A serological survey conducted to estimate the prevalence of COVID-19 in Karnataka found that while 16.4% of the 15,624 samples studied have developed antibodies against COVID, 12.7% were found to have a current (active) infection.
In a separate development, according to the latest governmental guidelines from the Government of Maharashtra, yoga institutes and indoor sports facilities such as badminton, tennis, squash courts and indoor shooting ranges outside the containment zones will also be able to operate from Thursday.
You can track national and state coronavirus cases, deaths, and testing rates here. A list of State Helpline numbers is also available.
Here are the latest updates:
Punjab
Universities, colleges to reopen in Punjab from November 16
The Punjab government decided on Thursday to reopen universities and colleges in areas outside of the COVID-19 containment zones beginning Nov. 16 in the state.
An official spokesperson said that classes for seniors at universities and colleges in the medical education and research department would begin on November 9.
Educational institutions in the state were closed as of March 24 due to the coronavirus outbreak.
– PTI
Kerala
Kerala Government Will Offer Financial Aid To Artists Struggling Due To COVID-19 Restrictions
The Kerala government has announced financial aid of ₹ 1000 for artists and artists facing a crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic as there were no programs or jobs for them due to the restrictions imposed.
A cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday, decided to disburse Rs 1,000 each from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund as assistance to 30,000 artists who are suffering due to COVID-19 restrictions and have not received any other financial help.
“The artists, who have not received any aid so far, will receive ₹ 1000 each. The government will spend three million rupees for this purpose, ”said Minister of Cultural Affairs AK Balan.
– PTI
India
India-Made COVID-19 Vaccine Could Be Launched From February: Government Scientist
An Indian government-backed COVID-19 vaccine could be launched in February, months earlier than expected, as late-stage trials begin this month and studies so far have shown it to be safe and effective, a scientist from high level of government.
Bharat Biotech, a private company developing COVAXIN with the government-run Council of Indian Medical Research (ICMR), expected to launch it only in the second quarter of next year.
“The vaccine has shown good efficacy,” said Rajni Kant, a senior scientist at the ICMR, who is also a member of its COVID-19 working group, at the research body’s headquarters in New Delhi on Thursday.
“It is expected that early next year, February or March, something will be available.”
– PTI
Delhi
Delhi may soon become the ‘crown capital’, AAP government is going crazy over pandemic: HC
The Delhi High Court on Thursday expressed its disgust at the growing number of COVID-19 cases in the national capital, noting that the city could soon become the ‘crown capital of the country’.
A bench of judges Hima Kohli and Subramonium Prasad said that the Delhi government has gone completely insane with the pandemic.
The Bench said that the AAP government took the health of citizens and will treat it separately.
– PTI
World
Johns Hopkins, IIHMR University to Offer Online Courses on ‘Vaccine Economics’
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health partnered with IIHMR University in Jaipur to offer two online courses on “vaccine economics” for policy makers and program administrators to educate them on how to optimize vaccine coverage. during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the IIHMR University, the courses have already received 400 applications, of which 230 participants from the field of immunization and delivery of vaccines have been shortlisted.
The participants are from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal and Somalia.
– PTI
India
Active COVID-19 cases less than 6 lakh for seven consecutive days: Ministry of Health
The number of active COVID-19 cases has been less than 6 lakh for seven consecutive days with 27 states and UT with fewer than 20,000 active cases, the Health Ministry said on Thursday.
In a statement, the Ministry said that India continues to report a steady downward trend in active COVID-19 cases which is currently 5,27,962.
“Active cases are less than 6 lakh for the last seven consecutive days. Twenty-seven states and UT have less than 20,000 active cases and 10 states / UT represent 78% of the total active cases in the country. Maharashtra, Kerala, Delhi and West Bengal together account for more than 51% of active cases, ”he said.
– PTI
India
India’s COVID-19 case burden stands at 83.64 lakh with 50,210 new cases
India’s COVID-19 count rose to 83.64 lakh with 50,210 new cases in one day, while 77.11,809 people have recovered so far, bringing the national recovery rate to 92.20%, according to data from the Union Ministry of Health on Thursday.
The total number of coronavirus cases amounted to 83,64,086 and the death toll rose to 1,24,315, and the virus claimed 704 lives in a span of 24 hours in the country, the updated data showed at 8 a.m.
The COVID-19 fatality rate was recorded at 1.49%. There are 5,27,962 active cases of coronavirus infection in the country, which represents 6.31% of the total cases, according to the data.
– PTI
Maharashtra
Theaters, pools to open today in Maharashtra
On Wednesday, the Maharashtra government allowed movie theaters, theaters and multiplexes located outside of containment zones in the state to reopen from Thursday. The establishments can operate at 50% of their capacity and the entry of groceries will not be allowed.
The State Department of Cultural Affairs and local authorities will issue the standard operating procedure (SOP). The decision to reopen theaters and multiplex cinemas comes after several delegations met with Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Minister for Cultural Affairs Amit Deshmukh.
Karnataka
16.4% have developed antibodies against COVID-19 in Karnataka.
A serological survey conducted to estimate the prevalence of COVID-19 in Karnataka found that while 16.4% of the 15,624 samples studied have developed antibodies against COVID, 12.7% were found to have a current (active) infection.
Health and Medical Education Minister K. Sudhakar, publishing the findings on Wednesday, said the overall adjusted prevalence of COVID-19 in the state was 27.3% (IgG and active infection combined).
Andhra Pradesh
150 teachers test positive in Chittoor district
Just three days after the reopening of educational institutions, there is much concern and tension among parents in the Chittoor district as 150 government school teachers tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, followed by nine students. The figure is likely to increase in the next three days, when more results are expected.
The teachers who tested positive for the virus were mostly mandales from Srikalahasti, Tirupati, Madanapalle, Chittoor, Punganur, Palamaner, and Ramasamudram. The incidence is felt equally in rural and urban areas.
Tamil nadu
More travelers allowed to travel on special worker trains
Southern Railway has allowed more commuters to ride special commuter trains for workers.
In a circular issued on Wednesday by the Commercial Branch, a copy of which is available with The HinduSouthern Railway allowed employees of a few more organizations to ride these trains, in addition to essential service workers and government employees.
Kerala
Homes become science labs during times of pandemic
If art and sports classes are held online, can science labs be set up at home as well? Yes, believe the District Institute for Education and Training (DIET), Kozhikode, which recently convinced over a thousand students from a school here to set up small home labs to make science learning more effective. D. Divya, Science Teacher, DIET, Kozhikode, says the project is part of the ‘Schoolinoppam’ project that is being implemented in two schools, each in 15 educational sub-districts in Kozhikode.
“COVID-19 is changing our teaching methods in different ways. Although classes are taught online, children find it difficult to conduct science experiments as they do not have access to labs. Children in classes 5 to 7 are asked to use substances that are readily available in their environment and to set up small laboratories at home, ”he says.
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