Page 4 - Highlights: DDMA fixes rates of Covid-19 RT-PCR test in Delhi at ₹2400

Coronavirus cases in India crossed the 3.6 lakh-mark and the death toll reached 12,237, according to the health ministry website on Thursday. There are 160,384 active cases in the country, while 194,324 people have been cured of the disease or discharged, according to the government portal. Click here for full Covid-19 coverage

Maharashtra, Delhi and Tamil Nadu are three states with the highest number of fresh coronavirus cases recorded everyday. To arrest this spike, rapid testing of suspected patients will take place vigorously, the government said on Wednesday. Antigen-based rapid tests recommended by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) will be expanded across the country, ICMR officials said.

09:08 AM IST

Karnataka to observe 'Mask Day' today

"We are celebrating 'Mask Day' at all district headquarters today. We have organised a walk from Vidhana Soudha (to Cubbon Park) to create awareness about the importance of wearing a mask as a preventive measure against Covid-19," Yediyurappa told media persons. : ANI

08:53 AM IST

Manish Sisodia given charge of Delhi health ministry after Satyendar Jain tests Covid-positive

After health minister of Delhi Satyendar Jain tested positive for Covid-19 on Wednesday, Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia has been given additional charge of the health ministry and other departments allocated to him.

08:40 AM IST

No permission to Uttarakhand hoteliers to resume business

Uttarakhand's tourism industry has been badly affected due to the coronavirus outbreak. Manu Kochar, a hotelier in Dehradun, says, “Hotel industry is the worst hit. Over 2.5 lakh people have lost their employment in the state. We haven't got any permission yet for hotels to resume operations". : ANI

08:04 AM IST

China reports 28 new coronavirus cases in mainland

China has reported 28 new coronavirus cases, according to news agency Reuters.

07:48 AM IST

Roche rheumatoid arthritis drug fails to help Covid-19 patients in Italian study

Roche’s rheumatoid arthritis drug Actemra failed to help patients with early-stage Covid-19 pneumonia in an Italian study, researchers reported on Wednesday, but the Swiss drugmaker is testing the medicine in another trial against the illness caused by the new coronavirus, reported news agency Reuters.

07:34 AM IST

Covid-19 cases go up to nearly a million in Brazil, death toll at 46,510

Coronavirus deaths in Brazil have climbed to 46,510. Nearly 1 million people have been infected with the disease in the country.

07:18 AM IST

2,003 fatalities added to India's Covid-19 toll, taking tally to 11,903

As many as 2,003 Covid-19 fatalities were added to India's death toll, taking the final figure to 11,903 on Wednesday. This comes after Maharashtra and Delhi, two of the worst-hit states in the country, added unreported fatalities to their respective death tolls after review.

06:52 AM IST

Florida reports over 2,600 new coronavirus cases

Florida has reported over 2,600 new coronavirus cases and Arizona more than 1,800, the second highest daily increase after setting records the day before. : AFP

06:43 AM IST

Dexamethasone to be used under close medical supervision: WHO chief

"Dexamethasone should only be used under close medical supervision," WHO’s Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said after initial results of a clinical trial showed that the cheap, common steroid can help save critically ill Covid-19 patients.

Highlights: DDMA fixes rates of Covid-19 RT-PCR test in Delhi at ₹2400

Along with ensuring more people get tested for Covid-19, the government also plans to increase awareness about the disease. The health ministry has drafted an elaborate awareness campaign material.