COVID-19 news from across the nation

India's Covid-19 tally breached 67-lakh mark on Wednesday with a spike of 72,049 new cases and 986 deaths reported in the last 24 hours. The national recovery rate now stands at 85.02 per cent. Meanwhile, PM Narendra Modi to launch campaign tomorrow on 'Jan Andolan for 'Covid-19 Appropriate Behaviour'. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal took to Twitter on October 7 to announce that all weekly markets in Delhi will be opened.

Hyderabad:So far, India has recorded 67,57,131 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 1,04,555 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 85 per cent. 'Unlock 5.0' is underway. Meanwhile, PM Narendra Modi to launch a campaign on October 8 on 'Jan Andolan for COVID-19 Appropriate Behaviour'. The campaign will be launched with the aim to encourage People’s Participation (Jan Andolan). It endeavours to be a Low-Cost High-Intensity Campaign with the Key Messages of 'Wear Mask, Follow Physical Distancing, Maintain Hand Hygiene'.

COVID-19 news from across the nation

Delhi

New Delhi: In an official order, the Delhi government allowed reopening of cinemas, theatres with 50 per cent seating capacity from October 15. The order also allowed all weekly markets to function with immediate effect after coronavirus-induced closure.

Meanwhile, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal took to Twitter on October 7 to announce that all weekly markets in Delhi will be opened.

"Now, all weekly markets in Delhi will be opened. Till now, only two markets per day per zone were allowed. Cinema halls in Delhi will also be opened from October 15. They have to follow all the guidelines issued by the central government," he tweeted.

Maharashtra

Mumbai: A Maharashtra government-appointed expert committee, set up to fix the market price of masks, has proposed ceiling prices that are well below the rates fixed by the Centre. The committee has proposed a ceiling price for an N-95 mask at Rs 19, down from Rs 135; for 3-ply meltblown mask at Rs 4, down from Rs 16; and for 2-ply mask at Rs 3, down from Rs 10.

Pune Divisional Commissioner Saurabh Rao Tuesday there was a declining trend in COVID positivity rate in the last fortnight. He, however, cautioned against complacency. In Pune division. districts that have 23 per cent positivity rate are Pune, Sangli and Kolhapur, while positivity rate is 25 per cent in Satara.

Karnataka

Bengaluru: Days after imposing hefty penalties, the Karnataka government on Wednesday reduced the fine on people not wearing masks from Rs 1,000 to Rs 250 in urban areas and from Rs 500 to Rs 100 in rural parts of the state.

The government had come under sharp criticism from various quarters not only for the exorbitant penalty amount but also policemen reportedly going on a fine collection spree at public places.

Himachal Pradesh

Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Urban Development Minister Suresh Bhardwaj on Wednesday tested positive for coronavirus infection, a health official said. He is the third Himachal minister and tenth MLA in the 68-member state assembly to have contracted the infection.

The 68-year-old, four-time Shimla BJP MLA tested positive at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) here, the official added.

Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Power Minister MM Mani announces on Facebook that he has tested positive for COVID19 and is admitted at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital.

The Covid-19 tally in Kerala breached the 10,000-mark with 73,000 samples tested in the last 24 hours. The number of people currently under treatment rise to 92,161 – third in India after Maharashtra and Karnataka.