the ministry underlined.

The recovery rate was 7.69% on April 5. It improved to 26.59% on May 3 and 47.76% on May 31. It was recorded at 60.77% on July 5.

The number of patients recovering is on a steady rise over the past several months and as on date exceeds the active cases by 3.55 times, the ministry said.

India has posted nearly 19.5 lakh (19,48,631) recoveries more than 7,65,302 active cases.

5.35 pm | Uttar Pradesh

COVID-positive SP worker jumps to death from overbridge

A Samajwadi Party worker escaped from the COVID-19 ward of a hospital here and then allegedly jumped to death from an overbridge, police said on Sunday.

Raman Jauhari (40), a district-level SP leader, escaped from the hospital on Saturday evening and allegedly died by suicide after jumping from an overbridge on Delhi-Bareilly-Nainital highway, said SHO, Bhojipura police station, Manoj Tyagi.

The body was found under the overbridge on Sunday, the station house officer said.

Jauhari was admitted to a private hospital after he tested positive for COVID-19 on August 25, he said.

The hospital had informed police on Saturday that the patient fled by breaking the glass of a window, the officer said.

A case has been registered in this regard and an investigation is underway, Tyagi added

5.25 pm | Madhya Pradesh

M.P. village returns to conventional mode

Away from school since March, when a nationwide lockdown was imposed, 12-year-old Vijay Bheel is stuck in time and learning: he still believes Congressman Kamal Nath is in power.

The class 5 student stares wide-eyed, standing sheepishly with hands clasped behind his back amid several primary school students seated cross legged in files, as assistant teacher Neeraj Saxena attempts to fill them up with events since the COVID-19 pandemic struck: Shivraj Singh Chouhan is the new Chief Minister, Chinese troops intruded into our territory leading to a fight and floods hit more than 50 lakh people in Assam.

5.10 pm | Chhattisgarh

Chhattisgarh CM to be in isolation as 2 staff test positive

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Sunday said he will isolate himself for the next four days as two of his staff members, including a personal security officer, have tested positive for coronavirus.

The Chief Minister said his test report came negative.

“My OSD (Officer on Special Duty) and PSO (Personal Security Officer) have found corona positive. My (test) report is negative at the moment, but I will be in isolation for the next four days as a precautionary measure. This is a period of crisis, everyone please be careful,” the CM tweeted in Hindi.

A public relations department official said Mr. Baghel will be in isolation at his official residence here.

Chhattisgarh’s COVID-19 case tally stood at 28,746 as on August 29.

4.40 pm | Karnataka

Karnataka BJP chief Nalin Kumar Kateel tests positive

The State BJP president and Member of Parliament from Dakshina Kannada Nalin Kumar Kateel has tested positive for COVID-19.

He tweeted on Sunday that though he is asymptomatic he has got himself admitted to a hospital on the recommendation by a doctor. Mr. Kateel asked those who came in contact with him recently to be alert.

4.35 pm | Maharashtra

Actor Himansh Kohli’s family tests positive for COVID-19

Actor Himansh Kohli has said his family, including father, mother and sister, have tested positive for COVID-19 while he has not contracted the virus. Kohli took to Instagram on Saturday and shared that for the last two-three days, his family was experiencing symptoms of viral infection, including mild fever.

“Recently, we all got ourselves tested for Novel Coronavirus – mom dad and Disha have tested positive with mild COVID-19 infection and I have tested negative.

“We are home quarantined, taking all precautions and are thankful to the government authorities for all the help and the advice,” Kohli wrote.

The 30-year-old actor, best known for his show “Humse Hai Life” and the 2014 film “Yaariyaan”, hoped that the family comes out of it and “recover very soon.”

“I am taking care of myself and my family members. In the meanwhile, safeguard your family and ensure that they are taking all precautions.

“Even the slightest bit of carelessness can be harmful. But, please don’t be scared, a sane mind deals with all the problems better. Wishing all of you good health and lots of love,” he added.

