Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: India logged 43,509 new coronavirus infections taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 3,15,28,114, while the active cases registered an increase for the second consecutive day, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Thursday. The death toll climbed to 4,22,662 with 640 fresh fatalities. The active cases have increased to 4,03,840 and comprise 1.28 percent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 97.38 percent, the data updated at 8 am showed. An increase of 4,404 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours. The weekly positivity rate was recorded at 2.38 percent, according to the ministry. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 3,07,01,612, while the case fatality rate stands at 1.34 percent, the data stated. Cumulative vaccine doses administered so far has reached 45.07 crore under the nationwide vaccination drive. India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16.It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19. The country crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4 and three crore on June 23.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates |
We're conducting maximum tests these days. Yesterday we conducted over 1.96 lakh tests, today we did more than 1.63 lakh tests. So, we are trying to do more tests. We want to identify every single positive case, says Kerala Health Minister on state reporting 22,064 COVID cases today
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Manipur reports 1,000 new COVID-19 cases, 1,016 recoveries and 11 deaths
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | About 9,000 Covid vaccine doses administered in 3 Delhi jails: Officials
The Delhi Prisons Department on Thursday said almost 9,000 Covid vaccine doses have been administered in three jails of the national capital so far.According to the officials, a total of 8,939 doses have been administered in Tihar, Rohini and Mandoli jails.As on Wednesday, 1,264 inmates above 45 years and 4,384 below 45 years in Tihar jail were vaccinated. In Rohini jail, 132 inmates above 45 years and 600 below 45 years were administered the vaccine while in Mandoli jail, 483 inmates above 45 years and 2,076 below 45 years have been vaccinated, according to the data.The prisons department launched a Covid vaccination drive for the inmates in the 45-plus age category on March 18, while the inoculation of the inmates in the 18-44 age group began on May 18.Since March, around 383 coronavirus cases have been reported among the inmates of the jails in the national capital and eight of them have succumbed to the disease. Among the prison staff members, 225 have been infected with the virus since March and one is still under treatment.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | 4 billion anti-Covid shots injected worldwide
Although more than four billion doses of anti-Covid vaccines have been administered around the world, poorer countries are still struggling to secure precious shots despite recent donations.At least 4,014,302,550 doses had been injected into people's arms by 1100 GMT on Thursday, according to an AFP tally based on official sources.Global injections have slowed slightly: the fourth billion dose was reached in 30 days, while it took 26 days to reach the previous one. The first and second billion were reached after about 140 and 40 days respectively.Forty percent (1.6 billion) of the four billion shots have been administered in China. India (451 million) and the United States (343 million) make up the trio of countries that have administered the most jabs.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Are you facing COVID-19-related hair loss? Know all about causes, ways to combat it
Hair loss is a lesser-known effect, but perhaps not wholly uncommon, symptom of COVID-19.Studieshave shown that among long-haul symptoms like fatigue, coughs and muscle aches, hair loss has been reported in large numbers too.According to doctors, COVID-19 patients experience hair loss a month after recovering from the disease. In some cases, hair loss is observed during the infection period too.A growing number of coronavirus patients, includingMalaika Arora took to social mediato reveal she had been dealing with "intense hair fall post recovery."
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Kerala reports 22,064 new COVID-19 cases, 16,649 recoveries and 128 deaths in the last 24 hours
Active cases 1,54,820
Death toll 16,585
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | COVID-19 vaccine interchangeability, phase-III J&J trials to be discussed at expert panel meet
Important discussions regarding coronavirus vaccines are on the table, as the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) of theCentral Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) is scheduled to meet on July 29. The committee will be discussing the interchangeability of COVID-19 vaccine doses and the final phase of trials of Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose jabs,reportedNews 18.The expert panel will review the interchangeability protocol of Bharat Biotech's Covaxin and Serum Instititues' Covishiled- the two major vaccines being administered currently. There have been discussions around thesupposed increasedefficiency of mixing two different vaccinesas the coronavirus continues to mutate and evolve.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Indian women's nutrition suffered during last year's Covid lockdown: Study
The nationwide lockdown in India last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic caused disruptions in agricultural supply chains that negatively impacted the nutrition of women in the country, according to a study.The research, published in the journal Economia Politica, shows that although food value chains and allied activities were exempted from the lockdown, women's dietary diversity -- the number of food groups consumed -- declined during the period compared to 2019.The researchers at Tata-Cornell Institute for Agriculture and Nutrition (TCI), New Delhi, found that the drop was due to decreased consumption of foods like meats, eggs, vegetables and fruits, which are rich in micronutrients that are crucial to good health and development.'Women's diets were lacking in diverse foods even before the pandemic, but COVID-19 has further exacerbated the situation,' said Soumya Gupta, a research economist at TCI who co-authored the study. 'Any policies addressing the impact of the pandemic on nutritional outcomes must do so through a gendered lens that reflects the specific, and often persistent, vulnerabilities faced by women,” Gupta added.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Andhra Pradesh clocks 2,107 new COVID-19 cases, 20 deaths
The active coronavirus case count increased by 280 in Andhra Pradesh as 1,807 recoveries were reported against 2,107 fresh infections in the 24 hours ending 9 am on Thursday.The state also reported 20 more Covid-19 deaths in a day, according to the latest bulletin.The state's Covid-19 chart now showed 19,62,049 total positives, 19,27,438 recoveries and 13,332 deaths.The active caseload increased to 21,279, the bulletin said.Chittoor topped by reporting 392 fresh cases, followed by East Godavari with 316 and Krishna 303.SPS Nellore added 242, Prakasam 200, Guntur 193 and Visakhapatnam 163 new cases while the remaining six districts logged less than 70 each. (PTI)
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Spain to extend COVID-19 aid to most vulnerable until October 31
