COVID-19 UPDATE of 16th November: Recovery Rate has improved to 93.27% today

India has continued the unbroken trend of the daily new recoveries outpacing the daily new additions for the 44th day. 43,851 COVID-19 patients recovered in the last 24 hours against just 30,548 newly detected cases. This translates to a net reduction of 13,303 in the Active Caseload which now stands at 4,65,478. Daily new cases numbering 30,548 is a historic low that assumes significance given many countries in Europe and America are experiencing a continuous steep rise in daily new cases.The Recovery Rate has improved to 93.27% today. The total recovered cases stand at 82,49,579.78.59% of the recovered cases reported in the last 24 hours are from ten States/UTs.Delhi saw the greatest number of recoveries as 7,606 confirmed cases recovered. Kerala registered 6,684 daily recoveries while West Bengal followed by reporting 4,480 new recoveries.76.63% of the new cases have been reported from ten States/UTs.Kerala recorded 4,581 new cases. Delhi which saw a surge in new cases over the last few days reported only 3,235 new cases yesterday, followed closely by West Bengal which reported 3,053 new cases.78.85% of the 435 new deaths are concentrated in ten States/UTs.About a fifth, 21.84% of new fatalities reported are from Delhi which reported 95 deaths, overtaking Maharashtra. Maharashtra reported 60 fatalities, which is 13.79% of the new fatalities.14 States/UTs have death per million higher than National Average of 94.13 States/UTs have a Case Fatality Rate higher than National Average.

Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah yesterday reviewed the Covid-19 situation in Delhi, in the backdrop of rising number of cases and the increasing strain on the capacity of medical infrastructure in the hospitals of the Capital. The Home Minister issued a number of directions in the meeting. First, it was directed that the testing capacity for RT-PCR tests would be doubled in Delhi, by optimally utilizing the lab capacity within Delhi itself; through mobile testing labs, to be deployed by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoH&FW) and ICMR, in areas where poor and vulnerable sections of the society reside; by temporarily shifting some testing labs from other parts of the country, where they are unutilized, to Delhi; and, by utilizing spare capacity in neighboring regions of Delhi. This was considered essential in order to bring down the positivity rate in Delhi, which has gone up substantially in recent weeks. Shri Amit Shah also directed that the hospital capacity and availability of other medical infrastructure should be ramped up considerably. It was decided that 250-300 additional beds with ICUs would be added to the existing medical facility of DRDO at DhaulaKuan, where, presently, around 250 beds have been provided with ICUs, out of the total available 1000 Covid-19 beds. The 10,000 bed Covid Care Centre established at Chattarpur would also be strengthened, with a view to enhance availability of beds with oxygen capacity. Home Minister directed MOHF&W to make arrangements for requisite numbers of BIPAP machines and high flow nasal canulas to the Delhi Government within the next 48 hours. In view of the shortage of medical staff in Delhi, the Modi Government has decided to provide additional doctors and paramedical staff from the CAPFs and they would soon be airlifted to Delhi.A few identified hospitals of the Municipal Corporations of Delhi (MCD) would also be converted as dedicated hospitals for Covid-19 treatment, especially for accommodating patients with milder symptoms. It was also decided that MOHF&W will issue a standard protocol for plasma therapy and plasma administration for treatment of COVID-19 patients immediately.

