Latest News about COVID-19 of 18th August 2020

Latest News about COVID-19 of 18th August 2020

Corona case update report released on Press Information Bureau today. India's Recovery Rate races beyond 73.18%, with 57,584 patients recovering in the past 24 hours. India tests a new record-nearly 9 lakh tested in one day. Record Highest Single Day Recoveries of 57,584. Total Recoveries exceed Active Cases by more than 13 lakh. Case Fatality Rate is low at 1.92%. Active cases (6,73,166) are only 24.91% of the total positive cases. National Export Group on Vaccine Administration meets the Domestic Vaccine Manufactures. 

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PIB’S DAILY BULLETIN ON COVID-19

18 AUG 2020

(Contains Press releases concerning Covid-19, issued in last 24 hours, inputs from PIB Field Offices and Fact checks undertaken by PIB)

India tests a new record- nearly 9 lakh tested in one day, Record Highest Single Day Recoveries of 57,584,Total Recoveries exceed Active Cases by more than 13 lakh

India has set another record in COVID-19 tests conducted per day. Nearly 9 lakh (8,99,864) testes have been conducted in a single day, the highest tests in a day so far. With this, the cumulative tests have reached 3,09,41,264.Even with such a high level of testing, the positivity has remained low i.e. 8.81% compared to the weekly national average i.e. 8.84%.India has also recorded the highest single day recoveries of 57,584 in the last 24 hours. This is higher than the confirmed cases added during the same period (55,079). With more patients recovering and being discharged from hospitals and home isolation (in case of mild and moderate cases), the total recoveries have crossed the 19 lakh mark (19,77,779). With this the gap between the recovered patients and the active cases has crossed 13 lakh today (13,04,613).Continuous increase in average daily recoveries has led to India's Recovery Rate touching 73.18% and a low Case Fatality Rate (1.92%). As a result of collaborative and focused efforts by the Centre and State/UT governments built on effective implementation of the TEST, TRACK, TREAT strategy of the Union Government, 30 States/UTs are reporting lower CFR than the national average.The actual case load of the country i.e. the active cases (6,73,166), is only 24.91% of the total positive cases.

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National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration meets the Domestic Vaccine Manufactures

National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration yesterday met leading domestic vaccine manufactures- Serum Institute of India, Pune; Bharat Biotech, Hyderabad; ZydusCadila, Ahmedabad; Gennova Biopharmaceuticals, Pune, and Biological E, Hyderabad.The meeting was mutually beneficial and productive.It provided the National Expert Group with inputs about the present stage of various candidate vaccines being developed by the indigenous manufacturers as well as their expectations from the Union Government.

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Awards announced for Indo-U.S. Virtual Networks for COVID-19

Eight binational teams consisting of researchers from India and the US have received awards to pursue cutting-edge research in pathogenesis and disease management of COVID-19 through Indo-US virtual networks. The areas of research they will pursue include antiviral coatings, immune modulation, tracking SARS CoV-2 in wastewater, disease detection mechanisms, reverse genetics strategies, and drug repurposing.The awards have been announced by Indo-US Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF) in support of the efforts of the medical and scientific community to find solutions to the COVID 19 pandemic and emerging global challenges. The IUSSTF is an autonomous bilateral organization jointly funded by the Governments of India and the US.

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Exports of agricultural commodities during March to June 2020 increased by 23.24% compared to corresponding period in 2019

As per WTO’s Trade Statistics, share of India’s agricultural exports and imports in the world agriculture trade in 2017 was 2.27% and 1.90%, respectively. Even during the difficult time of pandemic lockdown, India took care to not to disturb the world food supply chain and continued to export. The exports of Agri-commodities during March 2020 to June 2020 were Rs. 25552.7 Crore against an export of Rs. 20734.8 Crore during the same period in 2019, showing a sharp increase of 23.24%.The agricultural exports as a percentage of India’s agricultural GDP has increased from 9.4 % in 2017-18 to 9.9 % in 2018-19. While the agricultural imports as a percentage of India’s agricultural GDP has declined from 5.7 % to 4.9 % indicating exportable surplus and decreased dependence on import of agricultural products in India.

