Need to increase Covid-19 testing in 10 most-affected states: PM tells CMs

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that there is a need to increase corona virus testing in states where the testing rate is low and the positivity rate is high. He added that "if we defeat corona virus in these 10 states then the country will also win". Speaking at the meeting with Chief Ministers, held through video conferencing, the Prime Minister said if we defeat corona virus in the 10 states then the country will also win. "In States where the testing rate is low and the positivity rate is high, there is a need to increase testing there in particular, Bihar, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Telangana. A view has emerged that testing should be increased in these states," he said. "Today 80 per cent of active cases are in these ten states. Hence, the role of all these states is very big in the fight against corona virus. The number of active cases is exceeded to 6 lakhs. Most of these cases are in these ten states," he said. The Prime Minister interacted with Chief Ministers and representatives of ten states including Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Punjab, Bihar, Gujarat, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh.  Karnataka was represented by the Deputy Chief Minister. Prime Minister said that everyone has shown a great degree of cooperation and the teamwork displayed by Team India has been remarkable. He talked about the challenges and pressure faced by hospitals and health care workers. He mentioned that almost 80% of active cases are from the participating 10 states, and if the virus is defeated in these ten states, the entire country will emerge victorious in the battle against COVID-19. 

President of India’s Greetings on the eve of Janmashtami

The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind in his message on the eve of Janmashtami has said: “On the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami, I extend my warm greetings and best wishes to all my fellow citizens in India and abroad. Lord Shri Krishna inspires us to establish a society that is just, sensitive and compassionate. His message of Karmayoga is a call to focus on our responsibilities rather than caring for rewards. This spirit has been evident in the working of all our Corona warriors who act at the forefront of our fight against COVID-19. As we celebrate this festival, let us all resolve to follow the timeless and universal teachings of Lord Krishna for the betterment of our lives and humanity”.

Case Fatality Rate (CFR) falls below 2%

There has been a sharp hike in the recovery rate, which is pegged at nearly 70% today. With more patients recovering and being discharged from hospitals and home isolation (in case of mild and moderate cases), the total recoveries have jumped to 15, 83,489 with 47,746 COVID-19 patients were discharged in the last 24 hours. The actual case load of the country is the active cases (6, 39,929) which is only 28.21% of the total positive cases. They are under active medical supervision. With a consistent and sustained increase in recoveries, the gap between recovered patients and active COVID-19 cases has reached nearly 9.5 lakh. The gap between percentage Recoveries and percentage Active Cases is growing every day. Focus on improved and effective clinical treatment in hospitals, use of non-invasive; improved and coordinated services of the ambulances for ferrying patients for prompt and timely treatment have resulted in seamless efficient patient management of COVID-19 patients. As a result, the Case Fatality Rate has been low when compared to the global average. It has fallen below 2% today, currently standing at 1.99%.

Centre Advisories / Policies / Updates

Dr. Harsh Vardhan digitally interacted with Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh on State specific Health concerns

Sh. Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh digitally called upon Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare to seek his inputs in improving Madhya Pradesh in the field of health and medicine, yesterday. Officials of the Madhya Pradesh government digitally presented a roadmap in improving the health sector to make Madhya Pradesh ‘Atmanirbhar’ by the year 2023. Dr. Harsh Vardhan gave his valuable suggestions on them. Sh. Chouhan gave his assurances that all his suggestions would be fully implemented. At the outset, Dr. Harsh Vardhan congratulated Sh. Chouhan for “managing the COVID-19 scenario in Madhya Pradesh in spite of taking oath during the pandemic” and also for “his personal recovery from the disease.” Dr. Harsh Vardhan advised them to adopt the eSanjeevanitele-medicine platform which would highly help the authorities manage the health of the population which is highly dispersed.

Committee on vaccine administration to meet on Aug 12

The Expert Committee on vaccine administration under the chairmanship of NITI Aayog member Dr V K Paul will meet on Wednesday to consider the logistics and ethical aspects of procurement and administration of COVID-19 vaccine, said the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The Committee will engage with all the stakeholders including state governments and vaccine manufacturers. "The Expert Committee on Vaccine Administration under the chairmanship of Dr V K Paul, NITI Aayog will meet on 12th August to consider logistics & ethical aspects of procurement & administration of #COVID19 vaccine," the Ministry tweeted. "The Committee will engage with all the stakeholders including State governments and vaccine manufacturers," it said in another tweet.

Covid-19 infected Former President Pranab Mukherjee is on Ventilator

Former President Pranab Mukherjee is critical and is on ventilator after undergoing a successful brain surgery for removal of clot. Mukherjee is currently on ventilator support at the Army's Research and Referral Hospital in Delhi. Mukherjee had tested positive for coronavirus COVID-19 before surgery. On Monday (August 10), the former President had tweeted: "On a visit to the hospital for a separate procedure, I have tested positive for Covid-19 today. I request the people who came in contact with me in the last week, to please self isolate and get tested for Covid-19."

