Coronavirus News highlights: Today is the 269th day since India implemented a nationwide lockdown to help curb the novel coronavirus pandemic. So far, India has recorded 99,56,557 confirmed COVID- 19 cases, including 1,44,451 deaths. A total of 94,89,740 patients have recovered, as per the latest data from the Union Health Ministry. However, there are 3,22,366 active cases in the country, which comprise 3.24 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 95.31 percent. The country conducted 11.58 lakh tests during the previous 24-hour cycle. Globally, more than 7.41 crore people have been infected by the novel coronavirus and 16.47 lakh have died so far.
Coronavirus in Maharashtra LIVE Updates | 3,880 more contract COVID-19; active cases below 61,000
Maharashtra's COVID-19 tally rose to 18,84,773 on Thursday with the addition of 3,880 fresh cases, while more than 4,350 patients recovered from the infection, said a state health department official.
The state also reported 65 more deaths, taking the fatality count to 48,499, he said.With this, the number of patients currently under treatment stood at 60,905.
Coronavirus in Tamil Nadu LIVE Updates | TN records 1,174 new COVID-19 cases, 11 deaths
Tamil Nadu posted 1,174 fresh COVID-19 cases aggregating to 8.03 lakh infections in the state, while 11 people succumbed to the virus pushing the toll to 11,942, the health department said on Thursday.
As many as 1,214 people got cured from the contagion totaling to 7,81,745 so far, a bulletin said.
Coronavirus in Maharashtra LIVE Updates |
Maharashtra government has decided to reimburse the medical expenses of COVID-19 treatment of govt employees & their family members. The order will be effective from September 2, 2020.
Coronavirus in Madhya Pradesh LIVE Updates |
Madhya Pradesh reported 1,161 new COVID-19cases, 1,326 recoveries, and 9 deaths today. Total cases: 2,27,949; Total recoveries: 2,12,351; Death toll: 3,442; Active cases:12,156.
Coronavirus in Africa LIVE Updates | Second COVID-19 wave hits West & Central Africa as weather cools
A second wave of coronavirus infections is hitting West and Central Africa, and experts are warning it could be worse than the first as cooler weather descends on a region where most countries cannot afford a vaccine.
Nigeria, Niger, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Mali, Togo and Democratic Republic of Congo are all at or near record levels of infection, data compiled by Reuters shows. Infections in Senegal are also rising fast.
Compared to the United States and Europe, the region has so far been spared the worst of the pandemic. West and Central African countries are reporting between dozens and a few hundred new daily cases -- still only a fraction of the more than 600,000 cases reported globally each day -- although testing rates in Africa are among the lowest in the world.
Coronavirus in Rajasthan LIVE Updates | 11 deaths, 1,112 fresh virus cases in Rajasthan
The Rajasthan health authorities on Thursday reported 11 coronavirus fatalities and 1,112 fresh cases as the state's numbers rose to 2,589 deaths and 2,95,953 infections.
The fresh deaths were reported from Jaipur and Jodhpur (two each); Ajmer, Bharatpur, Bhilwara, Bikaner, Churu, Dausa and Jhunjhunu (one each), according to an official report.
A total of 2,79,717 patients have recovered so far and the number of active cases at present is 13,647, the report said.
Coronavirus in Kerala LIVE Updates |
4,969 new COVID-19positive cases, 4,970 recoveries, 27 deaths reported in Kerala today.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates |
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has wished French PresidentEmmanuel Macron a speedy recovery and the "best of health" after the latter said that he has tested positive for COVID-19 earlier today.
Coronavirus in Delhi LIVE Updates |
Delhi reports 1,363 new COVID-19cases, 2,391 recoveries and 35 deaths in the last 24 hours. Total cases: 6,13,357; Total recoveries: 5,90,977; Death toll: 10,182; Active cases: 12,198.
Coronavirus vaccine LIVE Updates | Divert arms money to fight COVID-19, ensure vaccine for all, pope says
Pope Francis urged world leaders on Thursday to divert funds used for armaments to confront problems such as the COVID-19 pandemic and ensure vaccines reach the poor and most vulnerable nations.
