(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 scales several unprecedented peaks, Active Caseload falls below 5 lakhs,Total Recoveries cross 80 lakhs, Cumulative Tests cross 12 crores

India has crossed several landmark milestones in its collective fight against the global pandemic. The active caseload of India has fallen under the 5 lakh mark for the first time after 106 days. Today, the total burden of active cases is pegged at 4,94,657. It was 4,96,988 on 28^th July. With this, the Active Caseload stands at 5.73% of the total positive cases.27 States/UTs have less than 20,000 active cases.Just 8 States/UTs have more than 20,000 cases; two states (Maharashtra and Kerala) have active cases more than 50,000.44,281 new cases have been reported in the last 24 hours while 50,326 active cases have recovered in this period. This is the 39^th Day of daily recoveries exceeding the daily new cases.Total Recoveries have thus also risen in the corresponding period along with the difference between Total Recoveries and Total Active Cases.The Total Recoveries have crossed the 80L mark. The number of total recoveries as on date is 80,13,783. The gap between Recovered cases and Active cases has widened 75,19,126.The Recovery Rate has increased to 92.79%.In another milestone, India has crossed 12 crore cumulative tests. 11,53,294 tests have been conducted in the last 24 hours in the country.The New Daily cases continue to be less than 50,000.77% of the new recovered cases are observed to be concentrated in 10 States/UTs.Maharashtra has reported the maximum number of single day recoveries with 6,718 newly recovered cases closely followed by the 6,698 figure achieved by Kerala. They are followed by 6,157 recoveries in Delhi.The top 10 States and UTs have reported 78% of the new cases.Delhi has reported the highest daily new cases at 7,830. It is followed by Kerala with 6,010 cases.Ten States/UTs account for 79% of the COVID fatalities. 512 case fatalities have been reported in the past 24 hours. Total Case Fatality Rate stands at 1.48% and continues its downwards trajectory.

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Dr. Harsh Vardhan reviews COVID situation and public health measures with Chief Ministers, Health Ministers and senior State officials of 7 States

Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare today interacted with Chief Ministers, State Health Ministers and Principal Secretaries/ Additional Chief Secretaries of 7 States though video conferencing. These States included Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura Meghalaya and Goa. Sh. T. S. Rawat, Chief Minister (Uttarakhand) who also oversees the State’s Health Ministry, Sh. N. Biren Singh, Chief Minister (Manipur), Sh. Rajesh Tope, Health Minister (Maharashtra), Dr. R. Lalthangliana, Health Minister (Mizoram), Sh. VishwajitPratapsingh Rane, Health Minister (Goa), Sh. Ratan Lal Nath, Minister of School Education, Higher Education, Law and Parliamentary Affairs (Tripura) participated virtually. Highlighting the State specific areas of concern that would require focussed attention, Dr. Harsh Vardhan noted that although the active cases have come down in Maharashtra, it continues to have a large Active Caseload, with a high Fatality Rate (2.6%) which increases to 3.5% in and around Mumbai. CFR in Uttarakhand is higher than the national average at 1.64%; Active cases are on the rise in the recent days in Manipur. Higher Positivity in the State is indicative of hidden transmission, he stated. 40% of total deaths are recorded in just the last one month in Goa which is a cause of worry. With 70% of cases concentrated in Aizawl, Mizoram is seeing a further rise in active cases; Tripura and Meghalaya are witnessing higher deaths (~37%) in the active age groups (45-60 years) which are preventable. To stop the chain of transmission, he stressed upon the importance of Jan-Andolan initiated by Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi ji. Elaborating on steps taken by the government to promote Jan Andolan among the masses, he added that “COVID Appropriate Behaviour is the most potent Social Vaccine.”

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Dr. Harsh Vardhan showcases India’s fight against COVID to his BRICS Counterparts

Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare digitally attended the BRICS Health Ministers Conference, today through Video Conference. He said “Decentralized but Unified mechanism to provide Universal, Accessible, Equitable and Affordable Health Care to one and all was the driving force behind our Unique Response Strategy for COVID-19. India’s COVID-19 response approach was pre-emptive, proactive and graded. Starting with early screening and isolation of passengers, imposing lockdowns and creating containment zones to prevent over-burdening of health facilities and personnel, propagating behavior change as an integral move to contain the spread, and ultimately recognizing the imperative need for reopening of the economy in a phased, cautious and responsible manner. India has curated its response, keeping in mind the large population size.”

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PM to inaugurate two future-ready Ayurveda institutions at Jamnagar and Jaipur on 13th November 2020

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will inaugurate Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA) at Jamnagar and National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA) at Jaipur on 5^th Ayurveda Day (i.e) 13^th November, 2020 via video conferencing. These institutions are expected to play global leadership roles in the growth and development of Ayurveda in the 21^st Century.The Ayurveda Day is being observed every year from 2016, on the day of Dhanwantri Jayanti. This year it falls on 13^th November 2020. Ayurveda day is more an occasion of re-dedication to the profession and the society, than one of festivities or celebrations. Potential role of Ayurveda in the management of the Covid-19 pandemic will be the focus of this year’s ‘Ayurveda Day’observation.

