Coronavirus News highlights: Today is the 248th day since India implemented a nationwide lockdown to help curb the novel coronavirus pandemic. So far, India has recorded 92,66,705 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 1,35,223 deaths. A total of 86,79,138 people have recuperated from COVID-19 so far. There are 4,52,344 active cases in the country as of date, which comprises 4.88 percent of the total caseload, the data stated. Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have reported the highest number of cases. However, infections are rising rapidly in states like Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. India's recovery rate continues to rise and now stands at 93.66 percent. Globally, more than 6.02 crore people have been infected by the coronavirus and 14.18 lakh have died so far. Stay tuned to this LIVE blog for all the latest updates:
Coronavirus in Mumbai LIVE Updates |
Mumbai reports 1,147 new COVID-19cases, 548 recoveries/discharges and 16 deaths today. Total cases here rise to 2,79,737 including 2,54,152 recoveries/discharges and 10,739 deaths. Active cases stand at 11,697.
Coronavirus in West Bengal LIVE Updates | State Health Dept:
WestBengal's COVID-19 toll rises to 8,224 with 52 more fatalities;3,507 fresh cases take tally to 4,70,498.
Coronavirus in Africa LIVE Updates | Africa faces wait for mass COVID-19 vaccination: Disease control group
Mass vaccination against COVID-19 is unlikely to start in Africa until midway through next year and keeping vaccines cold could be a big challenge, the continent's disease control group said on Thursday.
Some European countries expect to start rolling out vaccination campaigns as early as January.
But health campaigners are worried that Africa will find itself near the back of the queue for COVID-19 vaccines after wealthier nations signed a raft of bilateral vaccine supply deals with pharmaceutical companies.
Coronavirus in France LIVE Updates | Pandemic weakening more in France than elsewhere in Europe, says PM Jean Castex
France has done a better job of flattening a second wave of COVID-19 infections that some of its European neighbours but it would be premature to talk about an end to the lockdown, Prime Minister Jean Castex said on Thursday.
Castex said the 'R' rate that measures the spread was now at 0.65 countrywide, the same level France reached at the end of a three-month confinement in the spring, but that citizens must not lower their guard over the festive holidays.
"Your efforts are paying dividend," Castex told a press conference. "Pressure from the epidemic is weakening and it is weakening more in France than in other European nations."
Coronavirus in Karnataka LIVE Updates |
Karnataka reports 1,505 new COVID-19 cases, 1,067 recoveries, and 12 deaths, according to State Health Department. Total cases: 8,79,560; Total recoveries: 8,42,499; Total deaths: 11,726; Active cases: 25,316.
Coronavirus in Tamil Nadu LIVE Updates |
Tamil Nadu reported 1,464 new COVID-19cases, 1,797 discharges, and 14 deaths in the last 24 hours. Total cases: 7,76,174; Total discharges: 7,53,332; Death toll: 11,669; Active cases: 11,173.
Coronavirus in Haryana LIVE Updates | Haryana reports 25 more COVID-19 deaths, 2,122 fresh cases
Haryana reported 25 more fatalities due to COVID-19 on Thursday, taking the death toll to 2,316, while 2,122 fresh cases pushed the state's infection tally to 2,26,611.
Faridabad registered five deaths, Hisar, Jhajjar and Rohtak three each, and Gurgaon, Rewari, Panchkula, Kurukshetra and Jind districts two each, according to the state health department's daily bulletin.
The state's active cases stand at 20,778, while the recovery rate is 89.81 per cent.
Cornavirus in Maharashtra LIVE Updates | Maharashtra records 6,406 fresh cases of COVID-19, 65 deaths
Maharashtra's COVID-19 case count on Thursday crossed 18 lakh to reach 18,02,365 as 6,406 new infections came to light, a health official said.
The state also reported 65 deaths, taking the death toll due to the pandemic to 46,813, he said.A total of 4,815 patients were discharged duringthe day, taking the tally of recovered people to 16,68,538.
With this, the number of active patients reached 85,963.
Coronavirus in Madhya Pradesh LIVE Updates |
Madhya Pradesh reports 1,668 new COVID-19 cases, 1,199 discharges, and 12 deaths today, according to State Health Department. Total cases: 1,99,952; Total recoveries: 1,82,544; Active cases: 14,199; Death toll: 3,209.
