The COVID-19 pandemic “continues to pose a significant health risk around the world,” with the virulence of the delta variant affecting both vaccinated and unvaccinated people and hospitalizations increasing significantly in the United States.
The United States is urging the more than 150 countries planning to send their leader or a government minister to New York to speak in person at the UN General Assembly next month to consider giving a video address instead to prevent the annual high-level week from becoming "a super-spreader event".
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:
Karnataka
PAC finds several lapses in procurement of COVID-19 material during second wave
The State Legislature’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has identified several lapses in the tendering process and procurement of COVID-19 material, including Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) kits, during the second wave by the Health and Family Welfare Department, resulting in additional expenditure worth many crores.
Not satisfied with the reply by the department to their queries, the committee, which met here on Tuesday, sought a detailed explanation by next week. The committee, which took up issues pertaining to procurement of 3-part and 5-part haematology cell counters (haematology analysers), RAT kits and shortage of ventilators and oxygen during the second wave, found that officials had not furnished complete and correct information. “The committee has found that the department is trying to cover up its lapses,” PAC chairman Ramalinga Reddy told The Hindu on Wednesday.
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India logs 36,401 new cases
India has added 36,401 new COVID-19 infections, taking the total tally of cases to 3,23,22,258, while the death toll has climbed to 4,33,049 with 530 more fatalities, according to Union health ministry data updated on Thursday.
The national recovery rate has improved to 97.52%, the highest since March last year, according to the data updated at 8 am.
Odisha to fully vaccinate all resident Tibetans
The Odisha government on Wednesday decided to fully vaccinate all Tibetans residing in the state, an official said.
The Union Health Ministry has approved the COVID-19 vaccination of Tibetan nationals residing in various parts of the country.
Local train services to resume after 50% of rural population in Bengal gets inoculated: Mamata
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday announced that local train services will resume in the state as and when 50% of the rural population gets vaccinated.
"Local train services will resume after 50% vaccination is completed in the rural belts," the chief minister told a press conference at state secretariat ‘Nabanna’.
Schools in U.P. to reopen for classes 6-8 from Aug 23, for primary classes from Sep 1
The Uttar Pradesh government on Wednesday allowed physical classes in schools for students of grades 6 to 8 from August 23 and for grades 1 to 5 from September 1, officials said here.
The state has already allowed physical classes in schools for students of grades 9 to 12 with strict COVID-19 protocol from August 16.
"The order has been issued to open schools for students of classes 6-8 from September 23 and for classes 1-5 from September 1," a senior official said.
No new restrictions on markets in Bengaluru
The BBMP has imposed no new restrictions on markets and commercial hubs ahead of the festive season starting with Varamahalakshmi this August 20.
It plans to deploy more marshals to enforce mask and social distancing norms, penalise violators and make public announcements urging people to follow COVID-19 Appropriate Behaviour (CAB). Marshals will be given daily targets to fine violators, sources said.
The onus will fall on shops, restaurants and mall owners to ensure that staff and public wear masks and there is no crowding. They will be penalised for crowding and can be shut down if they fail to adhere to the rules. All staff should have received at least one dose of the vaccine, the BBMP said.
No new restrictions on markets
International
Consider giving a video address at UNGA, U.S. urges world leaders
The United States is urging the more than 150 countries planning to send their leader or a government minister to New York to speak in person at the UN General Assembly next month to consider giving a video address instead to prevent the annual high-level week from becoming "a super-spreader event".
"If delegations choose to travel to New York for the General Debate, the United States requests delegations bring the minimum number of travellers necessary." The US said the COVID-19 pandemic “continues to pose a significant health risk around the world,” with the virulence of the delta variant affecting both vaccinated and unvaccinated people and hospitalizations increasing significantly in the United States.
"All counties in New York City are currently rated as having the highest level of community transmission,” the US note said.
COVID-19 | Consider giving a video address at UNGA, U.S. urges world leaders
Andaman and Nicobar
Andaman & Nicobar reports one new COVID-19 case
The union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands recorded only one new COVID-19 case in the last 24 hours, pushing the tally to 7,550, a health official said on August 19.
The new COVID-19 case was detected during testing at the airport. All passengers arriving by flight have to undergo a mandatory RT-PCR test before they are allowed entry into the islands.
The archipelago now has only two active COVID-19 cases and both patients are in the South Andaman district. The other two districts – North and Middle Andaman and Nicobar – are COVID-19 free, the official said.-PTI
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