India Coronavirus Updates, September 9: Delhi records over 4,000 new Covid-19 cases; UP CM calls for increase in contact tracing

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), a cumulative total of 5,18,04,677 samples have been tested up to September 8 with 11,54,549 samples being tested on Tuesday.

Here are the top coronavirus news from across the country:

Delhi records over 4,000 new Covid-19 cases, highest single-day spike so far

The national capital recorded 4,039 fresh COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, the highest single-day spike so far, as the tally breached the two lakh-mark, while the death toll mounted to 4,638, authorities said. This is the first time since the outbreak of the pandemic that over 4,000 cases have been recorded in Delhi in a day.

The previous highest single-day spike of 3,947 cases was recorded on June 23. Twenty fatalities have been recorded in the last 24 hours, according to the latest bulletin issued by the Delhi health department. The tally of active cases rose to 23,733 from 22,377 the previous day, it said. The death toll from COVID-19 in Delhi stood at 4,618 on Tuesday.

First dedicated Covid-19 hospital inaugurated in Kerala

The first dedicated COVID-19 hospital in Kerala, built by the Tata Group, was inaugurated in Kasaragod on Wednesday by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who said it was an excellent example of how Public Private Partnership can be put to good use.

Built by the Tata Group using prefabricated containers in just five months at a cost of Rs 60 crore, the 551 bed hospital has 36 ventilators for the patients, PTI reported

The Chief Minister, who inaugurated the hospital through video conferencing, thanked the Tata Group for showing interest in the health sector of Kerala.

PM Modi’s lockdown a ‘disaster plan’: Rahul Gandhi

Upping his attack against the BJP-led central government, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi Wednesday said the sudden imposition of the 21-day lockdown to contain the coronavirus was a “disaster plan” by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and proved to be a “death sentence for the unorganised sector”.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

In the fourth and final video of his ‘Lockdown ki Baat’ series, Gandhi said the coronavirus induced lockdown imposed in March was the third attack on the unorganised sector, the other two being demonetisation and GST. “When you (central government) imposed a lockdown without any notice, it was a blow to the poor daily wage earners of the country,” he said.

“Prime Minister said it will be a 21-day fight. But it crippled the backbone of the unorganised sector,” he added.

UP CM calls for increasing contact tracing in 3 cities

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday called for increasing contact tracing of coronavirus patients in Lucknow, Kanpur and Allahabad.

UP CM Yogi Adityanath. (Express photo: Premnath Pandey)

“Contact tracing has an important role in controlling the spread of COVID-19 infection. This work should be conducted in a systematic and effective manner. In Lucknow, Prayagraj and Kanpur, contact tracing should be increased,” a statement quoted the chief minister as saying. He was speaking at a COVID-19 review meeting in Lucknow, news agency PTI reported.

According to the health department, the state reported 6,743 COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, out of which, 887 cases were found in Lucknow, 431 in Kanpur Nagar, 306 cases in Allahabad, among other places.

Now halted, AstraZeneca trials were on in India too

A sign featuring the AstraZeneca Plc logo stands at the company’s DaVinci building at the Melbourn Science Park in Cambridge, U.K (Photographer: Jason Alden/Bloomberg)

The decision to halt the global clinical trials of a coronavirus vaccine being developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca, after a serious side-effect was reported in a participant, might be a setback in the quest to get an early vaccine, but it could very well be a blessing in disguise.

It is likely to temper the public expectation and excitement about a vaccine being available very soon, ward off political pressure to rush through the development process and make it ready by a particular date, and force all the developers to scrupulously follow the process, even as they try to fast-track the development.

“This is nothing to be alarmed about as of now. These things happen quite routinely during vaccine or drug trials. The good thing is that despite the rush to produce a coronavirus vaccine, we still have systems in place that would pick these things out. So that is reassuring,” said Shahid Jameel, a virologist.

Blue, Pink line of Delhi Metro resume services

Delhi Metro’s Blue Line and Pink Line resumed services with curtailed operations on Wednesday after being closed for 171 days due to the COVID-19 pandemic, officials said. Trains are to operate in batches of four-hour each from 7-11 AM in the morning and 4-8 PM in the evening in the first stage.

“The Blue and Pink lines resumed services today. Slowly and steadily, Delhi Metro will be back to take you places! #MetroBackOnTrack,” the DMRC tweeted. On Monday, the Delhi Metro had resumed services with curtailed operation of the Yellow Line, since the closure of the urban transporter on March 22.

The trains in Delhi will run in batches of four-hour each from 7-11 am in the morning and 4-8 pm in the evening.

Taj Mahal to reopen after 6 months, cap of 5,000 daily visitors

More than six months after it was closed down for visitors in the wake of the pandemic, the Taj Mahal will open its doors to the public from September 21. Vasant Swarnkar, Superintending Archaeologist of the Archaeological Survey of India’s Agra Circle, confirmed this to The Indian Express. However, he said that there will be a cap of 5,000 on the number of visitors allowed per day.

Even as all other ASI-protected monuments in Agra were allowed to open from September 1, Taj Mahal and Agra Fort remained shut as per the district administration’s orders as they were located close to containment zones. When the Taj opens on September 21 morning, visitors will have to follow all guidelines issued by the Centre such as social distancing and hand sanitisation, said Swarnkar.

There will be a cap of 5,000 on the number of visitors allowed per day. (Source: Journey Weavers)

Social distancing norms flouted at procession to honour BJP minister

Covid-19 safety protocols like maintaining adequate social distancing and wearing of masks were flouted in Indore Tuesday when a huge procession (Kalash Yatra) was organised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to honour Madhya Pradesh cabinet minister Tulsi Silawat, who is contesting from the Sanwer constituency in the upcoming State Assembly bypoll.

In the video of the event, a large number of people are seen dancing without maintaining any social distancing.

#WATCH Madhya Pradesh: Social distancing norms flouted during a procession (Kalash Yatra) organised by BJP in support of State Minister Tulsi Silawat in Indore yesterday. (08.09.2020)

Tulsi Silawat is contesting from the Sanwer constituency in the upcoming State Assembly by-poll pic.twitter.com/xONn7wzaJY

— ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2020

Plasma therapy doesn’t help reduce fatalities: ICMR study

A study conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has found that convalescent plasma therapy is not beneficial in reducing mortality or progression to severe Covid-19. “The PLACID trial results indicate that there was no difference in 28-day mortality or progression to severe disease among moderately ill COVID-19 patients treated with CP along with BSC compared to BSC alone,” the study said.

Uddhav Thackeray: ‘Covid crisis not ending anytime soon’

The coronavirus crisis will not end any time soon, said Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday. ‘We were able to contain the number of cases between March and May, but it does not seem like the pandemic will be conquered in the near future. Even the World Health Organization has indicated that it won’s end soon,’ he said. Thackeray was speaking in the Legislative Assembly before the conclusion of the curtailed monsoon session. Maharashtra has 9.23 lakh Covid-19 cases.

Sourav Ganguly leaves for Dubai to take stock of IPL preparations

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly leaves for Dubai. (Source: Instagram/Sourav Ganguly)

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly on Wednesday left for Dubai to oversee preparations for a bio-secure IPL beginning on September 19. Defending champions Mumbai Indians will face Chennai Super Kings in the opening match of the T20 event, which has been moved to the UAE due to the rising COVID-19 cases in India.

“My first flight in 6 months to dubai for IPL…crazy life changes,” Ganguly posted on his Instagram handle with a picture in which he is wearing a mask and face shield, part of the Standard Operating Procedure while flying amid the pandemic.