Coronavirus in Gujarat LIVE Updates | State Health Dept:
Gujarat reports 1,560 new COVID19 cases, 16 deaths and 1,302 recoveries. The state's case tally reaches 2,03,509 including 1,85,058 recoveries and 3922 deaths till now. Total active cases are 14,529.
Coronavirus in England LIVE Updates | A third of England face toughest COVID curbs, London spared for now
More than 20 million people across large swathes of England will be forced to live under the toughest category of COVID-19 restrictions when a national lockdown ends on December2, while London was placed in the "high alert" second-toughest tier.
Health minister Matt Hancock on Thursday announced final details of a regional system set to take effect when blanket restrictions on England's 55 million population end after a month-long lockdown - dictating the terms of daily life for the country's citizens and businesses.
"Hope is on the horizon but we still have further to go so we must all dig deep. The end is in sight, we mustn't give up now," Hancock told parliament, alluding to growing prospects for a vaccine against the coronavirus in the coming months.
Coronavirus in Punjab LIVE Updates |
Punjab reported 845 new COVID-19cases, 467 discharges and 26 deaths today, says Govt of Punjab. Total cases in the state rise to 1,49,278, including 1,37,089 recoveries and 4,710 deaths. Active cases stand at 7,479.
Coronavirus in Andhra Pradesh LIVE Updates | State Health Dept:
Andhra Pradesh reported 1031 new COVID-19cases, 1,081 recovered cases and8 deaths in the last 24 hours. Total positive cases in the state at 8,65,705, including 12,615 active cases, 8,46,120 recovered cases and6,970 deaths.
Coronavirus in Rajasthan LIVE Updates |
Rajasthan reported 3,180 new COVID-19cases, 2179 recoveries/discharges, and 19 deaths today, as per State Health Department. Total cases: 2,56,947; Total recoveries: 2,27,408; Active cases: 27,302; Death toll: 2,237.
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates | Shopping mall owners to build new projects; looking for acquisition despite COVID-19
Shopping mall owners are bullish about growth prospects of India’s retail sector despite the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to build new projects as well as look for acquisition to expand their businesses, according to major industry players.
In a panel discussion on retail sector organized by Naredco, senior officials of DLF, Phoenix, Nexus Malls and Virtuous Retail said sales in their shopping malls have picked up significantly during the festive season and it should reach to pre-COVID level in January-March 2021.
Coronavirus in Kerala LIVE Updates |
Kerala reports 5,378 new COVID-19cases today; There are 64,486 active cases and 5,16,978 recoveries in the State.
Coronavirus in Greece LIVE Updates | Greece extends nationwide coronavirus lockdown by a week
Greece will extend its nationwide lockdown by a week until Dec. 7 as COVID-19 cases continue to surge across the country, a government spokesman said on Thursday.
An increase in infections since October has forced the government to impose Greece's second national shutdown since the pandemic began.
The country has registered a total of 97,288 COVID-19 cases and 1,902 deaths during the pandemic, with northern Greece hardest hit and hospitals operating at almost full capacity.
Coronavirus in Delhi LIVE Updates | 80% ICU beds reservation for COVID-19 patients: HC says number of cases in Delhi alarming
The Delhi High Court Thursday termed the number of COVID-19 cases in the national capital as alarming while hearing a plea challenging AAP government's decision to reserve 80 percent of ICU beds for coronavirus patients in 33 private hospitals here.
The numbers, we know, are presently in an alarming state, said Justice Navin Chawla while listing the next hearing on December 9 for further consideration of the matter.
According to the government data, Delhi recorded 99 more deaths and 5,246 COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, taking the infection tally to 5.45 lakh.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Disney increases planned layoffs to 32,000 as virus hits theme parks
Walt Disney Co said on Wednesday it would lay off about 32,000 workers, primarily at its theme parks, an increase from the 28,000 it announced in September, as the company struggles with limited customers due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The layoffs will be in the first half of 2021, the company said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
A spokesman for Disney confirmed that the latest figures include the 28,000 layoffs announced earlier.Earlier this month, Disney said it was furloughing additional workers from its theme park in Southern California due to uncertainty over when the state would allow parks to reopen.
Coronavirus in Uttarakhand LIVE Updates | Closing shops on Sundays shouldn't be confused with weekend lockdown: Uttarakhand Govt
The Uttarakhand government on Thursday clarified that there will be no weekend lockdown in the state capital but only closure of market places, barring shops selling essentials, on Sundays for sanitisation purposes in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Dehradun district administration has issued an order for strict closure of market places on Sundays in the state capital for sanitisation purposes, an official at the Chief Minister's Office said making it clear that the word closure should not be confused with lockdown which is technically different.
