News Analysis India

Tag: Coronavirus

  • Modi to attend regional summit with Russia, China, Pakistan

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: India said Sunday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take part in a regional summit in Uzbekistan that according to Russia will see face-to-face talks between Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

    The gathering of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) comprising China, Russia, four Central Asian countries — Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan — India and Pakistan is due to take place in Samarkand on September 15 and 16.

    On Wednesday Russia’s ambassador to China said that Putin and Xi would meet at the summit, in what will be the Chinese leader’s first trip abroad since the early days of the coronavirus pandemic.

    Beijing’s foreign ministry did not immediately confirm the meeting, with a spokesperson saying at a regular press briefing that “there is no information to provide” on the matter.

    The Indian government statement on Sunday did not say whether Modi would hold bilateral talks with Putin, Xi or — for the first time since he became Pakistani prime minister in April — Shehbaz Sharif.

    Sourcing most of its arms from Russia, India like China has refused to condemn Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine and has ramped up purchases of Russian oil.

    India’s relations with China have been frosty since fighting in 2020 on their disputed Himalayan border left at least 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers dead. Modi and Xi have not held bilateral talks since 2019.

    India is also part of the so-called Quad together with the United States, Japan and Australia, a grouping seen as a bulwark against China.

    NEW DELHI: India said Sunday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take part in a regional summit in Uzbekistan that according to Russia will see face-to-face talks between Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

    The gathering of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) comprising China, Russia, four Central Asian countries — Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan — India and Pakistan is due to take place in Samarkand on September 15 and 16.

    On Wednesday Russia’s ambassador to China said that Putin and Xi would meet at the summit, in what will be the Chinese leader’s first trip abroad since the early days of the coronavirus pandemic.

    Beijing’s foreign ministry did not immediately confirm the meeting, with a spokesperson saying at a regular press briefing that “there is no information to provide” on the matter.

    The Indian government statement on Sunday did not say whether Modi would hold bilateral talks with Putin, Xi or — for the first time since he became Pakistani prime minister in April — Shehbaz Sharif.

    Sourcing most of its arms from Russia, India like China has refused to condemn Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine and has ramped up purchases of Russian oil.

    India’s relations with China have been frosty since fighting in 2020 on their disputed Himalayan border left at least 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers dead. Modi and Xi have not held bilateral talks since 2019.

    India is also part of the so-called Quad together with the United States, Japan and Australia, a grouping seen as a bulwark against China.

  • At 4,417, India records lowest single-day rise in Covid cases in 3 months

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: India saw a single-day rise of 4,417 new coronavirus infections, the lowest in last three months, taking the tally of Covid-19 cases to 4,44,66,862, according to the Union health ministry data updated on Tuesday.

    Active Covid cases have further declined to 52,336, while the death toll has climbed to 5,28,030 with 23 fatalities, including one death reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am showed.

    India had reported 3,714 new cases in a span of 24 hours on June 6. Active cases comprises 0.12 per cent of the total infections while the national Covid-19 recovery rate has increased to 98.69 per cent, the health ministry said.

    A decline of 1,638 cases has been recorded in the active Covid-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.

    The daily positivity rate was recorded at 1.20 per cent while the weekly positivity rate was recorded at 2.06 per cent, according to the health ministry.

    The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,38,86,496, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.19 per cent.

    According to the ministry, 213.72 crore doses of Covid vaccines have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide Covid-19 vaccination drive.

    India’s Covid-19 tally crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16.

    It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19.

    India crossed the grim milestone of two crores on May 4, three crore on June 23 last year and four crores on January 25 this year.

    NEW DELHI: India saw a single-day rise of 4,417 new coronavirus infections, the lowest in last three months, taking the tally of Covid-19 cases to 4,44,66,862, according to the Union health ministry data updated on Tuesday.

    Active Covid cases have further declined to 52,336, while the death toll has climbed to 5,28,030 with 23 fatalities, including one death reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am showed.

    India had reported 3,714 new cases in a span of 24 hours on June 6. Active cases comprises 0.12 per cent of the total infections while the national Covid-19 recovery rate has increased to 98.69 per cent, the health ministry said.

    A decline of 1,638 cases has been recorded in the active Covid-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.

    The daily positivity rate was recorded at 1.20 per cent while the weekly positivity rate was recorded at 2.06 per cent, according to the health ministry.

    The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,38,86,496, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.19 per cent.

    According to the ministry, 213.72 crore doses of Covid vaccines have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide Covid-19 vaccination drive.