3.55 pm | New Delhi

Flying to India for NEET amid COVID-19 risk stressful, impractical: Aspirants in Gulf nations

Travelling to India to write the medical entrance exam NEET is not only stressful but also impractical, several candidates in Gulf countries have said, citing the risk of contracting COVID-19 and the need to undergo a mandatory quarantine, among other issues.

Some of them have decided the skip the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) altogether this year.

Several Indian students said the Supreme Court’s refusal to allow exam centres for the NEET in Gulf countries has left them the lurch. Many of these students have their JEE Main exam in the Gulf and the NEET in India.

While exam centres have been set up abroad for JEE Main, there is no such plan for NEET.

Reaching India in time to be able to complete the mandatory quarantine period before the exam, arranging a stay before taking a flight back home, additional expenses, the risk of contracting COVID-19 and being quarantined again back home, are among several concerns on the mind of the aspirants.

The National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts medical and engineering entrance exams, has decided to hold NEET on September 13 and Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Mains from September 1 to 6.

On Monday, the Supreme Court of India declined to pass direction to the Central government to hold NEET in Gulf countries. The court directed the government to allow students to come through Vande Bharat Mission flights to write the exams.

The SC was hearing a plea filed by parents of nearly 4,000 NEET candidates, who alternatively had sought to postpone the examination until the coronavirus pandemic subsides.

The parents of these candidates, who reside in Doha, Qatar, Oman and the UAE, had approached the apex court challenging the High Court of Kerala order which had dismissed their plea in June.

3.50 pm | Tamil Nadu

Intense lockdown shuts TN

An intense lockdown was observed on Sunday across Tamil Nadu as part of efforts to fight COVID-19 and only healthcare services and milk supply continued as usual.

Effective since last month on all Sundays, the complete lockdown saw closure of fuel pumps, markets and outlets selling essential commodities.

People stayed indoors and roads were largely deserted and police set up checkposts at important intersections across Tamil Nadu to check against violations.

Policemen could be seen warning those who ventured out on streets without any valid reason in several regions.

Amma Canteens and healthcare services -hospitals, pharmacies and labs- functioned and sanitary workers continued their routine clean up work.

Personnel of civic bodies conducted door-to-door surveys to detect people with flu like symptoms in addition to fever camps

3.23 pm | Madhya Pradesh

Carelessness leading to rise in COVID-19 cases: Experts

Careless behaviour of people and complacency are leading to a spike in COVID-19 cases in Madhya Pradesh, which saw a 78 per cent rise in cases in the past two months, according to medical experts and government officials.

A senior official from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Bhopal expressed concern over the governments fresh guidelines allowing political, social and religious congregations of up to 100 people from September 21.

Till Saturday, Madhya Pradesh reported 60,875 COVID-19 cases since the disease outbreak in the state on March 20.

An analysis of the government data shows that 47,282 of these total cases, or about 78 per cent, were reported in July and August.

These two months also reported 773 deaths, accounting for 57 per cent of the total 1,345 fatalities due to the disease so far in the state.

Talking to PTI, AIIMS, Bhopal, Director Prof Sarman Singh said “complacency among people” with regard to social distancing and other preventive norms, and the easing of restrictions are leading to the rise in COVID-19 cases.

3.00 pm | New Delhi

No. of COVID-19 tests conducted goes past 4.14 cr in India

With a record over 10.5 lakh tests conducted for detection of COVID-19 in a single day, the number of such tests performed in the country has crossed 4.14 crore, the Union health ministry said on Sunday.

The exponential jump in the testing capacity and the number of tests has resulted in an upsurge in the Tests Per Million to 30,044 as on date, it highlighted.

With a record 10,55,027 tests conducted on Saturday, the country has further strengthened the national diagnostic capacity of testing more than 10 lakh samples for COVID-19 on a daily basis.

The total number of COVID-19 tests conducted in the country currently stands at 4,14,61,636.

The Centre, keeping in view the evolving global context of COVID-19, conceptualised and implemented the continuum of care strategy of “test, track and treat” in close coordination with the states and Union territories.

