COVID: Govt Says 34 States/UTs Showing Decline in Cases; Delhi Logs 2,668 Cases
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India logged 1,72,433 new coronavirus cases (6.8 percent higher than Wednesday), 2,59,107 recoveries, and 1,008 deaths on Thursday, 3 February.
The number of active cases in the country currently stands at 15,33,921. So far, 167.87 crore vaccine doses have been administered.
The daily positivity rate rose marginally to 10.99 percent from Wednesday's 9.26 percent, while the weekly positivity rate is at 12.98 percent.
34 States/Union Territories (UTs) in the country recording a decline in cases and positivity rate, the Ministry of Health said on Thursday.
Schools are fully open in 11 States and closed in nine States, the Ministry of Education informed on Thursday.
Delhi reported 2,668 new COVID-19 cases, 13 deaths and 3,895 recoveries on Thursday.
Indian Cricketers Test COVID-Positive
Batsmen Shikhar Dhawan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, and fast bowler Navdeep Saini have tested positive for COVID-19. They will remain in isolation till complete recovery is attained, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) informed on Thursday.
BCCI added that the All-India Senior Selection Committee has added Mayank Agarwal to India’s ODI squad after seven members, including three players of Team India (Senior Men) tested positive for COVID-19 following three rounds of RT-PCR testing.
Schools for Classes 8-12 Reopen in West Bengal
Schools for Classes 8 to 12 have reopened in West Bengal with COVID protocols.
'Monetary Aid to NRI's Kin Who Died Abroad Due to COVID': EAM
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday, while speaking on monetary aid to NRI's kin who died abroad due to COVID-19, "There's a provision in Indian Community Welfare Fund for responding to situations like deaths. Its usage was expanded in 2017. We have always encouraged Gulf countries for ex gratia payments to be made by government or employers."
GATE 2022 Will Not Be Postponed: Supreme Court
Supreme Court on Thursday refused to postpone the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering exam, 2022 (GATE 2022) in view of the third wave of COVID-19, and said that postponement of the exam will create "chaos and uncertainty" among students.
The top court added, "students have prepared for it and the court cannot play with their career by postponing the examination," PTI reported.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands Report 18 New Cases
Andaman and Nicobar Islands reported 18 new infections on Thursday, four less than the previous day.
Meanwhile, the COVID-19 death count in the islands remained at 129 as no new related death was reported in the last 24 hours.
The union territory now has 290 active COVID-19 cases, while 9,425 people have recovered from the disease so far.
Jharkhand Reports 601 New Cases
Jharkhand reported 601 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, 21 less than the previous day, with the total number of cases at 4,29,773, as per the health department.
Meanwhile, the COVID-19 death count rose to 5,306 as three more persons succumbed to the infection in the last 24 hours.
Odisha Reports 3,629 New Cases, 18 Deaths
Odisha on Thursday reported 3,629 new COVID-19 cases, five percent more than the previous day, pushing the COVID tally to 12,59,405, the health department said in its bulletin.
The state also recorded 18 related deaths, while the daily positivity rate stood at 5.4 percent. The state had logged 3,450 COVID-19 cases and 19 deaths on Wednesday.
Odisha currently has 35,306 active cases -- 9,694 of them in Khurda and 2,509 in Cuttack. Both Khurda and Cuttack are in the red zone while six districts, including Sundargarh, Nuapada and Jajpur, are in the yellow zone with over 1,000 cases.
34 States Recording a Decline in Cases, Positivity Rate, Says Health Ministry
A total of 34 States in the country are recording a decline in cases and positivity rate, the Ministry of Health said on Thursday, 3 Feburary.
"Kerala and Mizoram are witnessing an increase in the number of cases and positivity," the Ministry of Health added.
16 States/UTs Achieve 100% First Dose Vaccination Coverage
"16 States/UTs have achieved 100% first dose vaccination coverage. Four States/UTs between 96-99%," the Ministry of Health said.
'Surgery is Safe With the Current Variant': Health Ministry
"The present data indicates that unlike evidence during earlier COVID surge, with the current variant surgery is safe & not associated with higher chances of complications or deaths in Covid positive patients. These patients who need surgery need not be denied it," the Health Ministry said.
'Schools Fully Open in 11 States, Closed in 9': Ministry of Education
Schools are fully open in 11 States and closed in nine States, the Ministry of Education said on Thursday.
"States to decide whether schools required to take consent of students' parents for attending physical classes. Group activities to be done as per SOPs," the Education Ministry said.
Kerala Logs 42,677 New COVID Cases
Kerala reported 42,677 new COVID-19 cases, 36 deaths and 1,144 recoveries on Thursday. Active cases in the State stand at 3,69,073.
Govt, Pvt Office, Banks in Chandigarh to Operate with 100% Physical Attendance
The earlier restrictions on the number of employees attending government and private offices and banks in Chandigarh have been withdrawn and now they will function with a 100% physical attendance.
Delhi logs 2,668 New Cases of COVID-19
Delhi reports 2,668 new COVID-19 cases, 13 deaths and 3,895 recoveries in the last 24 hours. Active cases in the national capital stand at 13,630.
'Overall Still Seeing High Number of Cases': Govt
Health Ministry's Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal said, "We are seeing a decline in (Covid) cases. We don't want to use words like wave and peak. There are still some areas where cases are increasing. Covid management strategies still need to be implemented because overall we are still seeing high number of cases," NDTV reported.
Karnataka Reports 16,436 New Cases
Karnataka reported 16,436 new COVID-19 cases and 60 deaths in the last 24 hours. Active cases stand at 1,48,800.
Zydus COVID-19 Vaccine To Start Rolling Out: Govt
Dr VK Paul, Member- Health, Niti Aayog said that the Zydus COVID-19 vaccine has already been put into the vaccination program, and some states will begin start rolling it out.
Gujarat Night Curfew Extended Till 11 February
"Wedding ceremonies held in closed venues in the state can be held with a limit of 150 persons and wedding ceremonies in open spaces can be held with a maximum of 300 people. Night curfew has been extended till 11 February, from 10 pm to 6 am", the Gujarat CMO said.
Gujarat reported 7,606 new cases, 13,195 recoveries and 34 deaths in the last 24 hours.
West Bengal Reports 1,916 New Cases
West Bengal reported 1,916 new cases, 2614 recoveries and 36 deaths in the last 24 hours. Active cases in the state stand at 21,146.
Assam Reports 1,019 New Cases
Assam reports 1,019 new cases, 2,392 recoveries and 19 fatalities in the last 24 hours. Active cases in the state stand at 13,786.
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