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

India on a steady trajectory of dipping %Active Cases, Active caseload only 13.75% of Total Positive Cases, 74% of the New Recovered Cases concentrated in 10 States/UTs, New Recoveries exceed the new Confirmed Cases in 25 States/UTs

India continues to report a trend of steadily declining active cases as a percentage of the total positive cases.Presently the active cases comprise merely 13.75% of the total positive cases of the country standing at 9,19,023.The declining trend of the percentage active cases is commensurately supported by rising percentage of recovered cases.The total recovered cases stand at 56,62,490. The gap between Recovered cases and Active cases has crossed 47 lakh (47,43,467).With increasing number of recoveries, this gap is continuously widening.Higher number of recoveries has aided the national Recovery Rate to further improve to 84.70%. 75,787 have recovered and discharged in the last 24 hours whereas the new confirmed cases stand at 61,267.The new recoveries have exceeded the new confirmed cases in 25 States/UTs.74% of the new recovered cases are observed to be concentrated in 10 States/UTs viz. Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Delhi, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal.Maharashtra alone has contributed the maximum with nearly 13,000 single day recovery.61,267 new confirmed cases were recorded in last 24 hours.75% of the new cases are from 10 States and UTs. Maharashtra continues to be the State reporting a very high number of new cases with more than 10,000 cases followed by Karnataka with more than 7,000 cases.884 case fatalities have been reported in the past 24 hours.Of these, nearly 80% are concentrated in ten State/UTs of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Delhi and Madhya Pradesh.More than 29% of new fatalities reported are from Maharashtra (263 deaths).

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Dr. Harsh Vardhan releases National Clinical Management Protocol based on Ayurveda and Yoga for management of COVID-19

Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare today released National Clinical Management Protocol based on Ayurveda and Yoga for management of COVID-19 in the virtual presence of Sh. Shripad Yesso Naik, Minister of State for AYUSH (Independent Charge). Dr. Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog and Dr. V. K. Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog also joined virtually. An Interdisciplinary Committee for integration of Ayurveda and Yoga Interventions in the 'National Clinical Management Protocol: COVID-19’, chaired by Dr V M Katoch, former Director General ICMR and a group of experts with domain knowledge had formulated the report and submitted recommendations based on acceptable experimental and clinical data. Hailing the achievement on the part of Ministry of AYUSH that the advisories for boosting the immunity of the people have become highly popular, Dr. Harsh Vardhan noted, “Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi ji has emphasized following AYUSH advisories for management of COVID-19 crisis. This protocol dealing with preventive and prophylactic measures is a significant step in not only in management of COVID but also in making traditional knowledge relevant to solving problems of the modern time”. He expressed satisfaction with the inclusion of easily available and common Ayurvedic herbs and formulations like Guduchi, Ashwagandha, AYUSH-64 in treating mild and asymptomatic COVID cases.

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Dr Harsh Vardhan chairs 5th Special Session of the WHO Executive Board

Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare presided over the fifth special session of Bureau of the Executive Board as Chairman of the Executive Board of the World Health Organization (WHO), virtually yesterday. Observer participants and senior officials of WHO Headquarters were also present.The agenda of the meet included focus on the measures necessary to ensure the full and effective implementation of the terms of resolution WHA 73.1 on COVID-19 response.The resolution WHA 73.1 titled “COVID-19 response” was co-sponsored by more than 130 countries and calls for the intensification of efforts to control the pandemic and for equitable access to and fair distribution of all essential health technologies and products to combat the virus.Recollecting the global crisis the pandemic has unleashed, he said: “Today there are compelling circumstances that have forced us all to meet virtually.Governments, industry and philanthropy must pool resources to pay for the risk, the research, manufacturing and distribution, but with the condition that the rewards should be available to everyone, regardless of where they have been developed.Dr Harsh Vardhan urged WHO members to work with the global community of partners for the efficient, effective and responsive discharge of public health obligations.

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DBT-THSTI recognized as a Global Bioassay Laboratory to assess COVID 19 Vaccine by CEPI

Translational Health Science And Technology Institute (THSTI), an autonomous institute of the Department of Biotechnology, has now been recognized by Coalition of Epidemic Preparedness for Innovation (CEPI ) as one of the Global network of Laboratories for centralized assessment of COVID 19 Vaccines. The CEPI network will initially involve six labs, one each in Canada, Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Bangladesh and India. Under the CEPI Global network the Laboratory will use the same reagents and follow a common set of protocols to measure the immune response of multiple vaccine candidates under development and trial.  This will greatly harmonize the Vaccine trial process and allow different vaccine candidates to be compared and speed up the selection of the most effective candidate.

