LIVE: 8,012 new cases push Andhra Pradesh's Covid-19 tally to 2,89,829

The Philippines has recorded 3,420 new cases of the coronavirus and 65 additional deaths, the health ministry said on Sunday, according to Reuters report.

The country has so far registered a total of 161,253 infections and the death toll from Covid-19 has risen to 2,665 according to ministry data.

Singapore reported 86 new coronavirus infections, including two community and six imported cases, taking the nationwide tally to 55,747, the health ministry said on Sunday.

The US health watchdog has authorised the emergency use of a new and expensive saliva based laboratory diagnostic test for Covid-19 that could be a game changer in the diagnosis of the infection as it will enable rapid testing amongst more people easily, reports PTI.

Stephen Hahn, the Food and Drugs Administration Commissioner, said the new saliva test would increase efficiency and avoid shortage of crucial test components like reagents.

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Bihar reported 2,187 new Covid-19 cases Saturday, August 15, taking the total count of active cases in the state to 35,056: State Health Department

Himachal Pradesh's Covid-19 positive cases stand at 3,995 including 1,307 active cases, 2,635 recoveries & 17 deaths, according to the state health department.

Total #COVID19 positive cases in Himachal Pradesh stands at 3,995 including 1,307 active cases, 2,635 recoveries & 17 deaths: State Health Department pic.twitter.com/LBWJFnENgN

— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2020

Indonesia on Sunday reported 2,081 cases of the new coronavirus and 79 Covid-19 deaths, according to data from Indonesia's Covid-19 governmental task force, reports Reuters.

The data takes the total number of infections in the world's fourth-most populous country at least to 139,549 cases.

Pakistan's coronavirus tally reached 288,717 on Sunday after 670 new cases were detected in the last 24 hours, news agency PTI reported quoting the country's the health ministry.

Six more fatalities were reported overnight, pushing the death toll to 6,168, it said. With the detection of the 670 new cases, Pakistan's coronavirus tally now stands at 288,717, the ministry said.

Russia reported 4,969 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Sunday, bringing its nationwide tally to 922,853, the fourth highest caseload in the world, reports Reuters.

Russia's coronavirus crisis response centre said that 68 people had died over the past 24 hours, pushing its official coronavirus death toll to 15,685, adding that 732,968 people have recovered.

Odisha's Covid-19 tally rises to 60,050 with record 2,924 fresh cases; 10 more fatalities push death toll to 343: Official.

South Korea accused the leader of a religious sect on Sunday of violating self-isolation rules and obstructing investigations into the country's biggest outbreak of new coronavirus in five months, reports Reuters.

South Korea on Sunday reported 279 new cases on Sunday, more than double the 103 reported on Friday, with most of the new infections found in and around Seoul. The capital posted a record 146 new cases, out of which 107 were linked to Sarang Jeil Church led by Rev. Jun Kwang-hoon, a controversial pastor and an outspoken government critic.

Assam's coronavirus tally reached 75,558 after 1,057 more people tested positive for the infection, state minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said. The total cases include 22,087 active cases, 53,286 recoveries and 182 deaths, reports PTI.

There were 303 new positive cases and one death reported in Maharashtra Police force, in the last 24 hours. Total positive cases stand at 12,290 including 9,850 recoveries, 2,315 active cases & 125 deaths: Maharashtra Police

303 new positive cases and one death recorded in Maharashtra Police force, in the last 24 hours. Total positive cases stand at 12,290 including 9,850 recoveries, 2,315 active cases & 125 deaths: Maharashtra Police pic.twitter.com/szADTeTmcO

— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2020

Rajasthan reported 687 new Covid-19 cases and 13 deaths in past 24 hours. Total number of cases now at 60,666 including 14,265 active cases, 44,048 recoveries and 875 deaths: State Health Department

Sepoy Ramu Laxman Sakpal (Retd), a 98-year-old war veteran, residing at Nerul was admitted to Naval Hospital Ship Asvini in a critical state after being diagnosed with Pneumonia due to Covid-198 a few weeks ago. His condition was successfully managed, leading to freedom from Covid-19: Indian Navy

Sepoy Ramu Laxman Sakpal (Retd), a 98-yr-old war veteran, residing at Nerul was admitted to Naval Hospital Ship Asvini in a critical state; diagnosed with Pneumonia due to COVID a few weeks ago. His condition was successfully managed, leading to freedom from COVID-19: Indian Navy pic.twitter.com/pnlChbG4P3

— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2020

As many as 1,102 fresh Covid-19 cases and nine deaths were reported in Telangana, taking the tally to 91,361 and the toll to 693, the state government said on Sunday, reports PTI.