Coronavirus News highlights: Delhi reports 6,396 fresh COVID-19 cases, 99 deaths

Schools, colleges and educational and coaching institutes in Rajasthan to remain close for students and regular class activities till 30th November.

6,396 new positive cases 4,421 recoveries and 99 deaths reported in Delhiin the last 24 hours The total number of COVID-19cases in Delhi stands at 4,95,598 including 42,004 active cases, 4,45,782 recoveries and 7,812 deaths.

Bihar's COVID-19 tally rose to 2,27,945 on Tuesday as 513 more people tested positive for the infection, a health bulletin said.Five more patients succumbed to the infection, pushing the state's coronavirus death toll to 1,194, it said.

Bihar's recovery count surged to 2,21,210 as 749 more people were cured of the disease, the bulletin said.

The recovery rate among the COVID-19 patients in the state has improved to 97.04 percent, it said.

Storage of Pfizer's COVID vaccine challenge for most nations; India examining possibilities: Govt

The cold-chain requirement for the anti-coronavirus vaccine candidate developed by Pfizer at a temperature of minus 70 degrees Celsius poses a big challenge, but the government is examining the possibilities if at all the vaccine has to be obtained by India, it said on Tuesday.

The government further said a national scheme on COVID-19 vaccine distribution is in its final stages of preparation.

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Maharashtra today reported 2,840 fresh coronavirus positive cases, taking the count of infections to 17,52,509, the state health department said.With 68 more patients succumbing to the infection, the overall toll mounted to 46,102, it said.

Of the 68 fatalities, 51 occurred in the last 48 hours, while 12 were from the last week. The remaining five deaths occurred in the period before the last week, the department said in a release.

A total of 5,123 patients were discharged from hospitals in the day, taking the number of recoveries to 16,23,503, it said.

Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon said that 11 areas including the city of Glasgow would be moved into the country's highest level of coronavirus restrictions due to higher infection rates.

"Eleven local authorities will from 6pm on Friday, for a strictly limited period, move from level 3 to level 4," Sturgeon told the Scottish parliament on Tuesday.

People coming from Delhi to Noida to be randomly tested for COVID-19 from Wednesday.

Mumbai reports 541 new COVID-19cases, 1565 recoveries/discharges and 14 deaths today. Total cases here rise to 2,70,654, including 2,47,339 recoveries/discharges and 10,596 deaths. Active cases stand at 8946.

Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia on November 17 told CNBC-TV18 that there is no plan for a lockdown or a "mini-lockdown" in the national capitaldespite thegrowing number of COVID-19 cases.

Sisodiaalso saidthat recent festivals caused crowding at markets in the city and that he expects the cases to go down once the festival season winds up.

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Punjab reports 515 new COVID-19 cases, 265 discharges and 30 deaths today. Total cases in the state rise to 1,42,597, including 1,32,266 recoveries and 4,510 deaths. Active cases stand at 5,821.

Karnataka reports 1,336 new COVID-19 cases, 2100 discharges and 16 deaths today. Total cases in the state rise to 8,64,140, including 8,27,241 discharges and 11,557 deaths. Active cases stand at 25,323.

WHO praises Uttar Pradesh government for effective COVID-19 management

The World Health Organisation (WHO), on November 17, praised the Uttar Pradesh government for its COVID-19 management strategy terming it as a good example for other states to follow.

A statement issued by Roderico Ofrin, WHO Country Representative, read: “The UP government’s strategic response to COVID-19 by stepping up contact tracing efforts is exemplary and can serve as a good example for other states.”

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