The Science, Technology and Innovation Ministers of the BRICS grouping (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) met on November 13 evening through a virtual platform to discuss S & T cooperation among the member countries. Speaking at the meeting, Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Health & Family Welfare, Dr Harsh Vardhan congratulated the participating dignitaries at the concluding session for, “The BRICS STI Declaration 2020 and Calendar of BRICS STI Activities 2020-21 which will act as a roadmap to take our cooperation forward”. The BRICS STI Declaration 2020 was unanimously adopted at the meeting.During the meeting, Dr. Harsh Vardhan highlighted that “The COVID 19 pandemic has been a test, demonstrating that multilateral cooperation is the key to overcoming such global challenges”. He said, “Since we are one of the most affected population from this pandemic, it provides for greater cooperation opportunity among BRICS countries to combat this pandemic”.The Union Minister informed that “India has initiated an integrated response to overcome this unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. From the development of indigenous vaccines, novel point-of-care diagnostics and therapeutic formulations based on traditional knowledge, to establish research resources and offering services, Indian R&D entities both public and private, are working relentlessly to develop effective interventions for combating the pandemic. Hundreds of projects are being supported. More than 100 startups have developed innovative products for COVID-19”.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has said, as the base of the freedom struggle was provided by the bhakti movement, similarly, today, basis of the AatmNirbhar Bharat will be provided by the saints, mahatma, mahants and acharyas of our country. He was speaking after unveiling the ‘Statue of Peace’ to mark the 151st Birth Anniversary celebrations of Jainacharya Shree Vijay Vallabh Surishwer Ji Maharaj, via video conferencing, today. One of the key highlights of his speech on the occasion was his emphasis on religious and spiritual foundation of the socio-political and economic events like the freedom struggle and the current tryst with the AatmNirbharta.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today unveiled ‘Statue of Peace’ to mark the 151st Birth Anniversary celebrations of Jainacharya Shree Vijay Vallabh Surishwer Ji Maharaj, via video conferencing. The Statue unveiled in the honour of the Jain acharya, has been named as ‘Statue of Peace’. The 151 inch tall statue has been made from Ashtadhatu i.e. 8 metals, with Copper being the major constituent, and is installed at Vijay Vallabh Sadhana Kendra, Jetpura, in Pali, Rajasthan. Mentioning two ‘Vallabhs’, Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel and the Jainacharya Shree Vijay Vallabh Surishwer Ji Maharaj, the Prime Minister said that he feels blessed by the fact that after dedicating the world’s tallest statue of Sardar Patel- ‘Statue of Unity’, he is getting opportunity to unveil the ‘Statue of Peace’ of the Jainacharya Shri Vijay Vallabh.Reiterating his stress on ‘vocal for local’ Shri Modi requested that as happened during the freedom struggle, all the spiritual leaders should amplify the message of AatmNirbharta and preach about the benefits of ‘vocal for local’. He also said that the way the country supported the local during the Diwali festival is an energizing feeling.

The Vice President of India, Shri M Venkaiah Naidu today said that any attack on the freedom of the press is detrimental to national interests and should be opposed by one and all.In a pre-recorded video message at a webinar on ‘Role of media during the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on media’ organized by the Press Council of India on the occasion of the National Press Day, the Vice President said “Democracy cannot survive without a free and fearless press”.He said the Press in India has always been in the vanguard of protecting and strengthening the foundations of democracy. Describing journalism as a pious mission, he lauded the Press for playing an outstanding role in empowering the people and furthering national interest.The Vice President also praised the print and electronic media journalists for turning into frontline warriors in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic and ensuring non-stop coverage of all the happenings, unmindful of the grave risks associated with a pandemic situation.He conveyed his deepest condolences to the families of many journalists, who had succumbed to COVID-19 infection.Referring to the adverse impact of COVID-19 crisis on media industry, he said it has led some newspapers to curtail their editions and go digital. “There have been unfortunate instances of employees being laid off in both print and electronic media”, Shri Naidu added.

The Vice President of India, Shri M Venkaiah Naidu today urged the youth to join the forces of growth and channelize their energies for constructive, nation-building activities to build a New and Resurgent India. Inaugurating a new ‘Amenities Center’ at the University of Hyderabad, the Vice President advised the youth to shun negativism, adopt positive outlook in building the New India where there would be no corruption, hunger, exploitation and discrimination. Pointing out that the nation was passing through a critical juncture and was facing many challenges, Shri Naidu asked the youth to be at the forefront of making India stronger on all fronts. Referring to the fight against the pandemic, the Vice President said that India was comparatively better placed than other nations and added that Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi guided the nation with his vision. He lauded the selfless service rendered by frontline warriors like doctors, farmers, security personnel, sanitary staff and appreciated the Government of India and all States for the measures taken to fight the pandemic. He appealed to the people to adhere to the instructions issued by the government, follow safe distancing norms and wear masks. He said the people must be prepared to face future challenges by improving their endurance.

