New Delhi: Recovery rate from the deadly pandemic has increased to 98.36%, with over 71,000 patients being recovered from the contagious virus.

According to the Health Ministry, total number of recoveries has reached over 61.49 lakh. Presently, the total number of active cases in the country is 8.61 lakh.

In last 24 hours, 66,732 fresh case of Coronavirus were reported taking the total number of positive cases to over 71 lakh. Currently, case fatality rate is at 1.53%, which is one of the lowest globally.

Active caseload only 12.10% of Total positive cases

India continues to report a trend of steadily decreasing active cases. For the fourth day after the active cases dropped below the 9L mark after a month, the decline continues unabated. Presently the active cases comprise merely 12.10% of the total positive cases of the country standing at 8,61,853. India is also reporting high number of recoveries. The total recovered cases are close to 61.5 lakhs (61,49,535). The difference between active cases and recovered cases is consistently increasing and stands at 52,87,682 today. 71,559 patients have recovered and discharged in the last 24 hours whereas the new confirmed cases are 66,732.

The national Recovery Rate has progressed to 86.36%. 77% of the new recovered cases are observed to be concentrated in 10 States/UTs. Maharashtra and Karnataka contribute more than 10,000 to the single day recovery. 66,732 new confirmed cases were recorded in last 24 hours. 81% of these are from 10 States and UTs. Maharashtra is still reporting a very high number of new cases with more than 10,000 cases followed by Karnataka and Kerala with more than 9,000 cases each. 816 case fatalities have been reported in the past 24 hours. Of these, nearly 85% are concentrated in ten States/UTs. More than 37% of new fatalities reported are from Maharashtra (309 deaths).

Dr Harsh Vardhan addresses Covid-19 misconceptions during Sunday Samvaad-5

Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare responded to a volley of questions fielded by his social media interactors on the fifth episode of Sunday Samvaad. Sternly squashing rumours and removing popular misconceptions regarding COVID, the Health Minister gave detailed information on the role of Ayurveda in the fight against COVID, ICMR’s upcoming study on cases of reinfection, the selection criteria for vaccination and other critical information regarding the much touted COVID Vaccine. Upon learning on the various difficulties faced by his constituents in ChandniChowk, Delhi, he shared his contact details in the public platform as a response and assured that all issues faced by people in his constituency would be resolved on priority. Warning people to stay away from large congregations and diligently follow the guidelines issued by the government regarding precautions to be taken, Dr. Harsh Vardhan requested people to celebrate upcoming festivals at home, with their loved ones, instead of going out to fairs and pandals.

Reminding people that fighting against COVID is the foremost Dharma, he explained that his Dharma as the Health Minister of the country is to mitigate the virus and prevent deaths at any cost. Dr Harsh Vardhan shared the possibility of increased novel coronavirus transmission during winters as it is a respiratory virus and the transmission of respiratory viruses is known to increase during the colder weather. Adhering to the Covid appropriate behaviours of wearing masks/face covers, especially when in public places, regularly washing of hands and maintaining of respiratory etiquette ill help us to contain the spread of the diseases, he reiterated firmly.

FM announces measures of Rs 73,000 crore to stimulate consumer spending

Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. NirmalaSitharaman today announced measures of Rs 73,000 crore to stimulate consumer spending in the economy in an effort to fight the slowdown due to COVID-19 pandemic following lockdown.While announcing the demand stimulus package, Smt. Sitharaman said, “Indications are that savings of government and organised sector employees have increased and we want to incentivise such people to boost demand for the benefit of the less fortunate.” The Finance Minister further said that if demand goes up based on the stimulus measures announced today, it will have an impact on those people who have been affected by COVID-19 and are desperately looking for demand to keep their business going.

The Finance Minister said that the Government does not want to burden the common citizen with future inflation and also not put the Government debt on an unsustainable path. The proposals presented today by the Finance Minister are designed to stimulate spending in a fiscally prudent manner as some of the proposals are for advancing or front-loading of expenditure with offsetting changes later while others are directly linked to increase in GDP. The incentives include cash payment and leave encashment in lieu of one LTC during 2018-21 according to entitlement; Special Festival Advance Scheme revived as a one-time measure for both Gazetted and non-Gazetted employees; Special interest free 50-year loans to States for capital expenditure for Rs. 12,000 crore; and Additional budget of Rs. 25,000 crore, in addition to Rs. 4.13 lakh crore given in Union Budget 2020, for Capital Expenditure

Vice President Venakaiah Naidu recovers from Covid-19

The Vice President, Shri M Venkaiah Naidu has tested negative for COVID-19 today. He has been under home-quarantine after he was diagnosed with COVID-19 on 29th September, 2020.As per today’s RT-PCR test conducted by a medical team from AIIMS, both the Vice President and his wife, Smt. Usha Naidu have tested negative for COVID-19.Shri Naidu is in good health and is expected to resume normal activities soon as per doctors’ advice. He thanked all those who prayed for his well-being.

About 32 crore mandays employment generated under GaribKalyanRojgarAbhiyaan

GaribKalyanRojgarAbhiyaan (GKRA) launched to boost employment and livelihood opportunities for migrant workers returning to villages and similarly affected citizens in rural area, in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak, is taking action on mission mode to provide employment to migrant workers who have returned to their native villages of 6 states. The Abhiyaan is empowering villagers with livelihood opportunities in 116 districts of these states. By the 15th week, a total of about 32 crore mandays employment has been provided and Rs.31577 crore spent so far in the pursuit of objectives of the Abhiyaan. A large number of structures have been created.