COVID-19 news from across the nation

India's total cases have now reached 76,51,108. With 717 new deaths, the death toll stands at 1,15,914. Total active cases are 7,40,090 after a decrease of 8448 in the last 24 hours. Total cured/migrated cases are 67,95,103 with 61,775 new discharges in last 24 hours. Meanwhile, the Delhi government's excise department has directed clubs, hotels, liquor shops and restaurants to ensure strict compliance of standard operating procedures (SOPs) to be followed to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Maharashtra government has capped the prices of N-95, double and triple layer masks for suppliers and private hospitals in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hyderabad: Active cases of Covid-19 in India settled below the 7.5-lakh mark for the second successive day, while the national case fatality rate (CFR) has dropped to 1.51 per cent, the Union Health Ministry said on Wednesday. The Centre has advised states and UTs to aim at bringing down the CFR below 1 per cent.

So far, India has recorded 76,51,107 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 1,15,914 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 88.8 per cent.

COVID-19 news from across the nation

Delhi

New Delhi: The Delhi government's excise department has directed clubs, hotels, liquor shops and restaurants to ensure strict compliance of standard operating procedures (SOPs) to be followed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Assistant commissioner (enforcement) has been asked to deploy teams to check compliance of SOPs at bars in hotels, clubs and restaurants.

Delhi airport operator DIAL on Wednesday said it has been certified as the second safest aerodrome globally for effective implementation of coronavirus-related health and safety protocols.

The safe travel score is an initiative by Safe Travel Barometer, which assessed more than 200 airports on their implementation of health and safety protocols during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Maharashtra

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has capped the prices of N-95, double and triple layer masks for suppliers and private hospitals in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, state health minister Rajesh Tope has said. Wearing mask in public places is mandatory for all citizens as part of the government's guidelines to prevent the spread of the coronavirus infection.

"We have put a cap on the prices of masks and the rates which can be quoted by their suppliers and private hospitals," Tope said on Tuesday. The N-95 masks can be supplied in the state in the price range of Rs 19 to Rs 49, while double and triple layer masks will be available at Rs 3 to Rs 4 per unit, he said.

Karnataka

Bengaluru:Cargo volumes at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, recorded positive growth in September, with international freight leading the recovery following a prolonged slump due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) Wednesday announced that inter-state bus services to destinations in Puducherry will resume from October 23 (Friday).

Rajasthan

Jaipur: Rajasthan recorded 14 more fatalities due to COVID-19 on Wednesday, taking the death toll due to the disease in the state to 1,778, according to a health department bulletin. The state also reported 1,810 fresh cases of the disease, pushing the total number of people infected with COVID-19 to 1,78,933. Of these, 19,185 are under treatment. According to the bulletin, 1,57,960 COVID-19 patients have been discharged from various hospitals of the state till now.

West Bengal

Kolkata:The Kolkata Police have arrested over 3,000 people in the last 10 days for flouting COVID-19 protocol and not wearing masks, a senior officer said on October 21.

Besides, intensifying vigil in and around the city, Kolkata Police between October 11 to 20 has arrested at least 3,418 people for not wearing face masks to check the spread of coronavirus, the officer said.

Odisha

Cuttack: The Orissa High Court today heard the writ petitions, seeking to quash the restriction on the height of idols at Durga Puja pandals imposed by the state government.

Following this, the high court allowed the 9 puja committees in Cuttack city to build and worship idols of Goddess Durga over the authorised height of 4ft.