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

Updates on Covid-19 from Ministry of Health and Family Welfare:Total recoveries leap up to 7.2 lakh; National Recovery Rate improves to 62.72%; Case Fatality continues to dip further to 2.43%

24,491 COVID-19 patients have recovered during the last 24 hours. This has pushed the cumulative figure of recovered cases among COVID-19 patients to 7,24,577, as on date. The recovery rate has further improved to 62.72%. India continues to have one of the lowest Case Fatality Rates, at 2.43%, which is consistently falling.The gap between the number of recovered cases and active cases has increased to 3,22,048 at present. Presently, there are 4,02,529 active cases and all are under medical supervision.In the last 24 hours, 3,33,395 samples were tested. Cumulatively 1,43,81,303 samples have been tested in the country. This has been possible through ever expanding diagnostic lab network of 1274 labs.

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19 States/UTs conducting more than 140 tests/day/million, as advised by WHO; India currently has 8.07% Positivity Rate; 30 State/UTs have lower Positivity Rate than India average

The national average of tests/day/million has substantially jumped to 180, as on date.WHO in its Guidance Note on “Public Health Criteria to Adjust Public Health and Social Measures in the Context of COVID-19” has advised comprehensive surveillance for suspected COVID19 cases. WHO has advised that a country needs 140 tests/day/million population.There are currently 19 State/UTs which are conducting more than 140 tests per day per million. The State of Goa is testing highest at 1333 tests per day per million.

In tandem with increased testing, the Confirmation Rate or Positivity Rate for India is continuously reducing and currently stands at 8.07%. There are 30 State/UTs in India which have lower Positivity Rate than the India average.

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Sero-prevalence study conducted by National Center for Disease Control (NCDC), MoHFW, in Delhi in June 2020

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare commissioned a sero-surveillance study in Delhi.This study has been done by the National Center for Disease Control in collaboration with DelhiGovt, following a rigorous multi-stage sampling study design. Study was conducted from 27th of June 2020 to 10th July 2020. For all the 11 districts of Delhi, survey teams were formed. Blood samples were collected from selected individuals after taking written informed consent and then their sera were tested for IgG antibodies and infection. It is one of the largest sero-prevalence studies conducted in the country using the ELISA testing. 21,387 samples were collected as per lab standards and were tested. The test performed is not a diagnostic test but only provides information about past infection due to SARSCoV-2 in individuals who test positive.The results of the sero-prevalence study show that on an average, across Delhi, the prevalence of IgG antibodies is 23.48 %. The study also indicates that a large number of infected persons remain asymptomatic.

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HRD Minister launches MANODARPAN initiative of Ministry of HRD to provide psychosocial support to students for their Mental Health and Well-being

Union HRD Minister, Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ launched the MANODARPAN initiative to provide psychosocial support to students for their Mental Health and Well-beingtoday.Speaking on the occasion, Shri Nishanksaid that COVID -19 is understandably a challenging time for everyone around the world. He informed that the HRD Ministry has felt that while it is important to focus on continuing education on the academic front, the mental well-being of the students also needs to be given equal importance. So, Ministry has taken an initiative, named, ‘MANODARPAN’ covering a wide range of activities to provide Psychosocial Support to students for their Mental Health & Well-being during the COVID outbreak and beyond. He further informed that a Working Group, having experts from the fields of education, mental health and psychosocial issues as its members, has been set up to monitor and promote the mental health issues and concerns of students and to facilitate providing of support to address the mental health and psychosocial aspects during and after COVID-19 lockdown, through counselling services, online resources and helpline.

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PM to deliver keynote address at India Ideas Summit on 22 July

Prime Minister Shri NarendraModi will deliver the keynote address at the India Ideas Summit on 22 July. The Summit is being hosted by the US-India Business Council. This year marks the 45th anniversary of the formation of the Council. The theme for this year’s India Ideas Summit is ‘Building a Better Future’. The virtual Summit will feature high-level presence from Indian and US government policymakers, state-level officials, and thought leaders from business and society. The Summit will witness discussions on areas including India-US cooperation and future of the relation between the two counties in a post pandemic world.

