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

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India crosses a New Landmark in Testing,Total Tests cross a Record of 9 cr; 20 States/UTs report Positivity Rate less than National Average

India has demonstrated an exponential increase in the number of COVID-19 cumulative tests since Jan 2020. It has crossed the landmark of 9 crore total tests today. With 11,45,015 tests conducted in the last 24 hours, the cumulative tests now stand at 9,00,90,122. More than 15 lakh samples can be tested every day. With 1935 testing labs in the country including 1112 Government laboratories and 823 Private laboratories, the daily testing capacity has got a substantial boost. Very high countrywide testing on a sustained basis has also resulted in bringing down the national positivity rate.  20 States/UTs have positivity rate less than the national average. The cumulative Positivity Rate is 8.04% and is on a continuous decline. India is registering new recoveries more than the new cases consistently in the recent days. As a result, the active cases are steadily declining and stand at 8,26,876 as of today and comprise only 11.42% of the total positive cases of the country. 74,632 COVID cases have recovered and discharged in the last 24 hours whereas the new confirmed cases stand at 63,509. Higher number of recoveries has aided the national Recovery Rate to further improve to 87.05%. The total recovered cases stand at 63,01,927. The gap between Recovered cases and Active cases is 54,75,051. With increasing number of recoveries, this gap is continuously widening. 79% of the new recovered cases are observed to be concentrated in 10 States/UTs viz. Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Delhi. Maharashtra continues to contribute the maximum with more than 15,000 single day recoveries. 63,509 new confirmed cases were recorded in the last 24 hours. 77% of the new cases are from 10 States and UTs. Kerala has outnumbered Maharashtra with the highest number of new reported cases. Top three contributing states viz. Kerala, Maharashtra and Karnataka reported more than 8,000 cases followed by Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, both contributing more than 4,000 cases each. 730 case fatalities have been reported in the past 24 hours. Of these, nearly 80% are concentrated in ten States/UT. More than 25% of new fatalities reported are from Maharashtra (187 deaths).

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Twenty States allowed to mobilize Rs.68,825 crore

Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, has granted permission to 20 States to raise an additional amount of Rs.68,825 crore through open market borrowings. Additional borrowing permission has been granted @ 0.50 % of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) to those States who have opted for Option- 1 out of the two options suggested by the Ministry of Finance to meet the shortfall arising out of GST implementation. In the meeting of GST Council held on 27^th August, 2020, these two options were put forward. Twenty States have given their preferences for Option-1. Eight States are yet to exercise an option. The Department of Expenditure, on 17^th May 2020, had provided additional borrowing limit of upto 2% of GSDP to the States. The final instalment of 0.5% out of this 2% limit was linked to carrying out at least three out of four reforms stipulated by the Government of India. However, in case of States who have exercised Option-1, to meet the shortfall arising out of GST implementation, the condition of carrying out the reforms to avail the final instalment of 0.5% of GSDP has been waived. Thus, the 20 States, who have exercised Option-1, have become eligible to raise an amount of Rs 68,825 crore through open market borrowings. Action on the special borrowing window is being taken separately.

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Envoys of Switzerland, Malta and Botswana present letter of credence through Video Conference

The President of India, Shri Ram NathKovind, accepted credentials from Ambassador / High Commissioners of Switzerland, Malta and Botswana today in a virtual ceremony. Those who presented their credentials were: H.E. Dr. Ralf Heckner, Ambassador of Switzerland, H.E. Mr. Reuben Gauci, High Commissioner of Malta, H.E. Mr. Gilbert Shimane Mangole, High Commissioner of Botswana. Speaking on the occasion, President Kovind conveyed his good wishes to the envoys on their appointment. President Kovind remarked that the Covid-19 pandemic has underscored the need for greater global cooperation to ensure our collective health and economic well-being. He further expressed his optimism that the international community will soon find a solution to the pandemic and will emerge stronger and more resilient from the crisis.

