(Contains Press releases concerning Covid-19, issued in last 24 hours, inputs from PIB Field Offices and Fact checks undertaken by PIB)

On a steady march, India conducts a total of nearly 3.6 crore tests; Tests Per Million (TPM) scale a new peak of 26,016

India has tested 3,59,02,137 so far. With 6,09,917 tests conducted in the last 24 hours, India is on its resolved drive to increase its testing capacity. Easy access to testing through expanded diagnostic lab network across the country has given a substantial boost to the present numbers. As a result of these focused actions, the Tests Per Million have seen a sharp increase to 26,016. The TPM continues to maintain the constant upward trend. India has also seen a rise in the tests per million per day, as advised by WHO in its Guidance Note on “Public Health Criteria to Adjust Public Health and Social Measures in the Context of COVID-19”. WHO has advised that a country needs 140 tests/day/ million population as a measure for comprehensive surveillance for suspected COVID19 cases. There are 1520 labs today, including 984 labs in the government sector and 536 private labs.

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India’s total Recoveries cross 23 lakh, Recoveries exceed active cases by more than 16 lakh

With more patients recovering and being discharged from hospitals and home isolation (in case of mild and moderate cases), India's COVID-19 total recoveries have crossed 23 lakh today. Recovery of 23,38,035 patients has been made possible because of effective implementation of the policy of TESTING aggressively, TRACKING comprehensively. With the recovery of 57,469 cases in the last 24 hours, India's Recovery Rate amongst the COVID-19 patients has crossed 75%(75.27%). India has posted more than 16 lakh (16,27,264) recoveries than the active cases (7,10,771) which are under active medical care. The record high recoveries have ensured that the actual caseload of the country viz. the active cases, has reduced and currently comprises only 22.88%of the total positive cases. Effective clinical management of the patients in the ICUs has been instrumental in keeping the Case Fatality Rate low and on a steady downward trajectory. It has further dipped to 1.85% today.

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Dr. Harsh Vardhan inaugurates a 10- Bedded Hospital at NDRF 8th Battalion Centre, Ghaziabad

A modern, durable, portable, fast installable, safe and varying weather compatible 10- Bedded Make-Shift Hospital was inaugurated by Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Minister (S&T, ES and H&FW) at NDRF 8th Battalion Centre, Ghaziabad. The make-shift hospital has been set up by CSIR constituent laboratory, namely, CSIR-Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee in collaboration with National Disaster Response Force, Ministry of Home Affairs for demonstration purpose as well as use of NDRF. It would serve the purpose for disaster recovery stage including for use in long pandemic or emergency situation. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Harsh Vardhan said, “The makeshift hospital solution is designed to provide primary healthcare facilities with safety and security in a comfortable living environment and has a long life span of up to 20 years”.

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MHA asks States to allow unhindered movement of persons and goods and services during Unlock-3

The Centre has asked the States that there should be no restrictions imposed on inter-State and intra-State movement of persons and goods and services during the present prevailing Unlock-3 guidelines. In a communication to Chief Secretaries of all States on Saturday, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) states that it has been reported that local level restrictions on movement are being imposed by various districts/States. Such restrictions are creating problems in inter-State movement of goods and services and are impacting the supply chain, resulting in disruption of economic activities and employment, besides affecting supply of goods and services. The MHA has said such restrictions at local level imposed by District Administrations or by States, amount to violation of the guidelines issued by the MHA under the provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005. Drawing attention to the MHA’s Order dated July 29, 2020 specifying Guidelines for Unlock-3, the communication reiterates that there shall be no restriction on inter-State and Intra-State movement of persons and goods. No separate permission/ approval/ e-permit will be required for such movements. This includes movement of persons and goods for cross land border trade under Treaties with neighbouring countries.

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Validity of Motor Vehicle documents extended till December this year

Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has decided to extend the validity of Fitness, Permits, Licenses, Registration or other documents under Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989 till the 31st of December 2020. The Ministry had earlier issued advisories on 30th March and 9th June this year regarding extension of validity of the that the validity of Fitness, Permit (all types), License, Registration or any other concerned document(s) may be treated to be valid till 30th of September 2020. Taking into consideration the situation still continuing due to conditions for prevention of spread of COVID-19 across the country, it has further advised that the validity of all of the above referred documents whose extension of validity could not or not likely be granted due to lock-down and which had expired since 1st of Feb, 2020 or would expire by 31st Dec 2020, the same may be treated to be valid till 31st of December 2020.

