Coronavirus India LIVE Updates: Centre To Ensure Covid Vaccine Reaches Every Indian, Says PM Modi

COVID-19: India is second only to the United States in terms of total infections (File)

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday warned the nation against any laxity in the vigilance against coronavirus ahead of the festive season, saying all safety measures must be observed till a vaccine for the contagion is found.

In a special address to the nation as the festival season begins, PM Modi said, "Till the time we get a vaccine shot, we absolutely cannot be complacent about the pandemic".

India, he said, is working on two or three possible vaccines and "we are trying our best to get a vaccine, as is the rest of the world".

"I want to let you know that once we get a vaccine, everyone will get it in a planned, phased and fast manner," he added.

"Till the time we do not get the vaccine, if behave even a little irresponsibly, we can harm ourselves and all those around us. Wear masks, maintain 'Do gaz ki doori (six-feet distance), wash hands regularly, use sanitisers and do not venture out unless absolutely necessary," he added.

On Sunday, Union Health Minister Dr Harshvardhan said two firms - the Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech -- are expected to begin late stage clinical trials of their vaccines after they receive approval.

Here are the Updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Cases:

Oct 21, 2020 08:23 (IST)

Safety, Well-Being Of All Indians Priority Of Modi Government: Amit Shah
Asserting that security and well-being of Indians was a top priority for the Modi government, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday asked everyone to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal on COVID-19, saying only a united and determined India can overcome this pandemic crisis.

Mr Shah's appeal came soon after the Prime Minister, in an address to the nation, asked people to follow the COVID-19 guidelines, saying this is not the time to be careless as the virus is still around and even a small negligence can dampen the festive spirit.

Oct 21, 2020 07:12 (IST)

Coronavirus update: No Halloween trick-or-treating for Trudeau's kids due to virus

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday his children will not go trick-or-treating on Halloween this year due to Covid-19 restrictions, but may instead hunt "Easter-style" for candy around their house.

Public health officials have reintroduced a partial lockdown in the capital Ottawa and several other Canadian cities and towns to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus after a recent spike in the number of cases.

Among the recommendations in Ontario, the nation's most populous province, was to not send kids trick-or-treating, provoking a public outcry, AFP reported.

Oct 21, 2020 06:54 (IST)

Coronavirus news: Bayern Munich winger Serge Gnarby tests positive for coronavirus

European champions Bayern Munich on Tuesday announced their first case of the coronavirus as Germany winger Serge Gnabry tested positive for COVID-19.

The 25-year-old is "doing well" and is in quarantine at home, the German giants said in a brief statement.

Oct 21, 2020 06:39 (IST)

Coronavirus update: Nearly 300K excess US deaths since January, most from virus, says CDC

The United States has seen around 300,000 more deaths than usual since late January, with two-thirds attributable to Covid-19 and the rest due to other causes, a government study said Tuesday.

The report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that overall, an estimated 299,028 excess deaths occurred from late January through October 3, 2020, with 198,081 of them (66 percent) caused by Covid-19.

Excess deaths are defined as the number of people who have died from all causes, in excess of the expected number of deaths for a given place and time, AFP reported.

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