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Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports partners with UNICEF to strengthen resolve to mobilise 1 crore youth volunteers to achieve goals of Aatmanirbhar Bharat
In a step to realise the vision of Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Shri KirenRijiju to mobilise 1 crore youth volunteers in India and contribute to Prime Minister’s call for Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports signed a Statement of Intent with YuWaah (a multi-stakeholder platform formed by the UNICEF) to work in partnership to promote volunteerism among the youth of India as well as to help them transition from education and learning to productive work, skilling and being active citizens. Speaking about the importance of the partnership, Shri KirenRijiju said that this partnership is very appropriate in these challenging times and will give a strong focus to our existing policies. He said India being such a young country with a huge population, the contribution of the youth in any sphere can make a huge difference, not just in India but at the global platform.

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India’s first of its kind public EV Charging Plaza inaugurated by Union Power Minister

With a focus on enhancing energy efficiency and promoting e-mobility, Shri R.K Singh, the Minister for Power, New & Renewable Energy, inaugurated India’s first publicEV(Electric Vehicle) charging plaza at Chelmsford Club yesterday. Speaking on the occasion Shri Singh said, “The EV charging plaza is a new avenue for making e-mobility ubiquitous and convenient in India. Such innovative initiatives are imperative for the creation of a robust e-mobility ecosystem in the country.’’ The Minister also launched “Retrofit of Air-conditioning to improve Indoor Air Quality for Safety and Efficiency” (RAISE) national programme. At the launch, Shri Singh stated that RAISE initiative can potentially alleviate the issue of bad air quality in work spaces across the nation and pioneer ways to make them healthier and greener. He said poor air quality has been a concern in India for quite some time and has become more important in light of the COVID pandemic. As people return to their offices and public spaces, maintaining good indoor air quality is essential for occupant comfort, well-being, productivity and the overall public health.

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INPUTS FROM PIB FIELD OFFICES