Pivoted on the strong pillar of aggressive testing, the positive cases are identified early, which enables and ensures that their contacts are efficiently tracked in a timely manner, the ministry underlined.

This is followed up with prompt isolation at home or a facility setting for the mild and moderate cases, and hospitalisation for the severe and critical patients, it said.

The World Health Organization (WHO), in its guidance note on “Public Health Criteria to Adjust Public Health and Social Measures in the Context of COVID-19”, has advised a comprehensive surveillance for suspected coronavirus cases.

It has advised that a country needs 140 tests per 10 lakh people every day.

All the states and Union territories have crossed the advised number of tests. Several states have demonstrated a better performance by registering a positivity rate that is lower than the national average, the ministry said.

2.30 pm | Gujarat

10 Gujarat ATS personnel test coronavirus positive

As many as 10 Gujarat ATS personnel, who were involved in an investigation into the alleged attempt to kill BJP leaders, have so far tested positive for coronavirus, an official said on Sunday.

The state Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) on August 19 arrested one Irfan Shaikh in Ahmedabad, following a tip-off that he was sent by gangster Chhota Shakeel to kill BJP leaders.

On August 20, Shaikh tested positive for coronavirus.

Later, the ATS personnel who came in contact with him were tested.

“Ten ATS personnel, who were involved in the investigation into the case, have so far tested positive for the coronavirus,” ATS Assistant Commissioner of Police K K Patel said.

The personnel who have tested positive include an inspector, a sub-inspector, constables and clerks, he said.

1.15 pm | Uttar Pradesh

Mayawati welcomes ‘unified’ central policy regarding Unlock 4 guidelines

BSP chief Mayawati on Sunday welcomed the unified policy of the Centre pertaining to Unlock 4 guidelines.

The Union Home Ministry on Saturday issued the Unlock 4 guidelines under which metro trains would be allowed to resume services from September 7 in a graded manner, while political, social and religious congregations of up to 100 people would be permitted from September 21.

However, schools, colleges, educational and coaching institutions will remain closed for students till September 30, with some relaxations for students of classes 9 to 12.

“The unified policy (ek saamaanya neeti) of the Union home ministry pertaining to lockdown/unlock to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic is welcome. This has long been the demand of BSP. It will stop (people from) indulging in politics in the garb of coronavirus, and the public will get more facilities, Mayawati said in a tweet in Hindi.

In a significant directive, the Home Ministry said State governments shall not impose any local lockdown outside the containment zones without prior consultation with the central government.

1.05 pm | New Delhi

Driving change: women e-rickshaw drivers hit by pandemic but stay the empowerment course

No rides, no income and no money to repay the loans they took. But the band of intrepid women who took the decision to steer the course of their lives by driving e-rickshaws and also owning them aren’t giving up.

It will take more than a pandemic to get them back into the confines of their homes, say the women who decided to defy convention when they stepped out of the door and got behind the wheel of their e-rickshaws.

Organisations such as Humsafar and SMV Green Solutions which helped train scores of women and facilitated their loans said none of their ‘drivers’ have reached out to them to sell their vehicles.

“I am ready to do all kinds of odd jobs temporarily to make money, but there is no way I am selling my rickshaw,” said Sima Khan, a doughty Lucknow-based woman who went from being homemaker to entrepreneur.

She is among the scores of women across the country who bought e-rickshaws through support centres in their city by somehow managing the money for down payments and have been earning a living and also paying their EMIs.

12.30 pm | Haryana

Shops to remain open on Mon, Tue in Haryana

The Haryana Government has withdrawn its order to shut shopping malls and shops on Mondays and Tuesdays. The decision was taken in view of the Unlock-4 guidelines by the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a day earlier.

In a tweet, Haryana Home Minister Anij Vij said the State government had taken back its decision to keep shopping malls and shops shut on Mondays and Tuesdays since the Union government had not allowed the State government to impose lockdown during Unlock-4.