In his message for the Roman Catholic Church's World Day of Peace, which is celebrated on Jan. 1, Francis also repeated a call for the establishment of a global fund with money slated for weapons to be used instead to help eradicate poverty.
The annual message, this year titled "A Culture of Care as a Path to Peace," is traditionally sent to heads of state, government, international organisations and other religions.
"How many resources are spent on weaponry, especially nuclear weapons, that could be used for more significant priorities such as ensuring the safety of individuals, the promotion of peace and integral human development, the fight against poverty, and the provision of health care." Francis said.
Coronavirus in Saudi Arabia LIVE Updates | Saudi Arabia begins inoculating people with Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines
Saudi Arabia began inoculating people in the kingdom with a COVID-19 vaccine on Thursday, becoming the first Arab country to roll out the Pfizer-BioNTech jab.Saudi Arabia received two shipments of the vaccine on Wednesday.
Earlier this week, health authorities asked citizens and residents to register to receive the vaccine, which they said would be given free to all in the country.
The kingdom has reported around 360,000 cases coronavirus case with 6,080 deaths since the start of the pandemic. Although it began lifting restrictions several months ago, the country has so far avoided a new wave of infections.
Coronavirus in Russia LIVE Updates | Vladimir Putin says he will receive COVID-19 vaccine when he can, urges mass vaccination
President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday he was yet to be inoculated with the Russian-made vaccine against COVID-19 but that he would do so when possible.
Speaking at his annual news conference, Putin also said Russia needed to step up production of its Sputnik V vaccine and that some of its components could be made abroad.
Russia rolled out the Sputnik V jab to medics and other frontline workers in Moscow this month, and more than 200,000 people across the country have already been vaccinated.
"As for the need for mass or universal vaccination, I think this should be done... This is exactly what should create immunity in the population nationwide," Putin said.
Coronavirus in Andhra Pradesh LIVE Updates |
Andhra Pradesh reports 534 new COVID-19 cases, 498 recoveries, and 2 deaths, according to State Health Department. Total cases: 8,77,348; Active cases: 4,454; Total recoveries: 8,65,825; Death toll: 7,069.
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates | COVID-19 recovery rate in India among highest in the world: Health Ministry
India's COVID-19 recovery rate is amongst the highest in the world, the Union Health Ministry said on Thursday, underlining that countries like the US, Brazil, Russia, and Italy are reporting lesser recovery rates.
With focussed strategy and proactive as well as calibrated measures of the Centre along with the States and UTs, India has sustained a very high COVID-19 recovery rate along with rapidly declining active cases and low mortality rate, it said.
"While the global figure for recovery rate is 70.27 percent, India is recording 95.31 per cent.The USA, Brazil, Russia, and Italy are reporting lesser recovery rates," the ministry said.
Recoveries outnumbering new cases on a daily basis have ensured a high recovery rate among patients. The total recovered cases are nearing 95 lakh.
Coronavirus in Odisha LIVE Updates | Odisha logs 351 new COVID-19 cases
Odisha today added 351 new cases to its COVID-19 caseload, raising the state's tallyto 3,25,147, while five fresh fatalities pushed the toll to 1,825, a health department official said. Odisha currently has 3,061 active cases, while 3,20,208 patients have so far recovered. The state's positivity rate stands at five percent. Over 65.02 lakh samples have been examined in thestate, including 33,494 yesterday. (PTI)
Coronavirus in Australia LIVE Updates | Sydney residents told to stay home after COVID-19 cluster grows to 17
Australia today scrambled to trace the source of new COVID-19 cases after a cluster was detected in the largest city of Sydney, where authorities urged hundreds of thousands of people to stay home and set up emergency testing centres. After reporting two new cases of the novel coronavirus in Sydney's northern suburbs the previous day, the authorities said hours later the number had jumped to 17, prompting a request for all 250,000 residents in the city's Northern Beaches district to stay home for three days. People from outside the local government area were urged not to go there. (Reuters)
Coronavirus in France LIVE Updates |
French President Emmanuel Macron has tested positive for COVID-19, the presidential Elysee Palace announced today. It said the president took a test as soon as the first symptoms appeared. The brief statement did not say what symptoms Macron experienced. It said he would isolate himself for seven days. He will continue to work and take care of his activities at a distance, it added. (AP)Coronavirus in Australia LIVE Updates | Sydney residents told to stay home after COVID-19 cluster grows to 17
Australia on Thursday scrambled to trace the source of new COVID-19 cases after a cluster was detected in the largest city of Sydney, where authorities urged hundreds of thousands of people to stay home and set up emergency testing centres.