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Ministry of Railways approves 196 pairs of “Festival Special” services

To clear the festive rush, Ministry of Railways has approved 196 pairs (392 trains) of “Festival Special” services over Indian Railways to be operated from 20th October 2020 and 30th November 2020. The fare for these Festival Special services shall be that applicable for special trains. The list of the trains is attached in the link given below.

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Paddy Procurement for MSP operation during Kharif Marketing Season 2020-21 gains good momentum

The Kharif Marketing Season 2020-21 has already commenced and Government continues to procure Kharif 2020-21 crops at its MSP from farmers as per its existing MSP Schemes as was done in previous seasons. Paddy Procurement for KMS 2020-21 has gained a good momentum with increase in the quantum of procurement in the procuring States. Food Corporation of India along with other govt agencies has, upto 12.10.2020, procured over 48.53 LMT Paddy with a total MSP value of ₹ 9164.30 Crores benefitting more than 4.16 Lac farmers.  Upto 12.10.2020, the Government through its Nodal Agencies has procured 630.06 MT of Moong and Urad having MSP value of Rs. 4.53 Crores benefitting 554 farmers in Tamil Nadu Maharashtra and Haryana.

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Railway Protection Force issues guidelines for travellers as the festive season approaches

Railway Protection Force has issued guidelines for travellers as the festive season is approaching. The general public is counselled to desist from certain acts or omission while being in railway stations, trains or other railway area. Since these acts or omissions are likely to aid in the spread of corona virus, they will tantamount to interference with passenger amenities provided by the railway administration, wilful omission or neglect endangering or causing to be endangered the safety of any person or rash and negligent act or omission likely to endanger the safety of any person travelling or being upon any railway and may be punished with imprisonment and/or fine.

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INPUTS FROM PIB FIELD OFFICES

· Himachal Pradesh: The Transport Minister said that the state government has decided to operate interstate bus services of Himachal Road Transport Corporation from 14th October, 2020. Interstate bus services would ply on 25 routes in the first phase, in which Chandigarh, Pathankot, Baddi, Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana, Ambala, Haridwar, etc. have been included. Only non-AC buses would ply on inter-state routes and night bus service has also been included in it. He said that soon interstate bus services would be operational for other states as well.

· Arunachal Pradesh: In Arunachal Pradesh, 193 more people tested positive for COVID-19, 170 patients discharged and four deaths yesterday. 11 of the total 28 COVID-19 related deaths in the State have been registered in the month of October alone.

· Assam: In Assam, 1482 more people tested positive for COVID-19 and 1020 patients discharged yesterday. Total cases rise to 196786, total discharged patients 167056, active 28897 and death 830.

· Meghalaya: In Meghalaya, 133 individuals have recovered from COVID-19 in the State today. Total active cases 2367 and total recovered 5406.

· Nagaland: In Nagaland, 123 more people tested positive for COVID-19.

