Coronavirus Omicron Highlights | India logged 2,85,914 new coronavirus infections, taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 4,00,85,116, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday.
The death toll has climbed to 4,91,127 with 665 fresh fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated. The active cases have decreased to 22,23,018 and comprise 5.55 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has decreased to 93.23 per cent, the ministry said.
A reduction of 13,824 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours. The daily positivity rate was recorded at 16.16 per cent while the weekly positivity rate was recorded at 17.33 per cent, according to the ministry.
The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 3,73,70,971, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.23 per cent. The cumulative doses administered in the country so far under the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive has exceeded 163.58 crore.
A total of 4,91,127 deaths have been reported so far in the country including 1,42,237 from Maharashtra, 52,141 from Kerala, 38,666 from Karnataka, 37,312 from Tamil Nadu, 25,681 from Delhi, 23,088 from Uttar Pradesh and 20,411 from West Bengal.
The ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities.
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Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Maharashtra reports 25,425 COVID-19 cases, over 10,000 fewer than day before
Maharashtra on Thursday recorded 25,425 new coronavirus cases, a drop of more than 10,000 compared to the previous day, and 42 deaths, the state health officials said. The new cases included 72 Omicron infections.
The state's COVID-19 case tally rose to 76,30,606 and death toll reached 1,42,358. The case fatality rate stands at 1.86 per cent.On Wednesday, the state had recorded 35,756 cases and 79 fatalities. (PTI)
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Gujarat logs 12,911 new COVID-19 cases, 22 deaths; 23,197 recover
Gujarat reported 12,911 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, down from 14,781 a day ago, taking the overall tally to 11,20,660, while 22 more patients succumbed to the infection in the state, the health department said. In the last 24 hours, 23,197 persons, almost double the fresh infections, recovered from COVID-19, taking the tally of recoveries to 9,92,431, said the department in a release.
Gujarat's coronavirus recovery rate now stands at 88.56 per cent.The release said 22 patients succumbed to COVID-19 during the day, pushing up the death toll to 10,345. (PTI)
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Schools, colleges in Tamil Nadu to open from Feb 1
The Tamil Nadu government has decided to reopen schools and colleges from February 1. The state has also revoked the night curfew orders.
Coronavirus Omicron LIVE Updates | Kerala logs 51,739 fresh COVID-19 cases
Kerala logged 51,739 fresh COVID-19 cases on Thursday taking the caseload to 58,26,596, while the death toll rose to 52,343 with 68 COVID-19-related deaths being registered.On Wednesday, the state had recorded 49,771. The state on Tuesday had registered 55,475 cases, the highest ever single day spike in the infection since the outbreak of the pandemic in 2020. The previous highest ever in a single day was recorded on January 20- 46,387.The state Health department said 1,16,003 samples were tested in the last 24 hours. There are 4,68,717 people under observation of which 11,227 are in isolation wards of various hospitals, a department release said."Currently, there are 3,09,489 active COVID-19 cases in the state of which only 3.6 per cent are hospitalised," the release said.
Coronavirus Omicron LIVE Updates | No schools will be closed down, says Andhra Pradesh Minister
The Andhra Pradesh government on Thursday made it clear that no school or Anganwadi Centre would be closed down in the state after the ongoing mapping exercise, taken up as part of the NEP-2020.Similarly, no teacher post would be suppressed after the mapping, Education Minister A Suresh said. "The mapping of schools, undertaken as part of the National Education Policy(NEP)-2020, will only improve the education system in the state. The main intention of the mapping is to ensure expert teachers are available to impart quality education to all students," the Minister maintained.
Coronavirus Omicron LIVE Updates | Delhi reports 4,291 COVID cases, 9,397 recoveries, and 34 deaths in the last 24 hours
Coronavirus Omicron LIVE Updates | Maharashtra Minister and Congress leader Ashok Chavan tests positive for Covid-19
Maharashtra Minister and Congress leader Ashok Chavan has tested positive for Covid-19. In a tweet he wrote, "My corona test came back positive. Those in contact should be careful."
Coronavirus Omicron LIVE Updates | 9,672 Omicron samples found in January in genome sequencing, huge rise from December: Govt
As many as 9,672 Omicron samples were found in January in genome sequencing constituting 75 per cent of the total sequenced samples of COVID-19, a huge rise from the December figure of 1,292, the government said on Thursday.Addressing a press conference, NCDC Director Dr S K Singh said sub-lineages of Omicron – BA.1 and BA.2 were found in sequenced samples while BA.3 has not been found yet.
