Coronavirus India Updates: Tally Tops 28 Lakh With Largest Spike In New Cases
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Covid-19 infections in India rushed past the 28-lakh mark as the country with the third highest cases continues its efforts to restart the economy. Fresh cases spiked to the highest reported in a 24-hour span so far.
India added nearly 70,000 new cases in a matter of 24 hours, taking the total tally to over 28.3 lakh, according to the health ministry’s update as of 8:00 am on Aug. 20. This includes nearly 53,000 deaths and nearly 21 lakh patients who have recovered. India has over 6.8 lakh active cases -- a curve that seems to be flattening.
Key figures:
- Total number of confirmed coronavirus cases: 28,36,925
- Active cases: 6,86,395
- Cured/discharged/migrated: 20,96,664
- Deaths: 53,866
- Fresh cases in 24 hours: 69652
- One-day recoveries: 58,794
- One-day deaths: 977
The Health Ministry has lauded the government’s efforts in fighting the virus, often highlighting that India has managed to reduce its fatality rate and increase its recovery rate. The recovery rate now stands at 74% while the fatality rate is less than 2%, despite India reporting the fourth highest deaths in the world.
Global Update
Coronavirus infections flared in Europe, with France and Spain reporting their biggest case increases in months. Hong Kong’s outbreak showed signs of easing.
In the U.S., New York’s positive-test rate fell to the lowest since the pandemic began in March. President Donald Trump criticised colleges turning to remote learning and alleged health regulators may be delaying an emergency treatment over politics.
Globally, 22.2 million people have been infected by the virus while the death toll stood at 783,000.
Track all Covid-19 related news and updates for India, here.
Antibodies Found In 29% People In August Sero-Survey
Antibodies against Covid-19 infection have been found in 29.1% of people in the latest sero-prevalence survey in the national capital, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said on Thursday.
Interacting with reporters, he said, 15,000 representative samples were taken in the Aug. 1-7 survey from 11 districts here, and the next exercise will begin from Sept. 1. The sero-prevalence found in North East district was 29 per cent, South district 27%, South East 33% and New Delhi 24 per cent, Jain said.
There has been an increase of 6% to 50% in prevalence of antibodies among people in various districts compared to the prevalence found in the previous survey, he said.
Sero-prevalence of antibodies found in males was 28.3%, and in females 32.2% in the latest survey, the minister said. Sero-prevalence of antibodies against Covid-19 found in age group of less than 18 was 34.7%, in 18-50 years 28.5% and 31.2% in 50 years and above, Jain said.
Source: PTI
Mukherjee's Respiratory Parameters Show Slight Improvement: Hospital
Respiratory parameters of former president Pranab Mukherjee have shown a slight improvement, though he continues to be on ventilator support, the hospital said on Thursday.
Mukherjee, who was admitted to the Army's Research and Referral Hospital on August 10, developed a lung infection on Wednesday. Doctors attending on him said his vital parameters remain stable.
"The respiratory parameters of Hon'ble Shri Pranab Mukherjee have shown slight improvement though he continues to be on ventilatory support. His vital and clinical parameters remain stable and are being closely monitored by a team of specialists," a hospital statement said.
Mukherjee was operated on for removal of a clot in the brain on August 10 at the Army Hospital in Delhi Cantonment.
He was also tested positive for Covid-19.
Mukherjee was the 13th President of India from 2012 to 2017.
Source: PTI