After reporting two new cases of the novel coronavirus in Sydney's northern suburbs the previous day, the authorities said hours later the number had jumped to 17, prompting a request for all 250,000 residents in the city's Northern Beaches district to stay home for three days.
People from outside the local government area were urged not to go there.
The outbreak brought an end to a two-week run without any locally acquired cases of the virus. Earlier this week, the state of New South Wales, of which Sydney is the capital, formally ended a work-from-home public health order due to low numbers of cases.
Coronavirus in South Korea LIVE Updates | South Korea reports record coronavirus deaths as lockdown fears spark panic buying
South Korea reported a record number of coronavirus deaths on Thursday as the country's biggest wave of infections since the start of the pandemic strained hospital resources and sparked panic buying in anticipation of a harsh new lockdown.
The novel coronavirus had claimed another 22 lives as of midnight on Wednesday, sharply up from a previous high of 13 deaths in a single day earlier in the week, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reported.
Deaths were expected to rise after infections had spiked in Seoul and surrounding areas, with another 1,014 cases reported on Thursday including a daily record of 423 in the densely populated capital city.
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates |
Exports of sectors such as agriculture and pharmaceuticals have recorded significant growth even during the COVID-19 pandemic, and there is a need to sustain this, Commerce Secretary Anup Wadhawan said today. He said that all the signs are there which reflects that India will come back to pre-COVID levels.
Read more | Agriculture, pharma exports grows during COVID-19 pandemic: Commerce Secretary
Coronavirus in Arunachal Pradesh LIVE Updates |
At least 21 more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Arunachal Pradesh, pushing the tallyin the northeastern state to 16,574, reported news agency PTI citing a health department official. Barring two, all the new patients were asymptomatic, State Surveillance Officer (SSO) Dr Lobsang Jampa said. Fourteen people were cured of the disease yesterday, taking the total number of recoveries in the state to 16,278.The recovery rate among coronavirus patients in the state currently stands at 98.21 percent.Arunachal Pradesh now has 241 active cases, and 55 patients have succumbed to the infection so far, the officialsaid.
Coronavirus Vaccine LIVE Updates | Russia's COVID-19 vaccine rollout draws wary, mixed response
While excitement and enthusiasm greeted the Western-developed coronavirus vaccine when it was rolled out, the Russian-made version has received a mixed response, with reports of empty Moscow clinics that offered the shot to health care workers and teachers the first members of the public designated to receive it. Kremlin officials and state-controlled media touted the Sputnik V vaccine as a major achievement after it was approved on August 11. But among Russians, hope that the shot would reverse the course of the COVID-19 crisis has become mixed with wariness and skepticism, reflecting concerns about how it was rushed out while still in its late-stage testing to ensure its effectiveness and safety. Russia faced international criticism for approving a vaccine that hasnt completed advanced trials among tens of thousands of people, and experts both at home and abroad warned against its wider use until the studies are completed. (AP)
Coronavirus in Japan LIVE Updates | Tokyo says COVID-19 strain on hospitals severe, raises alert to highest
The Japanese capital of Tokyo said today the strain on its medical system from the COVID-19 pandemic was severe, raising its alert level to the highest of four stages as the number of cases spiked to a record high. At a coronavirus monitoring committee meeting attended by Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, a health official said it had become difficult to balance the care of COVID-19 patients with regular ones as hospital beds filled up, assigning a "red" alert for medical preparedness for the first time. The number of positive cases in Tokyo surged to a daily record of more than 800 today, public broadcaster NHK said. (Reuters)
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | China welcomes WHO-led trip to investigate COVID-19: WHO official
The World Health Organization said today that China had welcomed an international team of investigators into COVID-19 expected to travel to the country in early January.Babatunde Olowokure, the WHO's regional emergencies director in the Western Pacific, told a news conference that the organisation was in talks with Beijing over where the investigators would travel to within the country. (Reuters)