Coronavirus Omicron LIVE Updates | Centre Extends Covid Containment Measures Till February 28
In wake of rising COVID cases, Union Home Secretary wrote to chief secretaries all States/UTs, asking to issues necessary directions to authorities concerned for effective management of the disease "All States/UTs must observe all precautions¬ let the guard down,"he wrote. He also wrote thatCovid containment measures have been extended till February 28.
Coronavirus Omicron LIVE Updates | UT of Jammu and Kashmir reports 4,959 new COVID19 and 7 deaths today
Coronavirus Omicron LIVE Updates | External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar tests positive for COVID-19
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar today said he has tested positive for Covid-19. “Urge all those who have come in recent contact to take suitable precautions," he said in a tweet
Coronavirus Omicron LIVE Updates | Schools, colleges to remain closed in Delhi
Schools and colleges will continue to remain closed in the national capital and the issue will be taken up in the next meeting of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), officials said on Thursday. During the meeting, the Delhi government, for its part recommended reopening of schools saying it was necessary to prevent further damage to the social and economic well-being of children as the COVID-19 situation in the capital has improved."The issue of reopening of schools will be taken up in the next meeting of DDMA," a senior official said. Asserting that online education can never replace classroom studies, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said the government had closed schools when it was not safe for children, but excessive caution was harming them.A delegation of parents led by Chandrakant Lahariya, an epidemiologist and public policy specialist, had earlier met Sisodia and submitted a memorandum signed by over 1,600 parents demanding that the schools be reopened. Though the schools were briefly reopened, they were shut again on December 28 last year in view of the third wave of COVID-19 driven by the Omicron variant.
Coronavirus Omicron LIVE Updates | Andhra Pradesh reports 13,374 fresh COVID19 cases in last 24 hours
Coronavirus Omicron LIVE Updates | Early signs of Covid case plateauing reported but need to be observed, says govt
Early indications of Covid infections plateauing have been reported in some places but the trend needs to be observed, the Union government said on Thursday whilst noting that 400 districts have logged weekly Covid positivity of over 10 per cent.Stressing the need to continue with precautions to curb the surge in infections, it noted that Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan were recording a high number of Covid cases.However, a decrease in Covid cases and positivity rate have been observed in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Odisha, Haryana and West Bengal, the government stated.
Coronavirus Omicron LIVE Updates | Omicron sub-variant BA.2 is more prevalent in India now
While speaking about the COVID-19 situation in India,NCDC Director on January 27 said thatOmicron sub-variant BA.2 is more prevalent in the country now.
Coronavirus Omicron LIVE Updates | Over 3 lakh active cases in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Kerala and over 1 lakh in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat & Tamil Nadu
There're over 3 lakh active cases in Karnataka, Maharashtra &Kerala &over one lakh in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat & Tamil Nadu, says Health Ministry. "We're in touch with the states regarding containment activities. As of Jan 26, 551 districts were reporting case positivity rate of over 5%," the ministry said.
Coronavirus Omicron LIVE Updates | 95% first dose vaccination coverage, 74% second dose coverage so far in India, says Health Ministry
95% first dose vaccination coverage and 74% second dose coverage in the country so far, the Health Ministry aid on January 27. 97.03 lakh eligible population has received ‘precaution dose’, it said. The ministry further added that16 States/UTs with COVID19 vaccination coverage of those between 15-18 years of age more than the national average of vaccination.
Coronavirus Omicron LIVE Updates | Meghalaya logs 288 new COVID-19 cases, 6 fresh fatalities
Meghalaya's COVID-19 tally rose to 89,839 on Thursday as 288 more people tested positive for the infection, 104 less than the previous day, a senior health official said. Six more patients succumbed to the infection, pushing the northeastern state's coronavirus death toll to 1,509, Health Services Director Dr Aman War said.East Khasi Hills district, under which Shillong falls, recorded the highest number of 197 new cases, followed by 38 in West Garo Hills, and 13 in Ri-Bhoi. The state now has 2,415 active cases, while 85,915 people have recovered from the disease so far, including 361 in the last 24 hours.