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Shri Dharmendra Pradhan appeals to steel industry leaders to partner with the Government in providing low-cost housing for migrant labourers

Minister of Steel & Petroleum and Natural Gas Shri Dharmendra Pradhan has appealed to Steel industry leaders to partner with the Government in providing low-cost housing for migrant labourers. Speaking as the Chief guest at a Webinar today, he referred to the Ministryof Housing and Urban Affairs’ scheme, and called upon PSUs and steel industry leaders to partner with the Government in the project. He said that the industry should build steel-intensive, low-cost houses which will be model for others to emulate. The Minister said that the industry should partner in such welfare-oriented initiatives of the Government, as the AatamNirbhar Bharat seeks to provide dignity and self-respect to every citizen of the country.Shri Pradhan said during the Covid crisis, Indian industry rose to the occasion and manufactured PPE kits, Masks and ventilators in large numbers, and Indian pharma industry supplied medicines to 150 countries. On the similar lines, India, which is already the second largest producer in the world, should emerge as a preferred source for steel requirements.

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INPUTS FROM FIELD OFFICES

• Punjab: Expressing serious concern over the surge in Covid cases and increasing number of deaths per million in the state, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh said he was not averse to imposing harsher measures to check further spread of the pandemic. Though he did not rule out lockdown, especially in areas with high spike in cases, Chief Minister made it clear that economic activity will not be allowed to suffer.
• Haryana: While appreciating the unwavering efforts of officers who have kept Haryana on the forefront in tackling COVID-19, the Haryana Chief Secretary has directed all Deputy Commissioners (DCs) to lay stress on the 4Ts – Tracing, Tracking, Testing and Treatment so as to keep a tab on the spread of the COVID-19. The Chief Secretary also conveyed that the Chief Minister has given clear directions that the spread of COVID-19 has to be curbed thus one-to-one monitoring is required to keep a tab on COVID-19 cases. She further added that all symptomatic patients should be sent to flu corners set up at Community Health Centres (CHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and all influenza like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) cases should be tested without fail.
• Kerala:The State government has announced a loan scheme of Rs.455 cr. to tide over the crisis ridden tourism sector due Covid-19. Tourism Minister said as per this scheme, entrepreneurs can avail up to Rs. 25 lakh with 50% interest subsidy. 36 cases have been tested positive till noon including 6 new cases in the Central prison in Thiruvananthapuram taking the tally in the prison premise to 486. Meanwhile, the Health department has called for more vigil in Kottayam, Palakkad and Kannur as the contact transmission cases in these districts are on the rise. High infection rate continues to be reported from Malappuram, Kasaragod, Thiruvananthapuram, and Ernakulam districts Two more Covid-19 deaths have been reported in Kerala. With this, the death toll rose to 171. A total of 1725 cases were confirmed in the state yesterday. Currently, 15,890 patients are undergoing treatment and 1.64 lakh people under surveillance in various districts.
• Tamil Nadu:Madras High Court refuses to allow the reopening of Sterlite copper smelting plant in Thoothukudi and dismissed all the petitions filed by Vedanta Limited. As the A&N Islands grapples with Covid-19, the weekly passenger ships MV Nicobar and MV Nancowry have suspended their services between the Islands and Chennai port; this has also resulted in shortage of testing kits. In a first-of-its-kind initiative, Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) on Sunday unveiled its ‘Post-Covid Wellness Centre’, an outpatient centre for the treatment and monitoring of the patients who had recovered from Covid-19. An association of idol makers has moved the Madras High Court challenging the state government’s decision to prohibit installation of Vinayakar idols.
• Karnataka:Medical Education Minister Dr.K.Sudhakar visited Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences today to review the infrastructure and treatment facilities for Covid-19 patients. He said that that the State is taking measures to establish oxygen plants at all medical hospitals across the state. Probe ordered after elderly Covid-19 patient under home isolation dies of hunger near Ballari. Covid-19 fatalities in Karnataka crossed the 4K-mark on Monday with 115 deaths reported, taking the total toll to 4,062.
