Covid LIVE: At 453, Mumbai reports lowest daily cases since Feb 9

Today's coronavirus numbers: Bengaluru (520 cases), Mumbai 489 cases), Chennai (214 cases), Kolkata (64 cases), Delhi (54 cases). Stay tuned for corona-related news

Corona updates: India on Tuesday recorded 34,703 new infections, lowest since March 18. The total caseload has surged to 30,619,932, while 29,744,831 have recovered, according to MoHFW data. The death count increased to 403,281 with 553 new fatalities, lowest single-day spike in daily deaths since April 6.

Germany's health agency said on Monday it would lift a ban on most travellers from the UK, India and three other countries hit by the Delta variant of Covid-19. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) said India, Nepal, Russia, Portugal and the UK, currently listed as so-called virus variant countries, would be reclassified from Wednesday as "high-incidence areas".

Kerala reported 8,037 new infections, followed by Maharashtra (6,740), Tamil Nadu (3,715), Andhra Pradesh (2,100), Karnataka (2,848), Delhi (54) and West Bengal (885).

The five most affected states by total cases are Maharashtra (6,104,917), Kerala (2,981,721), Karnataka (2,856,491), Tamil Nadu (2,500,002), and Andhra Pradesh (1,905,023).

World coronavirus update: Covid-19 is continuing to spread around the world, with 184,912,119 confirmed cases and 4,000,309 deaths across nearly 200 countries recorded since China reported its first cases in December 2019. The US remains the worst-hit country with 34,598,361 cases, followed by India, Brazil, France and Russia. 

To read updates from our yesterday's blog, click here

2:43 AM

England to ease compulsory self-isolation rules for fully vaccinated from Aug 16

The UK government on Tuesday announced that from August 16, fully vaccinated people in England will not have to undergo a 10-day compulsory self-isolation if a close contact tests positive for Covid-19. UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid told the House of Commons said the policy will also apply to anyone under the age of 18, currently not eligible for jabs.
 

Under the new regime, anyone who comes in contact with a Covid-positive case would be expected to take a PCR test soon after being informed about it by the National Health Service (NHS) Test and Trace system.
 

“From the 16th August, when even more people will have the protection of both doses and when modelling suggests that the risks from the virus will be even lower, anyone who is a close contact of a positive case will no longer have to self-isolate if they have been fully vaccinated,” Javid told MPs.
 

“If someone gets their second dose just before or just after the 16th of August, they would need to wait two weeks after which their second jab can take effect and give them these new freedoms. As we make this change, we will be drawing on the huge capacity we have built for testing and sequencing and advising close contacts who are fully vaccinated to take a PCR test as soon as possible so they can get certainty about their condition,” the minister said.
 

The announcement was followed by another Commons statement by UK Education Secretary Gavin Williamson to confirm an end to the so-called "bubble" system in schools, which has led to large numbers of pupils being sent home if a single child has a positive test.
 

2:42 AM

Chhattisgarh sees 322 Covid-19 cases, 5 deaths, 533 recoveries

Chhattisgarh's Covid-19 count rose to 9,96,359 on Tuesday with the addition of 322 cases, while the death toll increased by five to touch 13,462, an official said.
 

The number of recoveries reached 9,77,893 after 152 people were discharged from hospitals and 381 completed home isolation during the day, leaving the state with 5,004 active cases, the official informed.
 

"Raipur district reported 23 new cases, taking the caseload to 1,57,293, including 3,133 deaths. Sukma recorded 44 new cases, Bijapur 28 and Janjgir-Champa 27 among other districts. With 37,624 samples being examined on Tuesday, the total number of tests in the state went up to 1,04,87,744. Over 1.02 crore Covid-19 vaccine doses have been administered in the state as on Monday, with 84,82,600 people getting the first dose and 17,50,955 the second," he said.
 

Chhattisgarh's coronavirus figures are as follows: Positive cases 9,96,359, new cases 322, death toll 13,462, recovered 9,77,893, active cases 5,004, tests today 37,624, total tests 1,04,87,744.
 

2:41 AM

Germany to allow up to 25,000 fans at soccer games

Up to 25,000 spectators will be allowed at German soccer games when the new season starts next month after state officials eased restrictions imposed during the coronavirus pandemic.
 

The deal struck between officials from Germany's 16 states on Tuesday allows spectators up to new limits of either 25,000 or 50% of stadium capacity, whichever is lower, for professional games, the Berlin city government said.
 

Local government bodies can impose their own extra restrictions. Champion Bayern Munich has a lower limit of 20,000 fans at its home games because of concerns of the spread of the delta variant, the dpa news agency reported.
 