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Prime Minister inaugurates RAISE 2020 - a Mega Virtual Summit on Artificial Intelligence

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated RAISE 2020, a Mega Virtual Summit on Artificial Intelligence (AI) yesterday. RAISE 2020 is a global meeting of minds to exchange ideas and chart a course for using AI for social transformation, inclusion and empowerment in areas like Healthcare, Agriculture, Education and Smart Mobility, among other sectors.The Prime Minister praised the organizers for encouraging discussion on Artificial Intelligence. He said Technology has transformed our workplaces and has improved connectivity. He hoped the merger between social responsibility and AI would enrich AI with human touch. He said the teamwork of AI with humans can do wonders for our planet.He pointed that India has led the world in knowledge & learning and will continue to digitally excel and delight the world.Shri Modi said India has experienced how technology helps in improving transparency and service delivery.The Prime Minister stressed how the world's largest unique identity system - Aadhaar along with the world's most innovative digital payments system - UPI has enabled providing access to digital services, including financial services, like Direct Cash Transfers to the poor and marginalised. During the pandemic, it has enabled in reaching out to people with help, at the earliest and in the most efficient manner.The Prime Minister wished India to become a global hub for Artificial Intelligence and hoped many more Indians would start working on this in the times to come. He said the approach towards this goal is powered by core principles of: Teamwork, Trust, Collaboration, Responsibility and Inclusivity.

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Text of PM’s address at the inauguration of 'Responsible AI for Social Empowerment 2020' Summit

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Phone call between Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and H.E. Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi spoke with H.E. Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel yesterday. Prime Minister Modi conveyed warm greetings on the Jewish New Year and the Jewish festival of Sukkot to Prime Minister Netanyahu and the people of Israel.The leaders positively assessed the progress in bilateral cooperation in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, especially in the fields of research, field trials of diagnostic tools and vaccine development. They agreed on the importance of close cooperation in these important areas not only for the benefit of the people of the two countries but also for the greater good of humanity.They also reviewed ongoing cooperation in the areas of water and agriculture, health, trade, and start-up and innovation, and discussed further deepening of these ties.

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Shri Prakash Javadekar releases SOP for film exhibition; Cinema halls allowed to open with 50% seating

Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shri Prakash Javadekar released the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)for film exhibition today. The SOP on preventive measures for Exhibition of Films has been prepared in consultation with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. Releasing the SOP, the Minister said that as per decision of Ministry of Home Affairs, cinema halls will reopen from 15^th October, 2020 and to that end Ministry of I&B has prepared this SOP. The highlights of the guiding principles include the general principles which have been given by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare including thermal screening of all visitors/ staffs, adequate physical distancing, use of face covers/ masks, frequent hand washing, provision of hand sanitizers etc. and respiratory etiquettes specifically with regard to the exhibition of films. The Ministry has formulated the general SOPs taking into consideration international practices notified in the sector including physical distancing, entry and exit with designated queue markers, sanitization, safety of staff, contact minimization. The seating arrangements shall be restricted to 50 percent of the seating capacity. Multiplex show timings shall be staggered, so as to not have overlap of show timings. Temperature setting shall be in the range of 24°- 30°c.The Guiding principle and SOP may be used by all States and other stake holders and State Governments while resuming Exhibition of Films.

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Recommendations of the 42nd GST Council Meeting

The 42nd GST Council met under the Chairmanship of Union Finance & Corporate Affairs Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman through video conferencing yesterday. The meeting was also attended by Union Minister of State for Finance & Corporate Affairs Shri Anurag Thakur besides Finance Ministers of States & UTs and senior officers of the Ministry of Finance& States/ UTs. The recommendations made by the GST Council include: Levy of Compensation Cess to be extended beyond the transition period of five years i.e. beyond June, 2022, for such period as may be required to meet the revenue gap. Further details to be worked out, Centre hasdecided yesterday to release compensation of ₹ 20,000 crore to States towards loss of revenue during 2020-21and an amount of about ₹ 25,000 crore towards IGST of 2017-18 by next week, Enhancement in features of return filing.With a view to further enhance Ease of Doing Business and improve the compliance experience, the Council has approved the future roadmap for return filing under GST.

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Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education issues SOP/Guidelines for reopening of schools

Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education has issued SOP/Guidelines for reopening of schools yesterday. Union Education Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' announced regarding SOP/Guidelines of DoSEL for reopening of schools through his tweet.SOP/Guidelines of Department of  School Education & Literacy for  reopening  of schools includes: As per para -1 of MHA order no. 40-3/2020-DM-I(A) dated 30.09.2020 for reopening, States/UT Governments may take a decision in respect of reopening of schools and coaching institutions after 15.10.2020 in a graded manner in consultation with the respective schools/institutions management and based on local situation,  Part I refers to the health and safety aspects for reopening schools. These are based on the prevailing instructions of Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare with regard to health and safety protocols, and maybe implemented by adopting/adapting in accordance with the local situation in all States/UTs. Part II refers to learning with physical/social distancing and the academic aspects related to the delivery of education, such as, curriculum transactions, instructional load, timetables, assessment, etc. These are advisory in nature. States &UTs may use these in the manner deemed fit to prepare their own guidelines.

