Coronavirus News Highlights: Over 8,000 cases in Maharashtra for 5th day in row, Mumbai's single-day count crosses 1,000

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Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Next phase of COVID-19 vaccination to begin at 192 health facilities in Delhi on March 1

The COVID-19 vaccination drive for people above 60 years and those aged 45 and above with comorbidities will begin on Monday at 192 health facilities, including 136 private hospitals in the national capital, Delhi government officials said. The vaccines will be administered free of cost at government hospitals and health centres while Rs 250 will be charged for it at private health facilities, they said.

"The vaccination drive will begin from 12 noon on Monday. People aged 60 years or more as on January 1, 2022 and those with comorbidities who are in the age group of 45-59 years as on January 1, 2022 are eligible for vaccination," a senior government officer said. Delhi government's Family Welfare directorate also tweeted,"Tomorrow Delhi will be entering the much-awaited phase of COVID vaccination for 60 plus population and those having comorbidities in the age group of 45-59 years at 192 Delhi Health Facilities out of which 136 are paid Private facilities and 56 are Free Govt facilities."

PTI

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Brazil's capital returns to COVID-19 lockdown

Brazil's capital has entered a two-week lockdown, joining several states in adopting measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 as intensive care beds begin to fill in some important cities. At least eight Brazilian states adopted curfews over the past week due to the rise in cases and deaths from COVID-19. Thursday was Brazil's deadliest day since the beginning of the pandemic, with 1,541 deaths confirmed from the virus. So far 254,000 people have died overall.

Brasilia Gov. Ibaneis Rocha decreed the total closure of bars, restaurants, shopping malls and schools until March 15 and prohibited gatherings of people. Sale of alcoholic beverages was prohibited after 8 p.m. In the federal district, 85 per cent of hospital beds were occupied on Sunday, according to the local health ministry. (AP)

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Tamil Nadu extends lockdown till March 31, shops and offices to stagger timings

The lockdown in Tamil Nadu has been extended till March 31, the state government said in an order issued on February 28.

No major curbs were added, but the incumbent set of restrictions would continue till the end of next month.

The timings of offices, commercial establishments, industries, shops and marketplaces would remain staggered to prevent overcrowding. READ MORE

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Bihar govt to bear cost of vaccination in private hospitals

The government of Bihar will bear the cost of vaccination at private hospitals, Times of India reported. The private hospitals can charge up to Rs 250 per dose of vaccine. Citizens aged above 60 and 45-plus with comorbidities are eligible to receive the vaccine shots from March 1 onwards.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Mumbai's single-day count crosses 1,000

A total of 1,051 new cases and five deaths were recorded in Mumbai in the last 24 hours, stated the update issued by the civic body. The case-count has been alarmingly rising in India's financial capital. Across Maharashtra, over 8,000 cases were reported for a fifth consecutive day.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Maharashtra reports 8,293 new cases, 62 death in last 24 hours

Maharashtra reported 8,293 new COVID-19 cases, 3,753 recoveries, and 62 deaths in the last 24 hours, as per the state health department. 

• Total cases in the state: 21,55,070
• Total recoveries: 20,24,704
• Death toll: 52,154
• Active cases: 77,008

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Prince William backs anti-COVID-19 vaccines in video call with Indian-origin family

Britain’s Prince William has become the latest member of the royal family to encourage people to take up vaccines to protect themselves against COVID-19, saying it was a “really, really important” way to combat the pandemic. William, the 38-year-old Duke of Cambridge, addressed the issue during a video call with London-based Indian-origin Modha family who spoke about getting over any anxiety around the jabs.

The second in line to the British throne echoed his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II’s views on the importance of being vaccinated and also warned against believing misinformation around the jabs circulating on social media. "Catherine and I are not medical experts by any means but if it's any consolation, we can wholeheartedly support having vaccinations. It's really, really important,” said William, who was joined on the video call by wife Catherine/Kate Middleton.

PTI

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | COVID-19 crisis far from over; 3rd wave to be more dangerous: CSIR official

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Director General Shekhar C Mande on Sunday warned that the COVID-19 crisis was far from being over and allowing a 'third wave' by lowering our guard is fraught with grave consequences.

Also, continued collaboration across institutions was necessary to come out of the current situation as well as ward off catastrophic situations arising out of climate change and over dependence on fossil fuels which had the potential to wipe out the entire humanity, he said.

The expert clarified that India is nowhere near achieving herd immunity and as such people should continue to wear masks and maintain social distancing and hand hygiene to stay away from getting infected by the virus.

Cautioning the people and the scientific community against allowing 'complacency to set in,' he warned that a third wave would precipitate a far more dangerous situation than the challenge the country had faced so far.

PTI

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Registration for next phase of vaccination on Co-WIN2.0 to begin at 9 am on March 1

Registration for next phase of COVID19 Vaccination on Co-WIN2.0 portal will open at 9:00 am on 1st March 2021 at www.cowin.gov.in. More than 10,000 private hospitals empanelled under Ayushman Bharat PMJAY, more than 600 hospitals under CGHS and other private hospitals empanelled under State Schemes can function as COVID Vaccination Centres.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Germany limits travel from French region over virus variant

Germany announced Sunday that travelers from Frances northeastern Moselle region will face additional restrictions due to the high rate of variant coronavirus cases there.

Germany's disease control agency, the Robert Koch Institute, said it would add Moselle to the list of variant of concern areas that already includes countries such as the Czech Republic, Portugal and the United Kingdom. Travelers from those areas must produce a recent negative coronavirus test before entering Germany. The Moselle region in northeastern France includes the city of Metz and borders the German states of Saarland and Rhineland-Palatinate. (AP)