Coronavirus Omicron LIVE Updates | Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya:
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has now upgraded the permission for COVAXIN and Covishield from restricted use in emergency situations to normal new drug permission in the adult population with certain conditions.The conditions include supply for programmatic settings including registration on the CoWin platform and to continue to submit safety data on a six-monthly basis.
Coronavirus Omicron LIVE Updates | Polish defence minister tests positive for COVID
Polish Defence Minister Mariusz Blaszczak tweeted on Thursday that he has tested positive for coronavirus, as the Omicron variant takes hold across the country and tensions mount between Poland's neighbours Ukraine and Russia. "I feel well, I will carry out my duties under isolation," said Blaszczak, who is 52. Poland reported a record 57,659 new daily COVID-19 infections on Thursday. Authorities have said the latest wave will drive case numbers to levels not yet seen in Poland, with estimates of the peak ranging from 60,000 to as many as 140,000 daily infections.
Coronavirus Omicron LIVE Updates | Moderna starts trial for Omicron-specific booster shot
Moderna Incsaid on Wednesday it had started a mid-stage study, testing a booster dose of its COVID-19 vaccine specifically designed to target the Omicron coronavirus variant, a day after rival Pfizer Inclaunched a similar trial. The company said while a third shot of its original coronavirus vaccine increased neutralizing antibodies against the variant at the lower dose, their levels declined six months after the booster dose was administered.However, neutralizing antibodies remained detectable in all participants, Moderna said. While studies have indicated that Omicron results in a less severe COVID-19 than seen during previous waves, the variant has quickly become dominant in many parts of the world, driving up infections and straining healthcare systems.
Coronavirus Omicron LIVE Updates | Regular market approval granted for Covishield, Covaxin for use in adult population
India's drug regulator on Thursday granted regular market approval for COVID-19 vaccinesCovishieldandCovaxinfor use in the adult population subject to certain conditions, official sources said.The approval was granted under the New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019. Under the conditions, the firms shall submit data of ongoing clinical trials and the vaccines to be supplied for programmatic setting.Adverse event followingimmunisationwill continue to be monitored.The Drugs Controller General of India's (DCGI) approval came after the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) on COVID-19 of the Central Drugs Standard ControlOrganisation(CDSCO) on January 19 recommended granting regular market approval to the Serum Institute of India's (SII's)Covishieldand Bharat Biotech'sCovaxinfor use in adult population subject to certain conditions.PrakashKumar Singh, Director, Government and Regulatory Affairs atSII, had submitted an application to theDCGIon October 25 seeking regular marketauthorisationforCovishield.
Coronavirus Omicron LIVE Updates | Puducherry logs 940 new COVID-19 cases; sees decline in infections
The union territory ofPuducherryregistered a decline in number of fresh coronavirus cases with 940 being reported in the last 24 hours, a senior Health department official said on Thursday. One more person- a 80-year old woman - succumbed to the virus inYanam, an enclave ofPuducherryinAndhraPradesh pushing the toll to 1,916, Director of Health GSriramulusaid in a release.The 940 new cases were identified at the end of the examination of 2,217 samples and were spread overPuducherry(635),Karaikal(234),Yanam(57) andMahe(14). The overall tally rose to 1,57,698, he said. The number of fresh cases had ranged between 1,130 and 1,504 during the previous three days.
Coronavirus Omicron LIVE Updates | No more weekend curfew, odd-even system for shops in Delhi; night curfew to continue
There will no weekend curfew, odd-even for shopsin the national capital. However, night curfew to continue,ANIhas reported citingsources.Thedecisionon opening ofschools' opening to be taken up in nextDDMAmeet, it said. Weddings to be held with max 200 people or 50% capacity. 50% capacity for bars, restaurants & cinema halls. Govt offices to operate with 50% capacity, sources said.
Coronavirus Omicron LIVE Updates | Elton John tests positive for COVID-19, postpones US shows
Music legend Elton John has tested positive for coronavirus, forcing him to postpone his concerts in Dallas, Texas. The 74-year-old singer shared the news of his COVID-19 diagnosis in a statement posted on his Instagram Stories."Hi everyone, wanted to send a message to let you know that I have contractedCOVIDand so have had to reschedule my shows in Dallas. If you have tickets, you'll be contacted with the new dates really soon," John said.The British veteran had been due to perform at the American Airlines Center in Dallas on Tuesday and Wednesday as part of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour.
