Covid LIVE: Kerala sees 23,500 new cases, 116 deaths in last 24 hours

Coronavirus LIVE updates: Kerala reported 21,119 new infections, Maharashtra 5,609, Andhra Pradesh (1,461), Tamil Nadu (1,893), Karnataka (1,338), and Delhi (52). Stay tuned for corona-related news

12:17 AM

Delhi reports no COVID-19 death for fourth time in August

Delhi for the fourth time in August reported zero deaths on Wednesday due to the COVID-19 pandemic, while the daily positivity rate dipped to 0.06 per cent. The metropolis had earlier reported no deaths on August 2, then on August 4, followed by August 8.

 

According to the state health bulletin, the case fatality rate stands at 1.74 per cent. Delhi recorded 37 new cases out of the 66,886 tests conducted in the last 24 hours taking the cumulative case tally to 14,36,889. Presently, there are 494 active cases in the national capital and the death toll in the state stands at 25,068.

 

A total of 47 recoveries were also registered on Wednesday, with which the total recoveries climbed to 14,11,327. The bulletin further stated that the cumulative positivity rate in Delhi is 5.89 per cent.

11:24 PM

CDC urges COVID vaccines during pregnancy as delta surges

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged all pregnant women Wednesday to get the COVID-19 vaccine as hospitals in hot spots around the U.S. see disturbing numbers of unvaccinated mothers-to-be seriously ill with the virus.

 

Expectant women run a higher higher risk of severe illness and pregnancy complications from the coronavirus, including perhaps miscarriages and stillbirths. But their vaccination rates are low, with only about 23% having received at least one dose, according to CDC data.

 

"The vaccines are safe and effective, and it has never been more urgent to increase vaccinations as we face the highly transmissible delta variant and see severe outcomes from COVID-19 among unvaccinated pregnant people," CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said in a statement.

10:36 PM

Punjab records jump in Covid cases

Punjab on Wednesday registered a jump in COVID-19 infections, 107 cases surfacing in the state in the last 24 hours, taking the tally to 5,99,678. With no Covid-related death reported on Wednesday, the toll stood at 16,325, according to the health bulletin.

 

The toll, however, included three deaths, which were not reported earlier, as per the bulletin.

 

Ludhiana reported the maximum 34 cases, followed by nine in Amritsar and eight each in Bathinda and Fazilka. The state saw 54, 31 and 74 infections on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday respectively. It registered 118 cases on July 17 and since then, the state has been witnessing less than 100 infections daily.

10:09 PM

Maharashtra allows restaurants, malls to operate till 10 pm with 50% capacity

Further relaxing the COVID-19 curbs, the Maharashtra government on Wednesday decided to allow shopping malls and restaurants to remain open till 10 pm with a 50 per cent capacity from August 15 onwards, provided the entire staff is fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Shops are also allowed to operate till 10 pm.

 

Talking to reporters after the weekly cabinet meeting, state Health Minister Rajesh Tope said spas and gymnasiums will also be allowed to function till 10 pm at a 50 per cent capacity on the condition that the entire staff at these establishments has taken both doses of the vaccine.

 

Meanwhile, as per the fresh orders issued by the government, those visiting the shopping malls will also have to carry the final vaccination certificate. Yoga centres and salons will also be allowed to remain open till 10 pm.

9:37 PM

Tamil Nadu sees 1,964 new Covid cases, 28 deaths

Tamil Nadu, after witnessing a declining trend, reported a marginal increase in daily COVID-19 infections, as 1,964 cases pushed the caseload to 25,81,094, while 28 more people succumbed to the virus, aggregating to 34,395 overall, the health department said on Wednesday.

 

Recoveries were lower compared to new infections, with 1,917 people getting discharged in the last 24 hours, aggregating to 25,26,317 leaving 20,382 active cases, a medical bulletin said. New infections in Tamil Nadu were on the declining trend after the state saw a marginal rise in the cases over the last few weeks.

 

On August 10, Tamil Nadu reported 1,893 new infections while on August 9 it was 1,929 and on August 8, it was 1,956. Chennai added 243 new cases, followed by Coimbatore 229, Erode 167 and Chengalpet 140.

9:12 PM

65 cases of Delta Plus in Maharashtra

7:52 PM

23,500 new cases in Kerala

7:46 PM

Maharashtra minister explains when a full lockdown can be imposed again

7:39 PM

1,826 new cases in Karnataka

6:43 PM

37 new cases in Delhi

6:29 PM

Maharashtra govt allows operations of hotels and restaurants till 10 pm in the state

4:52 PM

PM Modi to address CII's special plenary session

4:47 PM

1,869 new cases in Andhra

3:47 PM

Colleges reopen in Chandigarh

3:35 PM

6 deaths occurred due to oxygen shortage, says Punjab CM