India Sees Surge in Unsafe Abortions During Covid-19 Lockdown | With no public transport available, clinics closed and the country at a standstill, women opted for unsafe abortion techniques amid Covid-19 triggered lockdown, reports The Guardian. “In the past three months, calls to the hotline from women unable to access contraception, buy pregnancy tests or get an abortion have quadrupled. The coronavirus pandemic has put a huge strain on India’s health system, and women’s reproductive rights have taken a particular hit,” it reads. 

Delhi will soon get its second plasma, says Deputy Chief Minister

Preparations are underway to set up a second ‘Plasma Bank’ at Lok Nayak Hospital. It will begin operations soon: Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia#COVID19 pic.twitter.com/ZBZl5vaZa9

— ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2020

Olympics Must Go Ahead Next Year As Symbol of Overcoming Covid-19, Tokyo Governor Says | Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, often floated as a future Japanese premier, said on Monday the Olympics must go ahead next year as a symbol of world unity in overcoming the novel coronavirus, even as her city grapples with stubborn spikes in cases. Japan has not seen an explosive coronavirus outbreak as suffered in some other places but a recent increase in cases in Tokyo, which accounts for more than a third of its more than 20,000 total. 

Kenya’s Wildlife Reserves Witnesses Downfall in Booking Amid Pandemic | Kenya’s wildlife reserves have seen bookings plummet as a result of the pandemic. According to the tourism ministry the sector has lost $750 million this year – roughly half of the total revenue in 2019. In places such as the Maasai Mara local people are facing economic disaster with cancellations from crucial markets such as China, Europe and the United States.

Total number of COVID19 cases in Jharkhand rise to 3,774 including 1,433 active cases, 2308 recovered/discharged and 33 deaths, said the State Health Department

 One Death, 7 New Cases in UP’s Shamli | One COVID-19 patient died while seven others including a police officer tested positive for the virus, officials said. According to District Magistrate of Shamli, Jasjit Kaur, there are 30 active coronavirus cases in the district.

Understanding Bat Immune System May Help Identify New Covid-19 Drug Targets, Scientists Say | The capacity of bats to tolerate viruses such as the novel coronavirus may stem from their ability to control inflammation, according to a review of studies which says understanding the immune system of the flying mammals can provide new drug targets for human therapies against COVID-19.

As many as 95 new Covid-19 cases, 133 recovered/discharged and 4 deaths were reported in Rajasthan. Total number of cases in the state is now at 24,487, including 5,753 active cases and 514 deaths: State Health Department. 

UPDATE | Ten million kids ‘may never return to school’ after virus. The coronavirus pandemic has caused an “unprecedented education emergency” with up to 9.7 million children affected by school closures at risk of never going back to class, Save the Children warned Monday.

Staffers at Bachchan’s Residence Test Negative | As many as 26 staffers test negative for coronavirus and test results of 30 plus more awaited which include staffers and other people with whom the Bachchan family was in contact with. More samples could be collected today. 

Trump Team’s False Comfort on Schools, Virus | President Donald Trump’s administration is providing misguided assurances on the safety of kids in school during a coronavirus epidemic. In remarks Sunday, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos urged schools to provide full-time, in-person learning in the fall even with community transmission of COVID-19 rising in many parts of the U.S., suggesting that there is no danger “in any way” if kids are in school.

Six more Covid deaths in Odisha. Death toll goes up to 70 in state. Ganjam district alone accounts 43 deaths out of state’s total Covid death figure of 70.

Odisha’s COVID19 case tally rises to 13,737 with 616 new positive cases reported in the last 24 hours. Total recoveries is 8,750, active cases 4,896: State Health Department

— ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2020

As Virus Rages in US, New York Guards Against Another Rise | As coronavirus rages out of control in other parts of the U.S., New York is offering an example after taming the nation’s deadliest outbreak this spring — while also trying to prepare in case another surge comes, AP reports. New York’s early experience is a ready-made blueprint for states now finding themselves swamped by the disease.

