Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday ruled out closing down businesses and urged the public to follow health guidelines as the country grappled with the second wave of the coronavirus with the national tally of infections reaching 382,892. Khan told media in Lahore that he was concerned about the situation after the daily COVID-19 death toll crossed 50 while being as low as below the single digit just two weeks ago. He said that despite the rising cases, his government would not shut down factories and businesses.
"We cannot render the daily wage worker unemployed, he said, adding that people should follow the guidelines. I strongly urge all factory, shop and shopping mall owners to strictly enforce safety protocols. And the easiest thing to do is just to wear a mask, he said. He said that Pakistan was successful in defeating the virus during the first wave and asked people to show the same willingness to follow safety measures. In reply to a question, he said that the opposition should stop holding public rallies as his government would not allow any such activity because it would spread the infection.
Bihar's COVID-19 tally rose to 2,32,459 after 763 new cases were reported in the past 24 hours, while four fresh fatalities took the death toll to 1,237, a health department bulletin said on Wednesday. It said that 350 patients recovered from the disease taking the total number of cured people to 2,25,797. The state now has 5,425 active cases.
The four new deaths were registered in Patna, Bhagalpur, Rohtas and Jamui districts, the bulletin said. It said that 763 fresh positive cases included 292 in Patna. Altogether 1,31,743 samples were tested for coronavirus since Tuesday, taking the total number of tests to 1.40 crore.
In a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus, the Goa government on Wednesday made it mandatory for the passengers arriving at the state's airport and railway stations to undergo thermal screening. The government issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to this effect on Wednesday.
The order said that in view of the spread of COVID-19 due to the rising cases in other states and the likely risk to the public health and safety, the State Executive Committee has adopted the SOPs for persons travelling to Goa by air and trains with effect from November 25. "All the passengers arriving at the airport and railway stations in Goa will be subjected to compulsory thermal screening," the SOPs read.
Assam reported two more COVID-19 deaths on Wednesday, raising the toll to 978, even as 182 fresh cases took the tally to to 2,12,021, Minister for Health and Family Welfare Himanta Biswa Sarma said. The two deaths reported during the day include an 85- year old man of Dibrugarh and a 74-year old man from Barpeta. "Sad to share the demise of two #COVID patient today... Condolences to the bereaved families," he tweeted.
The new infections include 64 from Kamrup Metropolitan district, and were detected out of 24,426 sample tests, with a positivity rate of 0.75 per cent, Sarma said. The total number of tests conducted in the state so far is 52,09,399. A total of 117 patients were discharged during the day, with the total number of recoveries increasing to 2,07,763.
837 new COVID19 cases and 99 recoveries reported in the state today.
— ANI (@ANI) &7
The total number of cases in the state is 36,566 including 28,080 recovered cases, 7,875 active cases and 575 deaths: Health Department Himachal Pradesh pic.twitter.com/1HjWsir6FT
The government has initiated a robust COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing and delivery ecosystem to meet the demand, Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Wednesday. Vardhan, who is also the health and family welfare minister, said that as the world races to develop the vaccine for COVID-19, India is looking to be self-reliant in both its development and mass production. Addressing a virtual Global R&D Summit 2020, organised by FICCI, jointly with the Department of Science and Technology, Vardhan said, "Called as the pharmacy of the world, India has the largest capacity to produce COVID-19 vaccines.
"We have now initiated to look at a robust vaccine manufacturing and delivery ecosystem to meet our demands in the coming days. That is one area where your (industry) inputs will help us in not only addressing a topical issue but also creating best practices for the future." Research and innovation, he said, are the way of life. The current pandemic has further reinforced the belief in innovation and R&D to accelerate products and services that not only are helping in disease management but in turn to make the nation resilient and self-reliant, Vardhan said.
Jharkhand reports 237 new COVID-19 cases, 316 recoveries, and 3 deaths, according to the State Health Department
— ANI (@ANI) &7
Total cases: 1,08,158
Total recoveries: 1,05,040
Death toll: 958
Active cases: 2,160 pic.twitter.com/SgNmq6lkzd
Haryana reports 2,197 new COVID-19 cases, 1,972 discharges, and 42 deaths, says State Health Department
— ANI (@ANI) &7
Total cases at 2,24,489
Total number of discharged patients: 2,01,250
Total deaths: 2,291
Active cases: 20,948 pic.twitter.com/yomy5TcRMV
The COVID-19 death toll in West Bengal climbed to 8,172 after 51 more patients succumbed to the disease on Wednesday, a bulletin released by the state health department said. The coronavirus tally mounted to 4,66,991 with 3,528 fresh cases, it said. The discharge rate improved to 92.95 per cent after 3,605 recoveries were registered since Tuesday.
West Bengal now has 24,752 active cases. In the past 24 hours, 44,631 samples have been tested, it added.
Chandigarh on Wednesday reported 87 new cases of the novel coronavirus, bringing the infection tally to 16,925, according to a medical bulletin. The death of a 57-year-old coronavirus positive man pushed the related toll to 266, the bulletin said. Chandigarh has 1,127 active COVID-19 cases, as of now, according to the bulletin.
Seventy-seven more patients were discharged after they recovered from the infection, taking the number of recoveries to 15,532. A total of 1,35,876 samples have been taken for COVID-19 testing and 1,18,166 of them came out negative while reports of 120 are awaited, according to the bulletin.
Delhi reported 5,246 new #COVID19 cases, 5,361 recoveries, and 99 deaths in the last 24 hours, according to Delhi Health Department
— ANI (@ANI) &7
Total cases: 5,45,787
Total recoveries: 4,98,780
Active cases: 38,287
Death toll: 8,720 pic.twitter.com/HkzCvfVNax
#COVID19: MHA's fresh guidelines will be effective from December 1 to 31
— ANI (@ANI) &7
Main focus is to consolidate substantial gains achieved against #COVID19. Further, keeping in view recent spike in cases in few States/UTs, it is emphasised that there is need to maintain caution, says MHA pic.twitter.com/tuRkmKooiS
Saddened by the demise of Ahmed Patel Ji. He spent years in public life, serving society. Known for his sharp mind, his role in strengthening the Congress Party would always be remembered. Spoke to his son Faisal and expressed condolences. May Ahmed Bhai’s soul rest in peace.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) &7
It is a sad day. Shri Ahmed Patel was a pillar of the Congress party. He lived and breathed Congress and stood with the party through its most difficult times. He was a tremendous asset.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) &7
We will miss him. My love and condolences to Faisal, Mumtaz & the family. pic.twitter.com/sZaOXOIMEX
Congress President Smt Sonia Gandhi’s condolence message on the demise of Shri Ahmed Patel. pic.twitter.com/JiOwjr3j1n
— Congress (@INCIndia) &7
Saddened by the passing away of Ahmed Patel ji. I extend my condolences to his family, followers & admirers in this hour of grief. May his soul rest in peace
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) &7
@ahmedpatel pic.twitter.com/7bboZbQ2A6
— Faisal Patel (@mfaisalpatel) &7
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