Coronavirus live updates: ICMR aims to launch indigenous Covid-19 vaccine by August 15

ICMR aims to launch indigenous Covid-19 vaccine by August 15

Aiming to launch an indigenous Covid-19 vaccine by August 15, the Indian Council of Medical Research has written to select medical institutions and hospitals to fast-track clinical trial approvals for the vaccine candidate Covaxin being developed in collaboration with Bharat Biotech.Twelve clinical trial sites have been identified at present and the apex health research body has asked the medical institutions and principal investigators to ensure that the subject enrolment is initiated no later than July 7.

123 new positive cases and 5 deaths have been reported in Rajasthan till 10:30 am today. Total number of cases stands at 18785 including 3307 active cases and 435 deaths: State Health Department

Read: Single-day spike of 20,903 Covid-19 cases in India, total tally climbs to 6,25,544

India reports 379 deaths and highest single-day spike of 20,903 new cases in the last 24 hours as per the health ministry data

Total coronavirus cases in India now 6,25,544 as per the latest health ministry update

The number includes 2,27,439 active cases, 3,79,892 Cured/Discharged/Migrated cases and 18,213 cases in which the patient has died

ICMR DG Balram Bhargava has written a letter to Bharat Biotech and principal investigators of medical colleges to complete the trial procedure of indigenous Covid-19 vaccine in a fast track method, so that results of clinical trial can be launched by 15th August.

The total number of samples tested up to July 2 is 92,97,749 of which 2,41,576 samples were tested yesterday: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)

Read: Covid-19 vaccine by Ahmedabad-based Zydus Cadila gets DCGI nod for human clinical trials

Mexican state eyes closing US border as Arizona cases rise

Mexico's coronavirus outbreak rose by a record 6,741 confirmed cases and 679 deaths Thursday, putting the country's toll of 29,189 COVID-19 deaths higher than Spain's, though the milestone was overshadowed by the resurgence in the United States.

Rajasthan: Jodhpur Police, along with local artists, yesterday carried out a display to create awareness among the people regarding Covid-19 and the importance of social distancing, wearing of mask and sanitising of hands.

US sees 50,000 cases in a day

N from SE Asia’ ewdaily coronavirus cases in the US soared past 50,000 for the first time on Wednesday, as the WHO delivered a grave warning that the pandemic is accelerating. Restaurants, bars and beaches in the world’s worst-hit nation closed from California to Florida as states braced for Independence Day (July 4) festivities.

California governor: Wear masks, avoid July 4th gatherings

Gov. Gavin Newsom urged Californians on Thursday to turn to their 'better angels' and use common sense by wearing masks and skipping traditional gatherings with family and friends during the holiday weekend. Newsom previously noted he has established teams of state regulators to target businesses that don't enforce the mask rule or follow other requirements for social distancing and hygiene.

Congress leader, 3 police officers recover from Covid-19 in Telangana

A senior Congress leader and Ex-MP V Hanumantha Rao has recovered from coronavirus and discharged from the hospital. Three Telangana police officers, Shikha Goel, DS Chauhan and Tarun Joshi of Hyderabad city police have also recovered from the virus.

Covid testing to hit 1-cr mark soon

The total number of Covid-19 tests in India is set to touch the one crore-mark soon with the Centre making all round efforts to remove bottlenecks and facilitate enhanced testing, the health ministry said on Thursday. The ministry said diagnostic testing network is expanding very fast and there are now 1,065 testing labs in the country. “The total number of people being tested for Covid-19 in the country will soon touch one crore. This has been possible due to removal of all bottlenecks by government of India. Various steps taken by the central government have paved the way for enhanced testing for Covid-19,” health ministry said.

UK to end quarantine for travelers from 'low-risk' countries

The British government said Friday it is scrapping a 14-day quarantine rule for arrivals from a number of countries deemed ``lower risk`` for the coronavirus, including France, Spain, Germany and Italy. The full list of exempted countries will be announced later Friday, the government said. It is considered unlikely the United States, which has the highest number of coronavirus cases and deaths in the world, will be among them. On Saturday, the government will also exempt several countries from its advice against overseas travel, meaning U.K. tourists can once again head abroad on vacation.

In biggest surge, record 22k Covid cases in a day

India’s Covid-19 death toll crossed the 18,000 mark on Thursday amid a big surge in fresh infections. More than 22,000 new cases were recorded, nearly 2,000 more than the previous single-day record of 20,060 on June 27, led by a huge rush of cases in Maharashtra (6,330), Tamil Nadu (4,343), Karnataka (1,502) and Telangana (1,213). Apart from these four states, Andhra Pradesh (845 new cases), UP (817), Gujarat (681) and Bihar (478) registered their highest jump in infections, while Bengal added 649 and Assam 408 cases to their tallies.

Fast-food chain McDonald’s has decided to pause the reopening of its U.S. dine-in services by 21 days

Permission for Phase I/II clinical trial for Covid-19 vaccine of Zydus Cadila granted today as a rapid response after recommendation by Subject Expert Committee: Health ministry official (ANI)

Maharashtra Covid-19 tally rises to 1,86,626 with 6,330 cases - new single-day high; 125 deaths take toll to 8,178: Health official

35 people, including 23 ITBP jawans, test positive for Covid-19 in Himachal Pradesh, taking state's tally to 1,015: Officials