New COVID Strain highlights: A number of European and other countries around the world are restricting travel from Britain as a new variant of the pandemic SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is spreading rapidly in the United Kingdom. India has also suspended flights from the UK until the end of the year over fears of a new strain of the coronavirus. Today is the 275th day since India implemented a nationwide lockdown to help curb the novel coronavirus pandemic. So far, India has recorded 1,00,75,116 (over 1 crore) confirmed COVID- 19 cases, including 1,46,111 deaths. A total of 96,36,487 patients have recovered or been discharged, as per the latest data from the Union Health Ministry. India's recovery rate continues to rise and now stands at 95.65 percent. However, there are 2,92,518 active cases in the country, which comprise 2.9 percent of the total caseload. Globally, more than 7.79 crore people have been infected by the novel coronavirus and 17.14 lakh have died so far, as per data from the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Centre.
Coronavirus vaccine LIVE Updates | Russia halts new volunteers in Sputnik V trial now it is increasingly available
Russia stopped taking in new volunteers in the trial of its first vaccine against COVID-19 on Wednesday, with developers saying it was unethical to administer a placebo to participants now that the shot was increasingly available to the public.
Russia began rolling out the Sputnik V vaccine as part of a national inoculation programme in early December as the final, phase III trial continued in the capital at the same time.
Now the trial will be cut short, with only 31,000 volunteers taking part rather than the planned 40,000, the health ministry said in a statement.
Alexander Gintsburg, director of the Gamaleya Institute which developed the vaccine, was cited by the RIA news agency as saying that the decision was based on previous trial results, which showed the vaccine was safe.
Coronavirus in Gujarat LIVE Updates | No public gatherings for Christmas, New Year in Gujarat: Govt
In view of COVID-19 pandemic, public prayers or gatherings will not be allowed in Gujarat public prayers or gatherings will not be allowed in Gujaratduring Christmas and New Year, the state government said on Wednesday.
At the same time, the government allowed local authorities to take a call on allowing celebrations at publicplaces "in special cases". "In view of the coronavirus situation in the state, noreligious public gatherings, rallies, prayers in public places or public procession will be allowed during Christmas and New Year," a release quoted Minister of State for Home Pradeepsinh Jadeja as saying.
It said local administration will not grant permission for celebrations in public places, except in special cases.
Coronavirus in Chhattisgarh LIVE Updates | 1,299 inmates in Chhattisgarh jails contracted COVID-19: Govt
As many as 1,299 inmates have tested positive for coronavirus in 28 jails of Chhattisgarh so far and six have died of the infection, the state government informed the legislative Assembly on Wednesday.
In a written reply to a question by senior BJP MLA Brijmohan Agrawal, state home minister Tamradhwaj Sahu informed about COVID-19 cases among jail inmates and funds spent on their treatment.
At least 217 inmates had contracted the infection in Durg Central Jail, followed by 202 and 196 in the district jails of Dantewada and Ramanujganj respectively, the reply stated.
Coronavirus in Karnataka LIVE Updates |
Karnataka reported 958 new COVID-19cases, 1,206 discharges and 9 deaths today. Total cases: 9,12,340; Total discharges: 8,86,547; Death toll: 12,038; Active cases: 13,736.
Coronavirus in Maharashtra LIVE Updates |
Maharashtra reported 3,913 new COVID-19cases, 7,620 discharges, and 93 deaths today, as per State Health Department. Total cases: 19,06,371; Total recoveries: 18,01,700; Death toll: 48969; Total active cases: 54,573.
Over 40 Countries Restrict Travel From UK
Here is an update on the situation so far.... Read More
Coronavirus in Delhi LIVE Updates |
Delhi reports 871 new COVID-19cases, 1,585 recoveries and 18 deaths in the last 24 hours, as per Delhi Health Department. Total cases: 6,19,618; Total recoveries: 6,01,268; Death toll: 10,347; Active cases: 8,003.