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Ministry of I&B releases SOP for Media Production

Media Production is a major economic activity that has contributed immensely to the GDP of our country. Given the current COVID – 19 Pandemic, it is crucial that various stake holders involved in activities of Media Production take suitable measures to restrict the transmission of the pandemic, while at the same time resuming/conducting their operations and activities. The Ministry of I &B, in consultation with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, has prepared the Guiding Principles and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on preventive measures for Media Production, released yesterday by Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shri Prakash Javadekar in New Delhi. The highlights of the guiding principles include the general principles which have been given by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare including inter alia non-essential activities not allowed in the containment zone in COVID-19, employees with high risk to take extra precautions, as also use of face covers/masks, frequent hand washing, provision of hand sanitizers etc. and respiratory etiquettes specifically with regard to the Media Production. Releasing the guidelines Union Minister Shri Prakash Javadekar said “the SOP follows international norms. This will help give a fillip to the industry which has been affected due to coronavirus for close to 6 months now and people will welcome this move by the Ministry.”

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Clarification on SOP for media production released on 23rd August, 2020

It is hereby clarified that the ‘ Guiding Principles and SOP on preventive measures for Media Production to contain spread of COVID-19’ released by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, on 23^rd August, 2020, is applicable to all media production including shooting of films, television production, web series and all forms of content creation in the electronic and film medium.

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Shri Piyush Goyal reviews the progress of Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation India Limited

Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry, today reviewed the progress of Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation India Limited (DFCCIL). During the meeting, the senior officials informed the current status of the project. It is expected that Western Corridor connecting Dadri in Utttar Pradesh to Jawaharlal Nehru Port in Mumbai and Eastern Corridor starting from Sahnewal near Ludhiana (Punjab) to terminate at Dankuni in West Bengal shall be completed by December, 2021. Shri Goyal directed the DFFCIL management team to necessary steps to speed up the project to compensate the loss of time due to lockdown during COVID. He also advised the officials to identify the most challenging area and come up with solution in a mission mode.

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Indian Railways generates more than 6,40,000 mandays of work till 21 August 2020 under Gareeb Kalyan Rozgar Abhiyan

Indian Railways has generated more than 6,40,000 mandays of work under Gareeb Kalyan Rozgar Abhiyan in 6 States viz. Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Railways is closely monitoring the progress made in these projects and generation of work opportunities for the migrant labourers of these states under this scheme. Around 165 Railway infrastructure projects are being executed in these states. Till 21 August, 2020, 12,276 workers have been engaged in this Abhiyaan and the payment of Rs 1,410.35 crores has been released to the contractors for the projects being implemented. Railway has appointed nodal officers in each district as well as in the States so that a close coordination is established with the State Government. Railway has identified no. of railway works which are being executed under this scheme.

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Department of Food & Public Distribution issues directions to States/UTs to include all eligible disabled persons under the National Food Security Act

Department of Food and Public Distribution has sent letters to States Governments/UTs to include all eligible disabled persons under the National Food Security Act 2013. Section 38 of the Act mandates that the Central Government may from time to time give directions to the State Governments for effective implementation if the provisions of the Act. The Department advised all States/UTs to ensure that all disabled persons, who are eligible as per identification criteria of beneficiaries under NFSA, are covered under the National Food Security Act 2013 and they get their entitled quota of food grains under NFSA & PMGKAY as per provisions of the Act. It is stated that those not already covered should be covered with fresh ration cards to be issued as per the eligibility criteria. It is also reiterated that disability is one of the criteria for inclusion of beneficiaries under AAY households and as disabled persons are vulnerable section of the society. The letter further advised that it is imperative that they are also covered by States/UTs under the priority households as per the criteria of identification evolved by them.

