(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 records lowest daily New Cases after 3 months, Total Active Cases stand at 6.25 lakh, lowest after 11 weeks

India has achieved several significant milestones in its fight against COVID. The new confirmed cases in the last 24 hours have fallen below 36,500 (36,470) for the first time in three months. The new cases were 34,884 on 18^th July, 2020. With a high number of COVID patients recovering every day and the sustained fall in the mortality rate, India’s steady trend of registering dipping active cases continues. In another achievement, the active cases have drastically declined to 6.25 lakh. The total positive cases of the country are 6,25,857 and now comprise merely 7.88% of the total cases. 35% of the total Active Cases in the country today are being reported from only 18 districts. The total recovered cases have crossed 72 lakhs (72,01,070). This has widened the gap between active cases and recovered cases and stands at 65,75,213 today. 63,842 patients have recovered and discharged in the last 24 hours. The national Recovery Rate has further grown to 90.62%. 78% of the new recovered cases are observed to be concentrated in 10 States/UTs . Maharashtra is leading with more than 9,000 single day recoveries followed by Karnataka with more than 8,000 recoveries. 76% of the new confirmed cases are from 10 States and UTs. Kerala and West Bengal have contributed the maximum to the new cases with more than 4,000 cases each. Maharashtra, Karnataka follow with more than 3,000 new cases. 488 case fatalities have been reported in the past 24 hours. Of these, nearly 80% are concentrated in ten States/UTs. The deaths are below 500 for second consecutive day. Maharashtra has reported the maximum single day deaths (84 deaths). India’s case Fatality Rate stands at 1.50%.

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MHA extends the Guidelines for Re-opening; States/ UTs advised to enforce COVID-Appropriate behavior

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued an Order today to extend the Guidelinesfor Re-opening, issued on 30.09.2020, to remain in force upto 30.11.2020. Since the issuance of the first Order on lockdown measures by MHA on 24^th March 2020, almost all activities have been gradually opened up in areas outside the Containment Zones. While most of the activities have been permitted, some activities involving large number of people, have been allowed with some restrictions and subject to SOPs being followed regarding health and safety precautions. These activities include - metro rail; shopping malls; hotel, restaurants and hospitality services; religious places; yoga and training institutes; gymnasiums; cinemas; entertainment park etc. In respect of certain activities, having relatively higher degree of risk of COVID infection, State/ UT Governments have been permitted to take decisions for their re-opening, based on the assessment of the situation and subject to SOPs. After the last guidelines issued by MHA on 30.09.2020, certain activities are also permitted but with certain restrictions. The essence behind graded re-opening and progressive resumption of activities is to move ahead. However, it does not mean the end of the pandemic. There is a need to exercise abundant caution by adopting COVID-19 appropriate behaviour by every citizen in their daily routine.

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Dr. Harsh Vardhan launches Punjab National Bank's All India CSR campaign against COVID 19

Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare launched Punjab National Bank’s (PNB) All India CSR campaign against COVID 19 yesterday. He also released the digital CSR album & CSR video of Punjab National Bank. Appreciating the efforts of PNB for the works done under CSR activities in the fight against COVID 19, Dr. Harsh Vardhan noted, “PNB has contributed in the movement of the government to combat the pandemic by distributing approximately 10 lakh masks and sanitizers in 662 districts of the country to the needy sections of society through its over 10,000 branches.”He also praised Gram SamparkYojna which was launched on 2nd October, 2020 by the bank for a period of three months, for providing special facilities to the farmers of 500 districts in rural and semi urban areas. He appreciated efforts of PNB for providing an amount of Rs. 10.37 lakhs to BhaoraoDeorasSewaNyas, as part of CSR activity, for purchase of a vehicle to be used by the Nyas for the help of sick persons who visit Delhi for treatment at AIIMS. On India’s fight against COVID-19, Dr. Harsh Vardhan said, “As India enters into the tenth month in its fight against COVID, India has become Atmanirbhar in many aspects. The exponentially rising Recovery Rate and progressively falling active cases have proven the success of the Centre-led COVID-19 containment strategy.”Dr Harsh Vardhan affirmed that the utmost priority of the government is to provide vaccine to the very last person in the country and the roadmap for distribution of vaccine is in speedy progress.

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PM interacts with beneficiaries of PM SVANIDHI Yojana from UP

The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi interacted with beneficiaries of PM SVANIDHI Yojana from Uttar Pradesh through video conferencing.The Prime Minister while interacting with the beneficiaries gave suggestions on benefits of digital payment and how to get cashback benefits. He also said with this money one can have proper education and a better career.The Prime Minister wished the beneficiaries and lauded the bankers for their efforts. He said their efforts will help the poor celebrate their festivals. He said this day is an important day for AatmaNirbhar Bharat and the day to honour the street vendors. He said the nation recognizes their contribution towards self-reliant India. He said when the Corona pandemic broke out, other nations were concerned how their workers would cope, but in our country our workers have proved that they can surmount any challenge and can fight back and win.

