Coronavirus LIVE Updates: India to Have 2 Vaccines for Rollout as Bharat Biotech's Covaxin Gets Expert Panel Clearance After Oxford Shot

Covid-19 Vaccination Dry Run | A mock drill on Covid-19 vaccine administration was held in all states and Union Territories at 286 session sites spread across 125 districts. Around 1,14,100 vaccinators were trained. More than 75 lakhs beneficiaries have been registered on Co-WIN software till date, says Government of India.

Odisha government Saturday announced that schools will reopen for students of standards X and XII from January 8 and will follow the detailed standard operating procedure to be strictly implemented by…

Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel on Saturday said that the central government may possibly allocate the stock of Covid vaccines in the next three to four days to Gujarat and around 10 crore…

Thirty-seven people who returned from the UK to Kerala recently have tested positive for COVID-19, while the state recorded 5,328 new cases and 4,985 recoveries on Saturday, Health Minister K K…

As it came closer to the roll-out of the first COVID-19 vaccine, India held a dry run by all states and union territories on Saturday in preparation for a massive vaccination drive, with Health…

Mumbai Covid-19 Cases | Mumbai reports 592 new Covid-19 cases, 695 recoveries/discharges and 7 deaths today. 

Mumbai reports 592 new #COVID19 cases, 695 recoveries/discharges and 7 deaths today.

Total cases rise to 2,94,659 including 2,74,767 recoveries/discharges and 11,132 deaths.

Active cases stand at 7,892 pic.twitter.com/XhSBDC1t5B

— ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2021

The Indian government has granted an in-principle approval for two vaccines against Coronavirus, setting the stage for the roll out of the first phase of mass vaccination in the country.

No vaccine belongs to any political party, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister tweeted on Saturday in a message firmly directed at Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav after he sought to…

In these unprecedented times, cricket has resumed but has resumed on a tight leash.

Britain Will Allow Mixing of Covid-19 Vaccines on Rare Occasions | Britain will allow people to be given shots of different Covid-19 vaccines on rare occasions, despite a lack of evidence about the extent of immunity offered by mixing doses. In a departure from other strategies globally, the government said people could be given a mix-and-match of two Covid-19 shots, for example if the same vaccine dose was out of stock, according to guidelines published on New Year’s Eve, reports Reuters.

Permission Granted for Retricted Use in Emergency Situation to Bharat Biotech | "Grant of permission for restricted use in emergency situation in public interest as an abundant precaution, in clinical trial mode, specially in the context of infection by mutant strains, to M/s Bharat Biotech International Ltd., Hyderabad," statement by Union Health Ministry reads.

Karnataka Covid-19 Cases Update | Karnataka reported 755 new Covid-19 cases, 976 discharges and 3 deaths today.

Karnataka reported 755 new #COVID19 cases, 976 discharges and 3 deaths today.

Total cases: 9,21,128

Total discharges: 8,98,176

Death toll: 12,099

Active cases: 10,834 pic.twitter.com/rhteaRq2QS

— ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2021

India has successfully cultured the new 'more infectious' coronavirus strain, which had originated in United Kingdom, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said on Saturday.

All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Director Dr.

Covaxin Gets Expert Panel's Clearance for India | CDSCO panel recommends granting approval for restricted emergency use of Bharat Biotech's indigenous Covid-19 vaccine Covaxin in India: Sources

Omar Abdullah Speaks on Controversy Over Covid-19 Vaccine | Amid ongoing controversy over SP chief Akhilesh Yadav's "BJP's Covid-19 vaccine" statement, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah tweeted, "I don’t know about anyone else but when my turn comes I’ll happily roll up my sleeve and get a Covid-19 vaccine. This damn virus has been far too disruptive and if a vaccine helps bring about a semblance of normalcy after all the chaos then sign me up."

I don’t know about anyone else but when my turn comes I’ll happily roll up my sleeve & get a COVID vaccine. This damn virus has been far too disruptive & if a vaccine helps bring about a semblance of normalcy after all the chaos then sign me up. https://t.co/bVOw7lPJ6w

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) January 2, 2021

India successfully cultures the new viral strain on the horizon (UK-variant of SARS-CoV-2), says Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). 