Global Advisories/Policies/Updates

As global Covid-19 tally surpasses 20 million, WHO urges not to despair

The corona virus pandemic chalked up another horrific milestone Monday as the world surpassed 20 million recorded cases of infection from the tiny killer that has upended life just about everywhere. The number as of 2215 GMT was 20,002,577 cases, with 733,842 deaths recorded, according to an AFP tally of official sources. In yet another staggering landmark, the death toll is expected to surpass 750,000 in a matter of days as the global health crisis that began late last year in China rages on.

"Never too late to turn outbreak around": WHO on 20 Million Covid Cases 

The corona virus pandemic chalked up another horrific milestone Monday as the world surpassed 20 million recorded cases of infection from the tiny killer that has upended life just about everywhere. The number as of 2215 GMT was 20,002,577 cases, with 733,842 deaths recorded, according to an AFP tally of official sources. In yet another staggering landmark, the number of deaths is expected to surpass 750,000 in a matter of days as the global health crisis that began late last year in China rages on. As more things once unthinkable became harsh reality -- having to wear a facemask in touristy spots in Paris, or reserve a spot on Copacabana beach in Rio via an app and then social distance on the sand -- the World Health Organization urged people not to despair. "Behind these statistics is a great deal of pain and suffering... But I want to be clear: there are green shoots of hope," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

India stands second after US in Corona virus testing: Donald Trump 

US President Donald Trump today that India stands second in terms of corona virus testing while no other country comes close to the United States. According to Donald Trump, while the US has tested close to 65 million people for corona virus, India would be second with 11 million tests. "We have tested close to 65 million people and no country is even close to that number. India would be second at 11 million (tests) and they have 1.5 billion people. We have the number one testing in the world by far and also the highest quality tests," Donald Trump told reporters. "I feel strongly that we will have a vaccine by the end of the year and it will be put into service as soon as we get it," he added. There has been a decline in COVID-19 cases by 14 per cent in the last seven days in the United States, the US President said.

State Advisories / Policies / Updates

CM Mamata raises issue of financial dues to West Bengal during Covid-19 meeting with PM Modi

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Tuesday raised the issue of West Bengal's financial dues from the Centre during a video conference on the pandemic and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure that the Centre issues guidelines on which vaccine to be procured and used to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. The video conference was convened by Modi for chief ministers of 10 states, including West Bengal, to discuss the situation arising out of corona virus in the country. "The central government has raised the FRBM limit from three per cent to five per cent but only 0.5 per cent out of the increased 2 per cent has been made unconditional. We request the central government to make the remaining 1.5 per cent unconditional too for one year," Banerjee said.

Doubling rate of Covid-19 cases in Delhi now over 50 days: Satyendar Jain

Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Tuesday said that capital's doubling rate of corona virus cases has now gone up to over 50 days while across India it is around 20 days. "The country doubling rate is around 20 days and Delhi's doubling rate is over 50 days. One-third of people admitted in Delhi's hospital are outsiders," Jain said. Notably, Delhi on Monday recorded 707 fresh cases of Covid-19, taking the tally to over 1.46 lakh.

ISKON temple in Vrindavan sealed after 22 persons test coronavirus positive

A day ahead of the Janmashtami festival, an ISKON temple in Vrindavan was sealed on Tuesday after 22 persons, including its priests, tested positive for corona virus, officials said. According to the health officials, International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) temple was sealed after test reports of these persons came in on Tuesday morning. A majority of main temples in Vrindavan have been shut for devotees due to the pandemic.

Rajasthan reports 620 new Covid-19 cases, 10 deaths

Rajasthan has reported 620 new COVID-19 cases till 10 According to the Rajasthan health department's bulletin, 10 deaths were reported on Monday, taking the death toll to 810. There are 14,207 active cases in the state. As many as 214 patients have been discharged taking the number of such patients to 36,524. A total of 213 patients recovered, taking the total number of recovered patients to 39,273, the bulletin said.

Karnataka govt issues revised guidelines for home isolation of patients

Covid-19 patients under home isolation will stand discharged after 10 days of symptom onset or date of sampling, and no fever for three days, as per the revised guidelines for home care issued by the government of Karnataka. Thereafter, the patient shall be advised to isolate at home and self-monitor their health for further 7 days, it said adding there is no need for testing after the isolation period is over.

Industry Updates

Russia's corona virus vaccine is all set to get registered

The vaccine candidate developed by Russia’s Gamaleya National Research Centre and Russian defence ministry has been raising eyebrows ever since the announcement of it being the ‘world’s first COVID-19 vaccine’ started doing rounds. As per the recent updates, the corona virus vaccine is all set to get registered on August 12, 2020, making Russia the first country in the world to register a vaccine to battle the novel corona virus.

Prepared by Impact Health Research Team

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