Coronavirus in Puducherry LIVE Updates | Puducherry adds 40 new COVID-19 cases, tally rises to 37,622
The union territory of Puducherry logged 40 new coronavirus cases while no freshfatality was reported in the last 24 hours, a top Health department official said today.The 40 fresh infections took the overall tally to 37,622, Director of Health and Family Welfare S Mohan Kumarsaid in a release. The death toll remained at 622 as no death was reported from any of the four regions - Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam- in the last 24 hours ending 10 am. (PTI)
Coronavirus Vaccine LIVE Updates |
Participants of Moderna and Pfizer and BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine trials, irrespective of whether they experienced side effects, have recommended getting the shot, as per a report by the Wall Street Journal. As the Pfizer-BioNTech offering is poised to roll out this week and Moderna gears up to seek commercial use as well – with a US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) panel set to review it on December 17, some Americans have expressed reservations – with one concern being the side-effects. Participants, however, even if they experienced mild to harsh symptoms, recommend taking the doses, the report noted.
Read more | COVID-19 vaccine trial participants encourage getting the shot, despite side-effects: Report
Coronavirus in United States LIVE Updates | Biden to get COVID-19 vaccine next week
US President-elect Joe Biden will get the coronavirus vaccine as soon as next week, transition officials said yesterday, as US authorities try to build public confidence in a measure that promises to stanch the deadly pandemic. Vice President Mike Pence will get the vaccine tomorrow, the White House said. Both men will receive the shot publicly in an effort to boost confidence in the safety of the vaccine, which will become widely available to the public next year. (Reuters)
Coronavirus in China LIVE Updates | Mainland China reports seven new COVID-19 cases
Mainland China reported seven new COVID-19 cases yesterday, the country's national health authority said today.The National Health Commission, in a statement, said all of the new cases were imported infections originating from overseas. The number of new asymptomatic cases, which China does not classify as confirmed cases, fell to six from nine a day earlier.The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in mainland China now stands at 86,777, while the death toll remains unchanged at 4,634. (Reuters)
Coronavirus Vaccine LIVE Updates |
USPresident-elect Joe Biden and Vice President Mike Pence are set to receive the COVID-19 vaccine soon. (AP)
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates |
The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 94,89,740 pushing the national recovery rate to 95.31 percent, while the COVID-19 case fatality rate stands at 1.45 percent. The COVID-19 active caseload remained below 4 lakh for the eleventh consecutive day.
Coronavirus in India LIVE updates | JUST IN:
Total confirmed COVID-19 cases in India have risen to 99,56,557, 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 94,89,740 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 3,22,366, 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 1,44,451, the Union Health Ministry has said.
Coronavirus in Telangana LIVE Updates | Telangana logs 509 new COVID-19 cases
Telangana reported 509 fresh COVID-19 cases, taking the tally to over 2.79 lakh while three fatalities pushed the toll to 1,505, the state government said today. As many as 7,172 patients are under treatment. The case fatality rate in the state was 0.53 percent,while it was 1.5 percent at the national level. The recovery rate in Telangana was 96.89 percent,while it was 95.3 percent in the country. (PTI)
Coronavirus in Jharkhand LIVE Updates | Jharkhand reports 190 new COVID-19 cases
Jharkhand's COVID-19 tally rose to 1,12,121 as 190 more people tested positive for the infection, a health department official said today. The death toll increased to 1,004 as three personssuccumbed to the infection in the last 24 hours, he said. Jharkhand now has 1,585 active coronavirus cases, while 1,09,532 people have been cured of the disease so far,the official said. (PTI)
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates |
According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), a cumulative total of 15,78,05,240 samples have been tested for COVID-19 up to December 16 with 11,58,960 samples being tested on Wednesday.