However, shops selling essentials like fruits and vegetables and medicines, petrol pumps and LPG agencies will remain out of the ambit of the Sunday closure so that people are not inconvenienced, the official said.
Coronavirus in Delhi LIVE Updates | Schools won't be reopened till govt convinced about student safety: Delhi health minister
Schools in the national capital will not reopen till the government is convinced about students' safety, Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain said on Thursday.
Universities and schools across the country were closed on March 16, when the Centre announced a countrywide classroom shutdown as part of measures to contain the spread of COVID-19. A nationwide lockdown was imposed on March 25.
"There is no plan to reopen schools (in Delhi) as of now. We are hopeful that a vaccine will be available soon. Schools will not be reopened till the time we are convinced that students will be safe," Jain told reporters.
Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had on Tuesday said reopening of schools is unlikely till a vaccine is available.
Coronavirus vaccine LIVE Updates |
Rush for drug in China raises fears of booming illegal market
With pharmaceutical firms like Pfizer Inc., Moderna, and AstraZeneca claiming that their COVID-19 vaccines are near the finish lines, reports from China arrived on the inequitable distribution and even the emergence of illegal markets.
Despite the fact that none of the Chinese firms has released any public data on the efficacy of their shots in Phase III trials, people in the Asian countries are bending the rules to get hold of the unproven Chinese vaccines. Some are even paying $91 to take two doses of what it is believed as a vaccine being produced by a unit of Sinopharm.
Coronavirus in Delhi LIVE Updates |
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai, who had tested positive for COVID-19, has been admitted to Max Hospital and is stable, news agency ANI has reported.
Coronavirus Vaccine LIVE Updates |
With pharmaceutical firms like Pfizer Inc, Moderna, and AstraZeneca claiming that their COVID-19 vaccines are near the finish lines, reports from China arrived on the inequitable distribution and even the emergence of illegal markets. Despite the fact that none of the Chinese firms has released any public data on the efficacy of their shots in Phase III trials, people in the Asian countries are bending the rules to get hold of the unproven Chinese vaccines. Some are even paying $91 to take two doses of what it is believed as a vaccine being produced by a unit of Sinopharm.
Read more | COVID-19 vaccine: Rush for drug in China raises fears of booming illegal market
Coronavirus in Odisha LIVE Updates | Odisha reports 644 new COVID-19 cases
Odisha's COVID-19 tally rose to 3,16,645 today as 644 more people tested positive forthe infection, reported news agency PTI citing a health official. Seventeen more patients succumbed to the infection,pushing the coastal state's coronavirus death toll to 1,704, he said. The state now has 6,786 active coronavirus cases, while 3,08,102 people have recovered from the disease so far,the official said.
Coronavirus in Germany LIVE Updates | German COVID-19 restrictions set to last into 2021
Germany will probably have to stick with measures to dampen the coronavirus pandemic into January, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday, while her chief of staff suggested that restrictions might be needed until March.
"Given the high number of infections, we assume that the restrictions which are in place before Christmas will continue to be valid until the start of January, certainly for most parts of Germany," Merkel told parliament.
Merkel agreed with leaders of Germany's 16 federal states late on Wednesday to extend and tighten the coronavirus lockdown until December20, but ease rules over the Christmas holidays to let families and friends celebrate together.
Merkel said the increase in coronavirus cases was still much too high and the number of deaths a reason for concern.
Coronavirus vaccine LIVE Updates | When and which COVID-19 vaccines are likely to be available in Asia
Pfizer Inc with partner BioNTech SE, Moderna Inc and AstraZeneca Plc have released trial data this month showing their experimental vaccines are effective in preventing the disease. If regulators approve any of the vaccines in coming weeks, the companies have said distribution could begin almost immediately with governments around the world.
But many Asian countries do not expect to receive big amounts initially, and below are estimated distribution timelines, supply deals announced so far and clinical trials under way in the region.
Coronavirus vaccine LIVE Updates | PM Narendra Modi to visit Serum Institute of India in Pune on November 28
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Saturday visit the Pune-based Serum Institute of India, which has partnered with global pharma giant AstraZeneca and the Oxford University for COVID-19 vaccine, a senior official said on Thursday.
The Central Drug Standard Control Organisation has granted permission for manufacture of COVID-19 vaccine for pre-clinical test, examination and analysis to seven firms, two of which are the Serum Institute of India (SII) and the Gennova Biopharmaceuticals.
