COVID-19 news from across the nation

So far, India has recorded 85,91,730 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 1,27,059 deaths. A total of 79,59,406 people have recuperated from COVID-19 so far. There are 5,05,265 active cases in the country as of date, which comprises 5.88 percent of the total caseload, the data stated. Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have reported the highest number of cases. The Festival of Lights is unlikely to be a brightly-lit one for traders of Diwali items this year in the southern states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu as the COVID-19-related restrictions that have already crimped business, a shortage of economically-priced Chinese products such as festive lights has resulted in fewer customers this season.

Hyderabad:India's Covid-19 active cases have fallen below 6 per cent of the total cases, said the Union ministry of health and family welfare on Tuesday. In a tweet, the health ministry said, "Demonstrating a landmark achievement, India's active Cases have fallen below 6% of the total Cases. The recovered Cases have leaped past 92% of the cumulative cases."

COVID-19 news from across the nation

A day after US-based drugmaker Pfizer has announced that its vaccine, BNT162b2, proves effective against Covid19 disease, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhusan said that on Tuesday said that India is in talks with all medicine manufacturers.

"The national expert group on Covid-19 administration is in dialogue with all medicine manufacturers including foreign manufacturers. We look at the status of vaccine, it's regulatory approval and logistics requirements," said Bhushan when asked whether India is in touch with Pfizer.

The Festival of Lights is unlikely to be a brightly-lit one for traders of Diwali items this year in the southern states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Added to the COVID-19-related restrictions that have already crimped business, a shortage of economically-priced Chinese products such as festive lights has resulted in fewer customers this season.

Delhi

New Delhi:All Rapid Antigen Detection Testing (RAT) centres and RTPCR sample collection centres of NCT of Delhi are directed to ensure that oxygen saturation of all clients undergoing test/sample collection is mandatorily checked and recorded on the OPD Slip, said Delhi government.

Maharashtra

Mumbai: Fearing the second wave of Covid-19 cases in Mumbai after Diwali, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will deploy additional marshals across the city to avoid overcrowding and ensure the wearing of masks.

At least 40-50 marshals, accompanied by staff from the ward offices and police, will be deployed in each of the 24 administrative wards starting Tuesday.

Citizens not wearing masks or found spitting will be fined by these marshals. The ward staff and marshals will identify places where the footfall is higher than usual. Those who violate norms will be fined Rs 200.

Tamil Nadu

Chennai: Theatres, cinemas and multiplexes across Tamil Nadu will resume operations from today, after nearly eight months since the lockdown began in the state. Theatres, cinema halls and multiplexes had suspended operations in March following the outbreak of COVID-19 and subsequent nation-wide lockdowns.

Punjab

Chandigarh:Punjab Government allows the reopening of bars in hotels, shopping malls, and multiplexes located in areas outside containment zones in the State.