Coronavirus Omicron LIVE Updates | Odisha logs 5,901 fresh COVID-19 cases, 8 fatalities
Odisharecorded 5,901 fresh coronavirus cases on Thursday, 1,515 less than the previous day, raising the tally to 12,31,169, the health department said in a bulletin. The death toll mounted to 8,550 with eight more fatalities - three deaths inSundargarh, and one each inBhubaneswar,Balasore,Keonjhar,KoraputandRayagada.The coastal state now has 70,327 active cases, while 11,52,239 patients have so far recovered from the disease, including 10,078 since Wednesday, it said.Khurdadistrict reported 1,430 new infections, followed by 545 inSundargarhand 402 inCuttack.Odishahad logged 7,416 cases and 10 deaths on Wednesday.
Coronavirus Omicron LIVE Updates | Germany reports new daily record for COVID-19 infections
Germany reported another record number of daily new COVID-19 infections on Thursday, crossing the 200,000 threshold for the first time, as the country debates whether to impose compulsory vaccinations. The Robert Koch Institute for infectious diseases reported 203,136 positive tests in the last 24 hours, 69,600 cases more than the same day a week ago. The seven-day incidence per 100,000 people rose to 1,017 from 941 the previous day, while another 188 people died, bringing the death toll since the start of the pandemic to 117,314. German lawmakers debated on Wednesday whether to impose compulsory COVID-19 shots, while protesters gathered outside the parliament building.
Coronavirus Omicron LIVE Updates | Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal chairs DDMA meeting over covid situation in the national capital
Delhi Lt Governor AnilBaijalchairingDDMAmeeting over covidsituation in the national capital, CMArvindKejriwalalso present in the virtual meeting. (ANI)
Coronavirus Omicron LIVE Updates | Anti-Covid drugs potent against Omicron, antibody therapies less effective: Study
The current drugs to treat COVID-19 remain very effective against the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, according to a laboratory study. However, available antibody therapies -- typically given intravenously in hospitals -- are substantially less effective against Omicron compared to earlier variants of the virus, the researchers said.The lab tests also showed that some antibodies have entirely lost their ability toneutraliseOmicron at realistic dosages, they said. "The bottom line is we have countermeasures to treat Omicron. That's good news," said study lead authorYoshihiroKawaoka, from the University ofWisconsinMadisonin the US.""However, this is all in laboratory studies. Whether this translates into humans, we don't know yet,"Kawaokasaid. The findings, published in the New England Journal of Medicine on Wednesday, corroborate other studies that show most available antibody treatments are less effective against Omicron.
Coronavirus Omicron LIVE Updates | One-day recoveries surpass fresh COVID-19 cases in Arunachal Pradesh
Single-day recoveries outnumbered fresh COVID-19 cases inArunachalPradesh as 348 more people recuperated from the disease in the last 24 hours, while 194 new infections were reported, a health department official said on Thursday. The fresh cases pushed the tally in the northeastern state to 60,792, he said.Altogether, 57,199 people have recovered from the disease so far, State Surveillance Officer DrLobsangJampasaid. The recovery rate among coronavirus patients is currently at 94.09 per cent, he said.The death toll in the frontier state remained at 284 as no fresh fatality due to the infection was reported in the last 24 hours, theSSOsaid. Of the 194 new cases, 114 were registered in the Capital Complex Region, 18 inPapumparedistrict and 10 in LowerSubansiri, the official said.
Coronavirus Omicron LIVE Updates | COVID situation is in control, says Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain
TheCOVIDsituation is in control. Today Delhi will report less than 5,000 cases and the positivity rate will also come down from the existing 10 percent,Delhi Health MinisterSatyendarJain said.
Coronavirus Omicron LIVE Updates | COVID Vaccination in India
Coronavirus Omicron LIVE Updates | Jharkhand records 1,009 new COVID-19 cases, five more fatalities
Jharkhandreported 1,009 new COVID-19 cases, 481 less than the previous day, with the tally mounting to 4,24,337, a health department bulletin said on Thursday. The death toll rose to 5,286 as five more people - two from EastSinghbhumdistrict and one each fromBokaro,DhanbadandSaraikela- succumbed to the disease in the last 24 hours, it said.At least 2,921 people recuperated from the infection during the period, taking the total number of recoveries to 4,05,143. The statecapital Ranchi reported the highest number of new cases at 289, followed byGoddaat 180, and WestSinghbhumat 107.Jharkhandnow has 13,908 active cases, the bulletin said. Over 1.95 crore sample tests have been conducted from COVID-19 in the state so far, including 42,600 since Wednesday, it said.