"We have received a confirmation about PM Modi's visit to the Serum Institute of India on Saturday, but his minute-to-minute program is yet to be received," Pune Divisional Commissioner Saurabh Rao said.
Coronavirus in Delhi LIVE Updates | Doorstep survey throws up 1,178 COVID-19 cases in Delhi's containment zones, densely populated area
A door-to-door survey conducted under the instruction of the Centre to identify and isolate COVID-19 infected people in Delhi's containment zones and densely populated pockets threw up 1,178 positive cases with a positivity rate of 6.4 percent, officials said.
The five-day survey covered over 57 lakh people in the city's containment zones and thickly populated areas, and identified 13,560 symptomatic people, out of which, 11,790 were tested. Also 8,413 contacts of these symptomatic people were traced, out of which, 6,546 people were tested, they said.
The RT-PCR test reports of a total of 18,336 symptomatic cases and their contacts gave up 1,178 positive results, a Delhi government official said.
Coronavirus n United Kingdom LIVE Updates | Out of COVID isolation, British PM to give news conference
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will hold a news conference on Thursday where he will explain which areas in England will continue to local restrictions after the end of the monthlong national lockdown next month, finance minister Rishi Sunak said. "The prime minister will do a press conference later today," Sunak told Sky News. (Reuters)
Coronavirus in Telangana LIVE Updates | Telangana adds 862 new COVID-19 cases
Telangana posted 862 fresh coronavirus cases, taking the total caseload to nearly 2.67lakh while three fatalities pushed the toll to 1,444. As many as 10,784 patients are under treatment in the state. The case fatality rate in the state was 0.54 percent, while it was 1.5 percent at the national level.The recovery rate in Telangana was 95.41 percent, while it was 93.7 percent in the country. (PTI)
Coronavirus in Maharashtra LIVE Updates | Ajit Pawar prays at Maha temple for early COVID-19 vaccine
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar today prayed for the early availability of the COVID-19 vaccine and a world free of the disease as he performed the customary 'maha pooja' at Lord Vitthal's temple in Pandharpur on the occasion of 'Kartiki Ekadashi'. As per the convention, Ajit Pawar and his wife SunetraPawar performed the pooja of Lord Vitthal and Goddess Rukmini at the temple located at Pandharpur in Solapur district early in the morning. District Guardian Minister Dattatray Bharane was alsopresent on the occasion, a statement from Ajit Pawar's office said. (PTI)
Coronavirus in Pakistan LIVE Updates | Bilawal Bhutto tests positive for COVID-19
Pakistan's leading opposition politician Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that he has tested positive for the novel coronavirus infection. The 32-year-old chief of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and son of former two-time prime minister Benazir Bhutto went into isolation after being infected with the virus.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates |
Walt Disney Co said on Wednesday it would layoff 32,000 workers, primarily at its theme parks, an increase from the 28,000 it announced in September as the company struggles with limited customers due to the coronavirus pandemic.The layoffs will be in the first half of 2021, the company said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Earlier this month, Disney said it was furloughing additional workers from its theme park in Southern California due to uncertainty over when the state would allow parks to reopen.
Read more | COVID-19 impact: Disney to layoff about 32,000 workers in first half of 2021
Coronavirus in Delhi LIVE Updates | Delhi Environment Minister tests positive for COVID-19
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Thursday tested positive for coronavirus. Rai is the third minister in the Arvind Kejriwal government to have contracted the virus. Rai is the third minister in the Arvind Kejriwal government to have contracted the virus. Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Health Minister Satyendar Jain had been infected with coronavirus.
An official said that Rai, who is also AAP's Delhi convenor, had met party workers around Diwali. The minister had not attended the all-party meeting convened by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to discuss the COVID-19 situation in Delhi on November 19 as he was not feeling well. (PTI)
Coronavirus in New Zealand LIVE Updates |
Six Pakistan cricketers test positive for COVID-19
Six touring Pakistan cricketers have tested positive for COVID-19 here, New Zealand Cricket announced today, alleging a breach of the bio-secure protocol by the visitors who will not be allowed to train while in quarantine for the time being. A jumbo Pakistan squad, led by Babar Azam, arrived in New Zealand on Tuesday and is serving a mandatory 14-day quarantine period as per COVID-19 protocol.