Spain’s prime minister on Thursday announced that existing measures to protect the most vulnerable from the pandemic’s economic fallout will be prolonged until the end of October.Spain, one of the country’s that was hardest hit at the beginning of the health emergency, has extended subsidies for the unemployed and furloughs for companies that have gone out of business to try to cushion an economic drop of 11% of its gross domestic product in 2020.As a national lockdown extended in March last year, the government also rolled out a series of social measures, including a ban on leaving impoverished families without utilities and a moratorium on forced evictions for those who saw their income vanish.During a televised briefing on Thursday to summarize progress during the first 1½ years of his left-wing coalition, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said that the so-called social shield will be extended beyond the current Aug. 9 expiration date to Oct. 31.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Vasai Virar civic body records 50 pc of Mumbai circle's one-day COVID-19 deaths
The Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) in Palghar district of Maharashtra has reported 56 deaths due to coronavirus in a single day, which is 50 per cent of the total number of one-day fatalities recorded in the Mumbai circle, the official data has revealed.As per the information published on the Maharashtra government's dashboard, these deaths were recorded on Wednesday. The state reported 286 coronavirus deaths during the day, of which 112 were reported in the Mumbai circle of the health division. Vasai Virar alone recorded 56 deaths, which half the number of fatalities in the circle.Apart from the VVCMC, the deaths recorded in some other urban areas in the Mumbai circle on that day were Mumbai city (six), Thane city (three), Navi Mumbai (two), Kalyan Dombivli (eight), Mira Bhayandar (one), Palghar rural (two), Raigad (32), Panvel (two). (PTI)
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | 100% rise in hair loss complaints among Covid patients at Delhi hospital
Delhi's Indraprastha Apollo Hospital has seen a 100 per cent rise in complaints of hair loss among coronavirus patients, doctors said on Thursday.Normally, according to a spokesperson, the private hospital in South Delhi would record four to five complaints of hair loss a week.However, hair loss cases "started increasing from mid-May and a consolidated report says we have been seeing double the number of cases since then", the spokesperson said.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Number of cases in Kerala is more than half of the total tally of the country; MoS MEA V Muraleedharan blames Eid
MoS MEA V Muraleedharan saysThe number of cases (in Kerala) has increased to such an extent that now it is more than half of the total tally of the country. The govt didn't follow scientific principles in the mgmt of COVID. It's a global pandemic, WHO & ICMR have issued guidelines.But the Kerala govt has taken the stand that they follow their own principles & their own formula. Now it has come to light that their formula has failed. Govt should follow the scientific principles & formula. Kerala Govt has been using this pandemic for political gains.
He further said, the relaxation that was given on Eid was completely unscientific, it was completely against principles. Now the relaxation that has been given is not on the basis of cases increasing or decreasing, it's on political & vote bank considerations.Lockdown is not on basis of any scientific basis. Every Saturday-Sunday is a lockdown. As a result, people rush to markets on Fridays & it causes a spike. Govt should follow scientific principles, observe guidelines of ICMR & also not use COVID for political gains. (ANI)
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan:
We mark a year of the launch of one of the most landmark policy reforms in India-New Education Policy 2020. When the world was at its peak of struggling to cope with the COVID19 pandemic, our govt came up with this transformative policy.Amid the pandemic, govt launched this policy for reaching impact on the educational landscape of the country. It is shaping the destiny of the nation.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Vaccination drive underway in Thiruvananthapuram amid sharp spike in cases
Vaccination drive underway in Thiruvananthapuram amid sharp spike in cases. We're worried about sharp spike in cases. In this situation, vaccination drive once a day in a week will not work. It has to be done in a proper manner, says a local.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope:
Today, in the COVID task force meet, Chief Minister will take the final call on our suggestions. We have suggested that COVID relaxation should be given to 25 districts where the positivity rate is much lower than the state average.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | COVID-19: BMC to launch home vaccination of bed-ridden citizens from July 30
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said it will begin home vaccination of bed-ridden people in the city against coronavirus on an experimental basis from Friday.The initiative will be rolled out first in the K-east administrative ward covering the western suburbs of Andheri east, Marol, Chakala and others, it said.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | 6.4 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses dispatched abroad from January 12 to July 22: Govt
India dispatched approximately 6.4 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses to foreign countries from January 12 to July 22, the government informed Parliament on Thursday.In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Civil Aviation V K Singh said, "During the period January 12 to July 22, approximately 42.2 crore doses have been transported.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Delhi records zero COVID-19 fatality
No death due to COVID-19 was recorded in Delhi on Thursday, while 51 fresh cases were reported with a positivity rate of 0.08 per cent, according to data shared by the city health department.This is the third time since the start of the second wave of the pandemic in the national capital thatzerofatalityhas been logged in a day.On July 18 and July 24 too, no death due to COVID-19 was recorded, as per official data.OnMarch 2 this year, the national capital had reported zero death due to the virus. On that day, the number of single-day infections stood at 217 and the positivity rate was 0.33 per cent.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Jharkhand reports 27 new COVID cases; one virus death
Jharkhand reported 27 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, which pushed the tally to 3,47,049, a health department bulletin said.The COVID-19 death toll rose to 5,126 in the state with one fresh fatality due to the contagion reported from East Singhbhum in the last 24 hours, it said on Wednesday.Of the 27 new cases, Bokaro reported six cases followed by four from Ranchi and three from Deoghar.No new COVID-19 case was reported from Chatra, Dumka, Garhwa, Gumla, Jamtara, Pakur, Palamu, Saraikela, Simdega and West Singhbhum districts.Jharkhand now has 237 active COVID-19 cases, while 3,41,686 patients have recovered from the disease including 36 during the last 24 hours, the bulletin said.The COVID-19 mortality rate in the state remained at 1.47 per cent, higher than the national average of 1.30 per cent.The COVID-19 recovery rate in the state has improved to 98.45 per cent, better than the national average of 97.40 per cent.Altogether, 1,14,91,499 samples have been tested for COVID-19 in Jharkhand, including 58,148 on Wednesday, it added.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Relaxation for businesses, ease in travel restrictions likely soon in Maharashtra
As COVID situation has significantly improved in Maharashtra, the state government is likely relax several COVID-related restrictions in the coming days, news agency ANI reported. Also, fully vaccinated should be allowed to travel and open businesses, cabinet minister said. As COVID situation has significantly improved in Maharashtra, the state government is likely relax several COVID-related restrictions in the coming days, news agency ANI reported. Also, fully vaccinated should be allowed to travel and open businesses, cabinet minister said.