Coronavirus in United States LIVE Updates |
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had contact with someone who tested positive for the coronavirus and will be quarantining although he has tested negative, the US State Department said yesterday.
"Secretary Pompeo has been identified as having come into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID. For reasons of privacy we can’t identify that individual," a spokesperson for the State Department said.
Read more | Mike Pompeo to quarantine after contact with COVID-positive person, cancels holiday party
Coronavirus Vaccine LIVE Updates |
The first days of Pfizer Inc's COVID-19 vaccine rollout have seen unexpected hitches including some vaccines being stored at excessively cold temperatures and Pfizer reporting potential challenges in its vaccine production, US officials said on a Wednesday press call. At least two trays of COVID-19 vaccine doses delivered in California needed to be replaced after their storage temperatures dipped below minus 80 Celsius (minus 112 Fahrenheit), US Army General Gustave Perna said on the call. Pfizer's vaccines, made with partner BioNTech SE, are supposed to be kept at around minus 70C.
Read more | Some doses of COVID-19 vaccine kept too cold, Pfizer having manufacturing issues: US officials
Coronavirus LIVE Updates |
An international mission led by the World Health Organization (WHO) is expected to go to China in the first week of January to investigate the origins of the virus that sparked the COVID-19 pandemic, a member and diplomats have told Reuters. The United States, which has accused China of having hidden the outbreak’s extent, has called for a “transparent” WHO-led investigation and criticised its terms, which allowed Chinese scientists to do the first phase of preliminary research.
Read more | WHO-led team expected in China in January to probe COVID-19 origins
Coronavirus in France LIVE Updates | France may start COVID-19 vaccinations in last week of December: PM
People in France could start receiving the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer/BioNTech in the last week of December if European Union authorities approve it next week, French Prime Minister Jean Castex said yesterday. A senior European Commission official said the EU could give its final approval for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine as early as December 23. Castex told parliament that the vaccination campaign in France would be stepped up in January and he confirmed that the elderly would come first in the queue. (Reuters)
Coronavirus in Delhi LIVE Updates | Delhi records 1,547 fresh cases, 32 deaths
Delhi recorded 1,547 fresh COVID-19 cases yesterday with over 79,000 tests conducted, even as the positivity rate stood at 1.96 percent, authorities said. The death toll mounted to 10,147 with 32 new fatalities, while the active case tally dropped to 13,261 from 14,480 the previous day, they said. This is the second consecutive day when the positivity rate remained below two percent. (PTI)
Coronavirus in United Kingdom LIVE Updates | UK reports 25,161 new COVID-19 cases, 612 deaths
The United Kingdom recorded 25,161 new COVID-19 cases yesterday and 612 deaths within 28 days of a positive test for the virus, according to official data. Tuesday's data had shown 18,450 new coronavirus infections and 506 deaths. (Reuters)
Coronavirus in West Bengal LIVE Updates | Bengal reports 2,293 new COVID-19 cases
The COVID-19 death toll in West Bengal rose to 9,191 yesterday as 46 more people succumbedto the disease, the health department said in a bulletin. The state registered 2,293 new cases, pushing the tally to 5,28,211. The bulletin said that 2,767 patients also recoveredfrom coronavirus during the day, taking the total number of cured people to 4,98,877. The number of active cases in the state now is 20,143. (PTI)
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Twitter to start removing COVID-19 vaccine misinformation
Twitter has said that it will begin removing misinformation about COVID-19 vaccinations from its site. It listed among posts that will removed as those including false claims that the virus is not real, debunked claims about the effects of receiving the vaccine and baseless claims that suggest that immunizations are used to harm or control people.
Twitter said in a blog post that it will start enforcing the new policy next week. If people send tweets in violation of the rules, they will be required to delete them before they are able to tweet again. Before the offending tweet is removed, Twitter will hide it from view. (AP)
