COVID-19 Cases in India: The number of people who have recuperated surged to 98,83,461
The daily new coronavirus infections in India remained below 30,000 for the 19th consecutive day taking the COVID-19 caseload to 1,02,86,709, while the number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 98.83 lakh, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday.
A total of 20,035 new infections were reported in a day, while the death count increased to 1,48,994 with 256 new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.
The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 98,83,461 pushing the national recovery rate to 96.08 per cent, while the COVID-19 case fatality rate stands at 1.45 per cent.
The COVID-19 active caseload remained below 3 lakh for the 11th consecutive day.
There are 2,54,254 active cases of coronavirus infection in the country which comprises 2.47 per cent of the total caseload, the data stated.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization on Thursday granted emergency validation to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, paving the way for countries worldwide to quickly approve its import and distribution.
Here are the LIVE updates on Coronavirus Cases:
Coronavirus news: Delhi Reduces Covid Bed-Strength At Two Government, 108 Private Hospitals
On the first day of the year 2021, people in large numbers thronged to temples, gurudwaras and other religious places to seek blessings despite the COVID-19 restrictions.
Devotees thronged the Golden Temple in Amritsar to seek a blessing on the first day of the year 2021, even as the gathering this time was less as compared to previous years due to the ongoing pandemic.
Precautionary measures to check the spread of COVID-19, such as social distancing and wearing of face masks, were not being observed by those present.
On the first day of the year 2021, people in large numbers thronged to temples, gurudwaras and other religious places to seek blessings despite the COVID-19 restrictions.
Devotees thronged the Golden Temple in Amritsar to seek a blessing on the first day of the year 2021, even as the gathering this time was less as compared to previous years due to the ongoing pandemic.
Precautionary measures to check the spread of COVID-19, such as social distancing and wearing of face masks, were not being observed by those present.
COVID-19: British doctors criticise change of plan on vaccine boosters
British doctors have said a government decision to delay giving a coronavirus vaccine booster shot to vulnerable patients who have already had a first dose will be distressing and disruptive, their trade union said on Thursday.
The government said on Wednesday it wanted to give a first dose to as many people as possible before starting to administer boosters at 12 weeks, in an effort to provide more people with a degree of protection more quickly.But Dr Richard Vautrey, chair of the British Medical Association (BMA) committee for local family doctors, said it was "grossly and patently unfair to tens of thousands of our most at-risk patients to now try to reschedule their appointments".
For the newly approved vaccine developed by Oxford University and made by AstraZeneca being rolled out in Britain next week, the plan is consistent with a finding that waiting 12 weeks maximises protection against the virus.But in the case of the Pfizer/BioNTech shot that is already being given, the manufacturer said the shot had not been evaluated on dosing schedules different from the recommended 21 days.
COVID-19: Telangana reports 416 new cases, 3 deaths
A total of 461 new COVID-19 cases, 617 discharges and three deaths were reported in Telangana on Thursday.
According to the state Health Department, the total count of coronavirus cases in the state has increased to 2,86,815 including 2,79,456 discharges and 1,544 deaths.
The active cases currently stand at 5, 815 With 1,544 deaths reported in Telangana till Thursday.
Telangana's recovery rate stands at 97.43 per cent and the case fatality rate is at 0.53 per cent.
As many as 42,013 samples were tested yesterday and 3,674 patients are kept under home/institutional isolation.
A total of 461 new COVID-19 cases, 617 discharges and three deaths were reported in Telangana on Thursday.
According to the state Health Department, the total count of coronavirus cases in the state has increased to 2,86,815 including 2,79,456 discharges and 1,544 deaths.
The active cases currently stand at 5, 815 With 1,544 deaths reported in Telangana till Thursday.
Telangana's recovery rate stands at 97.43 per cent and the case fatality rate is at 0.53 per cent.
As many as 42,013 samples were tested yesterday and 3,674 patients are kept under home/institutional isolation.
Coronavirus news: More infectious COVID-19 variant found in Florida, say officials
A more infections variant of COVID-19 that has swept through the United Kingdom has been identified in Florida, state health officials said on Thursday, marking the third known U.S. state to identify such a case.
The Florida Department of Health said the case involved a male in his 20s in Martin County with no history of travel. Two other cases involving the UK variant have been identified in Colorado and California.
"The Department is working with the CDC (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) on this investigation," it tweeted.
A more infections variant of COVID-19 that has swept through the United Kingdom has been identified in Florida, state health officials said on Thursday, marking the third known U.S. state to identify such a case.
The Florida Department of Health said the case involved a male in his 20s in Martin County with no history of travel. Two other cases involving the UK variant have been identified in Colorado and California.
"The Department is working with the CDC (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) on this investigation," it tweeted.
COVID-19: France Detects First Case Of South African Coronavirus Variant
The 501.V2 Variant was detected by South African authorities in mid December.
Cases have since been found in Japan and Britain among others.
The variant, believed to be more easily transmitted like another version found in Britain, was discovered in France in a man who had returned from South Africa to his home in the Haut-Rhin region which borders Switzerland.