• Andhra Pradesh: The state health department had recently conducted sero survey in Krishna, Ananatapur and East Godavari districts to find out the coronavirus infected on a select sample. About 20 per cent of the samples studied in Krishna district were asymptomatic and they had no idea that they were infected. A 200-bed hospital was inaugurated in Narasaraopet of Guntur district. 150 beds in the hospital are equipped with oxygen facility and 90 beds with ventilators. Guntakallu Railway Divisional Hospital has been set up as a Covid Care Center to provide better services to the patients.
• Telangana: State put on flood alert with torrential rains continuing; CM KCR reviews situation.1682 new cases, 2070 recoveries & 08 deaths reported in the last 24 hours; out of 1682 cases, 235 cases reported from GHMC. Total cases: 93,937; Active cases: 21,024; Deaths: 711; Discharges: 72,202. As on Monday night, there were 17,807 vacant beds available for Covid-19 patients in Government and private teaching hospitals combined, according to the health bulletin.
• Arunachal Pradesh: In Arunachal Pradesh, 40 people tested positive for COVID-19, recovered 85 patients discharged from hospitals yesterday.
• Assam: In Assam, 2792 more people testes positive for COVID-19 yesterday and recovered 1519, total cases 79667 and active patients 22733.
• Meghalaya: Sh. Satya Pal Malik, Hon'ble Governor of Goa has been appointed by the Hon'ble President of India, Sh. Ram NathKovind as the new Governor of Meghalaya
• Manipur: In Manipur, 118 people tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 24 hours taking the total number to 4687 and active 1936.A 48-year old male patient succumbed to the disease taking the death toll in the state to 17.
• Mizoram: In Mizoram, 26 new COVID-19 positive cases detected in last 24 hours, total cases rise to 815, discharged 372 and active cases 443.Strict compliance of total lockdown in Aizawl.
• Nagaland: A doctor at COVID-19 Hospital Dimapur tests positive for Coronavirus.  Assam Rifles, Julukie provides water supply and essential items to inmates of Azailong Quarantine Center in Tening.
• Sikkim: Sikkim registered 20 new COVID-19 positive cases, total cases rise to 485, informed Health DG-cum-Secretary. To revive growth and mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the State economy, the State Bank of Sikkim (SBS) has launched a loan scheme to support eligible SBS customers. The State government undertaking with its Covid. Rehabilitation Loan Scheme would provide working capital term loan of up to Rs.50 lakh so that small and medium business units can meet their liquidity mismatch.
• Maharashtra: The results of a serological survey in Pune have indicated that over 50 per cent of the population could already have been infected by novel Coronavirus. This is significantly higher than the results of similar serological surveys carried out in some other cities, like Delhi and Mumbai.  But scientists have warned against interpreting these results as an indication of half of Pune population being immune to the Coronavirus.  They say all antibodies are not protective. It is only the neutralising antibodies that can make a person immune to the disease.  Pune, with a total reported cases of 1.32 lakh, has become the new Covid hotspot in Maharashtra overtaking Mumbai.
• Gujarat: Residents of Ahmedabad have till date coughed up Rs 3.75 crore in fines for not wearing masks in public places or violating social distancing norms.   The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), to ensure that people wear masks to prevent the spread of Covid-19, has adopted a new policy of  giving a packet of five masks to everyone who is being fined.  Gujarat reported 1,033 new Covid cases on Monday, out of which 145 were from Ahmedabad.  The number of active cases is 14,435.
• Rajasthan:  Phalodi MLA PabbaramVishnoi, who attended the VidhanSabha session on Friday, has tested COVID-19 positive  The MLA has appealed to all those who came in contact with him to get themselves tested. Vishnoi had gone to attend the Assembly session on Friday and he met many legislators in the Assembly.  Rajasthan reported 694 new Covid cases and 10 deaths on Monday.
• Goa:  The worsening Covid situation has forced the State Election Commission to postpone the polls to 11 Municipal Councils. Despite the rising number of COVID-19 cases, flight movements at the Goa airport increased almost 12 times last month as compared to April this year, according to the Airports Authority of India. Goa has till date registered 11,994 Covid cases out of which 3,825 are active cases.

FACT CHECK

Source: PIB