India successfully cultures the new viral strain on the horizon (UK-variant of SARS-CoV-2). #ICMRFIGHTSCOVID19 #IndiaFightsCOVID19 #CoronaUpdatesInIndia #COVID19 #Unite2FightCorona @MoHFW_INDIA @PIB_India @DrHVoffice @drharshvardhan @AshwiniKChoubey @icmr_niv pic.twitter.com/vaCMQMSHOJ

— ICMR (@ICMRDELHI) January 2, 2021

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan appealed to people on Saturday not to be misguided by "rumours" and disinformation campaigns regarding the safety and efficacy of the coronavirus vaccine, stressing…

Without taking names, State Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Saturday slammed Goa MLAs and Ministers for exerting pressure on health department officials and government doctors to prematurely…

Ready for Vaccine Rollout Within Next Few Days: Dr. Randeep Guleria | "I feel we are ready for a vaccine rollout within the next 10 to 14 days in a smooth manner. We will start the vaccination in a slow process, by that time more vaccines will be available," says AIIMS Director Dr. Randeep Guleria.

I feel we are ready for a Vaccine rollout within the next 10 to 14 days in a smooth manner. We will start the vaccination in a slow process, by that time more vaccines will be available: AIIMS Director Dr. Randeep Guleria tells @shreyadhoundial pic.twitter.com/NnUWhxtUCi

— News18 (@CNNnews18) January 2, 2021

Andhra Pradesh Covid-19 Cases Update | Andhra Pradesh reports 238 new Covid-19 cases, taking the total number of cases to 8,82,850 as per the State Health Department.

Andhra Pradesh reports 238 new #COVID19 cases, taking the total number of cases to 8,82,850 as per the State Health Department.

Recovered Cases: 8,72,545
Active Cases: 3,194
Total Deaths: 7,111 pic.twitter.com/48nbWTTlD4

— ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2021

The UK government has instructed all primary schools in London to remain closed and not return for the new term on Monday amid a surge in COVID-19 infections rates across England.

Prakash Javadekar Speaks on Covid-19 Vaccine | "India is perhaps the only country where four vaccines are getting ready. Serum Institute of India's Covishield was yesterday approved for emergency use," says Union Minister Prakash Javadekar.

Japan will consider issuing a new emergency declaration after governors in the capital region urged action to tackle a record surge in COVID-19 cases, the head of the nation's pandemic response said…

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said COVID-19 vaccine will be available in the state close to Hindu festival Makar Sankranti’ which will be celebrated on January 14.

More than 10% of Israel’s population has received a first dose of a coronavirus vaccine, a rate that has far outstripped the rest of the world and buoyed the battered domestic image of the country’s…

Anurag Thakur on Akhilesh Yadav's Statement | "Akhilesh Yadav's statement that he 'won't get vaccinated as it's a BJP vaccine' is very unfortunate...What can be more unfortunate than a young leader linking Covid-19 vaccine with a political party. It shows Akhilesh Yadav can't think above politics," says MoS Finance and BJP leader Anurag Thakur. 

Akhilesh Yadav's statement that he 'won't get vaccinated as it's a BJP vaccine' is very unfortunate...What can be more unfortunate than a young leader linking #COVID19 vaccine with a political party. It shows Akhilesh Yadav can't think above politics: Anurag Thakur, MoS Finance https://t.co/dyQToL2kVk pic.twitter.com/OBvUEXcGy0

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 2, 2021

SEC Meeting Concludes | The meeting of the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) has now concluded. The meeting lasted for 40 minutes. The decision on Bharat Biotech's Covid-19 vaccine applicant, Covaxin, is awaited.

Delhi recorded 494 fresh COVID-19 cases on Saturday, the lowest daily rise in over seven months, and 14 new fatalities, while the positivity rate remained unchanged at 0.

Delhi Govt Announces Free Covid-19 Vaccine for People | The Delhi government today announced free Covid-19 vaccine doses to people in the capital city while and ensured the inoculation of one lakh people on a regular basis soon after it receives it from the Centre. Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain made the announcement while reviewing the dry run of the Covid vaccination process at the Daryaganj dispensary in Central Delhi.