Coronavirus News highlights: Kerala reports 5,375 fresh COVID-19 cases, 26 deaths

The Nobel prize week this year will primarily be digital with laureates getting their medals and diplomas in their respective countries in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, a Nobel Foundation official said Tuesday.

The Nobel Laureates will receive their medals and diplomas on December 7 and 8 in ceremonial presentations in their countries which will be shown in the online prize award ceremonies from Oslo and Stockholm on December 10, the official said.

King of Sweden Carl XVI Gustaf will participate through a digital greeting in a ceremony at Golden Hall at the Stockholm City Hall on December 10 where the Nobel Foundation will pay tribute to this year's laureates, Rebecka Oxelstrm, Head of Press, Nobel Foundation said.

The famous Nobel Prize Concert at Konserthuset Stockholm (the Stockholm Concert Hall) will have no audience this year.

Mumbai reports 724 new COVID-19cases, 1,280 recoveries/discharges and 9 deaths today. Total cases rise to 2,84,184 including 2,57,915 recoveries/discharges and 10,819 deaths. Active cases stand at 12,440.

Health ministry asks states to form expert groups to determine COVID-19 test rates

The Union Health Ministry on Tuesday said it had issued written directions to states and Union Territories to form expert groups to study the market and determine the rates of COVID-19 tests.

In response to a question posed at a press briefing, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said deciding the rates of the tests does not come under the purview if the Centre and is a state matter.

Read more here.

Gujarat recorded 1,477 new coronavirus infections on Tuesday, taking its COVID-19 case tally to 2,11,257, the state health department said.As many as 15 patients died of the viral infection in the state on Tuesday, raising the fatality count to 4,004, it said.

The state's recovery rate stood at 91.06 per cent, said the department in its release.

Punjab reported 630 new COVID-19cases, 812 discharges and 14 deaths today, says Govt of Punjab. Total cases in the State rise to 1,52,709, including 1,40,254 recoveries and 4,821 deaths. Active cases stand at 7,634.

World shares rise on recovery hopes after record November

World shares rose to just below record peaks on Tuesday after factory surveys boosted expectations of a recovery from the COVID-19 downturn, with drugmakers seeking fast approval for vaccines and authorities looking set to maintain stimulus.

Bets on more easing from the U.S. Federal Reserve to help the pandemic-hit economy through the winter weighed on the dollar as riskier currencies rose, while crude prices struggled to join the bounce after oil-producing countries delayed a decision on output cuts.

Read more here.

Tamil Nadu reported 1,404 new COVID-19cases, 1,411 discharges, and 10 deaths in the last 24 hours, saysState Health Department. Total cases: 7,83,319; Total discharges: 7,60,617; Death toll: 11,722; Active cases: 10,980.

Maharashtra reports 4,930 new COVID-19cases, 6,290 recoveries/discharges, and95 deaths in the last 24 hours, as per State Health Department. Total cases: 18,28,826; Total recoveries: 16,91,412; Active cases: 89,098; Death toll: 47,246.

ICMR DG says initial assessment of Chennai volunteer case did not necessitate stoppage of 'Covishield' trials

Balram Bhargava at a media briefing said the Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC), the Data safety and monitoring board (DSMB) and the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) have done assessment…... Read More

Rajasthan reports 2,347 new COVID-19cases, 3,007 recoveries/discharges, and19 deaths, as per State Health Department. Total cases: 2,70,410; Total recoveries: 2,40,105; Active cases: 27,974; Death toll: 2,331.

Andhra Pradesh reports 685 new COVID-19cases taking the total number of cases in the State to 8,68,749. There are 7,427 active cases in the State and 8,54,326 people have recovered so far. The death toll is at 6,996.

Kerala reported 5,375 new COVID-19cases, 6,151 recovered cases and 26 deaths today. There are 61,092 active cases, 5, 44,864 recoveries and 2,270 deaths in the state till date.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) on December 1 said it would hold an extraordinary meeting on December 29 "at the latest" to consider emergency approval for a Covid-19 vaccine developed by Germany's BioNTech and US giant Pfizer.

"If the data submitted are robust enough to conclude on the quality, safety and effectiveness of the vaccine, EMA... will conclude its assessment during an extraordinary meeting scheduled for 29 December at the latest," the EU regulator said in a statement.