Coronavirus live updates: Nearly 2 million cases in August, India sets a global Covid record

Several Bollywood producers, actors along with the Multiplex Association of India (MAI) on Sunday urged the Centre to open the cinema halls, which have remained shut amid the coronavirus pandemic. The country went into lockdown from March 25 to contain the spread of coronavirus pandemic. The government started unlocking in phase-wise manner from June with opening up of domestic travel, offices, markets, shopping complexes, etc in non-containment zones.

US cases of the novel coronavirus were approaching 6 million on Sunday as many Midwest states reported increasing infections, according to a Reuters tally.Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota have recently reported record one-day increases in new cases while Montana and Idaho are seeing record numbers of currently hospitalized Covid-19 patients.Nationally, metrics on new cases, deaths, hospitalizations and the positivity rates of tests are all declining but there are emerging hotspots in the Midwest.

Under relaxed norms, no complete lockdown on Sundays in Sept. E-pass system for inter-district travel to be discontinued. All places of worship and hotels, resorts& allowed to re-open.

Rajasthan Cabinet Minister Pratap Khachariyawas on Sunday informed that he has tested positive for Covid-19.In a tweet in Hindi, Khachariyawas said, "After some symptoms, I got myself tested for Covid-19 and my report came positive. I appeal to all who came in contact with me recently, to undergo Covid-19 test. You all stay healthy and take care of yourself."Wishing the Minister a speedy recovery, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot in a tweet said, "Wishing my ministerial colleague, Pratap Singh Khachariyawas ji speedy recovery from Covid-19. May he get well soon."

The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) on Sunday extended the functioning of weekly markets on a trial basis till September 6 in the national capital, officials said.Last week, the DDMA had allowed on a trial basis such markets to open, one market per day per municipal zone, in the city for one week from August 24-30.The authorities have directed officials concerned to ensure strict implementation of anti-Covid-19 measures, including social distancing and mandatory use of face mask at these markets.

Letter reads, “Govt statistic states that 87000 healthcare workers were infected & 573 died due to Covid.”