Aslam Shaikh, Cabinet Minister and Guardian Minister of Mumbai, said, COVID Task force has submitted its recommendation to chief minister Uddhav Thackeray. In coming week, people will get good relaxation. Those who have taken both doses of covid vaccine should be allowed to travel and open their businesses, he added. Earlier in the day, Shaikh had also said in the state cabinet meeting, a detailed discussion took place over the opening of Mumbai local train and Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) buses for fully vaccinated individuals.
"As a Minister, I am also of the view that person whose two doses are completed should be allowed to travel in Mumbai local, we have also informed Chief Minister about this. After studying the report by the task force, a decision on Mumbai local will be taken in next two to three days," said Shaikh, who is Guardian Minister of Mumbai. He informed that the restrictions that were brought four months ago amid the rise of COVID-19 cases in the city have been slowly relaxed.
"Timings in restaurants also must be increased. A decision will be taken soon," he added. CM to chair meet regarding COVID-19 situation in the state Last month, the Maharashtra government had implemented a five-level plan to unlock the state based on the positivity rate and occupancy of oxygenated beds in districts and cities. However, the rules were amended after cases of the Delta Plus Covid-19 variant were detected in the state.
Accordingly, Maharashtra government notified that all administrative units will be under level 3 and above (4 or 5) till the district disaster management authority takes a call to withdraw them. Maharashtra, which is witnessing a decline in active COVID cases, reported 6,857 infections on Wednesday. There are 85,913 active cases in the state, as per the Union Health Ministry.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | West Bengal extends COVID-19 restrictions till August 15: Check what is allowed
West Bengal government, on July 29, extended the COVID-19 restrictions in the state till August 15 certain relaxations. As per the new relaxation, all government programmes have been allowed to continue indoors with a 50 percent seating capacity. Night curfew will be imposed from 9 pm and 5 am except for health services, law and order, essential commodities including agricultural products and other emergency services.
Buses, taxis, auto rickshaws have been permitted to operate with 50 percent capacity. Offices, both government and private, are also allowed to function with half the manpower, it said. All the district administrations were asked to ensure strict compliance of directives related to wearing of masks and social distancing.
"Any violation of the restriction measures will be liable to be proceeded against as per the provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and relevant sections of the IPC," the order stated. The restrictions, imposed on May 16, were last extended till July 30. As per the earlier order, the government had permitted metro rail to resume operation on weekdays with a seating capacity of 50 percent. As per the revised restrictions, shops and market areas are allowed to remain open "as per the usual operational hours".
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Officials in Tokyo alarmed as cases hit record highs
Japanese officials sounded the alarm Thursday as Tokyo reported record-breaking coronavirus cases for the third straight day with the Olympics well underway. “We have never experienced the expansion of the infections of this magnitude,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato told reporters. He said the new cases were soaring not only in the Tokyo area but across the country.
Tokyo reported 3,865 new cases on Thursday, up from 3,177 on Wednesday and double the numbers a week ago, setting an all-time high since the pandemic began early last year. Japan has kept its cases and deaths lower than many other countries, but its seven-day rolling average is growing and now stands at 28 per 100,000 people nationwide and 88 in Tokyo, according to the Health Ministry. This compares to 18.5 in the United States, 48 in Britain and 2.8 in India, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
“While almost nothing is helping to slow the infections, there are many factors that can accelerate them,” said Dr. Shigeru Omi, a top government medical adviser, noting the Olympics and summer vacation. “The biggest risk is the lack of a sense of crisis and without it, the infections will further expand and put medical systems under severe strain."
Tokyo has been under its fourth state of emergency since July 12, ahead of the Olympics, which began last Friday despite widespread public opposition and concern that they Games could worsen the outbreak. People are still roaming the streets despite stay-at-home requests, making the measures largely ineffective at a time the more infectious delta strain is spreading, he said. “We have never seen the infections spread so rapidly.”
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | AstraZeneca to seek US approval of COVID-19 vaccine in 2nd half
AstraZeneca said on Thursday that it intends to seek US authorization for its COVID-19 vaccine in the second half of this year, offering a new timetable for the much-delayed application. The Anglo-Swedish drugmaker announced the schedule as it released second-quarter financial results, which showed that the company and its sub-licensees delivered more than 700 million doses of the vaccine to over 170 countries in the first half of this year. That includes 80 million doses that went to the COVAX initiative for low- and middle-income countries.