“So there will be no lockdown,” said the tweet.

12 pm | Arunachal Pradesh

In Arunachal, an association of COVID-19 affected

An association of COVID-19 affected people in Arunachal Pradesh, claimed to be the first one associated with the pandemic, has demanded concessions in electricity and water bills besides partial waiver of Goods and Services Tax (GST).

The All Arunachal COVID-19 Affected Forum, formed a month ago, includes people who have recovered from the infection as well as the kindred of those who have died.

11.30 am | World

Global coronavirus cases surpass 25 million

Global coronavirus cases surged past 25 million on Sunday, according to a Reuters tally, revealing steady growth in the pandemic as its epicentre shifts again.

India’s daily new case numbers have surpassed those of the United States and Brazil, the two countries worst hit by the pandemic, for more than three weeks.

Around the world, there have been more than 840,000 deaths, considered a lagging indicator given the two-week incubation period of the virus. – Reuters

10.30 am | India

The use and re-use of N95 masks

In the case of infectious diseases like COVID-19, hospitals have to make sure that their patient-facing employees are safe by using Personal Protectivee quipment, in particular, N95 masks. N95 masks can stop up to 95% of particles that are as small as 0.3 microns. Yet, not only are N95 masks expensive, they also cannot easily be reused immediately.

A collaboration between Mumbai-based institutions, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) and Tata Memorial Hospital, has spawned a workable solution to the problem of expense and decontamination.

After discussing various routes for decontamination of the masks, such as the use of UV radiation, hydrogen peroxide and so on, they concluded that using moist heat was a good bet. They realised that heat treatment at temperatures beyond 65-70 degrees C for about 60 minutes in dry air or for just about 30 minutes in moist air with humidity over 50% was sufficient to decontaminate the masks, even with SARS-CoV-2 virus. In this method of decontamination, the pathogen is reduced by 99.9%.

10 am | India

COVID-19 tally in India crosses 35-lakh mark

India’s COVID-19 tally zoomed past 35 lakh, just a week after it crossed the 30-lakh mark, with a record single-day spike of 78,761 cases, while recoveries surged to 27,13,933 on Sunday, according to the Union Health Ministry data.

The total coronavirus cases rose to 35,42,733, while the death toll climbed to 63,498 with 948 people succumbing to the disease in a span of 24 hours, the data updated at 8 am showed.

The recovery rate has increased to 76.61% while the COVID-19 case fatality rate has further declined to 1.79%.

There are 7,65,302 active cases of coronavirus infection in the country which comprises 21.60% of the total caseload, the data stated. – PTI

9 am | Delhi

Delhi Metro to resume services from Sept. 7 in calibrated manner

After being closed since March 22 in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, Delhi Metro has received the nod from authorities to resume services from September 7 in a “calibrated manner”, officials said on Saturday.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted that he was “glad” the metro services will resume operations in a phased manner.

“As per the latest guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs under Unlock-4, the Delhi Metro will be resuming its services for public from September 7 onwards in a calibrated manner,” the DMRC said in a statement. PTI

8.30 am | Jharkhand

Sakshi Maharaj asked to undergo quarantine

The Jharkhand government sent Sakshi Maharaj , Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament from Uttar Pradesh’s Unnao, on a 14-day quarantine by enforcing its COVID-19 guidelines on Saturday.

Mr. Maharaj was staying at Shanti Bhawan in Giridih district, where he had come to attend a programme on Friday. He was returning to Dhanbad from where he was to board a train for New Delhi when the Giridih district administration stopped him near Pirtand police station.

8 am | Assam

Assam to reopen schools mid-Sept. as a test run

Assam’s Education Minister said that the State government has decided to reopen its schools and colleges “informally” as an experiment for 15 days in September after engaging the teachers and staff for an equal number of days in sanitising and reorganising the classrooms according to social distancing norms.

Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said schools and colleges will reopen from September 1 but only the teachers and non-teaching staff would have to be present for the first half of the month.

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