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Cabinet approves PLI Scheme to 10 key Sectors for Enhancing, India’s Manufacturing Capabilities and Enhancing Exports – Atmanirbhar Bharat

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval to introduce the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme in the 10 key sectors for Enhancing India’s Manufacturing Capabilities and Enhancing Exports – Atmanirbhar Bharat. These sectors are: Advance Chemistry, Cell (ACC) Battery (NITI Aayog and Department of Heavy Industries), Electronic/Technology Products (Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology), Automobiles & Auto Components (Department of Heavy Industries), Pharmaceuticals drugs (Department of Pharmaceuticals),  Telecom & Networking Products (Department of Telecom), Textile Products: MMF segment and technical textiles (Ministry of Textiles), Food Products (Ministry of Food Processing Industries), High Efficiency Solar PV Modules (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy), White Goods (ACs & LED) (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade) and Specialty Steel (Ministry of Steel).

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Cabinet approves Continuation and Revamping of the Scheme for Financial Support to Public Private Partnerships in Infrastructure Viability Gap Funding VGF Scheme

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approvedContinuation and Revamping of the Scheme for Financial Support to Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) in Infrastructure Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Schemetill 2024-25 with a total outlay of Rs. 8,100 cr.Revamping of the proposed VGF Scheme will attract more PPP projects and facilitate the private investment in the social sectors (Health, Education, Waste Water, Solid Waste Management, Water Supply etc.). Creation of new hospitals, schools will create many opportunities to boost employment generation.

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20th Summit of SCO Council of Heads of State

20th Summit of SCO Council of Heads of State was held on November 10, 2020. This was the first SCO Summit held in Virtual Format and third meeting that India participated after becoming a full member in 2017. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in his address to the SCO leaders congratulated President Vladimir Putin for organizing the meeting despite challenges and constraints arising due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Prime Minister, in his address, highlighted the imperative of a reformed multilateralism to meet the expectation of a world suffering from the social and financial after-effects of the pandemic. India, as a non-permanent member of the UNSC, beginning from 1 January 2021, will focus on the theme of ‘reformed multilateralism’ to bring about desirable changes in global governance.Prime Minister reiterated India’s firm belief in regional peace, security and prosperity and raising voice against terrorism, smuggling of illegal weapons, drugs and money-laundering. He mentioned that India’s brave soldiers participated in about 50 UN peacekeeping missions and India's Pharma industry supplying essential medicines to more than 150 countries during the pandemic.

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Shri Gangwar Felicitates Officials and Regional Offices of CLC, EPFO and ESIC for commendable work during Covid pandemic

Ministry of Labour and Employment organized a felicitation event today to honour and appreciate the hard work and consistent efforts put in by COVID-19 warriors of Chief Labour Commissioner (Central) office, Employees Provident Fund Organisation and Employees State Insurance Corporation. The Minister of State (I/C) Sh. Santosh Kumar Gangwar awarded Certificates of Appreciation to acknowledge the dedication and high degree of professionalism exhibited by officials and Regional Offices of these organisations. The Minister stated that the Ministry undertook historic steps for the betterment of workers and the industry. He further stated that Rs. 5 thousand crore has been deposited in the bank accounts of 2 crore construction workers. He elaborated that CLC(c) had deputed 80 officers to ensure smooth implementation of the same. Nodal officers of ESIC and EPFO along with their regional offices were working day and night to to redress the problems faced by the workers. The minister went on to submit that via 20 control rooms about 16 thousand complaints were received of which 96 per cent were resolved in a time bound manner by CLC(c) ,EPFO and ESIC. Sh. Gangwar shared that 23 ESIC hospitals have now been declared as covid-19 hospitals consisting of 2600 isolation beds, more than 555 ICU beds and more than 213 ventilators. Minister highlighted EPFO’s initiative of special COVID-19 claim wherein over Rs.12, 000 crore were disbursed against over 47 lakh covid claims by its subscribers during Covid pandemic.

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Government is helping the pensioners to be “Atamnirbhar” in life: Dr. Jitendra Singh

The Union Minister of State (I/C) Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said that   under the able leadership of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, the Department of Pensions & Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) is trying to make the pensioners “Atamnirbhar” by promoting the Digital Life Certificate for pensioners which can be given from the comfort of one’s home also. Earlier due to difficulties faced by the pensioners in submitting the Life Certificate because of Covid-19 pandemic , the Government has relaxed the existing timeline for submission of Life Certificate from 1st November, 2020 to 31st December 2020, MoS said.Addressing an interactive session of Brahma Kumari Sister Shivani, on “Power of Thoughts and Meditation in Covid-19 pandemic” organized by DoPPWyesterday, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that the Pensioners as senior citizens being the most vulnerable group in the wake of the Covid 19 pandemic, need a helping hand and compassionate ears in addition to medical care and such programmes will help them to tackle their mental stress level thus protecting them from physical illness as well.