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Text of PM’s address at the interaction with PM SVANidhi Scheme beneficiaries of Uttar Pradesh

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PM delivers inaugural address at 4th India Energy Forum

PM delivered inaugural address at 4th India Energy Forum CERAWeek through video conference. Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said India is full of energy and its energy future is bright and secure. He elaborated that in spite of various challenges like fall in energy demand by almost one third, prevailing price instability, impacted investment decisions, projected contraction in global energy demand over the next few years, India was projected to emerge as a leading energy consumer and is projected to nearly double its energy consumption over the long term. The Prime Minister pointed that India is the third largest and the fastest growing aviation market in terms of domestic aviation and Indian carriers are projected to increase their fleet size from 600 to 1200 by 2024.He said India believes that access to energy must be affordable and reliable. That is when socio-economic transformations can take place. He said the energy sector empowers people and furthers "Ease of Living" and he listed Government’s initiatives to achieve this. He said these initiatives particularly helped the rural people, middle class and the women.The Prime Minister said the Government is moving forward with the vision of 'आत्मनिर्भरभारत.' He added a Self-reliant India will also be a Force Multiplier for the global economy and Energy security is at the core of these efforts.

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Text of PM’s address at the inauguration of India Energy Forum

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DoPT reforms regarding Child Care Leave

While briefing about some of the major reforms brought by Department of Personnel & Training, Union Minister of State (I/C) DoNER, MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said today that the male employees of the government are also now entitled to Child Care Leave.However, Dr Jitendra Singh said that the provision and privilege of Child Care Leave (CCL) will be available only for those male employees who happen to be “single male parent”, which may include male employees who are widowers or divorcees or even unmarried and may therefore, be expected to take up the responsibility of child care as a single - handed parent.In a further relaxation to this provision, Dr Jitendra Singh informed that an employee on Child Care Leave may now leave the head quarter with the prior approval of Competent Authority.

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Futuristic vision combined with decisiveness has provided India with a solid Startup ecosystem: Shri Piyush Goyal

Union commerce and Industry Minister Shri Piyush Goyal today said that Futuristic vision combined with decisiveness has provided India with a solid Startup ecosystem. At the inauguration of 1st Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Startup Forum, he said that Youth is our wealth, and in these times of vulnerability & uncertainty, they have responded with agility, adaptability & ability.Shri Goyal said that our Startups have demonstrated their ability to convert this severe adversity into a great potential of the future.Shri Goyal said that Young firms in India have reacted fast & very flexibly to COVID pandemic by sharing our best practices & knowledge, engaging corporates & investors, Monetising & mobilising capital, Setting up incubators, and Providing exposure & scale.

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INPUTS FROM PIB FIELD OFFICES