    India’s Covid-19 tally crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16.

    It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19.

    India crossed the grim milestone of two crores on May 4, three crore on June 23 last year and four crores on January 25 this year.

  • Only 20 per cent of eligible people have taken COVID precaution dose, says data

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Only a fifth of the eligible people in India have taken the precaution dose of COVID-19 vaccine so far, with the lowest coverage in Meghalaya followed by states like Jharkhand, Nagaland, Punjab and Haryana, officials said on Tuesday.

    Around 12 per cent of the eligible 77 crore population in the age group of 18-59 years have taken the precaution dose of COVID-19 vaccine so far, they said.

    Besides, 35 per cent of the 16.80 crore population aged 60 years and above, healthcare and frontline workers have been administered the precaution dose.

    A total of 15.66 crore precaution doses have been given till now with 10.39 crore doses being administered since July 15 after the ‘COVID Vaccination Amrit Mahotsava’ was launched, official sources said.

    The precaution dose coverage among the 64,89,99,721 eligible population between 18-59 years was 8 per cent till July 14.

    Only eight per cent of eligible people aged above 18 years have taken the precaution dose in Meghalaya so far – the lowest in the country followed by Jharkhand and Nagaland at nine per cent each and Punjab and Haryana at 10 per cent each.

    In fact, the coverage is only about a third in the major states.

    Among UTs, Andaman and Nicobar islands lead the chart with 78 per cent followed by 59 per cent in Ladakh.

    The coverage is 21 per cent in Delhi.

    While UP has coverage of 22 per cent, a mere 13 per cent of the eligible population have taken the precaution dose in Maharashtra, official sources said.

    The coverage is 17 per cent in Madhya Pradesh, 24 per cent in West Bengal, 13 per cent in Kerala, 14 per cent each in Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan, 18 per cent in Karnataka, 32 per cent in Gujarat , 23 per cent in Bihar and 16 per cent in Assam, they said.

    Under the campaign which was launched on July 15, 9,28,598 special vaccination camps have been organised so far by all the states and UTs.

    This includes camps at railway stations (4,259), bus stations (9,183), airports (370), schools and colleges (1,16,675), on the way to religious places (3,522) and camps at other places (7,94,589), health ministry sources said.

    Since July 15, 10,16,78,376 doses of Covishield, 1,68,14,771 doses of Covaxin and 85,03,008 doses of Corbevax have been given .

    On July 15, the government launched a special 75-day special drive to administer precaution doses to all aged 18 years and above at government vaccination centres free of cost.

    The drive ‘COVID Vaccination Amrit Mahotsava’, aimed at boosting the uptake of COVID-19 vaccine precaution doses among the eligible population, is being held as part of the government’s Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to celebrate the 75th anniversary of India’s Independence.

    Officials said 98 per cent of India’s adult population has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine while 92 per cent have been fully vaccinated.

    According to health ministry data, the total vaccine doses administered in the country crossed 212.37 crore on Tuesday with more than 18 lakh (18,08,856) doses being administered till 7 pm.

    NEW DELHI: Only a fifth of the eligible people in India have taken the precaution dose of COVID-19 vaccine so far, with the lowest coverage in Meghalaya followed by states like Jharkhand, Nagaland, Punjab and Haryana, officials said on Tuesday.

    Around 12 per cent of the eligible 77 crore population in the age group of 18-59 years have taken the precaution dose of COVID-19 vaccine so far, they said.

    Besides, 35 per cent of the 16.80 crore population aged 60 years and above, healthcare and frontline workers have been administered the precaution dose.

    A total of 15.66 crore precaution doses have been given till now with 10.39 crore doses being administered since July 15 after the ‘COVID Vaccination Amrit Mahotsava’ was launched, official sources said.

    The precaution dose coverage among the 64,89,99,721 eligible population between 18-59 years was 8 per cent till July 14.

    Only eight per cent of eligible people aged above 18 years have taken the precaution dose in Meghalaya so far – the lowest in the country followed by Jharkhand and Nagaland at nine per cent each and Punjab and Haryana at 10 per cent each.

    In fact, the coverage is only about a third in the major states.

    Among UTs, Andaman and Nicobar islands lead the chart with 78 per cent followed by 59 per cent in Ladakh.

    The coverage is 21 per cent in Delhi.

    While UP has coverage of 22 per cent, a mere 13 per cent of the eligible population have taken the precaution dose in Maharashtra, official sources said.

