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

India’s Total Recoveries continue to rise, cross 32.5 lakh today; 5 States contribute 60% of total cases, 62% of active cases and 70% of total fatality reported in India

India’s total recovered cases have crossed 32.5 lakh today, with 69,564 patients being discharged in the last 24 hours. This has resulted in the Recovery Rate touching 77.31%. Case Fatality Rate has declined which stands at a new low of 1.70% today. Five States are contributing 60% of total cases with Maharashtra at the top with 21.6%, followed by Andhra Pradesh (11.8%), Tamil Nadu (11.0%), Karnataka (9.5%) and Uttar Pradesh at 6.3%. Maharashtra also contributed 26.76% of the active cases in the country, followed by Andhra Pradesh (11.30%), Karnataka (11.25%),Uttar Pradesh (6.98%) and Tamil Nadu (5.83%). These 5 States presently contribute 62% of total active cases. The total number of recoveries stands more than 32.5 lakh (32,50,429) today. In the last 24 hours, Andhra Pradesh recorded the highest recoveries with 11,915 newly recovered cases. Karnataka and Maharashtra saw 9575 and 7826 recoveries while Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh witnesses 5820 and 4779 new recoveries, respectively. These 5 States together contributed 57% of the recoveries in the last 24 hours.

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State/UT data on new additions, recoveries and reported deaths

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Health Ministry rushes Central teams to Punjab and Chandigarh to be stationed for 10 days; Central teams to assist States/UT in review of public health measures for Containment, Surveillance, Testing and efficient Clinical

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has decided to deploy Central teams to Punjab and UT of Chandigarh. The high level teams will assist the State/UT in strengthening public health measures for containment, surveillance, testing and efficient clinical management of COVID patients with the aim to reduce mortality and save lives. They shall also guide the State/UT in effectively addressing the challenges related to timely diagnosis and follow up. The two-member teams will comprise of a Community Medicine expert from PGIMER, Chandigarh and an epidemiologist from NCDC. These teams shall be stationed in the State/UT for ten days to provide extended guidance in managing COVID. Punjab has reported a total of 60,013 cases, whereas it has 15,731Active Cases, on date. It has registered 1739 deaths. The Testing per Million figure for the State is 37546 (India’s average figure is 34593.1 at present). With 4.97%, it hovers at the lower spectrum of cumulative positivity. The UT of Chandigarh is reporting 2095 active cases whereas its cumulative cases stand at 5268. Testing Per Million and cumulative positivity stand at 38054 and 11.99%, respectively.

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Union Health Secretary engages with Health Secretaries of 6 States/UT exhibiting high surge, caseload and fatality

Union Health Secretary held a review meeting through video conference with the Health Secretaries of 5 States and 1 UT on the containment and management of COVID in 35 districts under their jurisdiction. These 35 districts comprise Kolkata, Howrah, North 24 Parganas and 24 South Parganas in West Bengal; Pune, Nagpur, Thane, Mumbai, Mumbai Suburban, Kolhapur, Sangli, Nashik, Ahmednagar, Raigad, Jalgaon, Solapur, Satara, Palghar, Aurangabad, Dhule and Nanded in Maharashtra; Surat in Gujarat; Pondicherry in Puducherry; East Singhbhum in Jharkhand; and all 11 districts in Delhi. Addressing the participants, the Union Secretary underscored the need to suppress, curb and eventually break the chain of transmission of the infectious disease by strengthening the active case search focusing on the co-morbids and elderly population; revisiting and strengthening the containment measures in the affected areas; and scaling up the testing to decrease the positivity rates below 5%. The State Health Secretaries presented a detailed analysis on the current status of Covid-19 in these districts. They also discussed the detailed roadmaps and action plans for the next one month. The States/UT were advised to take steps on specific areas e.g. limiting the spread of the infection by implementing stringent containment measures and following social distancing measures, strict perimeter control, and active house-to-house case search, early identification by ramping up testing across the districts, optional utilization of RT-PCR testing capacity etc.

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Uttar Pradesh establishes Integrated COVID Control & Command Centre, and a Unified State COVID Portal

The government of Uttar Pradesh has taken various initiatives in this direction. On 18th July 2020, the UP government established the Integrated COVID Control & Command Centres (ICCCC) in all districts as well as the State headquarter with representation of all relevant departments to address the rising number of positive cases. These centres are primarily for ensuring effective coordination among relevant departments for Non Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs). They also facilitate prompt referral of COVID-19 patients to the appropriate level of dedicated COVID facilities. The Command centres coordinate with zonal units to ensure prompt testing of symptomatic patients and contacts, intimation of laboratory status, facilitation of transport and facility allocation in case of admission, and regular follow up of cases under home isolation. Uttar Pradesh has also developed a Unified State COVID Portal: http://upcovid19tracks.in which captures all information related to surveillance, testing and treatment of COVID patients. This portal has also benefitted through interoperability with the Govt of India portal. The State Government has also procured 1000 High Flow Nasal Canula (HFNCs) from the State funds. 500 of these have been installed and are being utilized for non-invasive management of patients in the State.