Coronavirus in Britain LIVE Updates | Britain approves use of COVID-19 self-test kit
Britain on Wednesday approved the exceptional use of the National Health Service test and trace COVID-19 self-test kit to detect asymptomatic coronavirus cases, as it mulls a stricter lockdown to stem the spread of a highly infectious variant of the virus.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said that the kit uses an antigen lateral flow test (antigen LFT), which can give a result in 30 minutes.
Coronavirus in Tamil Nadu LIVE Updates |
Tamil Nadu reported 1,066 new COVID-19cases, 1,131 discharges, and 12 deaths in the last 24 hours.Total positive cases: 8,10,080; Total discharges: 7,88,742; Death toll: 12,024; Active cases: 9,314.
Coronavirus in Rajasthan LIVE Updates |
Rajasthan reported 992 new COVID-19cases, 8 deaths and 937 recoveries/discharges today. Total cases: 3,01,708; Death toll: 2,642; Total recoveries/discharges: 2,87,418; Active cases: 1,736.
Coronavirus vaccine LIVE Updates |
Pfizer and BioNTech will supply the US with an additional 100 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine under a new agreement, news agency Reuters has reported.
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates | Puri’s Jagannath temple reopens for locals after 9 months
Puri’s famous Jagannath temple opened for devotees on December 23, after remaining closed for nine months due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The temple, which is among Odisha’s top tourist attractions, will reopen in a graded manner. For the first five days, only locals will be allowed inside. From January 3, 2021, the Jagannath temple is expected to be open for all.
The authorities have decided to keep the temple closed for all on January 1 and 2 to avoid a rush of devotees on New Year’s Day.
New COVID Strain LIVE Updates | Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja:
We fear Corona's new strain will come to Kerala also. We've decided to screen passengers coming from Europe, Italy andUK at all Kerala airports. They'll be under strong surveillance in their home. 1 flight came from UK yesterday, result yet to come.
Coronavirus in Delhi LIVE Updates | Delhi Airport:
Six passengers have tested positive for COVID-19 today. Around 50 passengers have been advised for institutional quarantine.
Coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh LIVE Updates | UP CM directs COVID-19 tests for those who came to UP from abroad between Nov 25 and Dec 8
Amid concerns over a new variant of the coronavirus detected in the United Kingdom, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Wednesday that those who came to the state from abroad between November 25 and December 8 should undergo tests for detection of COVID-19.
Those who arrived in UP from abroad after December 9 must undergo RT-PCR test, he told officials at a review meeting.
"We have to remain alert keeping in mind new strain of coronavirus. All those who came to the state from abroad between November 25 and December 8 should be tested and compulsory RT-PCR test should be done for those coming after December 9," the chief minister was quoted as saying in a statement.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates | In a year of COVID-19 pandemic, here's how world leaders handled the crisis
Critics would argue that while living through a pandemic was hard, it was made tougher by the response from these leaders. Others have claimed that it was precisely because of these leaders that the crisis became easier to sail through.
Here's a look at world leaders and how they handled the pandemic in a year of unprcedented crisis.
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates | IndiGo recovering from COVID-19 aviation 'carnage', may start rehiring
India’s biggest airline IndiGo may soon start rehiring as the domestic services are likely to return to pre-pandemic levels by January or February, recovering from the coronavirus "carnage”, Chief Executive Officer Ronojoy Dutta has said.
"Doom and gloom is off the table and we are recovering pretty nicely, especially domestically,” Bloomberg quoted Dutta as saying.
"The recovery in international capacity will take longer due to quarantines and virus flareups in places such as the UK but the airline is hoping it will be back to normal levels by the end of 2021," Dutta added.
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates | Andaman and Nicobar Administration:
All incoming passengers arriving at VSI Airport from 26th Dec onwards shall have to mandatorily carry RT-PCR negative test report issued from ICMR recognized lab, subject to condition that RT-PCR test should have been taken 48 hrs prior to journey.