Mumbai Doubling Rate is Now Highest in India |  The Brihanumbai Municipal Corporation stated that Mumbai’s discharge is now 70%. “After our open testing policy (without prescriptions: the only city in India to do so.), the testing has gone from 4000 to 6800 tests per day, but our total positives have come down from 1400 to 1200 now (out of this symptomatic r less than 200, so we need only 200 beds everyday.) We have 7000 covid beds and 250 ICUs beds vacant,” said the civic body. 

Large number of people at a vegetable market as 10-day lockdown will be imposed in Pune from midnight today.

Odisha Reports 616 New Cases | Odisha’s Covid-19 case tally rises to 13,737 with 616 new positive cases reported in the last 24 hours. Total recoveries is 8,750, active cases 4,896: State Health Department

Mainland China Reports Eight New Cases | Mainland China reported eight new Covid-19 cases as of the end of 12 July, up from seven reported a day earlier, the Chinese national health authority said. All of the new cases were imported infection involving travellers from overseas, the same as the seven cases a day earlier. The capital city of Beijing reported no new confirmed cases for the seventh consecutive day.

ICMR Notice on Fast-Tracking Vaccine Misinterpreted: Health Minister | “The ICMR notice on fast tracking the vaccine was misinterpreted. We are following all standards for the creation of a vaccine,” he said. He added that India’s scientists are on the job and said it would be great if the vaccine could come out in the next few months

Taking Measures to Ensure Black Marketing of Remdesivir Doesn’t Happen: Health Minister | On black marketing of Remdesivir, the health minister said:  “We have taken action against the black marketers..We are taking measures to ensure that this does not happen…We have already made arrests.” He added that the government is monitoring this situation.  “We have told agencies to make data of the medicine available on their websites.”

‘No Data to Prove Community Transmission in India Yet’: Health Minister | “No data to prove community transmission in India yet. Can say with confidence, community transmission hasn’t begun ,” Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan tells CNN-News18. The minister added that a specific timeline or deadline for a vaccine cannot be given now. “We didn’t open to soon, states going for lockdown is a localised modification of rules, it’s all right for them to locally do it for containing virus,” he added.

Today’s Data Highlights

– India crosses 3 lakh active cases. Recoveries exceed active cases by 2.52 lakh.

– India’s new reported cases more than that of Brazil. 2nd only to the USA. 

– India’s recovery rate is now 63% and the mortality rate is 2.6%

– Delhi’s recovery rate touches 80%. Daily recoveries continue to be more than daily new cases.

– Maharashtra active cases more than 1 lakh

– 61k fewer tests on Sunday compared to Saturday. 2.19 lakh tests. Total tests: 1.18 crore.

– Cases in South Africa rising fast. Fourth highest daily new cases, tenth in the world in total cases. (after USA, India and Brazil)

Two Madagascar Lawmakers Die With Coronavirus | Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina said two lawmakers – one member of the senate and one deputy – had died after becoming infected with coronavirus. Eleven other deputies and 14 senators had also tested positive for the virus, Rajoelina said. The Indian Ocean island on 5 July placed its capital Antananarivo under a fresh lockdown, two months after the restrictions were eased, AFP reports.

Here’s state-wise Covid-19 data

Fresh Cases Recorded, India’s Total Tally Rises To 8,78,254 | With 28,701 fresh cases and 500 deaths recorded in the past 24 hours, India’s case tally crossed 8,50,000-mark. The total number of cases now rose to 8,78,254 and the death toll to 23,174. 

1,18,06,256 samples tested for COVID19 till 12th July, of these 2,19,103 samples were tested yesterday: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)

Covid-19 Tally in Nashik Goes Beyond 7,000-mark; Deaths 332 | Nashik district in Maharashtra reported 218 coronavirus positive cases on Sunday, taking its count to 7,002, officials said. The death of 14 more patients took the fatality count to 332, they said.

Germany’s Confirmed Cases Rise by 159 to 198,963 |  The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 159 to 198,963, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed. The reported death toll rose by one to 9,064, the tally showed.