COVID-19 news from across the nation

India has logged 66,23,815 coronavirus cases so far with 74,442 new infections. 903 deaths in the last 24 hours have pushed the total death count to 1,02,685. Meanwhile, Karnataka Education minister tests positive for coronavirus and Delhi records 32 new COVID-19 deaths.

Hyderabad: 'Unlock 5.0' is underway. So far, India has recorded 66,23,815 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 1,02,685 deaths. Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have reported the highest number of cases. However, infections are rising rapidly in states like Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Yet, India’s recovery rate continues to rise and now stands at 84.3 percent. Meanwhile, Ministry of Education releases guidelines for reopening of schools from 15th October in a graded manner; States/UTs to prepare their own Standard Operating Procedure for health, hygiene and safety and learning with physical/social distancing.

COVID-19 news from across the nation

Delhi

New Delhi:The number of containment zones in the national capital has gone past 2,700 with an increase in tests to detect coronavirus infection, according to official data. According to revenue department data, the number of containment zones had gone up to 2,707 by Sunday. The number went up from 1,751 on September 17 to over 2,000 on September 24. Health Minister Satyendar Jain had said last week that the increase in the number of containment zones is a part of Delhi's strategy to tackle the spread of the virus. "We tripled the number of tests and those who tested positive were isolated in small zones to contain the spread.

Maharashtra

Mumbai: Even as the industry rejoices reopening of restaurants and bars in Maharashtra on Monday, the difficulty over staff mobility, as the lockdown continues till the end of the month, funds and maintenance issues are expected to make it a gradual process over the month, the industry said.

Uttar Pradesh

Lucknow:Former Union minister and five-time Lok Sabha MP Rasheed Masood died on Monday at a Roorkee hospital where he had been admitted for the management of post-COVID complications, his nephew said. He was 73. Masood's nephew Imran Masood told PTI that his uncle Rasheed Masood had tested positive for the coronavirus infection some time back and had undergone treatment at a Delhi hospital.

Karnataka

Bengaluru: Karnataka Primary and Secondary Education Minister S Suresh Kumar on Monday said he has quarantined himself at home after testing positive for coronavirus." I will be home quarantined for a few days on the advice of doctors after testing positive for COVID-19.There is no panic as there are no symptoms," the minister tweeted. He was among those ministers who had attended the recent Assembly session.

Karnataka will organise a simple yet meaningful Dasara celebration to avoid spurt in COVID-19 cases as was the case in neighbouring Kerala during Onam, Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar said on Monday. "Kerala had relaxed the COVID-19 protocols during Onam festival and is paying for its mistake.

Himachal Pradesh

Dehradun: Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has decided to keep himself in-home quarantine for three days as a precautionary measure against COVID, an official spokesperson said. The spokesperson said the Chief Minister had on October 3 met some persons in Manali, who tested positive for coronavirus infection on Sunday.

Jammu and Kashmir

Srinagar:The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief G A Mir on Monday criticised the Union Territory administration over its response to the prevailing COVID-19 situation and demanded necessary steps to restore the confidence of people in the health system.