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.
Coronavirus in Gujarat LIVE Updates |
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.
Coronavirus vaccine LIVE Updates |
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.
Coronavirus in Haryana LIVE Updates | COVID-19 positive Haryana Minister Anil Vij shifted to Medanta in Gurgaon
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).
Coronavirus in Maharashtra LIVE Updates | Maharashtra sees 3,442 new COVID-19 cases, 4,395 recoveries; 70 die
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.
Coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh LIVE Updates |
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.
Coronavirus in Singapore LIVE Updates | Singapore to open travel bubble as it prepares to stand in for Davos
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.
Coronavirus in Goa LIVE Updates | Goa COVID-19 tally rises by 92, active cases go below 1k mark
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.
Coronavirus vaccine LIVE Updates |
US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) staff raises no new concerns with Moderna's coronavirus vaccine, news agency Reuters is reporting.
Coronavirus in Delhi LIVE Updates |
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.
Coronavirus in Kerala LIVE Updates |
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.
Coronavirus in Rajasthan LIVE Updates |
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.
Coronavirus in Karnataka LIVE Updates |
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.
Coronavirus in Andhra Pradesh LIVE Updates |
Andhra Pradesh reports 500 new COVID-19 cases, 5 deaths and 563 recoveries. Total cases: 8,76,336; Total recoveries: 8,64,612; Death toll: 7064; Active cases: 4660.
Coronavirus in Rajasthan LIVE Updates | COVID care centres to be opened at all district Ayurveda hospitals: Rajasthan health minister
Rajasthan Health Minister Raghu Sharma said that post-COVID care centres will be opened at all the district Ayurveda hospitals.Experts will treat the patients who have recovered from the infection at these centres through Homeopathic, Ayurvedic and Unani medical systems.
He was addressing the advisory committee of Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Unani, Yoga and Naturopathy departments at Swasthya Bhawan on Tuesday.
Looking to the huge potential of medical tourism in the state, the minister said 20 such places have been identified in the state where there are maximum movement of tourists. He said that a yoga centre with state-of-the-art-facilities will be opened at these places in public-private partnership (PPP) mode.
Coronavirus in Kerala LIVE Updates | Sabarimala's COVID count at 299; Health Dept revises guideline
All officials on duty at Sabarimala, where the Lord Ayyappa temple is located, besides pilgrims should undergo the RT-PCR test as the Kerala Health Department has revised its guidelines following increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the area in recent days.
The revised norms were issued in connection with the pilgrimage at the temple and one of them was making the Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test mandatory for all pilgrims and officials on duty who reach the shrine after the Mandala Puja on December 26.
According to official sources, 299 people, including 51 pilgrims, 245 employees and three others, have contracted the infection so far after the hill temple was thrown open for the annual Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage last month.
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates |
Doctors on COVID-19 duty must be granted breaks: SC tells Centre
The Supreme Court of India observed on December 15 that doctors on COVID-19 duty must be given a break after continuous service. The apex court said: “Doctors engaged in COVID-19 duty are working continuously and they must be given a break after continuous service.”
These doctors have been on constant duty for the past seven to eight months, and the continuous work might be affecting their mental health, the SC observed.
Coronavirus vaccine LIVE Updates | VK Paul, NITI Aayog:
At this time, six vaccines are undergoing clinical trials in this nation.
Coronavirus in Delhi LIVE Updates | Dr VK Paul, NITI Aayog:
We are happy to note that Delhi has made progress, we congratulate the Govt of Delhi as well as the other governments who have done so well in contributing towards such a significant control in the recent times.
Coronavirus vaccine India LIVE Updates | Health Ministry:
Adverse events following immunisation is a critical issue. When we undertake a universal immunisation program, which has been done for decades, then some adverse effects are seen in children and pregnant women after vaccination.So, we can't deny chances of an adverse event when COVID-19vaccination begins. The countries where immunisation has already begun, especially in the UK, adverse events took place on the very first day. So, it is essential that states and UTs prepare for this too.
Coronavirus vaccine India LIVE Updates | Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary, Ministry of Health:
29,000 cold chain points, 240 walk-in coolers, 70 walk-in freezers, 45000 ice-lined refrigerators, 41000 deep freezers and300 solar refrigerators will be used. All these equipment have already reached state governments.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates |
Should companies require employees to take the vaccine?
Depending on the poll you read, 40-50 percent of Americans say they will not get a coronavirus vaccine when it first becomes available to them. In a survey of firefighters in New York City, who are essential workers at high risk of infection, 55 percent said they do not intend to take a vaccine if offered by their departments.
