Coronavirus India News highlights: Mumbai reports 1,929 fresh COVID-19 cases, 35 deaths

'Vaccine nationalism will prolong the pandemic': WHO's Tedros

WHO Director-GeneralTedrosAdhanomGhebreyesuscalled for countries around the world to join forces to tackle the coronavirus on Friday, saying that "vaccine nationalism" would only slow the response to the pandemic.

The WHO andGAVIvaccine alliance are leading a global vaccine allocation plan known asCOVAXaimed at helping buy and distribute vaccination shots fairly.

"Vaccine nationalism will prolong the pandemic,"Tedrostold reporters at a WHO briefing in Geneva, without mentioning any specific countries.

Bharat Biotech gets Centre's nod to start Covaxin phase II trials

Bharat Biotech’s coronavirus vaccine Covaxin will now enter phase II of clinical trials. The firm developing India’s indigenous vaccine candidate for COVID-19 secured the Centre’s nod to begin phase II trials on September 3.

The phase I trials of Covaxin reportedly went as per expectations, with no side-effects being reported in volunteers who were administered the COVID-19 vaccine shots. During the first phase of the trials, 375 people across the country were given Covaxin shots.

Read more here.

378 deaths and 19,218 new cases detected in the state today. The total number of positive cases in the state is 8,63,062 including 6,25,773 recovered patients, 2,10,978 active cases and 25,964 deaths.

Mumbai reports 1,929 fresh COVID-19 cases and 35 deaths. The recovery rate in the city now stands at 80 percent while the doubling rate is at 77 days.

1,658 new COVID-19 cases and 30 deaths reported in Madhya Pradesh in the last 24 hours, taking active cases to 15,474, recoveries to 53,257and death toll to 1,513.

Coronavirus wrap September 4 | Russian vaccine produces antibodies, says study; Actor Robert Pattinson tests positive for COVID-19

Globally, more than 2.6 crore infections and over 8.6 lakh deaths have been reported due to the COVID-19 pandemic.... Read More

831 new positive cases reported in Uttarakhand today. The total number of COVID-19cases in the state is now 23,011 including 15,447 recoveries, 7,187 active cases and 312 deaths.

Andhra Pradesh reported 10,776 new coronavirus cases, 12,334 recoveries and 76 deaths in the last 24 hours, taking total cases to 4,76,506 including 3,70,163 recoveries and 4,276 deaths. Number of active cases stands at 1,02,067.

Tamil Nadu reported 5,976 new COVID-19 cases, 6,334 discharges and 79 deaths in the last 24 hours, taking active cases to 51,633, discharges to 3,92,507 and death toll to 7,687.

All schools to continue to remain closed till September 30. Students of classes 9 to 12 may be permitted to visit their schools, in areas outside containment zones only, on a voluntary basis, for taking guidance from their teachers.

This will be subjected to the written consent of their parents/guardians and will be permitted with effect from September 21 for which, SOP will be issued by the Health Ministry to be followed by the schools.

Do not expect wide-spread COVID-19 vaccinations until mid-2021: WHO

Even as the race for an effective COVID-19 vaccine continues, the World Health Organisation (WHO) on September 4 said it does not expect widespread vaccination until mid-2021 and that "none of the vaccine candidates have a clear signal of efficacy at the level of at least 50 percent" sought by the body.

A WHO spokeswoman, during a briefing, stressed on theimportance of rigorous checks on avaccine'seffectiveness and safety.

Read more here.

Delhi reports 2,914 fresh COVID-19 cases and 13 deaths. Active cases in the national capital now rise to 18,842. This is the highest single-day spike in cases since June 27.

1,047 new COVID-19cases reported in Jammu and Kashmir today; 493 from Jammu division and 554 from Kashmir division. Total number of cases now at 40,990 including 8,800 active cases, 31,435 recoveries and 755 deaths.