Corona Updates You Must Track: Tally Crosses 18-Lakh Mark, Serum Institute Gets Nod For India Trials Of COVID-19 Vaccine

India cases and toll: India’s COVID-19 tally on Monday rose to 18,03,695 with 5,79,357 active cases and 11,86,203 recoveries. The country reported 52,972 cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours, a marginal dip compared to 54,735 the previous day, according to the data provided by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. During the same period, 771 people succumbed to the disease across the country, taking the coronavirus death toll to 38,135. India conducted 3,81,027 tests for COVID-19 on Sunday.

Revised guidelines for international arrivals: International arrivals can now seek exemption from mandatory institutional quarantine by submitting a negative RT-PCR test report on arrival. The test, say the revised guidelines by the Health Ministry, should be conducted not more than 96 hours before boarding the flight. In case of any discrepancy in the report, the person will face criminal prosecution.

Under compelling reasons or in cases of distress such as pregnancy, death in the family or serious illness or parents with children of 10 years and below, home quarantine may be permitted for 14 days. But, those seeking such exemption will have to submit their request to www.newdelhiairport.in at least 72 hours before boarding.

Amit Shah, Karnataka CM test positive for COVID-19: Home Minister Amit Shah has tested positive for COVID-19. Shah tweeted on Sunday evening that doctors have recommended getting admitted to a hospital. Minister of State for Environment Babul Supriyo who recently came in contact with the Home Minister is in home isolation. Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister B. S. Yediyurappa and his daughter have also tested positive for coronavirus.  

Drug controller nod for COVID-19 vaccine trials: The Drug Controller General of India has given permission to Pune-based Serum Institute of India to conduct Phase 2 and 3 clinical trials of the Oxford University and AstraZeneca’s experimental COVID-19 vaccine in India. The vaccine will be marketed as COVISHIELD in India. For the trials, 1,600 healthy adults will be enrolled across 17 selected sites, which include AIIMS Delhi and AIIMS Jodhpur and PGIMER in Chandigarh among others.

COVID-19 Tracker for 3 August. Source: Twitter/@COVIDNewsByMIB

Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra biggest contributors: With 9,509 and 8,555 cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh continue to record large number of cases every day. While Maharashtra’s COVID-19 tally has surged to 4,41,228, Andhra Pradesh’s has zoomed to 1,58,764.

Andhra Pradesh’s deputy speaker Kona Raghupathi and his wife tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday. The state has 74,404 active cases of coronavirus while 82,886 people have recovered from the illness. In the last 24 hours, 67 people died due to COVID-19 in Andhra Pradesh, taking the toll to 1,474. In Maharashtra, there are 1,48,843 active cases of coronavirus against 2,76,809 recoveries and 15,576 deaths.

Global corona update: The global coronavirus count stands at 1,82,37,006 with 1,14,47,153 recoveries and 6,92,835 deaths, as per Worldometer. Of the 60,97,018 active cases of coronavirus, 65,751 are in critical condition. The US’ COVID-19 tally has surged to 48,13,647, including 1,58,365 deaths. Mexico has moved up to the sixth spot on the global table with 4,39,046 cases of coronavirus, which includes 47,746 deaths.