A record spike in COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh on Thursday triggered the biggest single-day jump of close to 17,000 infections in the country even as Maharashtra decided to undertake antigen and rapid antibody tests for the disease in the worst-hit State.
Meanwhile in the United States, which has reported the most number of cases in the world, health officials estimate that 20 million people have had the coronavirus.
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:
11 am | Madurai
Going for swab test? you might share space with positive patients
How safe are those going to take swab test for novel coronavirus infection at the COVID-19 wing of Government Rajaji Hospital? It looks, the chances of a “doubtful” patient contracting the virus is high.
The State Health Department is encouraging people with symptoms like fever, cold, cough and breathing problem to take swab test at the earliest to confirm whether or not they were infected with the deadly virus. But, at the COVID-19 wing of the GRH, patients who go for testing could get infected as they need to mingle with already tested and confirmed positive patients who come there seeking admission.
10.30 am | India
Store positive samples for 30 days before destroying: ICMR to govt labs
The ICMR has advised government laboratories to retain all samples testing positive for coronavirus infection for a minimum of 30 days before destroying them.
In its ‘Guidelines for storage of respiratory specimens collected for COVID-19 diagnosis by RT-PCR platforms in government laboratories’, the apex health research body said appropriate procedures to disinfect all samples prior to disposal must be f