Coronavirus vaccine LIVE Updates | Dubai to begin inoculations with Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine from Wednesday
Dubai will start inoculating people with the COVID-19 vaccine produced by Pfizer and BioNTech for free from Wednesday, the emirate's government said, joining Saudi Arabia which last week became the first Arab country to begin using this vaccine.
The move comes after the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain earlier this month rolled out a vaccine developed by China National Pharmaceutical Group (Sinopharm) to the general public.
The UAE's Ministry of Health and Prevention registered the Pfizer-BioNTech's vaccine for emergency use on the request of Pfizer, the state news agency WAM reported, citing the ministry.
Dubai's Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management said in a statement on Twitter late on Tuesday an "extensive vaccination campaign" against COVID-19 would kick off on Wednesday using Pfizer-BioNTech's vaccine.
Coronavirus in Maharashtra LIVE Updates |
Maharashtra government has allowed district collectors to impose night curfew in their jurisdiction after taking prior permission from the chief secretary.
Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates | Companies hopeful of economic recovery in 2021 but cautious about COVID-19 pandemic
Sanitaryware makers to manufacturers of consumer durables remain optimistic about an economic revival in 2021 but cautious as the risk of COVID-19 pandemic still exists, officials said on Wednesday.
Many companies across sectors are looking to make their balance sheets strong after they have experienced market disruptions in the current calendar year due to the raging global coronavirus outbreak, they said.
Firms ranging from tourism, food and beverage sectors to sanitaryware industry are focusing on the health and hygiene segment and strengthen their digital presence to overcome the challenges, the officials said, adding that the economic revival is expected in the second half of the next year, they said.
"Despite the major blow in the economy in 2020 due to the pandemic, 2021 seems to be the year of redemption and we can expect the economy to not only recover but also to show significant signs of growth," Roca Bathroom India managing director KE Ranganathan said.
Coronavirus LIVE updates: COVID-hit Haryana Home Minister and Health Minister Anil Vij shifted from ICU to room at Gurugram hospital
Haryana Home and Health Minister Anil Vij, who is undergoing treatment for COVID-19, has been shifted from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to a room on Wednesday.
Taking to Twitter, Vij wrote, "With God's grace, day and night efforts of doctors, and your prayers today I have been shifted from ICU to a room. Thanks to all."
Vij is undergoing treatment for the novel coronavirus at Gurugram's Medanta-The Medicity. He was tested positive for coronavirus on December 5.
The Haryana Minister was administered a trial dose of Bharat Biotech's COVID-19 vaccine 'Covaxin' at a hospital in Ambala on November 20. He had offered to be the first volunteer for the third phase trial of Covaxin, which started in the state.
Coronavirus LIVE updates: As mutated variant spreads, Britain PM Boris Johnson mulls stricter lockdown
The British government will review whether it needs to impose its strictest COVID-19 restrictions on more of the country on Wednesday as a highly infectious variant continues to spread but will not change Christmas rules, a minister said.
Britain reported a record number of new infections on Tuesday as a mutated strain of the coronavirus, which could be up to 70% more transmissible than the original, causes the number of cases and hospital admissions to soar.
On Saturday, tight social mixing restrictions measures were brought in for London, southeast England and Wales while plans to ease curbs over Christmas across the nation were either dramatically scaled back or scrapped altogether.
Coronavirus LIVE updates: Tamil Nadu government allows 'Jallikattu,' says events must follow norms to keep COVID-19 at bay
'Jallikattu', the popular bull taming sport in Tamil Nadu, could be held next month by following the guidelines imposed in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government said on Wednesday. A maximum of 300 participants would only be allowed for Jallikattu and 150 for "Erudhu Vidum Nigazhchi", another variety of the sport.
Spectators shall be subjected to thermal scanning before entry into the open spaces earmarked for the events and they must follow requisite social distancing and wear masks, the government said in an official release. The participants should necessarily possess a COVID-19 negative certificate from government authorised labs. There are 235 COVID laboratories in Tamil Nadu.
