Artists gives final touches to a wall graffiti in Kolkata, honouring frontline COVID-19 warriors. (Express Photo : Partha Paul) Coronavirus India Live Updates: India recorded 16,375 new Covid cases in the 24 hours ending 8 am Tuesday, taking the total number of infections to over 1.03 crore. Active cases further dropped to 2.31 lakh, while recoveries continued to rise and stand at over 99.75 lakh. A total of 201 deaths were reported on Monday, the toll currently stands at over 1,49,850. Results of a data cleaning exercise saw Maharashtra’s confirmed cases rise by 4,875 on Monday, though the day’s rise was only 2,765. Kerala reported 3,021 new cases.
Amid questions raised by experts and Opposition over the restricted use approval given to Covaxin despite no efficacy data from Phase III trials, Bharat Biotech MD Krishna Ella Monday said the company had “tremendous experience” in developing vaccines and that criticism against it was a “backlash against Indian companies”. Addressing a virtual press conference, Ella said his company’s work was no less than Pfizer’s, which also came out with a vaccine for coronavirus.
The Union Health Ministry said on Monday 38 people have tested positive for the new UK variant of SARS-CoV-2 in India so far. “All these people have been kept in single room isolation in designated healthcare facilities by respective state governments and their close contacts have also been put under quarantine,” the ministry said. Comprehensive contact tracing has been initiated for co-travellers, family contacts and others.
Meanwhile, a day after India approved two Covid-19 vaccines, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday lauded the efforts of scientists and said that the country was proud of the research and work done by them to fight the virus. “We’re on the threshold of starting the largest vaccination programme in the world. The entire country is indebted to all scientists and technicians,” Modi said. Modi Sunday hailed the two vaccine approvals as a “decisive turning point” for India’s vaccine development.
India is set to commence its mass vaccination programme in the “near future” as the centre has told vaccine manufacturers of Covishield and Covaxin to prepare to ship “a significant amount” of doses to over 30 vaccination hubs in the country. In the first phase, India plans to vaccinate over 30 crore priority citizens — healthcare workers, people with comorbidities & people above the age of 50 — will likely be completed in August. Everything you need to know about approved Covid-19 vaccines here.
New Delhi: Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan visits Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital to review the dry run drill for administering COVID-19 vaccine, in New Delhi. (PTI)
India recorded 16,375 new Covid cases in the 24 hours ending 8 am Tuesday, taking the total number of infections to over 1.03 crore. Active cases further dropped to 2.31 lakh, while recoveries continued to rise and stand at over 99.75 lakh. A total of 201 deaths were reported on Monday, the toll currently stands at over 1,49,850.
Who gets the Covid-19 vaccine first, and how?
Priority groups such as healthcare workers, frontline workers are first on the list, followed by people over the age of 50 years and the persons under 50 years with co-morbid conditions. The eligible beneficiaries will be informed through the registered mobile numbers regarding the health facility where the vaccine will be provided, and the health schedule.
Will it be mandatory to take the vaccine?
The vaccine will be voluntarily. However, it is advisable to complete the vaccine schedule in order to protect ourselves, our near and dear ones, our close contacts, family members, and co-workers.
Is registration with the health department mandatory?
Registration is mandatory for vaccination. The information on the session site (where vaccination will take place) to visit, and the time will be shared with the beneficiary only after registration.
What documents does one need for vaccination?
Documents such as driving licence, health insurance, smart card issued by the Ministry of Labour, MNREGA guarantee card, MNREGA job card, official identity card issued by MPs, MLAs, PAN card, passbook of bank or post office, passport, pension documents, service identity card issued to employees by central/state government or public limited companies, and Voter ID cards can be used for registration.
Are there any preventive measures and precautions that one needs to follow at the session site?
You should rest for at least half an hour after taking the Covid-19 vaccine. Any symptoms or discomfort must be reported to the nearest ANM or ASHA worker.
Will the vaccine be safe?
Safety is the most important factor, and all standard precautions as have been followed in the past for giving vaccine approval will be followed in this case too.
Read our full explainer here
The number of samples detected with the the new, more contagious strain of the novel coronavirus — the UK “variant under investigation” VUI-202012/01 — is now 38, the government said on Monday.
“All these persons (detected with the UK strain of the virus) have been kept in single room isolation in designated Health Care facilities by respective State Governments. Their close contacts have also been put under quarantine. Comprehensive contact tracing has been initiated for co-travellers, family contacts and others. Genome sequencing on other specimens is going on,” the Union Health Ministry said in a statement issued on Monday.
This variant of SARS-CoV-2, first detected in Kent, England, has now reached over 30 countries around the world. The Ministry said that six labs have so far detected the UK strain during genome sequencing.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Monday filed an FIR against actor Sohail Khan, Arbaaz Khan and Nirvan (Sohail's son) for skipping mandatory institutional quarantine.
The FIR has been lodged at Khar Road Police Station under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897.
All three arrived to Mumbai from UAE on December 25. According to the BMC officials, they told aiport authority officials that they had booking at Taj Lands End at Bandra West for institutional quarantine. However, civic officials said that after leaving airport they canceled the bookings in the hotel.
Haryana reported 244 new cases of Covid-19 infections, six deaths and 391 recoveries in the last 24 hours.
At least 17,578 samples were tested in the last 24 hours. For the last few days, except Gurgaon, all the 21 districts of Haryana have reported less than 50 new cases in a single day.
According to Monday evening Covid-19 bulletin released by the state health department, at least 13 districts reported less than 10 new cases.