The possibility that large swaths of the population may refuse — or simply delay — getting vaccinated presents a perilous challenge to the health of the nation and the economy. Widespread coronavirus vaccinations are not only the best way to keep people from dying, they will also help revive business and the economy.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Decline in household savings due to COVID-19: Survey
A significant number of consumers have indicated decline in household savings during the COVID-19 pandemic due to job loss, salary cuts or delays in payments, says a survey. According to the bi-annual Mood of the Consumer Survey by LocalCircles, in close to nine months of the pandemic many consumers are yet to recover from the giant-fall in their personal finance amid job losses and salary cuts. (PTI)
Coronavirus in Tamil Nadu LIVE Updates | 79 more COVID-19 cases from IIT-M, tally now 183
Seventy nine more people have tested positive for coronavirus on the Indian Institute ofTechnology-Madras (IIT-M) campus in Chennai, taking the tally in the institution to 183, a senior health official said today.Out of the 978 samples lifted from the IIT-M since December 1, a total of 183 people have tested positive till date and results for 25 specimens alone were yet to be received, Tamil Nadu Health Secretary, J Radhakrishnan said. From 104 on Monday, with the addition of 79 more positive cases, the IIT-M's COVID-19 tally stood at 183. (PTI)
Coronavirus in Uttarakhand LIVE Updates |
Fifty more residents of a village in Pauri district of Uttarakhand have tested positive for COVID-19, taking the number of infected people in the village to 89. Thirty-nine people from Sileth village had tested positive for the disease on Saturday, while reports of 50 more villagers came out as positive on Monday evening, nodal officer for COVID in Pokhda block Dr Mayank said. The village has been declared a containment zone and sealed, he said. Villagers had started showing symptoms such as cough, cold and fever after visiting a local fair. (PTI)
Coronavirus in Tamil Nadu LIVE Updates | 79 more COVID-19 cases from IIT-M, tally now 183
Seventy nine more people have tested positive for coronavirus on the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras campus, taking the tally in the institution to 183, a senior health official said on Tuesday.
Out of the 978 samples lifted from the IIT-M since December 1, a total of 183 people have tested positive till date and results for 25 specimens alone were yet to be received, Tamil Nadu Health Secretary, J Radhakrishnan said.
From 104 on Monday, with the addition of 79 more positive cases, the IIT-M's COVID-19 tally stood at 183.
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates |
India's active COVID-19 caseload has fallen below 3.4 lakh, a mere 3.43 percent of the total infections, supplemented by an impressive recovery rate of over 95 percent, which is among the highest in the world for countries with high caseloads, the Union Health Ministry said today. The daily new cases recorded today -- 22,065 -- were also the lowest in over five months. As many as 22,252 cases were reported on July 7, the ministry said.
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates | Vice Admiral Srikant passes away due to COVID-19-related complications
Vice Admiral Srikant died today morning due to COVID-19-related complications, officials said. The vice admiral, the Navy's senior-most submariner, was due to retire on December 31.
Expressing his condolences, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted, "Deeply pained at the untimely and sudden demise of Director General Seabird, Vice Admiral Srikant." The Ministry of Defence and the Indian Navy will always remember his stellar contributions and remarkable service to the nation, Singh noted. (PTI)
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates |
India's daily COVID-19 case count fell below 23,000 after a little over five months, while the national recovery rate stood at over 95 percent, according to data updated by the Union Health Ministry today. The daily new coronavirus cases stand at 22,065 after 161 days, the ministry said. The daily case count was 22,252 on July 7.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates |
The Talk host Sharon Osbourne has revealed that she has tested positive for COVID-19 and was briefly hospitalised with the virus. In a Twitter post today, the television personality said she is recuperating now and her husband, singer Ozzy Osbourne, has tested negative. "I wanted to share I've tested positive for COVID-19. After a brief hospitalization, I'm now recuperating at a location away from Ozzy (who has tested negative) while The Talk' is on scheduled hiatus. Everyone please stay safe and healthy," she tweeted.
Coronavirus in Andaman & Nicobar Islands LIVE Updates |
Sixteen more people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Andaman and Nicobar Islands,pushing the tally in the Union Territory to 4,834, a health department official said today. The Union Territory now has 92 active cases while 61people have died of the infection so far, he said. It has conducted 1,53,677 sample tests for COVID-19 so far, and the positivity rate stands at 3.15 percent, he added. (PTI)
Coronavirus Vaccine LIVE Updates |
The first shots of COVID-19 vaccine are being delivered, but it will likely be months before doses are widely available for everyone at US drugstores and doctor’s office. Details are still being worked out, but officials expect widespread availability by the middle of next year. A second coronavirus vaccine is being reviewed this week by the US Food and Drug Administration, and others are in development.
Read more | What to know about COVID-19 vaccination in the US
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates |
The Winter Session of Parliament will not take place this year due to COVID-19 pandemic, the government has said. The next session of Parliament to be held will thus be the Budget Session in January. The government has informed Congress leader in Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury that the government is willing to hold the next session of Parliament at the earliest and it would be appropriate to have Budget Session in January, reports said.