A detailed Standard Operating Procedure for the conduct of the sport in January 2021 would be issued separately, the government said. The sport is traditionally held coinciding with ''Pongal'', the harvest festival in the Tamil month of "Thai" in January. Alanganallur and Palamedu are among the regions in Tamil Nadu that have been hosting the events for ages.
Coronavirus LIVE updates: Companies hopeful of economic recovery in 2021 but cautious about COVID-19 pandemic
Sanitaryware makers to manufacturers of consumer durables remain optimistic about an economic revival in 2021 but cautious as the risk of COVID-19 pandemic still exists, officials said on Wednesday.
Many companies across sectors are looking to make their balance sheets strong after they have experienced market disruptions in the current calendar year due to the raging global coronavirus outbreak, they said.
Firms ranging from tourism, food and beverage sectors to sanitaryware industry are focusing on the health and hygiene segment and strengthen their digital presence to overcome the challenges, the officials said, adding that the economic revival is expected in the second half of the next year, they said.
Coronavirus LIVE updates: German daily COVID deaths toll nears 1,000 a week into lockdown
Germany reported a record daily coronavirus death toll of 962 on Wednesday, a week after the start of a hard lockdown that has forced most stores as well as hair salons and other services to close.
The total death toll now stands at 27,968, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed. The previous daily death toll record was 952, reported on Dec. 16, the day the lockdown came into effect. Germany managed the COVID-19 pandemic relatively well compared with other European countries in the first wave of the pandemic in spring.
But it has seen a sharp rise in case numbers and deaths in recent months, and an attempt failed in November to push down infection numbers with a “lockdown lite” that kept shops and schools open. The eastern German state of Saxony has been hit hard by the second wave, reporting the highest number of deaths per capita over the course of the pandemic, with around 57 in 100,000 residents having died.
Coronavirus LIVE updates: Karnataka govt imposes night curfew from December 23 till January 2 amid COVID-19
Karnataka government has imposed a night curfew across the state from December 23 till January 2, 2021 over fears of a new strain of the coronavirus spreading in the United Kingdom, announced Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa.
This night curfew has been done to prevent and contain the new coronavirus strain found in Britain. The state is also monitoring international passengers arriving in the state, said Karnataka Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar.
During the night curfew between December 23 and January 2, no function or festive celebration is allowed to take place after 10 pm. The restriction applies to every kind of functions, said Sudhakar when asked if Christmas celebrations would be allowed on December 25.
Coronavirus LIVE updates: Chennai doctor launches awareness cartoon on COVID-19
With emphasis still on wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing to prevent the spread of coronavirus, a city doctor has launched an animated short awareness film "Chottu and Mottu", targeting children and public. The film in Tamil, English and Hindi seeks to reinforce the "Mask Up India Movement" to promote COVID-19 appropriate behavior, according to a release.
It aims to supplement the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who launched an awareness campaign to curb the spread of the virus, said Dr T S Chandrasekar, a Padma Shri Awardee, who has come out with the initiative.
"Chottu and Mottu aims to create awareness and inculcate the habit of wearing face masks, maintain social distancing and hand hygiene to function as social vaccine, especially among school students, particularly when schools reopen after lockdown. It is useful for the public too," Chandrasekar, founder-chairman of city-based Med India Hospitals, said.
Coronavirus LIVE updates: Odisha reports 364 new COVID-19 cases, 3 fresh deaths
Odisha's COVID-19 caseload on Wednesday mounted to 3,27,279 after 364 more people tested positive for infection, while three fresh fatalities pushed the coronavirus death toll to 1,846, a health department official said. The new cases were detected in 25 of the state''s 30 districts, with 210 cases reported from different quarantine centres, while the remaining 154 are local contact cases.
Sundergarh district recorded the highest 64 cases followed by Khurda (42) and Mayurbhanj (26). Five districts - Boudh, Kandhamal, Malkangiri, Dhenkanal and Deogarh - did not register any new case in the last 24 hours, the official said, adding that 10 districts reported cases in single digit.
