India now accounts for nearly a tenth of the global number of COVID-19 cases, as the country reaches the 1.8 million mark
The Drugs Controller General of India gave its greenlight to the Serum Institute of India, Pune for conducting Phase 2 and 3 human clinical trials for a vaccine candidate for the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) developed by the University of Oxford, London, reported news agency Press Trust of India.
- A thorough evaluation was conducted based on the recommendations of the Subject Expert Committee on COVID-19, according to PTI, citing unnamed government officials.
- The number of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases reached the 1.8 million-mark, with 1,807,222 cases as of August 3, according to the COVID19india.org tracker.
- The number of active cases were at 579,357 as of August 3, according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The number of those discharged was at 1,186,203, while 38,135 died from the disease.
- The total number of cases across the world were 17,660,523, with 262,929 fresh cases added as of August 2, according to data from the World Health Organization. The total number of deaths were 680,894, with 5,851 deaths recorded as of August 2, according to the data.
- The number of cases as of August 3, according to worldometers.info, however, was 18,240,633. This means India now accounts for nearly a tenth in the number of global COVID-19 cases.
- General insurance companies, including standalone health insurers, reported an over 240 per cent jump in claims for the treatment of the disease over the previous month, reported news daily Indian Express.
- Around 71,423 people claimed Rs 1,145.87 crore from insurance companies for treatment of COVID-19, said the Indian Express report, citing data from the General Insurance Council, the top body of all general insurers.
- Many of the country’s prominent public figures tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah, 55, in an August 2 tweet, said he developed symptoms of the virus and requested those who had come in contact with him to isolate themselves. Shah had attended a cabinet meeting July 29, which was attended by several other Union ministers and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, 77, also said August 2, that he tested positive for the virus. His daughter Padmavathi also tested positive for the virus, while his son Vijayendra, tested negative.
- Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit tested positive on August 2 as well, reported news channel NDTV, quoting a statement from Chennai’s Kauvery hospital. The governor had mild symptoms and was advised home isolation, said the statement.
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