    The coverage is 17 per cent in Madhya Pradesh, 24 per cent in West Bengal, 13 per cent in Kerala, 14 per cent each in Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan, 18 per cent in Karnataka, 32 per cent in Gujarat , 23 per cent in Bihar and 16 per cent in Assam, they said.

    Under the campaign which was launched on July 15, 9,28,598 special vaccination camps have been organised so far by all the states and UTs.

    This includes camps at railway stations (4,259), bus stations (9,183), airports (370), schools and colleges (1,16,675), on the way to religious places (3,522) and camps at other places (7,94,589), health ministry sources said.

    Since July 15, 10,16,78,376 doses of Covishield, 1,68,14,771 doses of Covaxin and 85,03,008 doses of Corbevax have been given .

    On July 15, the government launched a special 75-day special drive to administer precaution doses to all aged 18 years and above at government vaccination centres free of cost.

    The drive ‘COVID Vaccination Amrit Mahotsava’, aimed at boosting the uptake of COVID-19 vaccine precaution doses among the eligible population, is being held as part of the government’s Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to celebrate the 75th anniversary of India’s Independence.

    Officials said 98 per cent of India’s adult population has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine while 92 per cent have been fully vaccinated.

    According to health ministry data, the total vaccine doses administered in the country crossed 212.37 crore on Tuesday with more than 18 lakh (18,08,856) doses being administered till 7 pm.

  • 12,608 new Covid cases in India; 72 deaths

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: India saw a single-day rise of 12,608 new coronavirus infections taking the total tally of Covid-19 cases to 4,42,98,864, while the active cases declined to 1,01,343, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Thursday.

    The national death toll climbed to 5,27,206 with 72 fatalities, including 29 fatalities by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated.

    The active cases comprised 0.23 per cent of the total infections, as the national Covid-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.58 per cent, the health ministry said.

    A decline of 3,715 cases was recorded in the active Covid-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours. The daily positivity rate was recorded at 3.48 per cent, and weekly at 4.20 per cent, according to the health ministry.

    The number of people who have recuperated from the disease has surged to 4,36,70,315. The overall fatality rate to date stands at 1.19 per cent.

    According to the ministry, 208.95 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide Covid-19 vaccination drive.

    India’s Covid-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020. It crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4, 2021, and four crore on January 25 this year.

    The 43 new fatalities composed of eight from Delhi, six from Maharashtra, five from Haryana, four each from Punjab and West Bengal, three from Karnataka, two each from Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh and one each from Chandigarh, Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

    NEW DELHI: India saw a single-day rise of 12,608 new coronavirus infections taking the total tally of Covid-19 cases to 4,42,98,864, while the active cases declined to 1,01,343, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Thursday.

    The national death toll climbed to 5,27,206 with 72 fatalities, including 29 fatalities by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated.

    The active cases comprised 0.23 per cent of the total infections, as the national Covid-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.58 per cent, the health ministry said.

    A decline of 3,715 cases was recorded in the active Covid-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours. The daily positivity rate was recorded at 3.48 per cent, and weekly at 4.20 per cent, according to the health ministry.

    The number of people who have recuperated from the disease has surged to 4,36,70,315. The overall fatality rate to date stands at 1.19 per cent.

    According to the ministry, 208.95 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide Covid-19 vaccination drive.

    India’s Covid-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020. It crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4, 2021, and four crore on January 25 this year.

    The 43 new fatalities composed of eight from Delhi, six from Maharashtra, five from Haryana, four each from Punjab and West Bengal, three from Karnataka, two each from Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh and one each from Chandigarh, Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

  • Tamil Nadu reports highest Omicron BA.5 cases in India

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Over 300 cases of the extremely contagious Omicron BA.5 have been recorded in India. One of the sub-variants driving the increase of Covid in India and around the world is Omicron BA.5. With 150 cases, Tamil Nadu has reported the most cases in India until July 17, followed by West Bengal, with 45 cases.

    The Omicron BA.4 sub-variant was found in 68 samples received by the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG). At least 20 such cases were reported in Telangana, according to the Union Health Ministry.

    India, like other nations, is witnessing a recent increase in Covid cases. The nation also reported cases of Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants, which are more contagious. An 80-year-old man in Telangana was diagnosed with the BA.5 in May while a 19-year-old girl in Tamil Nadu was the first person to contract BA.4.

