COVID-19 news from across the nation

Today is the 186th day since India implemented a nationwide lockdown, to help curb the novel coronavirus pandemic. So far, India has recorded 58,18,570 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 92,290 deaths. Meanwhile, the union health minister, Harsh Vardhan said that India's healthcare effectively kept COVID mortality at 'minimum', recovery at 'maximum'.

Hyderabad: India's COVID-19 case count crossed the 58-lakh mark with a spike of 86,052 new cases. A total of 1,141 deaths were recorded in the last 24 hours. Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have reported the highest number of cases. However, infections are rising rapidly in states like Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Yet, India’s recovery rate continues to rise and now stands at 80.7 per cent.

COVID-19 news from across the nation

Delhi

New Delhi: With a steep rise in the number of coronavirus infections in Delhi, the total number of containment zones have crossed 2,000 mark in the national capital.

Containment zones like neighbourhoods, colonies, or housing societies where infected people live are sealed, and access is restricted. The restrictions on movement and interaction are the most severe at these zones in a bid to contain the virus spread.

Maharashtra

Mumbai: Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Friday said the state government will issue circular within 24 hours to all doctors and Covid-19 hospitals for rational use of remdesivir injections in the treatment of coronavirus infection.

Karnataka

Bengaluru: The BS Yediyurappa-led Karnataka government has directed its officials to increase RT-PCR testing - considered the gold standard for COVID-19 detection - across the state. The decision was taken after Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed on "effective testing, tracing, treatment and surveillance" to bring the COVID-19 outbreak under control during a meeting with the chief minister of seven states, including Karnataka, that has the highest coronavirus cases in the country.

Assam

Guwahati: The Assam government Friday announced that it would facilitate a 'tatkal' RT-PCR test at Guwahati airport for passengers.

West Bengal

Kolkata: West Bengal Transport Minister Suvendu Adhikari has tested positive for novel coronavirus and is under home isolation. The minister's mother has also contracted the disease. For the third time this week, West Bengal reported 62 Covid-19 deaths. This pushed up its toll to 4,606. The state health department also recorded 3,196 cases, which took the statewide infection count up to 2,37,869.