Read more | Winter Session of Parliament scrapped due to pandemic: Govt
Coronavirus in Telangana LIVE Updates | 491 new COVID-19 cases, 3 deaths in Telangana
Telangana registered 491 fresh coronavirus cases, taking the total caseload to over 2.78 lakhwhile three fatalities pushed the toll to 1,499. Transport Minister P Ajay Kumar was among those who tested positive for the virus in the last 24 hours. In a statement, he advised people who came in contact with him recently to undergo COVID-19 tests. The minister is currently in home isolation. As many as 7,272 patients are under treatment. (PTI)
Coronavirus in Maharashtra LIVE Updates | 347 new COVID-19 cases, 7 more deaths in Thane
Thane's COVID-19 count has gone up to 2,36,556 after detection of 347 new cases of infection inthe Maharashtra district, reported news agency PTI citing an official. With seven more deaths, the toll in the district hasrisen to 5,823, he said. There are currently 5,457 active COVID-19 cases in the district, while 2,25,276 patients have recovered. The COVID-19 recovery rate in the district is 95.23percent, while the mortality rate is 2.46 percent.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates |
As many as 22,065 new cases of novel coronavirus were reported, with India’s total COVID-19 cases above 99 lakh, as per health ministry’s December 15 update. India reported 354 new deaths (below the 500 mark for the 10th day) and 30,695 recoveries in the last 24 hours, the latest release shows. Active cases continue to drop, to 3,39,820 with a fall of 12,766 cases in a day.
Read more | COVID-19 cases explained in charts
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates |
The coronavirus caseload mounted to 99,06,165 with 22,065 infections being reported in a day, while the death toll rose to 1,43,709 with 354 new fatalities, the health ministry's data updated at 8 am showed. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 94,22,636 pushing the national recovery rate to 95.12 percent, while the COVID-19 case fatality rate stood at 1.45 percent.
Coronavirus in India LIVE updates | JUST IN:
Total confirmed COVID-19 cases in India have risen to 99,06,165, according to the latest update by from the Union Health Ministry. This number includes cases involving foreign nationals, patients who have recovered and the death toll.
Coronavirus in India LIVE updates | JUST IN:
As many as 94,22,636 COVID-19 patients have been cured and discharged so far, the Union Health Ministry has said in its latest update.
Coronavirus in India LIVE updates | JUST IN:
The reported active COVID-19 cases in India stand at 3,39,820, according to the Union Health Ministry.
Coronavirus in India LIVE updates | JUST IN:
The death toll in India due to the novel coronavirus pandemic has risen to 1,43,709, the Union Health Ministry has said.
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates |
According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), a cumulative total of 15,55,60,655 samples have been tested for COVID-19 up to December 14 with 9,93,665 samples being tested on Monday.
Coronavirus in UK LIVE Updates | Tighter COVID-19 restrictions imposed in London as infections surge
London will move into England's highest tier of COVID-19 restrictions, the government said yesterday, citing increased infection rates that may be partly linked to a new variant of the coronavirus. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said more than 1,000 cases of the new variant had been identified, mainly in southeastern England. Although there was currently nothing to suggest the new strain was likely to cause more serious disease or that it would not respond to a vaccine, Hancock said that it could be contributing to higher infection rates. (Reuters)
Coronavirus in Canada LIVE Updates | Canada administers first COVID-19 vaccines
Canada kicked off its inoculation campaign against COVID-19 yesterday by injecting frontline healthcare workers and elderly nursing home residents, becoming just the third nation in the world to administer the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. The first dose broadcast on live TV went to Anita Quidangen. The personal support worker at the Rekai Centre, a non-profit nursing home for the elderly in Toronto, Canada's largest city, said she was "excited" to have been first in line. Healthcare workers in masks and white coats applauded after she was injected. (Reuters)
Coronavirus in Jammu and Kashmir
LIVE Updates | Over 1 lakh health workers to be vaccinated in phase 1
Over one lakh health workers in Jammu and Kashmir will be vaccinated against COVID-19 in the first phase when a vaccine is available in the country, a senior official said. The Jammu and Kashmir administration has identified over 4,000 sites and 24,000 vaccinators for it, he said. The health administration has already started advance planning for coronavirus vaccine rollout and deputy commissioners have prepared district-wise micro-plans for vaccination sites, cold chain storage points and logistics requirements. (PTI)
Coronavirus LIVE Updates |
Asian stocks came under pressure on Tuesday following a mixed Wall Street session, as concerns about increasing COVID-19 deaths, infections and lockdowns overshadowed optimism about the start of coronavirus vaccinations. Australian S&P/ASX 200 lost 0.12% in early trading while Japan’s Nikkei 225 futures fell 0.13%. E-mini futures for the S&P 500 rose 0.21%.
Read more | Asian stocks dip as investors curb vaccine enthusiasm
Coronavirus in Maharashtra LIVE Updates | Mumbai adds 477 new COVID-19 cases
Mumbai recorded 477 fresh COVID-19 cases, the second lowest rise in a day afteralmost a month, taking the count of infections to 2,87,303, the city civic body said. With seven deaths, the second lowest in a day this month, the cumulative toll went up to 10,988, it said. The number of recoveries went up to 2,66,695 with 533 patients getting discharged from hospitals in the day. The number of active cases has once again fallen below 10,000 to 9,008, after the removal of 3,586 duplicate casesfrom the list by the ICMR. (PTI)