    According to information provided by the ministry in Lok Sabha, 68 cases of BA.4 and 331 cases of BA.5 were found in India till July 17. The BA.5 sub-variant has been reported from 14 states so far, including Maharashtra, Telangana, and Delhi.

    NEW DELHI: Over 300 cases of the extremely contagious Omicron BA.5 have been recorded in India. One of the sub-variants driving the increase of Covid in India and around the world is Omicron BA.5. With 150 cases, Tamil Nadu has reported the most cases in India until July 17, followed by West Bengal, with 45 cases.

    The Omicron BA.4 sub-variant was found in 68 samples received by the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG). At least 20 such cases were reported in Telangana, according to the Union Health Ministry.

    India, like other nations, is witnessing a recent increase in Covid cases. The nation also reported cases of Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants, which are more contagious. An 80-year-old man in Telangana was diagnosed with the BA.5 in May while a 19-year-old girl in Tamil Nadu was the first person to contract BA.4.

    According to information provided by the ministry in Lok Sabha, 68 cases of BA.4 and 331 cases of BA.5 were found in India till July 17. The BA.5 sub-variant has been reported from 14 states so far, including Maharashtra, Telangana, and Delhi.

  • India logs 8,813 Covid infections in a day; active cases decline to 1,11,252

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: India’s Covid-19 case tally increased by 8,813 in a day to reach 4,42,77,194, while active infections have declined to 1,11,252, according to the Union Health Ministry data on Tuesday.

    The death toll has climbed to 5,27,098 with 29 more fatalities, including one death reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated.

    Active cases declined by 6,256 in a day and now comprise 0.25 per cent of the total infections, while the national Covid-19 recovery rate was at 98.56 per cent, the health ministry said.

    The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,36,38,844, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.19 per cent. The daily positivity rate was 4.15 per cent while the weekly positivity rate was recorded at 4.79 per cent, according to the health ministry. It said that 208.31 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far.

    India’s Covid-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16.

    It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19.

    India crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4 last year, three crore on June 23 and four crore on January 25 this year.

    The 28 new fatalities include eight from Delhi, six from Punjab, two each from Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, and Uttar Pradesh, and one each from Assam, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Maharashtra, Nagaland, Odisha, Sikkim and Tripura.

    NEW DELHI: India’s Covid-19 case tally increased by 8,813 in a day to reach 4,42,77,194, while active infections have declined to 1,11,252, according to the Union Health Ministry data on Tuesday.

    The death toll has climbed to 5,27,098 with 29 more fatalities, including one death reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated.

    Active cases declined by 6,256 in a day and now comprise 0.25 per cent of the total infections, while the national Covid-19 recovery rate was at 98.56 per cent, the health ministry said.

    The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,36,38,844, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.19 per cent. The daily positivity rate was 4.15 per cent while the weekly positivity rate was recorded at 4.79 per cent, according to the health ministry. It said that 208.31 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far.

    India’s Covid-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16.

    It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19.

    India crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4 last year, three crore on June 23 and four crore on January 25 this year.

    The 28 new fatalities include eight from Delhi, six from Punjab, two each from Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, and Uttar Pradesh, and one each from Assam, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Maharashtra, Nagaland, Odisha, Sikkim and Tripura.

  • Active Covid cases decline in country

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: India added 14,092 new coronavirus infections taking the virus tally to 4,42,53,464, while the active cases dipped to 1,16,861, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Sunday.

    The death toll climbed to 5,27,037 with 41 fatalities which includes 12 deaths reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated.

    The active cases comprise 0.26 per cent of the total infections, while the national Covid-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.54 per cent, the ministry said.

    A decrease of 2,403 cases has been recorded in the active Covid-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.

    The daily positivity rate was recorded at 3.69 per cent and the weekly positivity rate at 4.57 per cent, according to the ministry.

    The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,36,09,566, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.19 per cent.

    According to the ministry, 207.99 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide Covid-19 vaccination drive.

    India’s Covid-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19 that year.

    It crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4, 2021, three crore on June 23, 2021. It crossed the four-crore mark on January 25 this year.

    The 29 new fatalities include nine from Delhi, five from Karnataka, three each from Gujarat and West Bengal, two from Uttar Pradesh, one each from Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Punjab and Uttarakhand.

    NEW DELHI: India added 14,092 new coronavirus infections taking the virus tally to 4,42,53,464, while the active cases dipped to 1,16,861, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Sunday.

    The death toll climbed to 5,27,037 with 41 fatalities which includes 12 deaths reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated.