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Government of India expands the support to Artisans manifold, for making Agarbatti, to make India Aatm- Nirbhar

Taking a holistic approach and looking to the enhanced interest of the stakeholders, Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises further expanded the reach and support to Artisans, involved in Agarbatti making, and to the Agarbatti Industry, by issuing new guidelines on 4th September, 2020. Under the expanded program announced on 4th September, 400 Automatic Agarbatti making machines as against 200 earlier, and additional 500 Pedal operated Machines will be given to ‘Self Help Groups (SHGs)’ and individuals through 20 pilot projects, across the country with proper marketing and raw material supply tie ups. The program will immediately benefit about 1500 artisans, in providing sustainable employment with increased earnings. Artisans developing hand rolled Agarbatti and ‘Migrant workers’ will be given preference as part of the program. Now, to make India Aatm- Nirbhar in this sector, the total size of the program, has been increased to more than Rs 55 Cr, which will include immediate support to about 1500 artisans of about Rs 3.45 Cr, development of two centers of Excellence costing at Rs 2.20 Cr at IITs/NITs and at FFDC Kannauj and setting up of 10 new SFURTI clusters at a cost of about Rs 50 Crs, benefitting about 5000 additional artisans.

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Despite the testing time of COVID lock down, BPPI clocked appreciable sales turnover of Rs. 146.59 crore in the first quarter of 2020-21 as compared to Rs. 75.48 crore in the first quarter of 2019-20

Despite the testing time of COVID lock down Bureau Of Pharma PSUs Of India , BPPI the implementing agency of Pradhanmantri Janaushadhi  Pariyojana-PMBJP clocked appreciable sales turnover of Rs. 146.59 crore in the first quarter of 2020-21 and testing times as compared to Rs. 75.48 crore achieved in the first quarter of 2019-20. In the month of July, 2020, BPPI have added a sales of Rs. 48.66 Cr. The total sales up to 31st July, 2020 stood at Rs. 191.90 Crore. The Janaushadhi Kendras remained functional during lockdown and maintained operations as part of their commitment to ensure uninterrupted availability of essential medicines.

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Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot launches ‘24x7 toll-free Mental Health Rehabilitation Helpline KIRAN-(1800-599-0019)

The 24x7 Toll-Free Mental Health Rehabilitation Helpline “KIRAN” (1800-500-0019) was launched by Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment today to provide relief and support to persons with Mental Illness. DEPwD, M/o Social Justice & Empowerment launched it in view of the growing incidence of Mental Illness, particularly in the wake of COVID-19 Pandemic. Shri Gehlot also released the poster, brochure and resource book on helpline. Addressing on the occasion, Shri Gehlot said that the Kiran helpline will offer mental health rehabilitation services with the objective of early screening, first-aid, psychological support, distress management, mental wellbeing, promoting positive behaviours, psychological crisis management etc. It aims at serving people experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, panic attacks, adjustment disorders, post-traumatic stress disorders, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts, pandemic induced psychological issues & mental health emergencies. It will function as a lifeline to provide 1^st stage advice, counseling and reference in 13 languages to individuals, families, NGOs, Parent Associations, Professional Associations, Rehabilitation Institutes, Hospitals or anyone in need of support across the country.

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INPUTS FROM PIB FIELD OFFICES

