Coronavirus updates | India records 42,618 Covid cases, 330 deaths in a day

With 42,618 people testing positive for coronavirus, India’s total tally of COVID-19 cases rose to  3,29,45,907, while active cases touched 4,05,681. The death toll climbed to 4,40,225 with 330 fresh fatalities, according to the data updated at 8 a.m.

In a span of 24 hours, the active caseload rose by 5,903. The number of active cases now comprise 1.23% of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 97.43%.

Amidst a third wave scare, many States and Union Territories have reopened educational institutions across the country. A study, however, has revealed that India is unlikely to witness a surge in cases in September.

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:

China

China Administered 2.092 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines

China had administered a total of around 7.5 million COVID-19 vaccines on September 3, bringing the accumulated total to 2.092 billion doses, data from the National Health Commission showed on September 4. – Reuters

Philippines

Philippines to lift coronavirus travel ban on 10 countries including India

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is lifting a coronavirus ban on travelers from 10 countries including India, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia, the presidential spokesperson said on September 4.

The ban, introduced in April then expanded to more countries in July to prevent the spread of the more contagious Delta variant, will be lifted on September 6, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.

Travelers from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia will have to spend 14 days in quarantine upon arrival, Roque said. – Reuters

National

DCGI nod to phase-I clinical trial of COVID-19 vaccine of Reliance Life Sciences

The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) on September 3 granted permission to the Mukesh Ambani-owned Reliance Life Sciences to conduct phase-I clinical trial of its indigenous COVID-19 vaccine with certain conditions, sources said.

The phase-I clinical trial will be conducted to evaluate safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of the SARS-CoV-2 recombinant protein subunit vaccine in healthy volunteers according to protocol, they said.

The firm is required to submit the revised clinical trial protocol for immunogenicity to be assessed on Day 42, instead of Day 14, as recommended by the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation, a source said, citing the conditions set for the trial. – PTI

Hawaii

Hawaii health care workers decry lack of COVID mandates

Health care workers in Hawaii say a lack of government action is worsening an already crippling surge of coronavirus cases in the islands, and without effective policy changes the state’s limited hospitals could face a grim crisis.

“Soon we’re going to be in a situation where we’re going to ration health care,” said Dr. Jonathan Dworkin, an infectious diseases specialist in Hawaii.

Dr. Dworkin said that while mandates may be unpopular, rationing Hawaii’s limited health care resources is “going to be far more ugly.” “It involves making decisions about who lives and dies,” he said. “I hate the idea of having to make a decision about who’s going to get oxygen.” Another stay-at-home order may be needed, Dr. Dworkin said. – PTI

National

India records 42,618 Covid cases, 330 deaths in a day; weekly positivity rate at 2.63%

India’s COVID-19 infection tally rose by 42,618 in a day to reach 3,29,45,907 while the number of active cases touched 4,05,681 following an increase for the third consecutive day, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on September 4. The death toll climbed to 4,40,225 with 330 more people succumbing to the viral disease, showed the data updated at 8 a.m.

In a span of 24 hours, the active caseload rose by 5,903. The number of active cases now comprise 1.23% of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 97.43%, the ministry said.

The daily positivity rate was recorded at 2.50% and the weekly positivity rate at 2.63%. It has been below three per cent for the last 71 days. – PTI

Mysuru

Amid COVID concerns, Karnataka govt decides for “simple and traditional” Mysuru Dasara

The Karnataka government on September 3 decided to organise the famous Mysuru Dasara festival this year in a “simple and traditional” manner, keeping in mind the COVID-19 concerns.

“Mysuru Dasara is also the Nada Habba [state festival]. Last year we celebrated it in a traditional and simple manner due to COVID. This time too we will celebrate it likewise,” Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said He was speaking to reporters after chairing a high-level committee meeting on Mysuru Dasara. – PTI

New Zealand

New Zealand reports first death from Delta variant of COVID-19

New Zealand reported on September 4 the first death from the Delta variant of the new coronavirus and 20 further daily infections, all in Auckland, the epicentre of the outbreak.

The woman who died was in her 90s and had a number of underlying health conditions, health officials said in a statement. It is the first coronavirus-related death in the country since mid-February.

“Every death is a reminder of the damage COVID-19 can cause when it gets into our community,” Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said in the statement. – Reuters

Puducherry

Non-stop vaccination camp at Villianur PHC, Puducherry

Lt. Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan on September 3 sought the cooperation of the public in achieving 100% vaccination against COVID-19 in the Union Territory.

Inaugurating a 48-hour, non-stop vaccination camp at the Villianur Primary Health Centre, Ms. Soundararajan said though the second wave of the pandemic was fairly under control in the UT, there had been a slight increase in number of cases in proportion with the higher test numbers.

Stressing the importance of sustaining vigil and adopting inoculation as a measure of protection from the coronavirus, the Lt. Governor pointed to the various programmes of the health department to make it simpler for people to take their jab. As a result of measure such as night-time vaccination and street corner session sites, at least 48 villages in the UT had become fully vaccinated.