"Two of these six results have been deemed 'historical'; four have been confirmed as new," NZC said in a statement without revealing the names of the players who have tested positive for the dreaded virus. All six members of the squad will be moved to the quarantine arm of a managed isolation facility. Pakistan are here for three T20 Internationals and two Tests. The series begins December 18 in Auckland. (PTI)
Coronavirus in Maharashtra LIVE Updates | 799 new COVID-19 cases in Thane
As many as 799 new COVID-19 cases have been reported in Maharashtra's Thane district, taking the tally to 2,25,613, an official said today. The death toll in the district has gone up to 5,634,with 15 more people succumbing to the disease, he said. Kalyan town in the district has so far reported the maximum number of COVID-19 cases at 53,175. The COVID-19 recovery rate in the district is 94.40percent, the mortality rate stands at 2.50 percent, while the active cases comprise 3.10 percent of the total infections reported so far, he added. (PTI)
Coronavirus Vaccine LIVE Updates |
Authorities are gearing up to vaccinate at least 25-30 crore Indians, including about three crore healthcare and frontline workers, against COVID-19 by July 2021, the Hindustan Times reported. For this, they are looking to procure 50-60 crore doses of potential vaccines. The vaccination exercise is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2021 when vaccines are made available for use in high numbers.
Read more | India to vaccinate 25-30 crore on priority by July 2021
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates |
Tamil Nadu reported 1,534 new cases of the novel coronavirus on November 25, raising its tally to 7.74 lakh. With nearly 18 lakh cases, Maharashtra's COVID-19 tally remains the highest among Indian states and union territories, according to the health ministry's latest update.
Read more |Coronavirus state-wise tally
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates | COVID-19 tally of five worst-affected states
(includes recoveries, deaths and active cases):
> Maharashtra - 17,95,959 cases
> Karnataka - 8,78,055 cases
> Andhra Pradesh - 8,64,674 cases
> Tamil Nadu - 7,74,710 cases
> Kerala - 5,78,363 cases
Coronavirus in India LIVE updates | JUST IN:
Total confirmed COVID-19 cases in India have risen to 92,66,705, 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 86,79,138 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 4,52,344, 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 1,35,223, the Union Health Ministry has said.
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates |
According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), a cumulative total of 13,59,31,545 samples have been tested for COVID-19 up to November 25 with 10,90,238 samples being tested on Wednesday.
Coronavirus in Pakistan LIVE Updates | Pak PM rules out closing down businesses amid surge in COVID-19 cases
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has ruled out closing down businesses and urged the public to follow health guidelines as the country grappled with the second wave of the coronavirus with the national tally of infections reaching 3,82,892, reported news agency PTI. Khan told media in Lahore that he was concerned about the situation after the daily COVID-19 death toll crossed 50 while being as low as below the single digit just two weeks ago. He said that despite the rising cases, his government would not shut down factories and businesses.
Coronavirus in Assam LIVE Updates | Assam's COVID-19 toll mounts to 978
Assam reported two more COVID- 19 deaths yesterday, raising the toll to 978, even as 182fresh cases took the tally to to 2,12,021, Minister for Health and Family Welfare Himanta Biswa Sarma said. The two deaths reported during the day include an 85-year old man of Dibrugarh and a 74-year old man from Barpeta.
"Sad to share the demise of two #COVID patient today... Condolences to the bereaved families," he tweeted.
Coronavirus in Goa LIVE Updates | Goa makes screening of air, rail passengers mandatory
In a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus, the Goa government has made it mandatory for the passengers arriving at the state's airport and railway stations to undergo thermal screening.The government issued Standard Operating Procedures(SOPs) to this effect yesterday.The order said that in view of the spread of COVID-19 due to the rising cases in other states and the likely risk to the public's health and safety, the State Executive Committee has adopted the SOPs for persons travelling to Goa by air and trains with effect from November 25. (PTI)
Coronavirus Vaccine LIVE Updates |
AstraZeneca and Oxford University on November 25 acknowledged a manufacturing error that is raising questions about preliminary results of their experimental COVID-19 vaccine. A statement describing the error came days after the company and the university described the shots as highly effective and made no mention of why some study participants didn’t receive as much vaccine in the first of two shots as expected.
In a surprise, the group of volunteers that got a lower dose seemed to be much better protected than the volunteers who got two full doses. In the low-dose group, AstraZeneca said, the vaccine appeared to be 90 percent effective.
Read more | AstraZeneca manufacturing error clouds vaccine study results
