India reported the highest number of coronavirus cases in 24 hours across the world on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, according to the WHO data. While more than 52,000 new patients were reported on Tuesday and Wednesday, more than the United States and Brazil, the government reported single-day surge of over 56,000 cases on Thursday. The country has logged the third highest number of patients in the world after the United States and Brazil.
India has crossed 20 lakh coronavirus cases in 190 days after Kerala reported the first patient on January 30. The country registered one lakh cases on May 19. In June, India passed the five lakh-mark.
In July, India recorded more than half of its cases. While the Covid count in the beginning of the month was about six lakh cases, the tally had surged to 16 lakh cases by July 31.
The five states that reported the highest number of patients in the last 24 hours are Maharashtra 11,514, Andhra Pradesh 10,328, Karnataka 6,805, Tamil Nadu 5,684 and Uttar Pradesh 4,586.
These five states also recorded the highest number of Covid-linked deaths since yesterday. While Maharashtra reported 316 deaths, 110 patients died in Tamil Nadu, 93 patients died in Karnataka, 72 died in Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh recorded 61 deaths.
With 4.79 lakh cases, Maharashtra has logged the highest number of COVID-19 patients so far. The state reported its biggest single-day jump in infections on Thursday. More than 16,000 patients have died so far.
The positivity rate, an indicator to assess the prevalence of the disease, stood at 10.88 per cent this morning, an increase since Thursday’s 8.47 per cent. In the last few weeks, the country has recorded the highest positivity rate of 15.79 per cent on July 20.
India has tested around 16,500 people per million, compared to 190,000 in the United States. Around 5.74 lakh samples were tested on Thursday, taking the total number of samples tested so far to 2.27 crores. The country has a population of about 138 crores and a patient can be tested more than once until recovery.
Delhi, which was the second worst-hit state in June, now has the fifth highest number of cases in India. Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh is now the third worst-hit in the country by the outbreak.
Worldwide, the United States – epicentre of the pandemic – has logged the highest number of infections. More than 1.9 crore people have contracted the virus so far across the world; 7.14 lakh have died.
DMK leader’s son arrested after car rams family in Krishnagiri, one dead
A 20-year-old son of a DMK leader has been arrested for allegedly driving a car into four members of a family in Krishnagiri, killing assistant labour inspector Sivamoorthy.
A 20-year-old son of a leader from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has been arrested for allegedly mowing down four members of a family following a heated argument in Tamil Nadu’s Krishnagiri district. One person died in the incident, police said.
The deceased has been identified as Sivamoorthy, an assistant labour inspector and a resident of Krishnagiri. According to the police, the incident occurred outside his residence after the accused, identified as Adithya, objected to a two-wheeler parked on the road.
Police said Adithya was driving the car and began honking as the two-wheeler was blocking the road. Sivamoorthy and his family members reportedly stepped out to move the vehicle. During the exchange that followed, an altercation broke out.
Investigators allege that Adithya then rammed his car into Sivamoorthy, his son Kirubakaran, daughter-in-law Amsavalli and granddaughter Nilani. Sivamoorthy sustained severe injuries and later succumbed. The others were injured in the incident.
Besides Adithya, two of his friends — Rithik Kumar and Harish — who were present in the car at the time, have also been arrested. A case of murder has been registered against the trio and further investigation is underway.
Kirubakaran, recounting the incident, said the family had attempted to move the parked two-wheeler when the accused damaged it. He alleged that the men appeared intoxicated and tried to assault them with a stick before the vehicle was driven into the family.
Amsavalli said they had tried to defuse the situation peacefully but the confrontation turned violent, resulting in her father-in-law’s death and injuries to her child.
A police officer stated that Adithya’s father is a local functionary of the DMK in Krishnagiri district. The victim’s family has demanded strict action in the case.
Reacting to the incident, state BJP chief Nainar Nagendran criticised the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, questioning the state government over the episode and alleging that party functionaries were misusing their influence.
Security tightened across Delhi metro stations after bomb threat emails
Delhi is on high alert after bomb threat emails targeted metro stations, the Red Fort and the Assembly. Authorities confirmed the threats were hoaxes but tightened security as a precaution.
Security has been intensified across all metro stations and major installations in the national capital after a series of bomb threat emails were received on Monday. Authorities later confirmed that the threats were hoaxes following detailed inspections by security agencies.
According to officials, several key institutions — including the Delhi Secretariat, Delhi Assembly, the Red Fort and two schools — received threatening emails earlier in the day. Extensive searches were carried out at all the locations mentioned in the messages, but nothing suspicious was found.
A senior police officer said cyber teams are working to trace the origin of the emails. Preliminary findings suggest that the senders may have used Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) in an attempt to conceal their identities and mislead investigators. Officials expressed confidence that those responsible would be identified.
Metro stations under heightened surveillance
Following specific references to metro services in the emails, security arrangements were strengthened across the entire network of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. Additional personnel have been deployed at stations, and anti-sabotage checks are being conducted.
Police said random frisking of passengers and intensified CCTV surveillance are being carried out as part of precautionary measures. Bomb disposal squads and dog squads were stationed at sensitive sites, including the Red Fort, Delhi Secretariat and the Assembly complex.
The threatening emails reportedly included the slogan “Delhi banega Khalistan” and warned of explosions at an Army school, the Assembly and the Red Fort at specific times during the day. Officials stated that all mentioned locations were thoroughly checked and declared safe.
Authorities also coordinated with counterparts in neighbouring states to enhance security at metro stations falling under their jurisdictions.
While no explosives were found, officials said the tightened security arrangements will remain in place as a precaution. Cyber teams continue efforts to trace the IP addresses and identify those behind the threat emails.
Tension gripped the campus of Jawaharlal Nehru University in the early hours of Monday after a protest march allegedly spiralled into violence, with rival student groups accusing each other of triggering the unrest.
Students claimed that the incident occurred around 1.30 am when a confrontation broke out during a march called by the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union. The protest, named “Samta Juloos”, was headed towards the East Gate and was organised to demand the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit and the withdrawal of a rustication order.
According to protesters, several students were injured after alleged stone-throwing during the clash. They alleged that the university administration did not intervene during the march and instead permitted members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad to confront demonstrators.
However, the ABVP denied the allegations and countered that Left-affiliated organisations instigated the confrontation and were spreading misinformation about the events.
Left-backed groups, including the All India Students’ Association, claimed that ABVP activists targeted the JNUSU encampment and hurled stones at “unarmed students”, leading to multiple injuries.
Videos shared by students on social media reportedly showed chaotic scenes near the protest site, with members of rival groups engaged in heated exchanges and physical scuffles.
University authorities did not immediately respond to queries regarding the incident. Students said the situation on campus remained tense following the overnight clashes.
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