The news on the US filing is being closely watched, as the timeframe has slipped. When AstraZeneca released data from its US trial of the vaccine on March 22, company officials said they expected to seek authorization from the Food and Drug Administration in the first half of April. In April, the company said it expected to submit a US application in the “coming weeks. The UK, European Union and World Health Organization have already authorized use of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
AstraZeneca reported first-half revenue of $1.17 billion from deliveries of 319 million doses of the vaccine that were supplied directly by the company. AstraZeneca has pledged to deliver the vaccine on a non-profit basis as long as the pandemic lasts. Despite complaints from the EU about its vaccine supply, the 27-nation bloc received more doses directly from AstraZeneca than any other single entity in the first half of the year. The company shipped 97 million doses to the EU, while Brazil got 65 million and the UK 52 million,
AstraZeneca said. Gavi, an alliance that secures vaccines for low-income countries, received 49 million doses, and another 57 million doses went to other countries. Sub-licensees, including the Serum Institute of India, supplied millions more doses, pushing global deliveries to more than 700 million doses.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Madhya Pradesh crosses 3 crore vaccination mark; CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan hopeful of 100% inoculation soon
Over three crore doses of vaccines against COVID-19 have been administered to people in Madhya Pradesh so far as against the eligible population of 5.40 crore, and Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has expressed confidence that the state will soon achieve the target of 100 inoculation. As part of the vaccination drive against the pandemic, 3,00,98,663 doses have so far been administered to citizens in MP, including 2,51,95,270 people who have got the first dose while 49,03,393 have received both the doses, officials said on Thursday.
According to a health official, 5.40 crore people are eligible for vaccination against COVID-19 in the state. The MP Public Relations Department claimed the state created a record on Wednesday by administering 10,34,384 doses to people in one day, which it said was the highest in the country. “Because of the people's awareness and willingness to defeat corona, the state will soon achieve the target of 100 per cent vaccination,” Chouhan said on Wednesday.
He thanked people of the state for creating the record of maximum vaccinations in one day in the country. Among the total vaccinations done so far in MP, Indore district, which is the state's industrial hub, is on top with 30,18,551 inoculations, followed by state capital Bhopal-18,86,239 and Jabalpur -13,98,640 jabs, officials said. According to Indore's vaccination officer Dr Tarun Gupta, 3,10,611 people aged 60 and above have received the first dose so far in the district, against the target set in April of vaccinating 3,01,343 people from the category.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Odisha logs 1,615 new COVID-19 cases, 65 fresh fatalities
Odisha's COVID-19 tally mounted to 9,74,132 on Thursday as 1,615 more people tested positive for the infection, while 65 fresh fatalities pushed the state's coronavirus death toll to 5,768, a health official said. The daily test positivity rate (TPR) dipped to 2.09 per cent from 2.16 per cent on Wednesday, he said. Of the new cases, 937 were reported from quarantine centres and 678 detected during contact tracing.
Khurda district, which comprises the state capital Bhubaneswar, reported the highest number of fresh cases at 442, followed by Cuttack (229) and Puri (123). The new COVID cases were detected from 76,946 sample tests conducted in the last 24 hours, he said. The Health and Family Welfare department said 65 COVID fatalities were reported from 22 districts.
Khurda registered the maximum number of nine deaths, followed by Bargarh (seven), Sundargarh (six), Jharsuguda and Sambalpur (five each), Angul, Bolangir, Cuttack, Ganjam, Jajpur, and Puri (three each) and Bhadrak, Gajapati, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapara (two each). One COVID patient each succumbed to the infection in Balasore, Dhenkanal, Kalahandi, Keonjhar, Koraput, Mayurbhanj and Nuapada, the official said.
Taking to Twitter, the health department said, “This list does not reflect deaths occurring on a particular day. It gives details of past fatalities for which the death audit process has been duly completed and the cause of death has been identified as due to COVID-19.” Fifty-three other coronavirus patients have died due to comorbidities, the official said. Odisha currently has 17,262 active cases, while 1,699 people were cured of the disease on Wednesday, taking the total number of recoveries to 9,51,049.
The coastal state has so far conducted over 1.58 crore sample tests for COVID-19, including 76,946 on Wednesday, and the cumulative positivity rate stands at 6.13 per cent. The health department has administered more than 1.59 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccine till Wednesday. Over 1 .21 crore people have been inoculated with 37,88,432 of them having received both doses of the vaccine, the official added.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Delta variant drives virus spread to three China provinces
China on Thursday reported small coronavirus outbreaks driven by the Delta variant in three provinces as a cluster linked to an eastern airport spreads despite mass testing and a vaccination drive. The flareup, which began after nine workers at the Nanjing airport tested positive on July 20, has since seen 171 cases detected in Jiangsu province, while infections have spread to at least four other provinces. It is geographically the largest spread for several months, challenging China's aggressive containment efforts which have relied on mass testing, lockdowns and swift contact tracing.
The virus first emerged in the central city of Wuhan, but China has extolled its success in largely extinguishing the pandemic inside its borders, allowing the economy to rebound. The new outbreak, coupled with cases seeping over the porous border with Myanmar, is threatening that record. Officials in Jiangsu have locked down hundreds of thousands of residents, Lu Jing, a member of the epidemic prevention taskforce told reporters Thursday.
"Internet cafes, gyms, cinemas and karaoke bars and even libraries in Nanjing have been shut down," he said. The city has tested all 9.2 million residents twice as officials rush to curb the spread of the disease, he said adding the highly contagious Delta variant is posing challenges to containment efforts. The southwestern province of Sichuan reported three new cases Thursday while Beijing reported one locally transmitted case, the first in six months.
