With highest ever single day recoveries of nearly 30,000, the total number of recoveries crosses 7.82 lakhs

For the second day in a row, recoveries in a single day continue to post significant rise. The last 24 hours saw the highest ever single day number of patients cured and discharged i.e. 29,557. While the total number of recovered cases has jumped to 7, 82,606, there has been appreciable growth in the recovery rate, which stands at 63.18%. Higher number of patients getting cured and discharged has contributed to increasing gap between recovered and total active cases. It is pegged at 3, 56,439 today. This accomplishment can be attributed to the Union Government led COVID-19 management strategies. Sustained efforts by the Center and State/UTs are resulting in more effective containment, aggressive testing, and prompt and efficient clinical treatment strategies. These are guided by the teams of domain experts in the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare such as the Joint Monitoring Group (JMG) and ably complemented by the technical experts at AIIMS, New Delhi, Centres of Excellence in various States/UTs, ICMR and NCDC. The Union Government continues to coordinate with the efforts of the State/UTs by sending Central teams of experts to areas witnessing increase in caseload and handholding of COVID hospitals in States through the tele-consultation program led by AIIMS, New Delhi. These combined efforts have resulted in Case Fatality Rate being managed at low levels. It is 2.41%, as on date, and steadily declining. This has also helped in reducing the actual case load of COVID-19 cases which remains confined to 4, 26,167 Active patients only.

Vice President expresses concern over Covid-induced financial strain in the media industry

Vice President of India M Venkaiah Naidu has expressed concern over the COVID-induced financial strain in the media industry and appealed to everyone to treat their employees with empathy and care and stand with them during these difficult times. Paying tributes at a virtual commemorative meeting held to pay respects to late  M P Veerendra Kumar yesterday, the Vice President appealed to everyone to draw inspiration from the likes of Veerendra Kumar and adopt a more empathetic attitude towards the fellow citizens. The Vice President highlighted the importance of providing correct and authentic information during these pandemic times. He appreciated the media for empowering people through information and perspectives on the pandemic despite risks involved in the task. However, he also cautioned the media to guard against unverified and unsubstantiated claims on treating COVID-19

DRDO establishes COVID-19 Testing Facility at DIHAR, Leh

DRDO has established a COVID-19 testing facility at the Leh based laboratory Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR) to enhance the rate of testing to identify the Corona cases in the Union Territory of Ladakh. The testing facility will also help in keeping close watch of the infected persons. The facility meets the safety standards and guidelines of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The centre was inaugurated by Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh RK Mathur.  The testing facility at DIHAR is capable of screening 50 samples per day. The facility can also be utilized for training manpower for COVID testing and will be of great help to address future bio-threats and carrying out R&D activities pertinent to agro-animals diseases. In his address, LG Mathur lauded the efforts of DRDO in fighting Covid 19 and thanked Dr G Satheesh Reddy, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D & Chairman DRDO for making this facility available at DIHAR. He expressed hope that the facility will help in the treatment of infected persons. The Lieutenant Governor also inspected the testing facility.

Centre Advisories / Policies / Updates

Pandemic has reminded us of the importance of resilience of the global economy: PM Modi 

Prime Minister  Narendra Modi said that the pandemic has reminded us of the importance of resilience of the global economy against external shocks, which can be achieved by stronger domestic economic capacities. Delivering the keynote address at the India Ideas Summit on Wednesday he underlined that ‘Ease of Living’ is as important as ‘Ease of Business’. He said that He emphasized that India is contributing towards a prosperous and resilient world through the clarion call of an ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’. The Summit was hosted by the US-India Business Council (USIBC). Prime Minister talked about the need to place the poor and the vulnerable at the core of growth agenda. He noted that in the last six years, efforts have been undertaken to make our economy more open and reform oriented, adding that reforms have ensured competitiveness, enhanced transparency, expanded digitization, greater innovation and more policy stability.

Total 19.32 LMT food grains lifted by the States and UTs under PMGKAY-2

As per the Food Corporation of India report dated 21.07.2020, FCI currently has 253.28 LMT rice and 531.05 LMT wheat. Hence, a total of 784.33 LMT food grain stock is available (excluding the ongoing purchase of wheat and paddy, which have not yet reached the godown). About 95 LMT food grains are required for a month under NFSA, PMGKAY and other welfare schemes. Since the lockdown, about 139.97 LMT food grains have been lifted and transported through 4999 rail rakes and total 285.07 LMT food grains have been transported till 30th June 2020. Since 1st July 2020, 26.69 LMT food grains have been lifted and transported through 953 rail rakes. Apart from the rail route, transportation was also done through roads and waterways. A total of 50.91 LMT food grains have been transported since 1st July 2020. Total 1.63 LMT food grains have been transported to the North-Eastern States since 1st July 2020.

Global Advisories/Policies/Updates

WHO, Africa CDC explore traditional medicine

The World Health Organization and the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have launched an effort to explore the role of traditional medicine in the corona virus pandemic. The new advisory panel will support countries in clinical trials, other research and development of traditional therapies as the pandemic now spreads rapidly in parts of Africa. Confirmed cases on the continent have nearly reached 750,000, more than half of them in South Africa. A WHO statement says traditional medicine "has many benefits" and the continent has a long history of its use. WHO Africa chief Matshidiso Moeti says the research "must be grounded in science." Several countries showed interest after Madagascar's president promoted a local herbal concoction as part of the island nation's pandemic response. 

Africa's confirmed Covid-19 cases hit 768,978

The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases across the African continent reached 768,978 on Thursday, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said. The Africa CDC, specialized healthcare agency of the African Union (AU) Commission, in its latest situation update issued on Thursday, said that the number of deaths related to the pandemic rose to 16,423 as of Thursday. The continental disease control and prevention agency also stressed that some 434,973 patients who tested positive for Covid-19 have recovered across the continent so far.

Singapore reports 354 new corona virus cases, mostly foreign workers

Singapore on Thursday reported 354 new corona virus cases, mostly foreigners, pushing the total tally to 49,098 in the country, the health ministry said. The new cases include 346 foreign workers living in dormitories, it said. Eight of the new infections are community cases -- four Singaporean citizens and permanent residents (foreigners) and four foreigners holding work passes. There are also five imported cases. The patients have been placed on stay-home notice on their arrival in Singapore, the ministry said. The nationwide corona virus tally now stands at 49,098.

Rome could face second Covid-19 lockdown

Rome could be forced into a second lockdown after the Italian region of Lazio, which includes the capital city, witnessed a resurgence of corona virus cases, it was reported. Authorities in the Lazio warned on Wednesday that restrictions to curb the spread of the virus may be reintroduced if cases continued to increase in the region. There were 17 new confirmed cases on Sunday, with 10 of those said to have been recorded among people returning to the country from overseas.

Prepared by Impact Health Research Team

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