• Kerala: Kerala has revised the guidelines for discharge of Covid-19 patients. As per the revised guidelines, patients will be divided into various categories for discharge, depending on the severity of the infection. Asymptomatic patients should be subjected to Rapid Antigen Test on the tenth day after testing positive for the first time. They can be discharged if tested negative. If they test positive, then Rapid Antigen Test should be done on alternate days and will be discharged once they test negative. Health Minister said the new discharge guidelines have been formulated in the wake of surge in Covid cases in the state. Patients in all categories will have to undergo 7-day quarantine and take rest. 8,764 new cases of Covid-19 were reported in Kerala yesterday. Currently, 95,407 patients are undergoing treatment and 2.82 lakh people under observation. Present Covid death toll in the state is 1,046.
• Tamil Nadu:TN Chief Secretary K Shanmugam gets three months extension in view of Covid-19 situation; he was scheduled to retire on October 31 but now his term has been extended till January 31, 2021; this is the second extension for MrShanmugam. The State government on Tuesday informed the Madras High Court that an e-registration system was to be introduced soon, replacing the present e-pass system, within and outside the State. The court also directed the State to seek clarification from the Centre within three days, on inter and intrastate movement. For the second consecutive day, Tamil Nadu reported less than 5,000 Covid-19 cases yesterday. On Tuesday, the State reported 4,666 cases and 57 deaths taking the tally to 6,65,930 and toll to 10,371.
• Karnataka: Highcourt has asked state government how will Covid-19 norms will be enforced during upcoming festival season; the Highcourt has also directed the state to file an affidavit on bed availability for covid patients.  Movie theatres in the State to resume screening of films from tomorrow.  Minister Dr.K.Sudhakar said that Health and Medical Education Departments are integral to each other and needs better coordination and synergy. He added that all issues will be sorted out as suggested by the Chief Minister. In Karnataka total Covid-19 recoveries crossed 6 lakh mark yesterday; since 1^st October, 1.17 lakh recovered.
• Andhra Pradesh: Film exhibitors from 13 districts of Andhra Pradesh met in Vijayawada today and finally decided not to open theatres from tomorrow. The exhibitors felt that it would cost an additional Rs 10 lakh each to open theatres and that it would be difficult to maintain theatres with 50 per cent occupancy. Exhibitors have appealed to the government to lift fixed electricity charges. Seven months since the first Covid infection was reported in AP, the overall tally has increased to 7,63,573 as on Tuesday. The death toll went up to 6,291. So far, 7,14,427 patients have recovered from the disease. In total, Andhra Pradesh has tested 67 lakh samples for Covid until now.
• Telangana: 1446 new cases, 1918 recoveries & 8 deaths reported in the last 24 hours; out of 1446 cases, 252 cases reported from GHMC. Total cases: 2,16,238; Active cases: 23,728; Deaths: 1241; Discharges :1,91,269. Hyderabad witnessed the highest rainfall ever on Tuesday according to the Indian Meteorological Department. Several localities in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation limits received very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall leading to waterlogging on several roads and low-lying areas in the city.

· Maharashtra:   Maharashtra has 12.5 lakh faulty RT-PCR test kits in circulation which will be replaced soon says the State Health Minister Shri Rajesh Tope. Confirming that these kits were purchased by the government from a private company, Tope said tests done using these kits have revealed inaccurate results, a fact that was pointed out by the National Institute of Virology, Pune.  The Minister said the government has stopped the supply of these kits with immediate effect and action will be taken against the company.  The state reported 8,522 new Covid cases on Tuesday, while recoveries totaled 15,356, bringing down the active cases to 2,05,415.

· Gujarat: The number of active cases in Gujarat has fallen below 10% for the first time at 9.9%.  A total of 1,375 patients were discharged during the past 24 hours bringing down the number of active cases to 15,209.  The state conducted 50,933 tests on Tuesday, taking the total tests beyond 51.14 lakhs.  Meanwhile, the Gujarat Government has decided to reopen the Statue of Unity in Narmada district from October 17th.

· Rajasthan: Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra on Tuesday appealed to people who have recovered from COVID-19 infection to donate plasma so that the lives of critical patients can be saved. He said the process of donating plasma was very simple and the blood of the person donating the plasma was not taken. He said that more than one lakh people have recovered from coronavirus infection in the state, and they should come forward to donate plasma.  The number of active cases in Rajasthan is 21,924.

· Madhya Pradesh: Madhya Pradesh has seen a decline of 37% in fresh Covid-19 cases in the past three weeks even as the state’s recovery rate has gone up to 88.4%.  The state has 14,661 active cases as on date.

· Chhattisgarh: In Chhattisgarh, an Intensive Community Survey Campaign to control the spread of Corona infection concluded on October 12th. Under this door to door survey, symptomatic patients of Covid-19 were identified in rural and urban areas of the state. 56 lakh houses were surveyed under the campaign. More than one lakh seven thousand people were tested identifying over 6,000 positive cases.

· Goa: Even as the Goa government has allowed re-opening of cinema halls from Thursday as per the Centre's guidelines, theatre owners in the state have said the facilities will not open until new films are available for release.

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