The three fresh fatalities were reported from Balasore, Khurda and Sundergarh district, he said. With three fresh fatalities, Odisha''s coronavirus death toll mounted to 1,846, he said, adding that 53 other COVID-19 positive patients have also died due to comorbidities so far.
Coronavirus LIVE updates: UAE Islamic body OKs vaccines even with pork
The United Arab Emirates'' highest Islamic authority, the UAE Fatwa Council, has ruled that coronavirus vaccines are permissible for Muslims even if they contain pork gelatin.
The ruling follows growing alarm that the use of pork gelatin, a common vaccine ingredient, may hamper vaccination among Muslims who consider the consumption of pork products "haram", or forbidden under Islamic law.
If there are no alternatives, Council Chairman Sheikh Abdallah bin Bayyah said that the coronavirus vaccines would not be subject to Islam''s restrictions on pork because of the higher need to "protect the human body".
The council added that in this case, the pork gelatin is considered medicine, not food, with multiple vaccines already shown to be effective against a highly contagious virus that "poses a risk to the entire society".
Coronavirus LIVE updates: Malaysia in talks to secure more vaccines from Russia, Pfizer
Malaysia is in talks to buy 6.4 million doses of Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine and wants to increase its purchases from U.S. drugmaker Pfizer-BioNTech, as the country looks to beef up its arsenal against the pandemic.
The Southeast Asian nation is spending about $500 million to buy enough vaccines to inoculate 26.5 million people, or 82.8% of its people.
It has already bought vaccines from Pfizer and Britain’s AstraZeneca and expects to secure more from Chinese and Russian manufacturers, as well as from its participation in the global COVAX facility, backed by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Coronavirus LIVE updates: Keep calm, Taiwan says after first local COVID-19 case in eight months
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen called on people on Wednesday to keep calm after the island confirmed its first locally transmitted case of COVID-19 since April 12, as the government announced negative tests so far for the person’s contacts.
Taiwan has kept the pandemic well under control thanks to early and effective prevention methods and widespread mask wearing, with all new cases for more than the last 250 days being among travellers arriving on the island. But the government has been jolted by Tuesday’s announcement of the domestic infection, a lady who is a friend of a New Zealand pilot who was confirmed to have been infected earlier this week. Tsai called on people to remain calm, follow official health guidance and not spread fake news.
“This case has a confirmed source of infection,” she told reporters. “Please don’t panic excessively.”
Health Minister Chen Shih-chung, speaking at a separate news conference, said 170 contacts of the woman had been tested, with results coming back negative, while three others are awaiting test results.
Coronavirus LIVE updates: Masks alone may not stop COVID-19 spread without physical distancing, says study
Simply wearing a face mask may not protect you from catching the novel coronavirus, that causes COVID-19, if you are not maintaining physical distancing, according to a study. The research, published in the journal Physics of Fluids, tested how five different types of mask materials affected the spread of droplets that carry the SARS-CoV-2 virus, when we cough or sneeze.
All the material the researchers tested dramatically reduced the number of droplets that were transmitted. However, enough droplets to potentially cause the viral illness still made it through several of the materials when physical distance was less than six feet, they said.
"A mask definitely helps, but if the people are very close to each other, there is still a chance of spreading or contracting the virus," said Krishna Kota, an associate professor at New Mexico State University in the US. "It's not just masks that will help. It''s both the masks and distancing," Kota added.
The researchers developed a machine that uses an air generator to mimic human coughs and sneezes. The generator was used to blow tiny liquid particles, like the airborne droplets of sneezes and coughs, through laser sheets in an airtight square tube with a camera. They blocked the flow of the droplets in the tube with five different types of materials -- a regular cloth, a two-layer cloth mask, a wet two-layer cloth, a surgical mask, and a medical-grade N-95 ventilator.