    The active cases comprise 0.26 per cent of the total infections, while the national Covid-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.54 per cent, the ministry said.

    A decrease of 2,403 cases has been recorded in the active Covid-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.

    The daily positivity rate was recorded at 3.69 per cent and the weekly positivity rate at 4.57 per cent, according to the ministry.

    The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,36,09,566, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.19 per cent.

    According to the ministry, 207.99 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide Covid-19 vaccination drive.

    India’s Covid-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19 that year.

    It crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4, 2021, three crore on June 23, 2021. It crossed the four-crore mark on January 25 this year.

    The 29 new fatalities include nine from Delhi, five from Karnataka, three each from Gujarat and West Bengal, two from Uttar Pradesh, one each from Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Punjab and Uttarakhand.

  • As Covid cases surge, Punjab government makes face masks mandatory

    By PTI

    CHANDIGARH:  In view of a spurt in coronavirus cases, the Punjab government on Saturday made the wearing of face masks mandatory in public places, officials said.

    The advisory was issued by the state home affairs and justice department to all divisional, deputy commissioners, zonal inspector general of police, commissioners of police and civil surgeons in the state.

    It has been observed that many people are not following Covid-appropriate behaviour, specially wearing of masks, according to the advisory.

    “Further, the number of Covid positive cases, positivity rate and hospitalisation are showing an upward trend,” it said.

    The wearing of masks shall be ensured in all educational institutions, government and private offices and indoor/outdoor gatherings, malls, and public places for the prevention of further spread of the virus well-being of every individual, it said.

    Covid-appropriate behaviour like social distancing, respiratory etiquette and no spitting in public places must be followed, it further said.

    Anyone having symptoms of COVID-19 must get tested and follow the established protocol, it added.

    All hospitals, labs, collection centres offering testing for COVID-19 should upload details of tests, including positive and negative results, on COVA Portal of the state government and also intimate the respective district and state COVID-19 cell, it said.

    It further said those due for the second dose and precautionary dose of COVID-19 vaccine must take them at the earliest.

    CHANDIGARH:  In view of a spurt in coronavirus cases, the Punjab government on Saturday made the wearing of face masks mandatory in public places, officials said.

    The advisory was issued by the state home affairs and justice department to all divisional, deputy commissioners, zonal inspector general of police, commissioners of police and civil surgeons in the state.

    It has been observed that many people are not following Covid-appropriate behaviour, specially wearing of masks, according to the advisory.

    “Further, the number of Covid positive cases, positivity rate and hospitalisation are showing an upward trend,” it said.

    The wearing of masks shall be ensured in all educational institutions, government and private offices and indoor/outdoor gatherings, malls, and public places for the prevention of further spread of the virus well-being of every individual, it said.

    Covid-appropriate behaviour like social distancing, respiratory etiquette and no spitting in public places must be followed, it further said.

    Anyone having symptoms of COVID-19 must get tested and follow the established protocol, it added.

    All hospitals, labs, collection centres offering testing for COVID-19 should upload details of tests, including positive and negative results, on COVA Portal of the state government and also intimate the respective district and state COVID-19 cell, it said.

    It further said those due for the second dose and precautionary dose of COVID-19 vaccine must take them at the earliest.

  • Active Covid cases in country decline to 1,23,535

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: India added 16,561 new coronavirus cases taking the total tally of Covid cases to 4,42,23,557, while the active cases dipped to 1,23,535, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday.

    The death toll climbed to 5,26,928 with 49 fatalities which include 10 deaths reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated.

    The active cases comprise 0.28 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.53 per cent, the ministry said.

    A decrease of 1,541 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.

    The daily positivity rate was recorded at 5.44 per cent and the weekly positivity rate at 4.88 per cent, according to the ministry.

    The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,35,73,094, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.19 per cent.

    According to the ministry, 207.47 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide vccination drive.

    India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16.

    It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19.

    The country crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4 and three crore on June 23 last year.

    It crossed the four-crore mark on January 25 this year.

    The 39 new fatalities include six each from Delhi and Karnataka, five from Maharashtra, four from West Bengal, three each from Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, two each from Gujarat, Sikkim and Uttarakhand, and one each from Assam, Chandigarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Manipur and Odisha.

    NEW DELHI: India added 16,561 new coronavirus cases taking the total tally of Covid cases to 4,42,23,557, while the active cases dipped to 1,23,535, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday.

    The death toll climbed to 5,26,928 with 49 fatalities which include 10 deaths reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated.

