Coronavirus LIVE Update: India's Cases Rise To 59,92,532; 94,503 Dead

Odisha And Maharashtra Civil Services Exams Postponed

With the ongoing pandemic, the Odisha government has decided to postpone its civil services main exams to November. The exams were to be scheduled in September. 

This comes a day after Maharashtra deferred its civil services exams till further notice. 

Scientists Find Hormones Responsible For Changes In COVID-19 Infection In Males And Females

Sex hormone estrogen has an impact on the ACE receptor which is the binding site for SARS-CoV-2, scientists have found in a study published in the journal Current Hypertension Reports. This could be the reason for the difference in the COVID-19 morbidity and mortality between males and females believe the scientists. 

The relation between the ACE 2 receptor and estrogen has also been witnessed in cardiovascular diseases.

India Reports Record 77,266 New COVID-19 Cases

India reported 77,266 new COVID-19 cases, a record one-day rise, to take the total case count to 33,87,500. The active caseload stands at 7,42,023 while 25,83,948 patients have been cured or discharged so far. The death toll has risen to 61,529 after 1,057 patients died due to the disease.

SC Dismisses Plea Seeking Permission To Hold Muharram Processions

The Supreme Court has dismissed a petition seeking permission to hold Muharram processions across the country and has asked the petitioner to approach the Allahabad High Court with the plea, reports PTI. The three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice SA Bobde said, "You are asking for a general order and then if we allow this there will be chaos. Particular community will be targetted for spreading Covid. We don't want that. We as a court cannot risk the health of all the people."

Another UP Minister Tests Positive For COVID-19

Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister Sidharth Nath Singh has tested positive for COVID-19 and has self-isolated himself. UP technical education minister Kamla Rani Varun and Minister of Sainik Welfare, Home Guards, and Civil Security Chetan Chauhan had earlier died due to the disease.

Minister Of State For Social Justice Tests Positive

Krishan Pal Gurjar, Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment, is the next minister to have tested positive for COVID-19. He took to Twitter to announce that he had tested positive for the virus. 

India Reports Record 75,760 New COVID-19 Cases

India has reported 75,760 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, a record one-day rise in cases, as the total case count increased to 33,10,234. The active caseload stands at 7,25,991 while 25,23,771 patients have been cured or discharged so far. The death toll stands at 60,472 after 1,023 patients died due to the disease.

Former Assam CM Tarun Gogoi Tests Positive For COVID-19

Former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has tested positive for COVID-19. Gogoi is the latest politician to contract the disease after Amit Shah, BS Yediyurappa, DK Shivakumar among others.

India Reports 67,000 New COVID-19 Cases

India has reported 67,151 new COVID-19 cases over the last 24 hours taking the total case count to 32,34,474. The number of active cases is 7,07,267 while 24,67,758 patients have been cured or discharged so far. The death toll has risen to 59,449 after 1,059 patients died due to the disease.

India In Talks With Russia About Sputnik V Vaccine

India is communicating with Russia for Sputnik V, its indigenous vaccine for COVID-19, informed Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan in the press conference held to discuss the country's COVID-19 preparedness. 

The Ministry shared that initial preliminary conversations with Russia have already taken place but detailed information on the same is awaited.