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INPUTS FROM PIB FIELD OFFICES

• Kerala: Seven Covid deaths have been reported in the state till noon today taking the death toll to 230. The spread of the virus is rampant in at least four districts including the capital. Meanwhile, the one-day state assembly session which has been convened adhering to strict Covid-19 protocols is now discussing the no-confidence motion brought by the Opposition against the LDF government. In the antigen tests conducted prior to the commencement of the assembly session, the personal assistant of a Congress MLA and an assembly staff were tested positive for Covid-19. As many as 1,908 cases of Covid-19 cases were confirmed in the State yesterday. 20,330 patients are currently undergoing treatment and 1,82,525 people are under observation in various districts.
• Tamil Nadu:  TN Health Minister C Vijayabaskar said that in two weeks, the government would launch an automated system so that the people in the State could receive Covid-19 test results through SMS. Tamil Nadu sticks with e-passes whereas Puducherry abolishes e-pass requirement. TN Health Minister said that Centre’s decision asking States not to impose restrictions inter- and intra-State movement would pose a challenge to Covid-19 management work. 5975 new cases, 6047 recoveries & 97 deaths were reported yesterday in TN. Total cases: 3,79,385; Active cases: 53,541; Deaths: 6517; Discharges: 3,19,327; Active cases in Chennai: 13,223.
• Karnataka: State government lays down norms for plasma therapy. People who have recovered from covid and wish to donate plasma should be in the 28 to 60 age group; donors must weigh over 50 Kg etc are some of eligibility criteria. A total of 5938 new covid cases detected on Sunday with the State recording a recovery rate of 68.23%.  4996 discharges & 68 deaths were also reported yesterday in the State. Total cases: 2,77,814;  Active cases: 83,551; Deaths: 4683; Discharges: 1,89,564.
• Andhra Pradesh: State Education Minister Adimulapu Suresh tested positive for coronavirus. Seeking fulfilment of their demands junior doctors have threatened to boycott emergency services in the state from tomorrow. East Godavari with 49,245 positive cases continue to be the most-affected district by registering over 2,500 infections in the last two days even as the overall cases were approaching the 50,000-mark. 7895 new cases, 7449 discharges and 93 deaths were reported yesterday. Total cases: 3,53,111; Active cases: 89,742; Discharges: 2,60,087; Deaths: 3282.
• Telangana: 1842 new cases, 1825 recoveries &  06 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours in the State; out of 1842 cases,  373 cases reported from GHMC. Total cases: 1,06,091; Active cases: 22,919; Deaths: 761; Discharges: 82,411. The State's first plasma bank for Covid-19 was launched on Sunday by Union Minister of State for Home, G Kishan Reddy in Hyderabad.
• Assam: In Assam, 1272 more people tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday with a positivity rate of 6.89%. A total of 3259 patients also discharged. Total discharged patients 70900, active patients 19595 and total death 242.
• Manipur: In Manipur, 114 more people have tested COVID-19 positive, 161 recovered, total active cases 1608 and recovery rate is 69 percent.
• Meghalaya: In Meghalaya, total active cases 1133 and total recovered 776.
• Mizoram: In Mizoram, 3 villages (Bukpui, Meidum & Saipum) in Kolasib district are under lockdown after a COVID-19 positive was detected from each of the 3 villages.
• Nagaland: In Nagaland, Civil Society Organizations of Peren district demands replacement of COVID-19 District in charge Temjen Imna Long, Minister Hr. & Tech Education citing inefficiency in handling pandemic in district.  In Nagaland, two days total lockdown imposed in Tuensang district from today. District administration's move followed detection of 2 COVID-19 positive cases at Main Bazar, Tuensang town on Aug 22.
• Sikkim: In Sikkim, 43 more people tested positive for COVID-19, active cases 509 and discharged 934.
• Maharashtra:  A pilot project of Vocal Testing for the detection of CoronaVirus infection has begun at Nesco Jumbo Covid Centre in Mumbai. Voice samples of suspected patients are being collected to detect the Covid infection with the help of artificial intelligence. However, the ongoing RT-PCR tests will continue as usual in Mumbai.
• Gujarat:  In Gujarat, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has decided to gradually de-notify the private hospitals as designated Covid-19 hospital following significant drop in new cases. After decrease in new cases and number of deaths, the ratio of positive cases also came down from earlier 35 per cent to just 2.5 per cent.
• Rajasthan: The state has reported 10,000 new cases in a span of only 6 days, even as the total number of reported cases has crossed the 70,000 mark. Earlier, it had taken 9 days to reach 60 thousand mark from 50 thousand. The death toll in the state has reached
• Madhya Pradesh: Madhya Pradesh on Sunday recorded its highest single-day spike of 1,263 new COVID-19 cases, taking the total count to 53,129. At 194, Indore reported the highest number of new cases in the state in the day, followed by 161 cases in Bhopal, and 118 cases each in Gwalior and Jabalpur.

FACT CHECK

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