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

Minister Who Endorsed Bhabiji Papads For Immunity Boosting Tests Positive

Union junior minister for heavy industries and parliamentary affairs Arjun Raj Meghwal who endorsed a papad brand called Bhabhiji papad as a product that would develop antibodies against COVID-19 has tested positive for the disease.

Meghwal tested himself twice after developing symptoms and tested positive in the second report. He is currently at AIIMS Delhi.

Highest Spike In Cases As India Reports 64K Cases

India reported its largest single day spike as it reported 64,399 new cases in the last 24 hours taking the total number of cases to 21,53,010. With 861 new deaths, the death toll stands at 43,379. 

Over 14,80,884 have recovered while there are still 6,28,747 active cases. 

Union Minister Kailash Choudhary Tests Positive For COVID-19

Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Kailash Choudhary has tested positive for COVID-19, he announced on his Twitter account. Choudhary said that after experiencing symptoms on Friday night, he got himself tested. He is currently hospitalised and has trouble breathing along with a fever.

India Reports 60k+ New COVID-19 Cases For Second Successive Day

India reported 61,537 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours taking the total case count to 20,88,611. The number of active cases stands at 6,19,088 while 14,27,005 people have been cured or discharged so far. The death toll rose to 42,518 after 933 patients succumbed to the disease.

SII To Sell COVAX COVID-19 Vaccine For Rs 225 Per Dose

The Serum Institute of India (SII) announced that it will sell COVID-19 vaccines developed by the University of Oxford-AstraZeneca and Novavax at Rs 225 per dose after signing an agreement with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance. As per the deal, the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation will provide SII with $150 million in at-risk funds to accelerate the manufacturing process. SII will produce 100 million doses of the potential COVID-19 vaccine for India and other low and middle-income countries.

Long-term Problems Faced By COVID-19 Hospitalised Patients Identified

Scientists at the University of Leeds have identified long-term effects likely to be experienced by people hospitalised with the COVID-19 infection, which include fatigue, breathlessness, psychological distress and a general decline in quality of life, reports PTI. "The emerging evidence is that for some, the road to recovery may take months and it is vital specialist rehabilitation is on hand to support them. This research gives an important insight into patient needs, and that will help shape services in the community," said Manoj Sivan, Associate Clinical Professor at the University of Leeds.

WHO Warns Against COVID-19 Vaccine Nationalisation

The World Health Organization has warned against a COVID-19 vaccine nationalization warning richer countries that they wouldn't remain safe if poorer nations are left exposed to the coronavirus, reports The Guardian. Addressing the Aspen Security Forum, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, "For the world to recover faster, it has to recover together, because it’s a globalised world: the economies are intertwined. Part of the world or a few countries cannot be a safe haven and recover."

India's Total Case Count Crosses 20 Lakhs

India has become the third country after the USA and Brazil to report more than 20 lakh COVID-19 cases. The total case count rose to 20,27,074 after a one-day record 62,538 people tested positive. The number of active cases stands at 6,07,384 while 13,78,105 patients have been cured or discharged so far. The death toll rose to 41,585 after 886 people succumbed to the disease.

Maharashtra Reports Highest Cases

With 11,514 cases, Maharashtra reported its highest one day spike in cases taking the total number of cases to 4,79,779. The state has been reporting more than 10,000 cases since the past two days. 

No Benefit Of Plasma Therapy In Reducing COVID-19 Mortality Risk: AIIMS Trial

An interim analysis of a randomised trial done at AIIMS Delhi has shown that convalescent plasma therapy did not show benefit in reducing mortality risk among COVID-19 patients, reports PTI. AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria said that the trial, conducted among a group of 30 COVID-19 patients, did not show any benefit but also said that a deeper analysis will be done to see if a sub-group of COVID-19 patients may benefit from the plasma therapy.