France has detected its first case of the South African variant of coronavirus, the health ministry said on Thursday.
Cases have since been found in Japan and Britain among others.
The variant, believed to be more easily transmitted like another version found in Britain, was discovered in France in a man who had returned from South Africa to his home in the Haut-Rhin region which borders Switzerland.
COVID-19: Telangana logs 461 new cases, 3 deaths take figure to 1,544
Telangana recorded 461 fresh COVID-19 cases, taking the total positives to over 2.86 lakh while three fatalities pushed the count to 1,544, the state government said on Friday.
Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) accounted for the most number of cases with 108, followed by Rangareddy and Medchal Malkajgiri with 44 and 41 respectively, it said in a bulletin, providing details as of 8 PM on December 31.
The total number of cases stood at 2,86,815 while recoveries were at 2,79,456.
As many as 5,815 patients are under treatment and 42,013 samples were tested on Thursday.
COVID-19: 12 new cases push Mizoram's tally to 4,216
Mizoram's COVID-19 tally mounted to 4,216 on Friday as 12 more people, including eight security personnel, tested positive for the infection, a health official said.
Lunglei district reported six new cases, Aizawl five and Kolasib one, he said.
Five Border Security Force (BSF) personnel, two CRPF jawans and an Army man are among the new patients, the official said.
Mizoram now has 110 active coronavirus cases, while 4,098 people have recovered from the disease and eight patients have succumbed to the infection so far, he said.
COVID-19: Maharashtra's Thane district's count rises by 343, death count by 4
With 343 new coronavirus positive cases, the infection count in Thane district of Maharashtra mounted to 2,43,178, an official said on Friday.
These new cases were reported on Thursday, he said. As the virus claimed the lives of four persons during the day, the death count in the district rose to 5,958.
Thane district's mortality rate is 2.45 per cent, he added.
So far, 2,33,168 patients have recuperated from the infection, which took the recovery rate to 95.88 per cent.
With 343 new coronavirus positive cases, the infection count in Thane district of Maharashtra mounted to 2,43,178, an official said on Friday.
These new cases were reported on Thursday, he said. As the virus claimed the lives of four persons during the day, the death count in the district rose to 5,958.
Thane district's mortality rate is 2.45 per cent, he added.
So far, 2,33,168 patients have recuperated from the infection, which took the recovery rate to 95.88 per cent.
COVID-19: 4 new cases push tally of Andamans to 4,945
The COVID-19 tally of Andaman and Nicobar Islands rose to 4,945 on Friday as four more people tested positive for the infection, a health official said.
All the new cases were detected during contact tracing, he said.
Six more people have recovered from the infection, the official said.
The archipelago now has 57 active cases, while 4,826 people have been cured of the disease and 62 patients have succumbed to the infection so far, he said.
Coronavirus news: Key Meet On COVID-19 Vaccine Approval Today, Day Before Pan-India Dry Run
Serum Institute which is making the vaccine 'Covishield' developed by Oxford University and pharma major AstraZeneca and Bharat Biotech which has partnered the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for its 'Covaxin' had made presentations before the panel on Wednesday. Pfizer had sought more time to present their data.
Once the vaccines are cleared by the expert panel, the applications will move to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for final approval. The government wants to start administering the shots starting this month.
Applications for the emergency use approval for the coronavirus vaccines filed by the Serum Institute of India, Bharat Biotech and Pfizer will be taken up once again for consideration by a government-appointed panel of experts today.
Once the vaccines are cleared by the expert panel, the applications will move to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for final approval. The government wants to start administering the shots starting this month.
Just In | 20,035 fresh COVID-19 cases in India, 8% lower than yesterday; 1.02 crore total cases, 1,48,994 deaths
Coronavirus news: More infectious COVID-19 variant found in Florida, say officials
A more infections variant of COVID-19 that has swept through the United Kingdom has been identified in Florida, state health officials said on Thursday, marking the third known U.S. state to identify such a case.
The Florida Department of Health said the case involved a male in his 20s in Martin County with no history of travel. Two other cases involving the UK variant have been identified in Colorado and California.
"The Department is working with the CDC (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) on this investigation," it tweeted.
A more infections variant of COVID-19 that has swept through the United Kingdom has been identified in Florida, state health officials said on Thursday, marking the third known U.S. state to identify such a case.
The Florida Department of Health said the case involved a male in his 20s in Martin County with no history of travel. Two other cases involving the UK variant have been identified in Colorado and California.
"The Department is working with the CDC (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) on this investigation," it tweeted.
Coronavirus: Mizoram reports 12 new cases
Mizoram has registered 12 new cases of novel coronavirus in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of cases to 4,216, the state's Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) informed on Friday.
The total discharged cases in the state are 4,098, while the active cases in the state stand at 110.
Moreover, eight persons have succumbed to the virus so far.
Mizoram has registered 12 new cases of novel coronavirus in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of cases to 4,216, the state's Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) informed on Friday.
The total discharged cases in the state are 4,098, while the active cases in the state stand at 110.
Moreover, eight persons have succumbed to the virus so far.