• Punjab: The Health & Family Welfare Minister, Punjab, said that the Government of India has asked the States and U.T. to create a database of Health care workers and submit it to Ministry. Central Institutions to submit the line listing separately and process of data collection is in full swing in all districts of State. Anticipating that COVID-19 vaccine may soon be available, GoI is preparing for its introduction in the country so that it can be expeditiously rolled out when available. He said that a training has been imparted to more than 450 participants of the health department regarding data filling, necessary format saving, compilation and data uploading on digital platforms.
• Himachal Pradesh: Chief Minister said that special thrust must be laid on Information, Education and Communication (IEC) so that the persons with any kind of symptoms immediately visit the hospital for Covid-19 tests. He said that focus must be laid on making the ‘Mask Up Campaign’ of the Government of India a success. He said that doctors must ensure proper communication with the Covid patients as it goes a long way in recovery of the patients. He said that this would ensure timely treatment of patients, as it has been found that about 90 percent of deaths reported due to Covid took place within 24 hours of patients being admitted in health institutions.
• Arunachal Pradesh: In Arunachal Pradesh, 147 cases of COVID-19 positive cases recorded and 231 patients discharged during last twenty four hours. Two more people succumb to COVID-19, death toll at 35.
• Assam: In Assam, 215 more people tested positive for COVID-19 and 2832 patients discharged yesterday. Total cases rise to 204386, discharged 188584, active 14891and 908 death.
• Meghalaya: In Meghalaya, 48 more people tested positive for COVID-19,  total confirmed cases 9066, total recovered cases 7471 and 81 deaths.
• Mizoram: In Mizoram, lockdown imposed in Aizawl from today till 3rd November in the wake of rising cases of COVID-19.A total of 34 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Mizoram yesterday. Total cases rise to 2527 and active 315 cases.
• Nagaland: In Nagaland, total COVID-19 cases 6626, armed forces account for 3807 cases, traced contacts 2800, returnees 1635 & frontline workers 421.
• Maharashtra: The Maharashtra Government has brought down the rate for COVID-19 RT-PCR tests conducted at private laboratories by about Rs 200.  The new rates will range between Rs 980 – 1,800 depending upon the location of collection.  Earlier these rates ranged from Rs 1,200 – 2,000.  This is the fourth time that the Government has slashed the RT-PCR rates in the state.  Meanwhile, Maharashtra reported 3,645 new cases, the lowest in the last 146 days. Union Minister Ramdas Athavale has tested positive.
• Gujarat: In Gujarat, the total patients recovered from Covid-19 has crossed the 1.50 lakh mark. 1,102 patients recovered and discharged from various hospitals during the past 24 hours.  For the second consecutive day, the state reported under one thousand cases, with 908 new Covid cases registered on Monday.  The number of active cases in Gujarat is 13,738.
• Rajasthan: The Rajasthan Government is bringing a Bill in the upcoming Assembly session to make wearing of masks in public places compulsory.  It is the first state to give legal backing for wearing of masks, which is seen as an essential safeguard against the Coronavirus infection.
• Madhya Pradesh: In Madhya Pradesh, the spread of COVID 19 is gradually decreasing in the state. The number of active cases is 11,237 and the number of recoveries has exceeded 1.53 lakhs.  While, more than 200 patients are being reported daily only in Bhopal and Indore in the state, in the remaining districts the number of new patients has come down to less than 100.
• Chhattisgarh: With 1,649 new COVID-19 cases and 43 more deaths, Chhattisgarh’s total infection count rose to 1.77 lakhs and the toll to 1,861 on Monday. The state now has 22,093 active cases.
• Kerala: State government is mulling a change in the Covid testing method during the Sabarimala pilgrimage season. The move comes in the wake of three persons, including a policeman and devotees, who came for the monthly puja in the hill shrine testing Covid positive despite having a negative certificate. Doctors also pointed out the risk in allowing entry to everyone carrying the certificate without testing. The recommendations being put forward by experts are RT-PCR test instead of antigen test for devotees and antigen test for devotees carrying Covid negative certificate. In the wake of the ongoing Covid curbs, the Plus-One classes are all set to go online in Kerala on the lines of virtual sessions similar to students enrolled up to class 10. The classes for the new batch of Plus One students in the state will begin online from November 2.
• Tamil Nadu: Tamil Nadu agriculture minister Doraikkannu who is currently battling Covid-19, is reportedly having severe setback in his health condition, according to hospital sources. Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan has warned that Festival shoppers dropping their guard against coronavirus infection may spell disaster for Covid fight. Keeping in line with the increasing demand for oxygen among patients, the Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corp. has taken up work to install liquid medical oxygen tanks at government hospitals in the State.
• Karnataka: In a mammoth preparation across the country for the much-awaited vaccination against Covid-19, MoHFW has sent a circular to the Health Departments of all states and Union Territories, asking them to collect data of all frontline healthcare workers (FHWs) from government and private hospitals. Today Health and Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar held a meeting with representatives of AstraZeneca company after which he said, that we may get the Covid vaccine by Jan 2021. Relief for Karnataka as Covid-19 cases dip; from a high of over 8,000 to 10,000 Covid cases daily in August, September and until mid-October, the virus appears to be slowing down, at least for now, in Karnataka.
• Andhra Pradesh: In the backdrop of Covid-19 the state has issued several key directives and precautionary measures to be followed regarding implementation of the mid-day meal scheme in schools. It is learnt that the Andhra Pradesh government has announced that schools will be reopened from November 2.  On the other hand, government has directed teachers to undergo corona tests and send their reports to their higher authorities. Meanwhile, district administrations across the state have taken up ‘No Mask - No Entry’ drive at all religious and commercial establishments in order to create awareness on Covid-19 and whether consumers are maintaining social distance or not.
• Telangana: 837 new cases, 1554 recoveries & 4 deaths reported in the last 24 hours; out of 837 cases, 185 cases reported from GHMC. Total cases: 2,32,671; Active cases: 17, 890; Deaths: 1315; Discharges: 2,13,466. The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA), which was the first and only airport in India to offer truly end-to-end paperless e-boarding to domestic passengers, has now extended the facility to international flights, becoming the first airport in India to do so.

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