• Chandigarh: The Administrator, UT Chandigarh, has stated that there should be more strictness in checking, mask wearing and social distancing among people in public places, such as parks, Sukhna Lake, markets etc. He directed the Director General of Police to conduct more flag marches in various colonies and sectors to create awareness among people regarding precautions to be taken against covid.  He also directed that security in various hospitals should be tightened, so that the health workers feel fear-free. The Administrator directed that several IEC activities should be carried out by various departments to make people aware about the danger of COVID and the healthy hygiene practices needed to be taken.
• Punjab: The State Prisons Department has chalked out a three-pronged strategy to effectively combat the COVID-19 situation in the prisons across the state. The strategy comprises Prevention, Screening & Identification and Treatment & Mitigation. A state level monitoring team and district level monitoring teams have already been constituted to monitor the situation and address the problems being faced by the staff as well as prisoners in day-to-day functioning at the ground level.
• Haryana: Haryana Health MinisterMr. Anil Vij said that the recovery rate of COVID-19 in the State is about 75% and it takes 22-23 days for cases to double. Considering these figures, there is no sign of community transmission in the State, he added. He said that the vaccine made by Bharat Biotech has conducted human trials at PanditBhagwatDayal Sharma Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak, which is likely to yield positive results. He said that about 70 people have registered for the vaccine on their own will. As stated, no side effects were observed in the people due to the drug trial, which is a major achievement for the State Government and Health Department.
• Himachal Pradesh: The State Cabinet has approved replacement of 38 ambulances under National Ambulance Service-108 in the State in lieu of ambulances which have outlived their economical life, as the 108 ambulances have become the lifeline of health system in the State. The Cabinet has also decided to increase the bus fare in the State, keeping the fund crunch due to Covid-19 pandemic. There would be increase of 25% in the present per kilometer tariffs for all travel beyond three kilometers for hilly and plain areas.
• Kerala:  A 75-year-old Idukki native succumbed to Covid-19 today taking the death toll in the state to 44. Meanwhile, the General Education department has informed that a decision on reopening of schools in the state will be taken after evaluating the Covid situation in August. 18 nuns of a provincial house in Aluva, have tested positive for Covid-19. They had been in the contact list of a nun who died of Covid recently. As uncertainty continues over treatment of Covid patients in private hospitals, Health Minister K.K. Shylaja says the issue will be resolved within a couple of days. Yesterday 794 new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed in the state of which 519 people were contact cases, with 24 with unknown sources. Currently 7,611 people are undergoing treatment and 1.65 lakh people under surveillance in various districts.
• Tamil Nadu: 68-year-old man succumbs as death toll rises to 30 in Puducherry; 91 new cases reported on Tuesday taking the tally in the UT to 2179. School managements welcomed the Madras High Court order allowing them to collect 75 per cent of fee for the 2020-21 academic year. 81 per cent patients have recovered from Covid-19 in Chennai as recovery numbers cross 70,000. With 1298 fresh cases yesterday, the city’s total active cases now stand at 15,127 which is 17% of the total 87,235 positive cases in the city. 4985 new cases & 70 deaths reported yesterday. Total cases: 1,75,678; Active cases: 51,348; Deaths: 2551;  Active cases in Chennai: 15,127.
• Karnataka: One week lockdown in Bangalore urban and Bangalore rural will come to an end by tomorrow morning 5am. Meanwhile state government has decided not to extend lockdown. Highcourt of Karnataka directed the State to reduce delay in swab test results, as time gap getting laboratory report and spread of the virus are directly connected. BBMP constitutes new task force to control Covid spread. Allegations and counter allegations continue over irregularities in purchasing medical equipment to contain Covid. 3648 new cases & 72 deaths reported yesterday; 1452 cases in Bangalore city. Total reported cases: 67,420; Active cases: 42,216; Deaths:1403.
• Andhra Pradesh:State issues orders imposing restrictions on the charges levied by private hospitals for the treatment of Covid patients and the use of emergency expensive drugs. Nine coronavirus cases were reported from State Assembly in Velagapudi in Guntur district. Guntur Rural SP warned of criminal cases against violators of Covid-19 guidelines. TTD stops time slot tokens for darshans from today amid coronavirus cases. Entire Tirupati town has been declared a containment zone till August 5. 4074 new cases and 54 deaths reported yesterday. Total cases: 53,724; Active cases: 28,800; Deaths: 696.
• Telangana: State’s recovery rate has improved to 72 per cent, while the death rate is less than one per cent, government data shows. Shopkeepers announced a voluntary lockdown in some Telangana districts in view of the virus spread. 1198 new cases & 07 deaths reported yesterday; out of 1198 cases, 510 cases reported from GHMC. Total cases: 46,274; Active cases: 11,530; Deaths: 422.
• Maharashtra: The Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) crossed 2 lakh Covid-19 cases on Monday, setting another grim milestone for the state that now has an overall caseload of 3,18,695. While Mumbai accounted for a little over one lakh cases, the other one lakh has come from Thane, Navi Mumbai, Palghar and Raigad that continue to add to the case tally in significant numbers.Human trials for the Oxford vaccine candidate in India are set to start in August this year. The Pune-based Serum Institute of India will mass produce the vaccine developed by Oxford University’s Jenner Institute and AstraZeneca under a manufacturing partnership.
• Gujarat: The Gujarat government has doubled the number of Covid-19 tests it is conducting ever since a central team from New Delhi arrived in the state last week. Gujarat’s mortality rate of 4.5 per cent easily eclipses the national average of 2.5 per cent while the state has recorded a total of 49,353 cases, of which 11,513 are active cases.
• Rajasthan: Rajasthan has generated the highest employment in the first month of the Centre’s flagship PM GaribKalyanRozgarYojana scheme for migrant workers who have returned home in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. The state has generated 4.1 crore persondays of employment, according to official data.
• Chhatisgarh: A seven-day fresh lockdown restrictions will be imposed in Raipur and Birgaon Municipal Corporation areas from midnight following a spike in coronavirus disease (Covid-19) positive cases for the past month.All government, semi government and private offices will remain closed during the re-imposition of lockdown restrictions. The public transport service will remain off the roads as well. In Bilaspur, Korba and Durg, lockdown will come into force from Thursday.
• Arunachal Pradesh: State Covid Nodal officer Dr Jampa said that 1.5 lakh Rapid diagnostic test (RDT)-COVID19 Antigen kits available for Covid tests in state. Out of this, one lakh test kits reached on Monday. These will soon be distributed to all districts.
• Assam: The CM of Assam, Shri SarbanandaSonowal inspected the flood scenario in Bongaigaon district and met flood hit people.
• Manipur: The CM of Manipur Shri N Biren Singh congratulates frontline warriors of Noney, Pherzawl and Tengnoupal district on achieving 100% recovery rate of COVID-19 patients today. All main markets and religious places in Thoubal district of Manipur closed with immediate effect from today.
• Mizoram: Rs. 1.18 crore have been sanctioned from Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to purchase TruelabQuottroRealtime Quantitative Micro PCR Machine (Truenat) for 10 (ten) District Hospitals.
• Nagaland: In Nagaland, 9 new positive cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed. 6 in Dimapur, 2 in Mon and  1 in Peren.The total Covid-19  positive cases in Nagaland stands at  1030 with 546  active cases and 484 recoveries.

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YB