The patient living on the outskirts of the Chinese capital had tested positive after returning from a theatre festival at a tourist hotspot in central China, health officials said. Meanwhle, a high-end hotel in downtown Beijing has been locked down after media reported an imported case was found among the guests. Police and workers wearing PPE suits and disinfectant hoses were seen outside the Legendale Hotel on Thursday.
Most of the patients testing positive in the latest outbreak have already been vaccinated, raising concerns about the efficacy of vaccines against new variants. China is racing to vaccinate at least 65 percent of its 1.5 billion population by the end of the year. The country has given out some 1.5 billion doses of the vaccine as of Wednesday, the National Health Commission said, without offering details on the number of people fully vaccinated.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | AstraZeneca says COVID-19 vaccine sales top $1.0 billion in the first half
British pharmaceuticals giant AstraZeneca said Thursday that its Covid vaccine generated $1.2 billion (1.0 billion euros) in sales in the first half of the year. The group shipped about 319 million doses worldwide during the period, which included $572 million of sales in Europe and $455 million in emerging markets. The jab is one of the world's leading vaccines and has been vital in Britain's speedy vaccination drive -- which enabled the economy to fully reopen this month.
"We have made dramatic progress with our Covid-19 vaccine Vaxzevria," said chief executive Pascal Soriot in comments accompanying the results. "As of today, AstraZeneca and our partners have released one billion doses to more than 170 countries." AstraZeneca developed the jab alongside the University of Oxford and sells it at cost without making a profit.
However, the jab has faced safety doubts and suspensions in some European nations over reports of rare blood clots. The group added Thursday that net profit jumped 40 percent to $2.1 billion in the first half. Total revenues increased by almost a quarter to $15.5 billion. Stripping out the Covid vaccine, total revenues increased by 14 percent to about $14.4 billion.
"AstraZeneca has delivered another period of strong growth thanks to robust performances across all regions and disease areas," said Soriot. Longer term growth would be supported by the purchase of US biotech company Alexion. "Just last week, we completed the acquisition of Alexion, an enormous milestone that will enable us to enhance our pipeline in rare diseases and immunology," the CEO added. As a result, the company lifted its full-year 2021 guidance. Revenues excluding vaccine sales are now forecast to grow by a low-twenties percentage this year.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | West Bengal extends COVID-19 restrictions till August 15: Check what is allowed
West Bengal government, on July 29, extended the COVID-19 restrictions in the state till August 15 certain relaxations. As per the new relaxation, all government programmes have been allowed to continue indoors with a 50 percent seating capacity. Night curfew will be imposed from 9 pm and 5 am except for health services, law and order, essential commodities including agricultural products and other emergency services.
Buses, taxis, auto rickshaws have been permitted to operate with 50 percent capacity. Offices, both government and private, are also allowed to function with half the manpower, it said. All the district administrations were asked to ensure strict compliance of directives related to wearing of masks and social distancing.
"Any violation of the restriction measures will be liable to be proceeded against as per the provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and relevant sections of the IPC," the order stated. The restrictions, imposed on May 16, were last extended till July 30. As per the earlier order, the government had permitted metro rail to resume operation on weekdays with a seating capacity of 50 percent. As per the revised restrictions, shops and market areas are allowed to remain open "as per the usual operational hours".
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Six fresh COVID-19 cases recorded in Ladakh
Ladakh recorded six fresh COVID-19 cases taking the overall tally to 20,320 while 12 patients recovered bringing down the active cases in the region to 64, officials said on Thursday. Ladakh has registered 207 Covid-related deaths -- 149 in Leh and 58 in Kargil -- since the outbreak of the pandemic last year, while 20,049 patients have recovered till date.
The officials said nearly 3,500 people were tested for COVID-19 in the twin districts on Wednesday and all the six new cases were detected in Leh, taking the infection tally in the district to 16767. Kargil had recorded a total of 3,553 cases. They said eight patients were discharged in Leh and four others in Kargil after successful treatment in the past 24 hours. The number of active cases in Ladakh has dropped to 64 with 56 in Leh and eight in Kargil, the officials said.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Australia athletes isolating as US pole vaulter Sam Kendricks tested COVID positive
Multiple members of Australia's track and field team were placed in isolation on the eve of the Tokyo Olympics athletics competition on Thursday after US pole vaulter Sam Kendricks tested positive for coronavirus. Athletics Australia said members of the team were isolating after US chiefs confirmed two-time world champion Kendricks was out of the Tokyo Games after a positive COVID-19 test.
"Members of Australia's track and field team at the Tokyo Olympic Games are isolating in their rooms as a precautionary measure following news of a Covid-positive finding with a member of the US track and field team," Athletics Australia said in statement. "Members of the Australian track and field team are now undergoing testing procedures in line with Australian Olympic team protocols."
The statement did not say how many athletes were involved but the Sydney Morning Herald reported the entire 63-strong track and field team had been told to isolate. Kendricks earlier became the latest high-profile withdrawal from the Olympics after testing positive for coronavirus. "We are saddened to confirm that Sam Kendricks tested positive for Covid-19 and will not compete in the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020," the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee said on Twitter. Organisers announced a daily record of 24 new Games-related cases on Thursday, three of whom are athletes, taking the overall number of positive cases to 193. The figures do not include all cases at airports and in training camps.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | After suspending EUA request, Brazil now shelves import authorisation of Covaxin
After suspending the proposed clinical trials of Bharat Bioetch's COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin and a request for Emergency Use Authorisation, Brazil now has suspended its decision to import four million doses of the jab into that country. According to a statement issued by the National Health Surveillance Agency of Brazil, Anvisa its Collegiate Board on Tuesday took a decision to suspend the exceptional and temporary authorisation for import and distribution of Covaxin after Bharat Biotech informed the South America government about the termination of its pact with its Brazilian partners.