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INPUTS FROM PIB FIELD OFFICES

• Maharashtra:  Even as the industry has welcomed reopening of restaurants, eateries and bars in Maharashtra since October 5th, there has been a lukewarm response.  Only 25-30% of 14,000 odd restaurants in Mumbai opened their shutters citing lack of demand, difficulty in staff transportation and accommodation etc.  As against the State guideline of permitting restaurants to open with 50% capacity, the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation has fixed the capacity at 33% for the month of August.  On Monday, the state reported 10,244 new cases and 12,982 recoveries.
• Gujarat: The Covid tally in Gujarat rose to 1.44 lakh with the addition of 1,327 new cases on Monday, while 1,405 patients were discharged following recovery. Surat reported 276 new cases, the highest for a district in Gujarat, followed by Ahmedabad (187).  The state has achieved a recovery rate of 85.94 per cent.
• Rajasthan:  Congress legislator from Rajasthan’s Sahara constituency in Bhilwara, Kailash Trivedi, died of post-Covid-19 complications at a private hospital in Gurugram on Tuesday morning.  The Rajasthan government had moved him to the hospital five days ago by an air ambulance. He was 65.  Total of 1,559 people have succumbed to Corona virus infection in the state till date, while 21,215  are under treatment.
• Chhattisgarh: With 2,681 new COVID-19 cases and 36 more deaths, Chhattisgarhs total count rose to 1,26,005 and the toll to 1,081 on Monday. Raipur district, which is hardest hit by the pandemic and placed at the top of the list of coronavirus cases in the state, reported 270 new cases, taking its total count to 35,467. The district has witnessed 455 deaths so far.
• Goa: In Goa, the distribution of Covid-19 kits for asymptomatic patients opting for home isolation will begin from today. Three weeks ago, health minister Vishwajit Rane had announced that the kits would be given within a week through the primary health centres. The kits will contain disposal masks, a N-95 mask, pulse oximeter, digital thermometer, and medicines, including vitamins.
• Kerala: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that the lapses in exercising caution resulted in Covid transmission in the state. If number of patients increase, death rate also will go up and all have to work carefully to avoid this. Criticizing the statement of IMA that the state health department has been infested with worms, Chief Minister said those who claim to be experts should not try to create misunderstanding in the state. The expert panel appointed by the government has submitted the guidelines to be followed by devotees while visiting Sabarimala during the Covid pandemic. 5,042 new cases of Covid-19 were reported in Kerala yesterday. There are 84,873 patients undergoing treatment and 2.58 lakh people under observation in various districts. The Covid death toll has reached 859.
• Tamil Nadu:Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami and three of his Cabinet colleagues called on Governor Banwarilal Purohit at the Raj Bhavan on Monday to discuss the Covid-19 situation, the Bill providing horizontal reservation for NEET-qualified government school students in medical admission and the bifurcation of Anna University. Teachers who have been taking online classes for X, XI and XII students have urged the school education department to immediately release the reduced syllabus; they said the timely declaration of the revised syllabus would help students to prepare for examinations in advance.
• Karnataka: In view of rising Covid cases Chief Minister has called a meeting of Ministers, Members of Parliament tomorrow; CM has also called a meeting of the district commissioners and SP's on Thursday. Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhar requested health department to give suggestions on re-opening of schools after Oct 15. State government on Monday issued order prohibiting health workers engaged in Covid-19 duty on going to strike. Highcourt asked BBMP on providing public toilets in Bangalore.
• Andhra Pradesh: Visakhapatnam King George Hospital (KGH) has embarked on a historic journey of the trial for coronavirus vaccine, Covishield. Two volunteers were administered the Covishield vaccine on the first day, under strict guidelines issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and as per the protocols laid down by the Oxford University, Serum India Limited and the ICMR.  People with co-morbidities and those who have tested positive for Covid, are not eligible for vaccine trials. After more than two-and-half months, the daily Covid-19 count was less than 5,000 cases in the State on Monday. The last time the State recorded less than 5,000 cases was on July 21, when 4,944 of the total 37,000 samples, tested positive. However, the Covid toll crossed the 6,000-mark with 38 more fatalities in the State.
• Telangana: 1983 new cases, 2381 recoveries & 10 deaths reported in the last 24 hours; out of 1983 cases, 292 cases reported from GHMC. Total cases: 2,02,594; Active cases: 26,644; Deaths: 1181; Discharges :1,74, 769. The State Election Commission on Monday announced that polls to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and the remaining urban local bodies in the state would be conducted with ballot papers. State election commissioner C ParthaSarathi said a decision was taken after considering the Covid-19 pandemic, detailed deliberation, available time and opinions expressed by the political parties.
• Arunachal:235 new positive cases of COVID-19 detected yesterday. Total active cases reached around 3000 in the state. One more patient lost his life yesterday and total death toll touches to 19.
• Manipur:250 new Covid19 positive cases reported in the state. One more person succumbed to the disease taking the toll to 75. Recovery rate in the state is 77 percent.
• Meghalaya:Total Active COVID-19 Cases in the state reached to 2217. Out of them 123 are from BSF and Armed forces. So far  4491 persons have been recovered.
• Mizoram:Eight new Covid-19 cases confirmed in Mizoram yesterday. Total cases reached to 2128 in the state. Out of them 291 cases are active.
• Nagaland: Of Nagaland's 42 fresh COVID-19 cases detected on Monday, 30 were from Dimapur, 8 from Mon and 4 from Kohima.

FACT CHECK

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