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New Delhi : Ricovr Healthcare Inc., a US-based rapid diagnostics platform company, and IIT-Madras, have developed a point-of-care Covid-19 antigen test that can provide results in five minutes using saliva samples.

Sixty-three doctors have died due to Covid-19 in Tamil Nadu, of whom 12 are from Chennai, according to data released by the Indian Medical Association Headquarters, Delhi. As Tamil Nadu reported 5,560 fresh cases of Covid-19 on September 17, 2020,State Health Minister C Vijayabaskar, in a press statement, said over 45,000 children, who tested positive in the State, had been treated so far, according to a PIB release.

Karnataka:Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on September 17, 2020, appealed to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to accept recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission for a special grant of Rs 5,495 crore for Karnataka, on account of reduced devolution. As new Covid-19 cases continue to be reported unabated, Karnataka is poised to touch seven lakh cases and witness 11,200 deaths by October 12, according to a study. Covid mortality analysis of patients in Victoria Hospital found that of the 370 deaths due to Covid-19, 71 were within 12 hours of admission and 32 within 24 hours of admission. The hospital has treated 5,000 Covid patients so far.

Andhra Pradesh: The Government has given the green signal to run city bus services in the State from September 19, 2020.  In the first phase, buses will run in Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada following Covid rules. Only 60 per cent of the passengers will be allowed on the bus.

Maharashtra:  Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) authorities have eased travel restrictions from September 18, 2020, for commuters travelling between Mumbai and Pune and other places by inter-city air-conditioned (AC) and non-AC buses.  MSRTC has started operating its buses with full passenger capacity as part of the easing of restrictions amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak. Earlier, the buses were operated up to a 50% passenger capacity.  Meanwhile, Maharashtra Energy Minister Nitin Raut has tested positive for Covid becoming the 9th Minister of  the state cabinet to contract the infection, according to a PIB release.