• Chandigarh: The Administrator, UT Chandigarh, appealed to the citizens, Market Associations, Volunteers and Municipal Councillors to advise people to immediately approach the Administration for medical help in case of initial covid symptoms.  Adequate beds, medicines and facilities are available for treatment of corona patients.
• Punjab: To encourage testing for COVID, Punjab Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh announced distribution of free food packets to poor families who do not want to get themselves tested for fear of isolation impacting their meagre earnings. He also said that there is no shortage of beds in the hospitals and Punjab Government has made all the necessary arrangements in advance to combat Covid19.
• Arunachal Pradesh: In Arunachal Pradesh, 86 new COVID-19 positive cases detected. Currently, there are 1,520 positive cases in the state.
• Assam: In Assam, 1,763 patients were discharged yesterday taking total discharged patients to 96,823 & active patients are 28,273, Assam Health Minister tweeted.
• Manipur: The state of Manipur has recorded 2 more deaths due to COVID-19 & 139 more persons test COVID-19 positive. There were 189 recoveries with 72 per cent recovery rate. There are total 1,820 active cases.
• Meghalaya: In Meghalaya, total COVID-19 active cases are 1,433, total BSF and Armed Forces cases are 314, total others are 1,119 while total recovered are 1,556.
• Mizoram: 21 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Mizoram yesterday. Total cases 1,114, active cases 382.
• Nagaland: Of Nagaland's 4,178 confirmed cases, security forces account for 1,786 cases & returnees 1,296. Currently, 773 persons are in Govt. quarantine.                    More areas sealed in Kohima following detection of new cases. Sealed areas include prime locations including houses in Officers Hill, Potterlane, Chandmari colonies, SIB Guest House etc.
• Sikkim: With one more death report, total casualty stands at 6 in Sikkim; cured & discharged 1,380, active cases 554 & new cases 29.
• Kerala: Metro service in the state was resumed as part of Unlock4. Meanwhile Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the final stretch of Kochi Metro 1st phase via video conferencing. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri delivered the Presidential address during the inaugural function. A health inspector who molested a woman, who approached him seeking a Covid negative certificate after her quarantine period ended, was arrested in Thiruvananthapuram today. Meanwhile, Police will file a plea seeking custody of the ambulance driver who was booked for molesting a Covid-19 patient inside an ambulance in Aranmula on Saturday night. Covid-19 was confirmed in 3,082 persons in Kerala yesterday. At present there are 22,676 patients undergoing treatment and a total of 2,00,296 people are under observation in various districts. The death toll so far is 347.
• Tamil Nadu: In Puducherry, 292 persons tested positive for Covid-19 and 11 died in the last 24 hours ending at 10 AM. So far, 17316 persons have been infected by the virus in the UT of which 12135 were treated and discharged and 280 died leaving 4865 active cases. Bus, train services resume between districts across Tamil Nadu; safety arrangements have been made at railway stations and bus termini, officials said. Covid-19 norms violated across Tamil Nadu on lockdown-free Sunday; many throng public places without wearing masks.
• Karnataka: Metro train services resumed in Bengaluru today after gap of over 150 days; very few passengers were seen even during peak hours. After five months of corona crisis, tourism sector is picking-up in the State. Several govt. employees hit hard by salary delays, reports media; while the delay in payment is not entirely new, an official said it has been more severe amidst the pandemic. As many as 9,319 new Covid-19 cases were reported in Karnataka on Sunday. With this, the total number of positive cases stands at 3.98 lakh in the State.
• Andhra Pradesh:  State on Monday released Unlock 4.0 guidelines in line with the Central government regulations. The government has issued permission to run schools for classes 9 and 10 and Intermediate from September 21. However, the government has made the written consent of parents mandatory.  Government has also allowed skill development centers to open. However, it has recommended to hold social, educational, sports, religious and political meetings with a participation not exceeding 100 people and decided to allow 50 people for weddings and 20 for funeral service from Sept 20.  Open air theatres were allowed to function from Sept 21, but cinema halls, swimming pools and entertainment parks were denied permission. High recoveries for the third straight day ensured that the active cases fall below one lakh mark in the state. Whereas, the aggregate Covid-19 cases in the State is now just short of the five-lakh mark.
• Telangana: 1802 new cases & 09 deaths reported in the last 24 hours; out of 1802 cases, 245 cases reported from GHMC. Total cases: 1,42,771; Active cases: 31,635; Deaths: 897; Discharges: 1,10,241. As many as 2,711 persons have recovered by Sunday, pushing the overall Covid-19 recoveries in the State to 1,10,241 with a recovery rate of 77.2 percent while the countrywide recovery rate is at 77.25 per cent. Over five months after they were suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic, metro rail services have resumed in the city with protective measures.
• Maharashtra:  The number of active Covid-19 cases in Maharashtra has been rising steadily. With 126,523 cases and 2,205 fatalities reported in the last seven days, the state now has 235,857 active patients, more than a fourth cases in the country.  Meanwhile, to prevent deaths due to corona across Maharashtra, the state health department is mulling over the expansion of its Tele-ICU project. A tele-ICU setup consists of a critical care team which uses IT and communication tech to guide doctors treating patients in rural areas and inaccessible hospitals. It is expected to make up for the shortage in medical specialists across Maharashtra, provide treatment to critically ill patients and reduce mortality,
• Gujarat: The State Chief Minister Vijay Rupani today flagged off five Covid Vijay Raths to promote awareness creation among masses.  The project is being implemented by the Government of Gujarat Health Department and Ministry of I&B Media Unites in Gujarat in collaboration with UNICEF.  Gujarat has 16,475 active cases as on date.
• Rajasthan: All the religious places in Rajasthan, including those in urban areas reopened today.  However, devotees are not allowed to bring flowers, fruits and sweets.  Maintenance of safe distancing and wearing of masks have been made mandatory. There are 14,958 active Covid cases in Gujarat.
• Madhya Pradesh: In one of its kinds of initiative, Netaji Subhash Chandra  Bose Medical College and Hospital in Jabalpur in the state has established live interaction with families to curb depression and suicidal tendencies among COVID-19 patients. The experiment began after two coronavirus positive patients tried to kill themselves at the hospital. Dean Dr PK Kasar informed that a glass partition that separates patients from kin is in place for the interaction. Already, more than ten patients have talked to their families. Currently, 260 people are undergoing treatment for the infection in the hospital.

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