Coronavirus LIVE updates: Frame SOPs for post-COVID-19 complications in patients, Delhi HC tells AAP govt
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed the AAP government to frame standard operating procedures (SOPs) to deal with post COVID-19 complications and to ensure that facilities are available to test and quarantine travellers from the UK where a new strain of coronavirus has been discovered.
The directions were issued by a bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Subramonium Prasad while hearing a PIL by advocate Rakesh Malhotra seeking increase in the COVID-19 testing numbers in the national capital and getting speedy results.
Malhotra, during the hearing, told the court that there should be some SOPs for managing post COVID-19 complications in those who have recovered from the infection.
Subsequently, the bench asked the Delhi government, represented by additional standing counsel Satyakam, to frame the SOPs.
The court also took note of the district-wise data of COVID-19 infections in the national capital and the submission by Delhi government that it was "enhancing contact tracings and creating more containment zones" in areas where the positive rate is more
Coronavirus LIVE updates | When will India's turn come: Rahul Gandhi to PM Modi on COVID-19 vaccinations
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said 23 lakh people in the world had already received the COVID-19 vaccine and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi when India's turn would come.
In a Twitter post, the former Congress president also shared a 'Covid vaccinations' chart showing China ahead followed by the United States, United Kingdom and Russia. He tweeted that 23 lakh people have already received COVID-19 vaccinations and added, "China, US, UK, Russia have started...India ka number kab ayegaa, Modi ji?"
India is yet to approve a vaccine for COVID-19. Pfizer, Bharat Biotech and Serum Institute of India have applied to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for a licence for emergency use authorisation of their vaccines in India.
Coronavirus LIVE updates: Maharashtra allows opening of amusement parks, indoor entertainment activities
Maharashtra government on Wednesday allowed resumption ofwatersports,naukavihar, amusement parks, indoor entertainment activities and also permitted reopening of tourist places outside containment zones.
The Maharashtra government on Monday had announced night curfew from 11 pm to 6 am in major cities across the state from 22 December to 5 January as a precautionary measure amid mounting fears about a new coronavirus variant spreading in UK.
Maharashtra on Tuesday reported 3,106 fresh COVID-19 cases, taking the count of infections to 19,02,458, the state health department said.
Coronavirus LIVE updates: Mumbai Police step up vigil as night curfew comes into force
Increased patrolling by police, heightened vigilance and curbs on timings of bars and pubs are back in Mumbai as it has come under fresh restrictions to check the spread of COVID-19 amid concerns over detection of a new variant of the virus. Police have been conducting marches and going around streets requesting people to stay indoors as the night curfew from 11 pm to 6 pm came into force from Tuesday, a police official said on Wednesday.
Those involved in emergency, medical and essential services are exempted from the government order. Increased police patrolling was seen near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Haji Ali areas of south Mumbai in the wee hours of Wednesday.
Police personnel were also seen conducting a march in Dindoshi area here. They were seen conducting checks in suburban Goregaon and Malad and asking people, who were out on streets, to go to their homes and adhere to the government's order.
Coronavirus LIVE updates: Christmas, New Year celebrations banned in public places in Dehradun amid COVID-19
The district administration has banned collective celebrations like parties at hotels, bars, restaurants and other public places on Christmas, New Year''s Eve and New Year to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Any violation of the ban on these dates will be punishable under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the Epidemic Diseases Act and other relevant sections of the IPC, said an order issued by Dehradun District Magistrate Ashish Shrivastava on Tuesday evening.
It is being done as a precautionary measure to prevent the transmission of the coronavirus infection, the order said.
The ban will have its effect in Dehradun, Mussoorie and Rishikesh where a large number of tourists come to celebrate Christmas and New Year.
Coronavirus LIVE updates: COVID-19 immunity lasts at least 8 months, hope for longevity of vaccinations, says Study
People who have recovered from the novel coronavirus infection have immune memory to protect against reinfection for at least eight months, according to a new study which provides strong evidence for the likelihood that COVID-19 vaccines will work for long periods. While earlier studies have shown that antibodies against the coronavirus wane after the first few months of infection, raising concerns that people may lose immunity quickly, the new research, published in the journal Science Immunology, puts these concerns to rest.