"The Collegiate Board of Anvisaunanimously decided, on Tuesday (27/7), to provisionally suspend the exceptional and temporary authorisation for import and distribution of the vaccine against Covid-19-Covaxin, requested by the Ministry of Health," Anvisa said in statement posted on its website. Bharat Biotech on July 23 said it terminated the MoU it entered with Precisa Medicamentos and Envixia Pharmaceuticals LLC for its COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin for Brazilian market. The termination of the MoU came after the deal with the Brazilian government for supply of 20 million doses of Covaxin landed in controversy and attracted investigation by authorities in that country.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Here's why the CDC recommends wearing masks indoors even if you've been fully vaccinated against COVID-19
What science supports masking after vaccination?
Masks help stop the spread of the coronavirus. They’re a literal layer between you and any virus in the air and can help prevent infection.
The reason public health officials are calling for more mask-wearing is that there is clear and mounting evidence that – though rare – breakthrough COVID-19 infections can occur in people who are fully vaccinated. This is particularly true with emerging variants of concern. The good news is that COVID-19 infection, if it does happen, is much less likely to lead to serious illness or death in vaccinated people.
Some conditions make a breakthrough infection more likely in a vaccinated person: more virus circulating in the community, lower vaccination rates and more highly transmissible variants.
If vaccinated people can get infected with the coronavirus, they can also spread it. Hence the CDC recommendation that vaccinated people remain masked in indoor public spaces to help stop viral transmission.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Olympics: Australians isolate after American vaulter Kendricks and Argentinian Chiaraviglio hit by COVID-19
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Olympics: China pulls ahead on gold medals as Kendricks out for COVID-19
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Arunachal Pradesh logs 342 new COVID-19 cases, 3 more fatalities
Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday reported 342 new COVID-19 cases, which took the tally in the northeastern state to 47,142, a health department official said. The death toll rose to 224 as three more coronavirus-positive patients died while undergoing treatment in hospitals in the last two days, and they had comorbidities, State Surveillance Officer (SSO) Dr Lobsang Jampa said. A 72-year-old woman from the Capital Complex Region died at a hospital in Chimpu on Wednesday due to acute respiratory distress syndrome with COVID Pneumonia, he said.
Another woman, aged 40, from Lohit district had tested positive for COVID-19 and died at a health facility in Pasighat in East Siang district on Tuesday, the official said, adding that she had a kidney-related problem. A 65-year-old COVID patient from Changlang breathed his last on the way to a hospital in Assam’s Tinsukia district on Tuesday and he was suffering from acute respiratory distress syndrome, Jampa said.
The Capital Complex Region registered the highest number of fresh cases at 109, followed by Lower Subansiri (48), East Siang (23), West Kameng (22), Papumpare (14) and Lohit, Upper Subansiri and Lower Dibang Valley (13 each). The remaining new cases were reported from several other districts. At least 320 fresh cases were detected through rapid antigen test, 13 through RT-PCR and nine through TrueNat method, the SSO said, adding that 137 people have symptoms of COVID-19.
According to the official, 325 patients were cured of the disease on Wednesday, taking the total number of recoveries in the state to 42,617. The recovery rate among coronavirus patients in the state currently stands at 90.37 per cent. Arunachal Pradesh now has 4,301 active cases, he said. The Capital Complex Region - comprising Itanagar, Naharlagun, Nirjuli and Banderdewa areas - has the highest number of active cases at 1,135, followed by Lower Subansiri (326), Papumpare (316), Lohit (313), West Kameng (265) and East Siang (231).
Altogether, 9,21,482 samples have been tested for COVID-19 in the state so far, including 6,647 on Wednesday, and the positivity rate stands at 5.14 per cent, Jampa said. State Immunisation Officer Dr Dimong Padung said that 8,41,256 people have been administered doses of COVID-19 vaccines since the beginning of the inoculation drive in January.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Over 2.88 crore balance COVID-19 doses available with states, private hospitals: Centre
More than 2.88 crore balance and unutilised COVID-19 vaccine doses are still available with the states, UTs and private hospitals to be administered, the Union Health Ministry said on Thursday. Over 47.48 crore vaccine doses have been provided to states and UTs so far through all sources and a further 53,05,260 doses are in the pipeline.
Of this, the total consumption including wastage is 44,74,97,240 doses, the ministry said More than 2.88 crore balance and unutilised COVID-19 vaccine doses are still available with the states, UTs and private hospitals to be administered. The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from June 21.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | 6-member Central team to visit Kerala as it still reports high number of Covid cases
The Union Health Ministry will depute a six-member team to Kerala for effective COVID-19 management as the state reports a spike in daily cases.
The team headed by National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Director S K Singh will reach Kerala Friday and visit some districts reporting a high case positivity rate, the Health Ministry said in a statement.
In a tweet, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said, "The Central government is sending six-member team to Kerala headed by NCDC Director. As a large number of COVID cases are still being reported in Kerala, the team will aid state''s ongoing efforts in COVID-19 management." The ministry''s statement said the team will work closely with state health authorities, take a stock of the ground situation and recommend necessary public health interventions to contain the spread of the virus.