• Assam: Assam have completed 50 lakhs COVID-19 tests till date tweeted Health Minister of Assam Shri HimantaBiswaSarma.
• Meghalaya: Meghalaya recorded 35 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, taking the active tally to 971. 76 persons also recovered taking the number to 9594.The death toll in the state rose to 101 after a 59-year-old positive patient died in Tura on Sunday.The confirmed number of cases stood at 10,665.
• Kerala: State government has decided to conduct Serosurvey to find out the intensity of Covid-19 spread in the state. The survey will be conducted after the completion of the local body poll in December.  Antibody tests will be carried out among various categories of people across 14 districts to find out among various categories of people across 14 districts to find out the percentage of infected persons among the population. This was decided at the review meeting presided over by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Meanwhile, the state government has started preparations for the distribution of Covid vaccine in the state. Details of health workers who will receive the vaccine in the first phase are being collected. Renowned hill shrine of Sabarimala has allowed pilgrims from today as part of its 41-day annual pilgrimage. Authorities have announced a slew of regulations to prevent the spread of the pandemic.
• Tamil Nadu: TN preparing database of healthcare workers who will get Covid-19 vaccine on priority; presently, phase two trials of Covishield, Oxford University’s Covid-19 vaccine, are ongoing in the state. ‘22.1 per cent blood sample in Coimbatore’s 42 clusters have antibodies’, says survey; of the 42 clusters where study was conducted, Karamadai to Mettupalayam stretch has a maximum number of people with antibodies.
• Karnataka: Interstate bus services between Karnataka and Kerala resume after nine months; Road transport corporations of both States deploy 20 buses each between Mangaluru and Kasargod. Degree level, Engineering and Diploma colleges will commence from tomorrow, direct classes for final year and postgraduate students; corona test compulsory for students & teachers.
• Andhra Pradesh: Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development Botcha Satyanarayana organised a huge rally on Sunday from Garividi to Cheepurupalli in which thousands of activists participated. Those who took part in the rally failed to follow the Covid guidelines. Andhra Pradesh reported 1056 new infections and 14 deaths on Sunday. It was the lowest single-day tally of infections in four months. The number of active cases came down to less than 20,000, to 18,659. With 2,140 persons recovering in the last 24 hours, the total number of recoveries rose to 8,28,484 and the recovery rate to 97.01 per cent. The tests per million ratio increased to 1.71 lakh and cases per million ratio has gone up to 15,993.
• Telangana: 502 new cases, 1539 recoveries & 3 deaths Reported in the last 24 hours in Telangana; out of 503 cases, 141 cases reported from GHMC. Total cases: 2,57,876; Active cases: 14,385; Deaths 1407 Discharges: 2,42,084 with with a recovery rate of 93.87 per cent, while the countrywide recovery rate is 93.2 per cent. In a major relief to people awaiting registration of non-agriculture properties to resume, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has decided that it will commence on Dharani portal from November 23.
• Maharashtra: In Maharashtra, all religious places and places of worship have opened from today. Some famous temples like Sai Baba temple at Shirdi, Vitthal Mandir of Pandharpur, Tulja Bhavani temple in Tuljapur opened early this morning, after nearly 7 months. The state reported 2,544 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, which is the lowest single-day spike since June first week.
• Gujarat:  Gujarat reported 1,070 new coronavirus positive cases on Sunday, taking its infection count to 1,88,310. As the virus claimed six lives during the day, including three in Ahmedabad and one fatality each in Rajkot, Surat and Vadodara, the cumulative death toll mounted to 3,803.
• Rajasthan: Ten more people died from coronavirus in Rajasthan on Sunday as 2,184 fresh cases took the state’s infection count to 2,25,817.  Jaipur recorded the maximum 498 cases, followed by 443 in Jodhpur. The state has 18,337 active cases as of now.
• Madhya Pradesh: Madhya Pradesh’s COVID-19 caseload rose to 1,83,927 on Sunday with 870 new additions. With seven more fatalities, including two each in Indore and Sagar and one death each occurring in Bhopal, Hoshangabad and Shivpuri, the overall toll in the state mounted to 3,090.