Since the pandemic began, almost all German soccer games have been played without spectators.
 

A trial program last year saw crowds at some top-tier games, including 10,500 at Borussia Dortmund, but it was still a far cry from the Bundesliga's reputation for packed stadiums and a vibrant atmosphere, and the trial ended when virus case numbers rose.
 

Some clubs welcomed back limited numbers of fans for the last rounds of games in May. That included 250 healthcare workers and club members for Bayern's first home game with supporters for more than a year.
 

Around 14,500 were allowed when Munich hosted four games of the European Championship in June and July.
 

By keeping some limits on crowd sizes, Germany differs from England, where the British government plans to allow games at full capacity next season in the English Premier League and other competitions.
 

9:06 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: Tamil Nadu reports 3,479 fresh cases

8:44 PM

Ensure people in mental health homes given Covid-19 test, vaccinated: SC

The Supreme Court Tuesday directed the Centre to ensure that people lodged in mental health establishments are tested for Covid-19 and fully vaccinated at the earliest.

 

A bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and M R Shah took serious note of Maharashtra government's shifting patients lodged in mental health institutes to homes for beggars and asked it to discontinue the practice immediately saying it is counter-productive and runs against the provisions of Mental Health Act.

 

It noted that Additional Solicitor General Madhavi Divan, appearing for the Centre, has assured the Court that this matter (of vaccination) would be taken up with utmost priority. Read here

8:09 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: Mumbai reports 453 fresh cases in last 24 hours

8:02 PM

Jammu and Kashmir records 231 new cases, two deaths

Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday reported 231 fresh cases of the novel coronavirus, taking the infection tally to 3,17,481, while two deaths raised the toll to 4,345, officials said.

 

Out of the fresh cases, 83 were from the Jammu division and 148 from the Kashmir division, the officials said.

 

They said Srinagar district recorded a maximum of 63 fresh Covid-19 cases -- all travellers -- while Pulwama district recorded 30 new cases. (PTI)

7:57 PM

Seven-day average Covid-19 vaccinations at half of June 21 record

The number of daily Covid-19 vaccinations in India have fallen more than 50 per cent from the June 21 peak. From the peak of 8.7 million vaccine jabs given in a day on June 21, the daily vaccination rate has dropped to just over 4 million doses on Monday.

 

A Business Standard analysis showed that some of the populous states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka that had accounted for over 40 percent of June 21st’s record-setting 8.7 million vaccinations, have seen sharp decline in daily vaccinations in the days forward. The seven-day moving average number of vaccinations in Madhya Pradesh was 85 percent lower than its June peak. Similarly, Karnataka reported a 75 percent dip and Uttar Pradesh a 62 percent dip. Read here

7:31 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: Pokhriyal announces dates for 3rd and 4th editions of JEE-Mains

7:11 PM

80% new Covid cases in India being reported from 90 districts, says govt

Even as India is reporting a steady decline in daily fresh case additions, data shows that almost 80 per cent of the new Covid-19 cases in the country are now coming from 90 districts alone. This indicates the need to intensify action in these areas, the health ministry noted.

 

What’s more, there are 73 districts which are still reporting over 10 per cent case positivity rate, and a substantial number of these districts are concentrated in the North Eastern states. Data shows 43 out of these 73 districts or around 59 per cent of these districts are concentrated in the North Eastern states. Read here

6:33 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: Uttarakhand reports 89 fresh cases

6:21 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: Kerala reports 14,373 fresh cases

6:13 PM

Seven England squad members test Covid positive, entire team in isolation

Two days before their opening day-night One-day International against Pakistan on Thursday, England cricket was thrown into a tizzy after seven members -- three players and four management team members - tested positive for Covid-19.

 

"Following PCR tests administered yesterday [Monday] in Bristol, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) can confirm that seven members -- three players and four management team members-- of the England Men's ODI party have tested positive for Covid-19. The remaining members of the party have been deemed close contacts and will also isolate," the ECB said in a statement on Tuesday.

 

The development means that the ECB will have to select a new squad for the Pakistan series, which will go ahead as scheduled. Read here

5:26 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: Andhra Pradesh reports 3,042 fresh cases in a day

5:25 PM

Amid Covid scare, Indian cricket team's break in UK to continue as of now

The Indian team, which is in the UK for a five-Test series, is continuing its 20-day break as of now even as England's ODI team has been forced into isolation after the outbreak of coronavirus in its squad.

 

Three unnamed England players and four support staff members have tested positive for the virus, 48 hours after the conclusion of their ODI series against Sri Lanka.

 

England were forced to announce a brand new squad under the leadership of Ben Stokes for the upcoming ODI series against Pakistan. Read here