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Coronavirus India Updates: Tally Nears 88.5 Lakh, Over 30,000 New Cases Reported

Track all Covid-19 related news relevant for an Indian audience, here.

Vehicles travel along a road during the festival of Dhanteras at night in Atta Market in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India. (Photographer: Prashanth Vishwanthan/Bloomberg)
Vehicles travel along a road during the festival of Dhanteras at night in Atta Market in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India. (Photographer: Prashanth Vishwanthan/Bloomberg)
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Coronavirus cases continued to rise in India as the country celebrates its largest festive weekend, triggering concerns of a spike in cases.

India added just over 30,500 fresh cases in a matter of 24 hours -- lowest since July 15 -- taking the total tally to over 88.45 lakh in the world’s second-worst infected country, according to the Health Ministry’s update as of 8 a.m. on Nov. 16. That includes over 82 lakh recoveries and 1.3 lakh deaths.

Daily additions have remained below 50,000 for over a week now. In fact, new cases dropped below the 40,000-mark for the second time in a week today.

The lower rate of infection kept active cases below the 5-lakh mark for the sixth straight day. Active cases had climbed above 10 lakh in mid-September. Daily recoveries have also declined but remain higher than fresh cases.

Key Figures

  • Total number of confirmed coronavirus cases: 88,45,127
  • Active cases: 4,65,478
  • Cured/discharged/migrated: 82,49,579
  • Deaths: 1,30,070
  • Number of fresh cases in 24 hours: 30,548
  • One-day recoveries: 43,851
  • One-day deaths: 435

India’s largest festive season is coming to an end today with Bhai Dhooj, after having celebrated Dhanteras and Diwali over the weekend amid Covid-19 restrictions. Temples reportedly witnessed heavy rush of devotees though the people were seen observing social distancing and following other guidelines and safety measures against the Covid-19. However, worries of another wave of cases remains after markets witnessed throngs on people leading up to the weekend.

Global Update

Fresh Covid-19 vaccine reports are on the horizon, with drugmakers including Pfizer Inc. expecting to obtain more trial data as early as this week. The updates are eagerly awaited as the pandemic accelerates, with the U.S. surpassing 11 million cases.

Nations across the globe moved toward tougher measures, though two of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden’s advisers said they oppose a nationwide lockdown. Hong Kong is tightening social-distancing rules after a rise in locally transmitted cases. Germany warned of “considerable restrictions” over the next four to five months, while Austria plans mass-testing of its entire population.

Globally, total conformed cases topped 54.3 million with 1.3 million of those dead.

Track all Covid-19 related news relevant for an Indian audience, here.

No Plans To Reimpose Lockdown In Delhi: Satyendar Jain

Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Monday said there is no chance of reimposition of lockdown in the national capital since the third wave of coronavirus has peaked out in the city.

Talking to reporters, he said the virus cannot be contained through lockdown and that people should protect themselves by wearing face masks.

Delhi has witnessed a spurt in coronavirus cases since Oct. 28 when the daily rise breached the 5,000-mark for the first time and it crossed the 8,000-mark on Wednesday.

On Thursday, 104 deaths, the highest in over five months, were recorded in the city.

Source: PTI

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Winter Perfect Set-Up For Covid-19 Contagion: Dr. Murthy

It is easier for coronavirus to spread indoors than outdoors as people stay inside their homes during winter which is a perfect set-up for the contagion, according to Dr Vivek Murthy, the top Indian-American advisor to President-elect Joe Biden on Covid-19.

The 43-year-old former U.S. surgeon general, who co-chairs the Covid-19 advisory board of Biden, told Fox News on Sunday that people are tired from the pandemic fatigue.

What's happening now in particular is that with winter, as people move indoors, this is actually the perfect set up for the virus because we know it's easier to spread indoors than outdoors, Murthy said.

There is one last component, which is really important, is the pandemic fatigue, he said.

We've been at this pandemic now for many months and I get that. A part of that fatigue means that people are letting others into their bubble, they're getting together for in-person dinner parties, game nights and public health departments are now tracing more and more cases back to these kinds of gatherings, Murthy, who advises Biden on Covid-19, said.

Source: PTI