    The active cases comprise 0.28 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.53 per cent, the ministry said.

    A decrease of 1,541 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.

    The daily positivity rate was recorded at 5.44 per cent and the weekly positivity rate at 4.88 per cent, according to the ministry.

    The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,35,73,094, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.19 per cent.

    According to the ministry, 207.47 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide vccination drive.

    India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16.

    It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19.

    The country crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4 and three crore on June 23 last year.

    It crossed the four-crore mark on January 25 this year.

    The 39 new fatalities include six each from Delhi and Karnataka, five from Maharashtra, four from West Bengal, three each from Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, two each from Gujarat, Sikkim and Uttarakhand, and one each from Assam, Chandigarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Manipur and Odisha.

  • Half of India’s 45K Covid deaths in Kerala alone

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Over 45,000 Covid deaths have been reported in India till July 19, of which over 22 000 have been recorded alone from Kerala, which is showing a consistent increase in daily new cases and a high positivity rate for the past few months. Maharashtra, Assam, and Karnataka follow the southern state.

    Not only deaths, Kerala, has reported the highest number of cases in the country. Over 14 lakh cases have been reported in the state till July 19 this year, according to data shared by the union health ministry in the Lok Sabha. Maharashtra follows it with over 13 lakh cases.

    Karnataka follows with nearly 10 lakh cases, while Tamil Nadu has recorded almost 8 lakh Covid cases till July 19. Since January this year, 45,704 people have died of Covid; Kerala alone reported 22,843 deaths. In 2021, 44,399 people had died, while in 2020, 3,042 people succumbed to the infection in Kerala, as per data.

    The state was followed by Maharashtra (6,508), Assam (1,839), Karnataka (1,804), West Bengal ( 1,525), Tamil Nadu ( 1,265), Delhi (1,187), and Punjab (1,152).

    While Andhra Pradesh reported 240 deaths, Telangana has recorded 86 deaths due to Covid this year. Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Dadar and Nagar haveli, and Daman and Diu were the only places which didn’t report any death due to Covid in the country this year, according to the Minister of State of Health and Family Welfare, Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar.

    Lakshadweep reported one death, while Ladakh recorded nine deaths. India, which has been seeing a surge in Covid cases since April after the Omicron-led third wave waned in March, has mainly seen the highest number of cases from seven states – Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Telangana, and Odisha.

    The Union health Ministry, on August 6, also wrote to these states and directed them to ensure adequate testing and promote Covid-appropriate behaviour as the coming days would likely witness mass gatherings due to various festivities, leading to large numbers of individuals undertaking intra and inter-state journeys or congregating at the same places.

    NEW DELHI: Over 45,000 Covid deaths have been reported in India till July 19, of which over 22 000 have been recorded alone from Kerala, which is showing a consistent increase in daily new cases and a high positivity rate for the past few months. Maharashtra, Assam, and Karnataka follow the southern state.

    Not only deaths, Kerala, has reported the highest number of cases in the country. Over 14 lakh cases have been reported in the state till July 19 this year, according to data shared by the union health ministry in the Lok Sabha. Maharashtra follows it with over 13 lakh cases.

    Karnataka follows with nearly 10 lakh cases, while Tamil Nadu has recorded almost 8 lakh Covid cases till July 19. Since January this year, 45,704 people have died of Covid; Kerala alone reported 22,843 deaths. In 2021, 44,399 people had died, while in 2020, 3,042 people succumbed to the infection in Kerala, as per data.

    The state was followed by Maharashtra (6,508), Assam (1,839), Karnataka (1,804), West Bengal ( 1,525), Tamil Nadu ( 1,265), Delhi (1,187), and Punjab (1,152).

    While Andhra Pradesh reported 240 deaths, Telangana has recorded 86 deaths due to Covid this year. Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Dadar and Nagar haveli, and Daman and Diu were the only places which didn’t report any death due to Covid in the country this year, according to the Minister of State of Health and Family Welfare, Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar.

    Lakshadweep reported one death, while Ladakh recorded nine deaths. India, which has been seeing a surge in Covid cases since April after the Omicron-led third wave waned in March, has mainly seen the highest number of cases from seven states – Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Telangana, and Odisha.

    The Union health Ministry, on August 6, also wrote to these states and directed them to ensure adequate testing and promote Covid-appropriate behaviour as the coming days would likely witness mass gatherings due to various festivities, leading to large numbers of individuals undertaking intra and inter-state journeys or congregating at the same places.