Coronavirus News highlights: Today is the 267th day since India implemented a nationwide lockdown to help curb the novel coronavirus pandemic. So far, India has recorded 99,06,165 confirmed COVID- 19 cases, including 1,43,709 deaths. A total of 94,22,636 patients have recovered, as per the latest data from the Union Health Ministry. However, there are 3,39,820 active cases in the country, which comprise 3.43 percent of the total caseload. Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have reported the highest number of cases so far. However, infections continue to rise rapidly in states like Kerala and West Bengal. India's recovery rate continues to rise and now stands at 95.12 percent. The country conducted 9.93 lakh tests during the previous 24-hour cycle. Globally, more than 7.27 crore people have been infected by the novel coronavirus and 16.19 lakh have died so far.
1,110 test COVID-19 positive in Gujarat; active cases below 13,000
Gujarat's COVID-19 tally increased to 2,29,913 on Tuesday with the addition of 1,110 new cases, while more than 1,200 patients recovered from the infection, the state health department said.
Eleven fresh fatalities pushed the state's COVID-19 death toll to 4,193, it said.
There are now 12,881 active cases, of which the condition of 61 patients is critical, said the department.
How close is Moderna to getting U.S. authorization for its COVID-19 shot?
Moderna Inc's COVID-19 vaccine appeared set for regulatory authorization this week after U.S. Food and Drug Administration staff endorsed it as safe and effective in documents released Tuesday.
The coronavirus pandemic has killed more than 300,000 people in the U.S. and the government is counting on the Moderna shot to help fulfill its promise to inoculate 20 million this month.
An FDA decision on whether to issue a so-called emergency use authorization for the Moderna vaccine will be made after a panel of outside advisers meets Thursday. The FDA typically follows the advice of the panel, but is not required to do so.
COVID-19 positive Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij was on Tuesday evening shifted to the Medanta Hospital in Gurgaon, a family member said.
Vij (67), who is also the state's home minister, was admitted to the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (PGIMS) in Rohtak on Saturday night after he complained of discomfort. Earlier, he was being treated at the Civil Hospital in Ambala.
Vij's younger brother Rajinder Vij told reporters outside PGIMS: "We are shifting him to Medanta because we are not seeing the kind of improvement which we were expecting."
He said the doctors at the Rohtal hospital "gave their best treatment" and "provided best facilities", yet there has not been much improvement (in Anil vij's condition).
Maharashtra on Tuesday reported 3,442 fresh COVID-19 cases, taking the count of infections to 18,86,807, the state health department said.With 70 more persons succumbing to the viral disease, the cumulative toll mounted to 48,339.Maharashtra now has71,356 active cases.
Uttar Pradesh reported 1,354 new COVID-19cases, 1,852 discharges and 20 deaths in the last 24 hours. Total discharges: 5,41,579; Death toll: 8,103; Active cases: 18,382.
Singapore is to allow a limited number of business, official and other "high economic value" travellers from around the world under a "bubble" arrangement that offers a glimpse into what visitors for this year's relocated Davos summit might expect.
The annual World Economic Forum (WEF) will make its debut in Asia in May after being moved from its usual home in the Swiss ski resort of Davos over coronavirus safety concerns.
Singapore's borders have been largely shut for most of 2020 as part of strict rules to keep out a virus still raging across the globe, and it faces challenges hosting an event that usually attracts thousands just five months from now.
Goa's coronavirus caseload went up by 92 and reached 49,566 on Tuesday, while three people died and 124 were discharged during the day, taking the toll to 710 and recovery count to 47,861, an official said.
A total of 1,709 samples were tested during the day, he added. Goa now has 995 active cases.
US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) staff raises no new concerns with Moderna's coronavirus vaccine, news agency Reuters is reporting.
Delhi reports 1,617 new COVID-19cases, 2,343 recoveries and 41 deaths in the last 24 hours.Active cases now stand at 14,480.
5,218 new COVID-19cases and5,066 recoveries and 33 deaths reported in Kerala today. Number of active cases now at 57,757; so far 6,16,666 patients have recovered.
Rajasthan reported 1,045 new COVID-19 cases, 13 deaths and 1722 recoveries/discharges today.Active cases in the state now stand at 15,510.
Karnataka reported 1185 new COVID-19cases, 1594 discharges and 11 deaths today. Total cases: 9,03,425; Total discharges: 8,75,796; Death toll: 11,965; Active cases: 15,645.