Coronavirus Omicron LIVE Updates | Austria to end lockdown for Covid unvaccinated
Austria on Wednesday announced it was ending a lockdown for those unvaccinated as it prepares to become the first EU country to make Covid-19 jabs mandatory from next week. The government last November ordered those not vaccinated or recently recovered from coronavirus to stay at home with limited exceptions, such as going to work, as the country battled a surge in cases.
Coronavirus Omicron LIVE Updates | Andhra Pradesh adds 13,618 fresh Covid-19 infections
Andhra Pradesh logged 13,618 fresh cases of Covid-19, 8,687 recoveries and nine deaths in the 24 hours ending 9 am on Wednesday. The daily infection positivity rate hovered around 30 per cent. The latest bulletin said the total active cases climbed to 1,06,318. The gross positive cases now went up to 22,22,573, recoveries to 21,01,685 and deaths 14,570, the bulletin said. Visakhapatnam district reported 1,791, Anantapuramu 1,650, Guntur 1,464, Kurnool 1,409, Prakasam 1,295 and SPS Nellore 1,007 fresh cases.
Coronavirus Omicron LIVE Updates | Kerala logs 49,771 fresh COVID-19 cases
Kerala logged 49,771 fresh COVID-19 cases on Wednesday taking the caseload to 57,74,857, while the death toll rose to 52,281 with 140 COVID-19-related deaths being registered. On Tuesday, the state had recorded 55,475 fresh cases, the highest ever single day spike in the infection since the outbreak of the pandemic in 2020.
The previous highest ever in a single day was recorded on January 20- 46,387. The state Health department said 1,03,553 samples were tested in the last 24 hours. There are 4,57,329 people under observation of which 10,938 are in isolation wards of various hospitals, a department release said. "Currently, there are 3,00,556 active COVID-19 cases in the state of which only 3.6 per cent are hospitalised," the release said.
Coronavirus Omicron LIVE Updates | Delhi reports 7,498 fresh COVID cases, 11,164 recoveries, and 29 deaths
Coronavirus Omicron LIVE Updates | Pandemic disruption causes 'learning loss' in Chhattisgarh school kids: Report
Like other sectors, the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent curbs have badly hit the learning ability of schoolchildren in Chhattisgarh, where the percentage of students unable to recognise even alphabet letters in beginner-level classes has doubled in 2021 as compared to 2018, according to a report.
According to Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2021 for Chhattisgarh, According to Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2021 for Chhattisgarh, in the pre-COVID-19 period (2014-2018) basic learning outcomes in the state had been improving, but the pandemic, which hit India in March 2020 and led to school closures, has caused a very serious 'learning loss'. Children's foundational reading and arithmetic levels have dropped substantially between 2018 and 2021, especially in primary classes, it added.
The report is based on a survey of 45,992 children in the age category of 3-16 years in 33,432 households across 28 districts of Chhattisgarh. The survey, which covered 1,647 schools, was conducted in the pandemic-hit year on special request of the state government, a senior official said.
Coronavirus Omicron LIVE Updates | Gujarat reports 14,781 fresh cases, 20,829 recoveries, 21 deaths
in past 24 hours
Active cases: 1,28,192
Total recoveries: 9,69,234
Death toll: 10,323
Coronavirus Omicron LIVE Updates | Delhi govt to recommend reopening of schools in DDMA meeting on Thursday: Manish Sisodia
The Delhi government will recommend the reopening of schools in the national capital in the DDMA meeting as it has now become necessary to prevent further damage to the social and emotional well-being of children, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said on Wednesday. Asserting that online education can never replace offline education, Sisodia said the government had closed schools when it was not safe for children, but excessive caution is now harming students. The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has called a meeting on Thursday to deliberate on easing the curbs in the national capital in view of the improved situation of COVID-19.
Coronavirus Omicron LIVE Updates | Assam reports 1,951 fresh cases, 7,365 recoveries, and 21 deaths in past 24 hours
Active cases stand at 36,063.
Hello and welcome to the coronavirus omicron LIVE blog. We will update you with all the latest news about the variant from around the world.
