Kerala on Tuesday recorded the highest single-day spike with 272 new cases ever since the COVID-19 outbreak. However, more than the number of new cases, it is the rising trend in cases occurring in the community through local transmission that is ringing the alarm bells as far as the Health Department is concerned.
Here is a list of State Helpline numbers. You can track coronavirus cases, deaths and testing rates at the national and State levels here.
Here are the latest updates:
1.50 pm | Puducherry
Raj Nivas shut down for two days
The Raj Nivas, home-office of Lt. Governor Kiran Bedi, was shut down for 48 hours on Wednesday to disinfect the premises after an office assistant tested positive for COVID-19.
According to a source in Raj Nivas, the staff had been tested on Monday and the results came in on Wednesday morning. “The person worked in one section of the Raj Nivas and was not in contact with the office of the Lt. Governor,” he said.
The health department has launched contact tracing and will be testing about 15 persons who were working at close quarters with the COVID-19 patient. All possible contacts are placed in quarantine.
1.10 pm | Assam
Assam police launch probe into partying by personnel during lockdown
The Assam police have initiated a probe into a few of their officers allegedly “attending a party with alcoholic beverages” aboard a luxury cruise during curfew hours and lockdown.
The inquiry follows an instruction from State Chief Secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna on July 7 with reference to a “damaging report” regarding the partying on the evening of July 6. “This reflects very poorly on the policemen and displays total disregard to orders under the Disaster Act,” the Chief Secretary said in the order, seeking a report and disciplinary proceedings against the personnel involved.
12.40 pm | Arunachal Pradesh
Capital Complex SP office in Arunachal sealed after woman constable tests COVID-19 positive
The office of the Superintendent of Police in Arunachal Pradesh’s Capital Complex region, where a week-long total lockdown is underway, has been sealed after a woman constable deployed there tested positive for COVID-19, a top police officer said on Wednesday.
Director General of Police (DGP), R P Upadhaya, said that the Capital Complex SP office was sealed on Tuesday evening and its 80 staff members will be tested for COVID-19 during the day.
“The office will reopen only after proper disinfection of the building and campus,” he said.
12.25 pm | Odisha
BJD MLA becomes second legislator in Odisha to test positive for COVID-19
Ruling BJD MLA Prasant Behera has tested positive for COVID-19, the second legislator in Odisha to have contra