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Indian Railways engages RailTel to implement an HMIS across its health facilities

Indian Railways with the objective of bringing hospital management on a single architecture to prevent pilferage and making operations seamless has entrusted RailTel Corporation of India Limited (“RailTel”) with implementation of hospital management information system (“HMIS”) an integrated clinical information system for its 125 health facilities and 650 polyclinics across India for improved hospital administration and patient healthcare. The features of the software extend from customizing clinical data according to the departments and laboratories, multi hospital feature that provide cross consultation, seamless interface with medical and other equipment’s and the patients will have the benefit of accessing all their medical records on their mobile device. RailTel and Ministry of Railways have signed an MOU with regard to the modalities for execution of the work. The open source HMIS software is to be deployed over the cloud.

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INPUTS FROM PIB FIELD OFFICES

• Assam: In Assam during the last 24 hours 271 COVID-19 cases detected out of 25339 tests conducted with positivity rate of 1.07%.
• Maharashtra:   Maharashtra on Tuesday reported 3,791 new Covid 19 cases, taking the overall count to 17.27 lakhs.  With high number of recoveries, the number of active cases in the state has come below 1 lakh at 92,461.  Mumbai reported only 535 new cases and the number of active cases in the city now stands at 16,374.  Meanwhile, the State Government has said it is awaiting launch of the Mobile App Covin, to upload the data of health workers for Covid vaccination. With the first batch of Covid vaccine healthcare workers like doctors, nurse, swab sample collectors will be immunised followed by frontline workers like the police force. On Monday the centre informed the Covin app is in its final staged of coding and will be launched soon.
• Gujarat: In Gujarat, the State Government has decided to reopen schools and colleges from 23rd of November. This decision was taken in a State Cabinet Meeting chaired by Chief Minister Vijay Rupani at Gandhinagar today.  Schools for Class 9 to 12 and colleges for medical, paramedical, engineering and other final year students will be allowed to reopen in the first phase.  State Education Minister BhupendrasinhChudasama said that guidelines have been finalized after intense deliberations with all stakeholders.
• Rajasthan:  Rajasthan recorded 1,902 fresh COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, while 10 more fatalities pushed the state's death toll to 2,008, according to the Health Department bulletin.  The number of active cases in the state is 16,725.
• Madhya Pradesh: Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday recorded 900 new COVID-19 cases, taking its tally to 1,79,068, while eight fatalities pushed the death toll to 3,042. Of the new cases, Bhopal accounted for 208, Indore 117, Gwalior 77 and Jabalpur 41.  Bhopal now has 1,761 active cases, while this figure for Indore is 1,707. Jabalpur and Gwalior have 515 and 543 active cases, respectively.
• Chhattisgarh: Chhattisgarh's COVID-19 count reached 2,04,202 on Tuesday after 1,679 people tested positive for the infection, while the number of people who have recovered reached 1,80,995. With 18 more deaths, the fatality count climbed to 2,482.
• Kerala: Kerala Cabinet today recommended the State Governor to amend Kerala Panchayati Raj Act and Municipalities Act for enabling those who get contracted with Covid-19 and goes in quarantine to exercise their franchise in the ensuing local body polls. The amendment stipulates that these voters may be exclusively given chance for voting during the last one hour of polling time, 5pm to 6pm. Meanwhile, the government is yet to take a decision on the recommendation of Higher Education Secretary to reopen colleges which closed amid Covid outbreak. The colleges will be reopened only after obtaining permission from COVID expert committee and State Disaster Management Authority.
• Tamil Nadu: Vivekananda Rock, Thiruvalluvar statue to be opened for tourists again;  however as Kerala is witnessing a sudden surge in Covid-19 cases after a lull, the Kanniyakumari district’s border with the neighbouring State will be monitored round the clock to check the entry of infected persons, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami said today. How is BJP’s Vetrivel Yatra going on without permission, asks Madras HC directing the police department to take uniform action against everyone violating orders. Theatres across the city that threw open their doors on Tuesday, nearly eight months after they were asked to close in the State due to the Covid-19 pandemic, saw a low turnout.
• Karnataka: State government has admitted before Highcourt of Karnataka to not supplying food to students as per food security act during lockdown. After holding consultation with all stake holders, Public Instructions Department Commissioner has submitted report to state government, recommending re-opening of schools from Dec 1. Experts have suggested that the State government must conduct two more rounds of sero survey - one in December and another in March - to determine the extent of the spread of Covid-19.
• Andhra Pradesh: IIT-Tirupati has entered into a partnership with Amara Raja Group to jointly produce reusable N-95 equivalent masks to facilitate the growing need for personal protective equipment (PPE) during the Covid-19 pandemic. Krishna district Collector has directed the health department officials to test 200 samples per day from each mandal to reduce the severity of Covid-19 in the district. Meanwhile, corona cases continue to be reported in schools in Prakasam district. Nine students at ZP High School in Donakonda zone have been diagnosed corona positive. The students are under home isolation. 
• Telangana: 1196 new cases, 1745 recoveries & 05 deaths reported in the last 24 hours; 192 cases in GHMC. Total cases: 2,53,651; Active cases: 18,027; Deaths: 1390; Discharges: 2,34,234.

FACT CHECK

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