According to the scientists, including those from Monash University in Australia, specific cells within the immune system called memory B cells, "remembers" infection by the virus, and if re-exposed to the virus, triggers a protective immune response through rapid production of protective antibodies. In the study, the researchers recruited a cohort of 25 COVID-19 patients and took 36 blood samples from them from Day 4 post infection to Day 242 post infection.
Coronavirus LIVE updates: COVID-19 cases explained in charts
The total number of COVID-19 cases in India is now at 1,00,99,066 with 96,63,382 recoveries and 1,46,444 deaths as per December 23, update. The mortality rate in the country stands at 1.5 percent with Punjab reporting the highest (3.2 percent). More than 10 lakh daily tests were reported on December 22 with more than 16.42 crore tests carried out till date.
India reports 106 deaths per million population, among the lowest in the world. The UK now has 1,004 deaths/million people and the USA (997). Eleven countries have more than 1,000 deaths per million population.
Coronavirus LIVE updates: COVID-19 cases explained in charts
As many as 23,950 new cases of novel coronavirus were reported, with India’s total COVID-19 cases now above 1 crore, as per health ministry’s December 23 update.
India reported 333 new deaths (below the 500 mark for the 18th day) and 26,895 recoveries in the last 24 hours, the latest release shows. Active cases continue to drop, to 2,89,240 with a fall of 3,278 cases in a day.
Kerala reported the most (6,049) new cases in the last 24 hours, followed by Maharashtra (3,106), West Bengal (1,653), Chhattisgarh (1,380) and Uttar Pradesh (1,211). These five states account for more than half (56 percent) of all the new cases reported in India. Delhi reported (939) less than 1,000 new cases for the second day in a row.
Coronavirus LIVE updates: Five new cases take Arunachal's COVID-19 tally to 16,657
Five more people, including three security personnel, tested positive for COVID-19 in Arunachal Pradesh, pushing the tally in the northeastern state to 16,657, a health department official said on Wednesday. Of the fresh cases, two were reported from West Kameng and one each from Tawang, Namsai and the Capital Complex region, State Surveillance Officer (SSO) Dr Lobsang Jampa said.
"Two Army personnel and an India Reserve Battalion jawan are among the new patients. All the fresh cases were detected through rapid antigen tests," he said. Barring one, all the fresh patients were asymptomatic. Ten more people were cured of the disease on Tuesday, taking the total number of recoveries in the state to 16,379. The recovery rate among coronavirus patients in the state currently stands at 98.33 per cent, the official said.
Arunachal Pradesh now has 222 active cases, and the death toll remained at 56 as no new fatality due to the infection was reported. The fatality ratio is at 0.33 percent, he said. The Capital Complex region, comprising Itanagar, Naharlagun, Nirjuli and Banderdewa areas, has the highest number of active cases at 79, followed by Tawang (36), West Kameng (22) and East Siang (17). The state has so far tested 3,73,734 samples for COVID-19, including 383 on Tuesday, and the positivity rate is at 1.67 percent, Jampa added.
Coronavirus LIVE updates: US negotiating for millions more vaccine doses from Pfizer
The U.S. government is negotiating with Pfizer to acquire tens of millions of additional vaccine doses in exchange for helping the pharmaceutical giant gain better access to manufacturing supplies.
A person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the deal is under discussion but has not been finalised. The person spoke on condition of anonymity to describe ongoing deliberations.
Pfizer''s vaccine was the first to gain approval from the Food and Drug Administration and initial shipments went to states last week. It has now been joined by a vaccine from Moderna, which was developed in closer cooperation with scientists from the National Institutes of Health.
Coronavirus LIVE updates: Dubai to offer free Pfizer-BioNTech virus shots from today
Dubai plans to start a free vaccination campaign from Wednesday using the coronavirus vaccine developed by Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE. “Extensive vaccination campaign against Covid-19 kicks off in Dubai on Wednesday," the city’s media office tweeted. “Vaccination will use Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine and is free of charge."
