The number of weekly COVID-19 cases and deaths continued to decline globally, the World Health Organisation has said, noting that both the case and death incidence have reduced for the past two months in the South-East Asian region.

The COVID-19 Weekly Epidemiological Update, released this week, said over 3.3 million new cases and over 55,000 new deaths were reported around the world during the week of September 20–26, 2021, a decrease of 10% as compared to the previous week for both cases and deaths.

Also read: 60 students of private school test positive

On Thursday, India recorded 23,529 fresh cases in 24-hours. During this period, 311 more people lost their lives to the virus.

Meanwhile, the West Bengal government on Thursday extended the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions till October 30 but allowed movement of people and vehicles at night during the Durga Puja festival from October 10 to 20, according to an order. Odisha, on the other hand, banned publich gatherings and increased night curfew during the upcoming Durga Puja celebrations.

You can track coronavirus cases, deaths and testing rates at the national and State levels here. A list of State Helpline numbers is available as well.

Here are the latest updates:

9.40 am

Number of weekly COVID-19 cases and deaths continue to decline globally: WHO

Globally, the numbers of weekly COVID-19 cases and deaths continued to decline, WHO said.

The largest decrease in new weekly cases was reported from the Eastern Mediterranean Region (17%), followed by the Western Pacific Region (15 per cent), the Region of the Americas (14%), the African Region (12%) and the South-East Asia Region (10%); while weekly cases in the European Region were similar to the previous week.

The number of new weekly deaths reported showed an over 15% decline for all regions except for the European Region and the African Region. The largest decline in weekly deaths was reported from the Western Pacific Region, with a 24% decline as compared to the previous week.

– PTI

9.10 am

Andhra Pradesh adds 50,000 cases in 41 days

The State reported 13 more deaths due to COVID-19 and 1,010 infections in the 24 hours ending Thursday morning.

The cumulative tally of infections reached 20,50,324. The last 50,000 infections were reported in the past 41 days, during which period 23.21 lakh samples had been tested with a positivity rate of 2.15%.

The cumulative toll increased to 14,176 with a mortality rate of 0.69%.

8.20 am

Odisha bans gatherings during Durga Puja, increases night curfew timings in Cuttack, Bhubaneswar

Keeping in view a rise in the COVID graph after major festivals in some parts of the country, the Odisha government on Thursday prohibited gatherings during the upcoming Durga Puja celebrations and increased night curfew timings in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar by an additional two hours during the festivities.

Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) P. K. Jena said that there will be graded unlocking throughout the state from 5 AM on October 1 till 5 AM on November 1.

“Congregations for Durga Puja will not be allowed. It has been observed that unrestricted religious celebration by large gatherings led to a rise in infection rates in some parts of the country.

“Night curfew will continue to be imposed in all urban areas from 10 PM to 5 AM, but it will be in effect from 8 PM to 5 AM in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack from October 11-20,” he said.

The period coincides with the Durga Puja and Dussehra celebrations.

– PTI

8 am

BMC caps height of Durga idols for navratri, says no garba events in Mumbai

The Mumbai civic body on Thursday said no ‘garba’ events will be allowed during the upcoming Navratri festival in view of the coronavirus pandemic and capped the height of Goddess Durga idols to four feet for community mandals and two feet for household ones.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) urged citizens to scrupulously follow COVID-19 protocols and keep celebrations low-key in view of the pandemic as it issued guidelines and standard operating procedure (SOP) for the nine-day-long Navratri festival which begins on October 7.

For the second straight year, the popular festival will be celebrated under the long shadow of the pandemic.

– PTI

7.30 am

Bengal govt extends curbs to Oct 30, makes an exception in night curfew during Durga Puja

“In continuation of the earlier order, restriction and relaxation measures as already in force stand extended up to October 30…. In view of the ensuing festive period the said restriction relating to movement of people and vehicles between 11 pm to 5 am is relaxed during October 10 to 20,” the order by the West Bengal government read.

The order shall come into effect from October 1.

The government has decided not to allow local trains to run, though Metro Railway trains would continue to be operational.

The state has permitted public buses, taxis and autorickshaws to operate at 50% capacity.

Offices, both government and private, are also allowed to function with half the manpower.

– PTI

7 am

Havana reopens its beaches, citing high vaccination rate

Beaches and recreation centers reopened in Cuba’s capital Thursday after authorities announced it was time to resume outdoor activities, including strolling on the Malecon coastal promenade that has long been a gathering place for Havana.

Officials said the reopening was decided on because 90% of the city’s residents are vaccinated against the coronavirus and the number of new cases has been declining.

Some people were quick to take advantage of the announcement and headed to the beach to enjoy the sun and sand.

– AP