WHO emergency COVID-19 vaccine listing aims to lift access in poor countries
The World Health Organization on Thursday listed Pfizer and BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use, in a move seeking to speed access in the developing world
The United Nations health agency said it will work with regional partners to tell national health authorities about the two-dose shot and its anticipated benefits.
The WHO established its emergency use listing (EUL) process to help poorer countries without their own regulatory resources quickly approve medicines new diseases like COVID-19, which otherwise could lead to delays.
The WHO's review found Pfizer/BioNTech's vaccine met the "must-have" criteria for safety and efficacy benefits outweigh its risks."This is a very positive step towards ensuring global access to COVID-19 vaccines," said Mariangela Simao, the WHO's access to medicines program leader.
The World Health Organization on Thursday listed Pfizer and BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use, in a move seeking to speed access in the developing world
The United Nations health agency said it will work with regional partners to tell national health authorities about the two-dose shot and its anticipated benefits.
The WHO established its emergency use listing (EUL) process to help poorer countries without their own regulatory resources quickly approve medicines new diseases like COVID-19, which otherwise could lead to delays.
The WHO's review found Pfizer/BioNTech's vaccine met the "must-have" criteria for safety and efficacy benefits outweigh its risks."This is a very positive step towards ensuring global access to COVID-19 vaccines," said Mariangela Simao, the WHO's access to medicines program leader.
Coronavirus news: WHO Grants "Emergency Validation" To Pfizer Covid Vaccine
Britain launched its inoculation drive with the US-German vaccine on December 8, with the United States, Canada and EU countries following suit.
WHO said the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine was the first to receive its "emergency validation" since the novel coronavirus first broke out in China a year ago.
"This is a very positive step towards ensuring global access to COVID-19 vaccines," said Mariangela Simao, a top WHO official tasked with ensuring access to medicines.
The World Health Organization on Thursday granted emergency validation to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, paving the way for countries worldwide to quickly approve its import and distribution.
WHO said the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine was the first to receive its "emergency validation" since the novel coronavirus first broke out in China a year ago.
"This is a very positive step towards ensuring global access to COVID-19 vaccines," said Mariangela Simao, a top WHO official tasked with ensuring access to medicines.
Coronavirus news: Long lines as Florida's Covid vaccination drive picks up pace
The lines are endless and hospital telephones are ringing off the hook since coronavirus vaccines became available this week for the elderly in retiree-rich Florida.
The state government gave the green light Monday for inoculating those aged 65 and above -- a group that makes up nearly 20 percent of the Sunshine State's population, the largest such proportion in America.
So ever since, it has been mayhem, as tens of thousands try to get a shot they hope will protect them against the potentially deadly Covid-19.
Governor Ron DeSantis has asked for patience, admitting that at least for now, there are not enough doses for every elderly Floridian.
"The Covid vaccine supply is limited," he told a press conference on Wednesday in a retirement community in Palm Beach.
The lines are endless and hospital telephones are ringing off the hook since coronavirus vaccines became available this week for the elderly in retiree-rich Florida.
The state government gave the green light Monday for inoculating those aged 65 and above -- a group that makes up nearly 20 percent of the Sunshine State's population, the largest such proportion in America.
So ever since, it has been mayhem, as tens of thousands try to get a shot they hope will protect them against the potentially deadly Covid-19.
Governor Ron DeSantis has asked for patience, admitting that at least for now, there are not enough doses for every elderly Floridian.
"The Covid vaccine supply is limited," he told a press conference on Wednesday in a retirement community in Palm Beach.
US Expects To Approve UK-Backed AstraZeneca-Oxford Vaccine In April
The United States is expected to approve the low-cost AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine in April, a senior official said, more than three months after Britain's green light on Wednesday.
Moncef Slaoui, the chief advisor to Operation Warp Speed, the military-led US effort for vaccines, told reporters that US trials and assessments would be complete for approval "sometime in early April."
"Several tens of millions of doses will have been manufactured... and therefore will be available for use if the data supports its approval," he said.
He did not allege that Britain rushed its decision and praised Britain's MHRA regulatory agency as "science-based."
"Therefore I am not raising any question as to the decision that they have made," he said.
"Having said that, the requirements of the decision process as we have built it here in the US is what I can really comment on."
Slaoui also voiced hope for approval in the first half of February of the Janssen vaccine by Johnson & Johnson, which in contrast to the initially approved vaccines comes in a single dose.
WHO Grants "Emergency Validation" To Pfizer Covid Vaccine
The World Health Organization on Thursday granted emergency validation to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, paving the way for countries worldwide to quickly approve its import and distribution.
The decision "makes the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine the first to receive emergency validation from WHO since the (novel coronavirus) outbreak began a year ago," WHO said in a statement.
France Detects First Case Of South African Coronavirus Variant
France has detected its first case of the South African variant of coronavirus, the health ministry said on Thursday.
The 501.V2 Variant was detected by South African authorities in mid December.
Cases have since been found in Japan and Britain among others.
The variant, believed to be more easily transmitted like another version found in Britain, was discovered in France in a man who had returned from South Africa to his home in the Haut-Rhin region which borders Switzerland.
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