With an active caseload of 1.54 lakh as of latest update, Kerala accounts for 37.1 per cent of the total active cases in the country. Average daily cases being reported in the state are above 17,443. The state has also reported a high case positivity of 12.93 per cent cumulatively and 11.97 per cent weekly. Six districts are reporting more than 10 per cent weekly positivity, the statement stated.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Pole vaulter Kendricks positive for COVID
American world-champion pole vaulter Sam Kendricks will miss the Olympics after testing positive for COVID-19. Kendricks’ dad posted on social media that his son had no symptoms but was informed while in Tokyo that he tested positive and was out of the competition. The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee confirmed the news and said Kendricks has been placed in isolation at a hotel. He is being supported by the USOPC and USA Track and Field. Kendricks won the bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics and took gold at the last two world championships. He holds the American record at 19 feet, 10 ½ inches (6.06 meters).
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Twitter, Apple, Google impose mandatory mask policy, vaccination for employees over Delta COVID-19 variant fears
Twitter is once again shutting its reopened offices in the US after a spike in cases of the Delta COVID-19 variant in the country. Twitter also paused future office re-openings. It had started allowing employees back to its campuses in San Francisco and New York at 50 percent capacity about a fortnight ago after keeping them shut for more than 16 months.
Besides Twitter, other big tech companies including Alphabet’s Google said it would require employees in the United States to be vaccinated for stepping into its campuses, in an effort to get its workers immunised against COVID-19. Google also said on Wednesday it would extend its work-from-home policy through October 18 due to a recent rise in cases caused by the Delta variant across different regions.
Many tech companies including Microsoft Corp and Uber have said they expect employees to return to the office, months after pandemic-induced lockdowns forced them to shift to working remotely. San Francisco-based ride-hailing company Lyft Inc, which had already made vaccinations mandatory for employees returning to the office, postponed its reopening to February from September.
According to a Deadline report, streaming giant Netflix Inc has also implemented a policy mandating vaccinations for the cast and crew on all its US productions. Apple Inc plans to restore its mask requirement policy at most of its US retail stores, both for customers and staff, even if they are vaccinated, Bloomberg News reported With a spike in COVID-19 cases in the United States due to highly infectious Delta variant, health authorities on Tuesday said Americans fully vaccinated against COVID-19 should go back to wearing masks in indoor public places in regions where the coronavirus is spreading rapidly.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Australia athletes isolating as US pole vaulter Sam Kendricks tested COVID positive
Multiple members of Australia's track and field team were placed in isolation on the eve of the Tokyo Olympics athletics competition on Thursday after US pole vaulter Sam Kendricks tested positive for coronavirus. Athletics Australia said members of the team were isolating after US chiefs confirmed two-time world champion Kendricks was out of the Tokyo Games after a positive COVID-19 test.
"Members of Australia's track and field team at the Tokyo Olympic Games are isolating in their rooms as a precautionary measure following news of a Covid-positive finding with a member of the US track and field team," Athletics Australia said in statement. "Members of the Australian track and field team are now undergoing testing procedures in line with Australian Olympic team protocols."
The statement did not say how many athletes were involved but the Sydney Morning Herald reported the entire 63-strong track and field team had been told to isolate. Kendricks earlier became the latest high-profile withdrawal from the Olympics after testing positive for coronavirus. "We are saddened to confirm that Sam Kendricks tested positive for Covid-19 and will not compete in the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020," the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee said on Twitter. Organisers announced a daily record of 24 new Games-related cases on Thursday, three of whom are athletes, taking the overall number of positive cases to 193. The figures do not include all cases at airports and in training camps.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | After suspending EUA request, Brazil now shelves import authorisation of Covaxin
After suspending the proposed clinical trials of Bharat Bioetch's COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin and a request for Emergency Use Authorisation, Brazil now has suspended its decision to import four million doses of the jab into that country. According to a statement issued by the National Health Surveillance Agency of Brazil, Anvisa its Collegiate Board on Tuesday took a decision to suspend the exceptional and temporary authorisation for import and distribution of Covaxin after Bharat Biotech informed the South America government about the termination of its pact with its Brazilian partners.
"The Collegiate Board of Anvisaunanimously decided, on Tuesday (27/7), to provisionally suspend the exceptional and temporary authorisation for import and distribution of the vaccine against Covid-19-Covaxin, requested by the Ministry of Health," Anvisa said in statement posted on its website. Bharat Biotech on July 23 said it terminated the MoU it entered with Precisa Medicamentos and Envixia Pharmaceuticals LLC for its COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin for Brazilian market. The termination of the MoU came after the deal with the Brazilian government for supply of 20 million doses of Covaxin landed in controversy and attracted investigation by authorities in that country.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Here's why the CDC recommends wearing masks indoors even if you've been fully vaccinated against COVID-19
What science supports masking after vaccination?
Masks help stop the spread of the coronavirus. They’re a literal layer between you and any virus in the air and can help prevent infection.
The reason public health officials are calling for more mask-wearing is that there is clear and mounting evidence that – though rare – breakthrough COVID-19 infections can occur in people who are fully vaccinated. This is particularly true with emerging variants of concern. The good news is that COVID-19 infection, if it does happen, is much less likely to lead to serious illness or death in vaccinated people.
Some conditions make a breakthrough infection more likely in a vaccinated person: more virus circulating in the community, lower vaccination rates and more highly transmissible variants.
If vaccinated people can get infected with the coronavirus, they can also spread it. Hence the CDC recommendation that vaccinated people remain masked in indoor public spaces to help stop viral transmission.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Nearly 44 lakh doses administered on July 28, total coverage crosses 45 crore
More than 43.92 lakh COVID-19 vaccine doses were administered in India on July 28, as per the Union Health Ministry's latest report. With that, the cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country crossed 45 crore. On the 194th day of the vaccination drive on July 28, 43,92,697 lakh beneficiaries received were given a dose of the vaccine, pushing total coverage to 45,07,06,257.
Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh have administered more than 1 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccine in the age group 18-44 years, the Health Ministry said. "Also, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Haryana, Jharkhand, Kerala, Telangana, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, Uttarakhand and West Bengal have vaccinated more than 10 lakh beneficiaries of the age group 18-44 years for the first dose of COVID vaccine," it added.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Biocon Biologics sees traction in US biosimilars sales, no immediate plans for IPO
Biocon Biologics, the subsidiary of Biocon that manufactures and distributes biosimilar and other biologic drugs globally expects its two key biosmilars Fulphila and Ogivri to gain double-digit market share in the U.S., the world's largest market for such drugs by value. Shreehas Tambe, deputy CEO, Biocon Biologics, told Moneycontrol in an interview that the company expects more patient footfalls in US hospitals in coming months which will help its two key biosimilars Fulphila and Ogvri improve market share.
In addition Tambe said he expects growth to be fuelled by regulatory approvals of biosimilar Bevacizumab and biosimilar Aspart in the near-term. He said the company was not ready for IPO yet, as there are some regulatory approval and growth triggers which are lined up ahead. Tambe added that Biocon Biologics may determine the timing over the next couple of years.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | India reports 43,509 new COVID-19 cases, 640 deaths
India logged 43,509 new coronavirus infections taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 3,15,28,114, while the active cases registered an increase for the second consecutive day, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Thursday. The death toll climbed to 4,22,662 with 640 fresh fatalities. The active cases have increased to 4,03,840 and comprise 1.28 percent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 97.38 percent, the data updated at 8 am showed.
An increase of 4,404 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours. The weekly positivity rate was recorded at 2.38 percent, according to the ministry. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 3,07,01,612, while the case fatality rate stands at 1.34 percent, the data stated. Cumulative vaccine doses administered so far has reached 45.07 crore under the nationwide vaccination drive.
India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16.It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19. The country crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4 and three crore on June 23.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Govt asks states/UTs to conduct state-specific serosurveys in consultation with ICMR
The Centre has advised all states and Union territories to conduct seroprevalence surveys in consultation with the ICMR to generate district-level data on seroprevalence which is essential in formulating localised public health response measures. This was stated in a letter written by Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan to additional chief secretaries/principal secretaries/secretaries (Health) of all states/UTs, a statement by the Union health ministry said.
The ministry also shared findings of the recent national serosurvey conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) across 70 districts of the country, according to which the seroprevalence was found to be 79 percent among the surveyed population in Madhya Pradesh, 58 percent in Maharashtra, 44.4 percent in Kerala, 76.2 percent in Rajasthan, 75.9 percent in Bihar.
It was 75.3 percent in Gujarat, 71.0 per cent in Uttar Pradesh, 69.8 percent in Karnataka, 69.2 in Tamil Nadu, 68.1 percent in Odisha, 66.5 in Punjab, 63.1 in Telangana, 50.3 in Assam and 60.9 in West Bengal. Referring to the findings of the fourth round of the national seroprevalence survey done by ICMR, the ministry has advised states/UTs to conduct the seroprevalence studies in their own regions in consultation with the ICMR, so that such studies follow a standardised protocol, and the findings can then be utilised by the respective state and UT to guide objective, transparent and evidence-based public health response to COVID-19. "The national serosurvey by ICMR was designed to capture the extent of the spread of Covid infection at the national level. Therefore, the national serosurvey results do not reflect the heterogeneity of seroprevalence between districts and even between states," the statement said.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | No room for complacency in COVID fight, absolute case numbers still high: MHA to states
The Union Home Ministry Wednesday said there is no room for complacency in the approach to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic as the absolute number of positive cases is still significantly high. Extending the existing pandemic guidelines till August 31, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla also said there should be continuous focus on the five-fold strategy of 'test, track, treat, vaccinate and adhere to COVID-appropriate behaviour' for effective management of COVID-19.
He also said there is a need to ensure adherence to Covid-appropriate behaviour (CAB) in all crowded places in view of the upcoming festivals. In his communication to all states and union territories, Bhalla said that with the decline in the number of active cases, states and UTs are reopening economic and other activities in a gradual manner.
"While the decline in the number of cases is a matter of satisfaction, it may be noted that the absolute case numbers are still significantly high," he said. Therefore, the home secretary said, there is no room for complacency and the process of relaxing restrictions should be carefully calibrated, as has been reiterated in his earlier communications. Bhalla said the reproduction number of the virus, commonly known as the 'R' factor, is hovering just below 1 but is high in some of the states.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | What is a breakthrough infection? 6 questions answered about catching COVID-19 after vaccination
Members of the New York Yankees, U.S. Olympic gymnast Kara Eaker and U.K. health secretary Sajid Javid are some of those diagnosed with what is called a “breakthrough infection.”
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Andaman & Nicobar reports only one new COVID-19 case
Andaman and Nicobar Islands reported only a single new COVID-19 case in the last 24 hours, pushing the union territory’s tally to 7,531, a health department official said on Thursday. The archipelago now has seven active COVID-19 cases of which six are in the South Andaman district and one in the North and Middle Andaman district. The Nicobar district is now COVID-19 free as it has no active case, he said.
Six more persons recuperated from COVID-19 during the period, taking the total number of recoveries to 7,395, he said. The COVID-19 death toll in the archipelago remained at 129 as no fresh death due to the contagion was reported in the last 24 hours. The Andaman and Nicobar administration has so far tested 4,37,301 samples for COVID-19, and the positivity rate stands at 1.72 per cent, the health department official said. A total of 2,88,807 people have been inoculated so far, of which 1,96,559 have been administered the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 92,248 have received both doses, he said, adding that the total population of the union territory is around 4 lakh.
