Coronavirus LIVE Update: India's Cases Rise To 59,92,532; 94,503 Dead

COVID-19 Impact On German Economy Less Severe Than Expected

Germany's economy is recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic faster than expected, Economy Minister Peter Altmaier was quoted as saying by Reuters. "The recession in the first half of the year turned out to be less severe than we had feared. Overall, we can say that at least for now, we are dealing with a V-shaped development," Altmaier told reporters. Altmaier said Germany has revised its 2020 forecast to a decline of 5.8% from a previous estimate of -6.3%.

Western Railway To Run Additional Services In Mumbai For JEE Aspirants

The Western Railway has announced that it will operate 46 additional suburban train services from September 1 to 6 for students appearing for JEE Mains. These services will be in addition to the 350 special services being operated for government employees. State governments, students and parents have called upon the Modi government to postpone or cancel the JEE and NEET examinations due to COVID-19. The Supreme Court had earlier dismissed a plea and said that the career of students cannot be jeopardised.

Sanofi Halts International Drug Trial For COVID-19 After Inconclusive Results In Phase III

French pharma giant Sanofi has now halted its international drug trial for Kevzara- a Sarilumab monoclonal antibody after it showed inconclusive results in moderately and severely affected COVID-19 patients in trials outside the US. The trial was in Phase III.  

In early July, the pharmaceutical had stopped trials for the drug in US but still decided to continue its international trials in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, Russia and Spain. 

Former Assam CM Tarun Gogoi Given Plasma As Health Deteriorates

Former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi was administered plasma therapy after his health deteriorated on Monday night at Gauhati Medical College. Gogoi who tested COVID-19 positive on August 25, is now stable on Tuesday. He was administered plasma after his oxygen saturation levels fell below 88%, and is not 96%-97%, tweeted Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

India Reports Nearly 70,000 New COVID-19 Cases

India has reported 69,921 new COVID-19 cases as the total case count rose to 36,91,166. The active case load has risen to 7,85,996 while 28,39,882 patients have been cured or discharged so far. The death toll has risen to 65,288 after 819 patients succumbed to the disease.

Centre To Send Teams To Survey Situation In Four States

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is set to send Central teams to Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Odisha after the states have been reporting a surge in COVID-19 cases. 

These teams will support the State machineries in strengthening containment, surveillance, and testing strategies. Similar teams had earlier visited Maharashtra, Gujarat, Bihar, and Tamil Nadu. 

Pranab Mukherjee Passes Away

Former Indian President Pranab Mukherjee breathed his last at the Army Hospital Research and Referral, Delhi where he was admitted for a brain surgery on August 10. Mukherjee, 84, tested positive for COVID-19 and was on ventilator support. His son broke the news through Twitter on August 31. 

IMA Asks PM To Consider COVID-19 Doctors Losing Lives At Par With Army Martyrs

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Indian Medical Association has asked for COVID-19 doctors losing their lives to be treated at par with martyrs from the army. The letter further states that the dependents of these doctors should be given government jobs as per their qualifications. 

The association cited its own data which says that over 307 doctors have died and 2,006 have been infected while treating COVID-19 patients. Putting forth its demand for a centralised compensation system, it added that these doctors were performing national duty and their kin should be compensated in the same way as defence personnel.

Ban On International Commercial Flights Extended To September 30

Ban on scheduled International commercial flights, both to and from India has been extended to September 30, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation said on Monday. This move will not affect the ongoing movement of international cargo, the Vande Bharat mission, and the Air Bubble Movement. 

India's First Female Cardiologist Dies At 103 Due To COVID-19

India's first female cardiologist Dr. S Padmavati aged 103 who was diagnosed with COVID-19 breathed her last at National Heart Institute on August 29. The Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan recipient was battling the disease for the past 11 days.