Pfizer and BioNTech have said their vaccine is 95% effective in preventing the illness. The United Arab Emirates, of which Dubai is a part, has been conducting trials on China’s state-backed coronavirus vaccine and earlier this month said the shot protected 86% of people against Covid-19.
Dubai, the Middle East’s business hub, locked down the city for about a month earlier this year to halt the spread of the virus. Its flagship Emirates airline grounded passenger flights and the Expo 2020 exhibition scheduled to start in October was delayed by a year. Flights have since resumed operations.
Coronavirus LIVE updates: Awaiting COVID vaccine arrival, Delhi hospital working on storage facility
From installing freezers to cold chain equipment set up, arrangements are being made at a Delhi government hospital for storage of Covid-19 vaccine, anticipating its arrival, sources said on Tuesday. Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain had recently said work was underway to build storage and transportation logistics so that once the vaccine arrives, the next process can begin soon.
The sources at Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital (RGSSH), a dedicated Covid-19 facility with 650 beds, said a total of 90 freezers are to arrive, many of which have already arrived and being installed. "Besides, there will be two cold chain equipment for storage. The ground and first floors of the utility block, measuring about 4,700 sq ft, will be used for the storage facility," a source said.
Coronavirus LIVE updates: Haryana gears up for covid vaccination, 1.9 lakh healthcare workers on priority
Haryana Government has prepared data of 1.9 lakh health care workers (HCWs) from both private and government sectors on the Co-WIN portal for successful implementation of COVID-19 vaccination drive, whenever the vaccine is made available in the country.
Sharing details of the preparedness of COVID-19 vaccine rollout Additional Chief Secretary, Health, Rajeev Arora said that the Department has already identified 1,800 vaccination session sites and more than 5,000 vaccinators have been mapped for the process of administering the vaccine.
In order to ensure that the vaccine reaches every district, the health department has 22 Vaccine Vans (insulated) for transporting vaccines across the state.
Coronavirus LIVE updates: 369 new COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra's Thane; 8 more deaths
Thane has reported 369 new cases of COVID-19, raising the tally in the Maharashtra district to 2,39,776, an official said on Wednesday. The COVID-19 death toll in the district has reached 5,892 as eight more patients succumbed to the viral infection, he said.
Currently, there are 4,266 active COVID-19 cases in the district, while 2,29,618 patients have recovered. The COVID-19 recovery rate in the district is 95.76 percent, while the mortality rate stands at 2.46 percent. The active cases comprise 1.78 percent of the total cases reported so far in the district, the official said.
Among cities in the district, Kalyan has so far reported 56,630 COVID-19 cases, Thane-54,515, Navi Mumbai- 50,358 and Mira Bhayander-25,134. Out of the total number of COVID-19 deaths, Thane city accounts for 1,291, Kalyan-1,091, Navi Mumbai-1,034 and Mira Bhayander-780,the official said. The neighbouring Palghar has so far recorded total 43,954 coronavirus cases and 1,180 deaths due to the infection, an official from the district administration said.
Coronavirus LIVE updates: Telangana adds 635 COVID-19 cases, 4 more deaths
Telangana registered 635 fresh coronavirus cases, taking the tally to nearly 2.83 lakh while four fatalities pushed the toll to 1,522. Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) accounted for the most number of cases with 115, followed by Rangareddy 57 and Medchal Malkajgiri 49, a government bulletin said on Wednesday providing details as of 8 pm on December 22. Over 2.74 lakh people recovered from the disease so far.
As many as 6,627 patients are under treatment and 45,609 samples were tested on Tuesday. Cumulatively, over 65.66 lakh samples have been tested. The samples tested per million population was nearly 1.76 lakh, the bulletin said. The case fatality rate in the state was 0.53 per cent, while it was 1.5 per cent at the national level. The recovery rate in Telangana was 97.12 per cent, while it was 95.7 percent in the country.