The recovery rate touched 97.85 per cent on Monday evening. Among the new cases, Gurgaon reported 66 new cases, Faridabad 28, Sonipat 12, Hisar 19, Ambala 17, Karnal 10, Panipat zero, Rohtak 12, Rewari five, Panchkula nine, Kurukshetra six, Yamunanagar 13, Sirsa seven, Mahendragarh six, Bhiwani one, Jhajjar two, Palwal three, Fatehabad three, Kaithal six, Jind 15, Nuh two and Charkhi Dadri two.
Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan Monday said the Centre has initiated a series of actions to prevent the spread of coronavirus and that it is now taking up the vaccination drive in a big way.
The minister's remarks came a day after India's drug regulator approved the restricted use of Covid-19 vaccines manufactured by Serum Institute and Bharat Biotech in the country.
"The Centre has initiated a series of actions to prevent the spread (of coronavirus). Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) himself interacted with the Chief Ministers of all states and union territories and all stakeholders to regularly understand issues and collaborate with them for effective COVID management," Vardhan said.
Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja Monday said six people from the state have been infected with the new coronavirus strain first detected in the United Kingdom.
"Six people who recently returned from the UK have tested positive for the new strain.We have placed them under surveillance.Their samples had been sent to NIV, Pune and results received today," the minister told reporters tonight.
Mumbai, which became a Covid-19 hotspot in March itself, is all set to begin immunisation of 1.26 lakh health workers from the day vaccine stock arrives. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has 1,367 trained vaccinators at hand and plans to immunise 8,000-12,000 people in a day across eight centres if there are enough doses supplied to the metropolis.
The BMC has fed data of 1.26 lakh health workers on Covid Vaccine Intelligence Work (Co-WIN) software. Civic officials expect vaccine stock to reach Mumbai after a fortnight. Read on to know more
Bharat Biotech MD Krishna Ella said Covaxin has shown less than 10% adverse reactions, while other vaccines have 60-70% adverse reactions.
"Covaxin has shown less than 10 % adverse reactions, while others have 60-70% adverse reactions.AstraZeneca was giving 4g paracetamol to volunteers to suppress such reactions. We haven’t given paracetamol to any volunteer. I can assure our vaccine is a 200 % safe," he said. Krishna Ella further reassured that Covaxin is 200% safe.
Eight people who returned to Maharashtra from the United Kingdom have tested positive for the mutated strain of coronavirus. Five of them are from Mumbai, while three others are from Pune, Thane and Mira Bhayander.
State Health Minister Rajesh Tope said all of them are in isolation and their contact tracing is underway.
As many as 75 more people who returned to the state from the United Kingdom in the past few days are yet to be traced, Karnataka Health Minister K Sudhakar said on Monday.
"The Home department and BBMP have assured to trace them soon. Tracing is delayed as three people have foreign addresses and some immigration issues," he said.
Sudhakar added, "48 passengers were tested positive out of which 34 are UK returnees. Mutant coronavirus is found in 10 people among them. All are recovering in government hospitals."
Bharat Biotech MD Krishna Ella Monday said India has the only BSL-3 production facility in the world, even the US doesn't have it. "We are here to help any of the public health emergency in any part of the world," he further said.
Bharat Biotech MD Krishna Ella Monday said backlash against Indian companies is not right for us. "Many people just gossiping, it's just a backlash against Indian companies. That is not right for us. We don't deserve that. Merck's Ebola vaccine never completed a human clinical trial at all but WHO gave emergency authorization for Liberia & Guinea," he added.
With India's indigenous Covid-19 vaccine being politicised, Bharat Biotech MD Krishna Ella Monday asserted that none of his family members is associated with any political party.
He further went on to saynot only is the company conducting clinical trials in India, but in over 12 countries. "We are doing clinical trials in Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh & other countries. We are not just an Indian company, we are truly a global company," he added.
Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday termed as mentally challenged those opposing the efficacy of coronavirus vaccines made in India.
Pradhan’s remarks came after some Congress leaders raised doubts on the restricted use approval granted to Bharat Biotechs vaccine while its third phase trial is still underway.
Some healtcare experts Monday questioned the government's assertion that Bharat Biotech's Covid-19 vaccine Covaxin can target mutated coronavirus strains and maybe used as a "backup", as they asked for scientific basis for the claim and for the vaccine's safety and efficacy, PTI reported.
The country's drug regulator Sunday granted emergency use approval to Oxford-AstraZeneca's Covishield and also to indigenously developed Covaxin, even though not enough data on the latter's efficacy and safety was available.
All educational institutions in Bihar, including schools, colleges and coaching centres, reopened on Monday after a gap of over nine months. Physical classes were held for students of standards 9-12 in schools and final year students in colleges. The institutions were closed since March 14 due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Wearing of masks, use of hand sanitiser and maintenance of physical distancing have been made mandatory at the educational institutions. Schools have been asked to operate at half the strength to ensure social distancing in classes.
The Union Health Ministry Monday said the total number of people infected with the new strain of coronavirus in India stands at 38, news agency ANI reported.
India has enough stockpile of the Covid-19 vaccine for inoculation of priority groups, including healthcare workers and frontline workers, in the first phase, Niti Aayog member VK Paul Monday said.
Paul, who is also the Chairman of National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid-19 (NEGVAC) said the government will soon announce its plans for purchase and distribution of Covid-19 vaccine.
"Our first phase (of vaccination) comprises priority groups with high risk of mortality and our healthcare and frontline workers. For them, we believe, we have enough (COVID-19 vaccine) stockpile," he told PTI in an interview.