You can track coronavirus cases, deaths and testing rates at the national and State levels here. A list of State Helpline numbers is available as well.
Here are the latest updates:
Lakshadweep close to achieving full COVID-19 vaccination coverage
Lakshadweep is close to achieving full COVID-19 vaccination of its eligible population while the coverage is more than 70% in Sikkim, Goa and Andaman and Nicobar Islands, sources said on Saturday as the cumulative vaccine doses administered in the country crossed 108 crore.
Around 78.7% of India’s adult population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, with nine States and Union Territories administering the first dose to all its 18-plus age group population, according to Union Health Ministry officials.
Doctors warn of fresh COVID-19 outbreak if people opt not to get vaccinated
The growing COVID-19 vaccination coverage in India is not enough, warn doctors, who say the cost of people opting not to get vaccinated has the potential to cause a new outbreak.
Doctors add that people who are unvaccinated have higher chances of getting moderate to severe COVID-19 and undergo hospitalisation.
India adds 10,929 COVID-19 cases, 392 deaths
India on Saturday recorded 10,929 fresh coronavirus cases that took its infection tally to 3,43,44,683, while 392 more fatalities pushed the death toll to 4,60,265, according to Union Health Ministry data.
The number of active cases came down to 1,46,950 from 1,48,922 on Friday, the data updated at 8 a.m. showed.- PTI
Delhi Govt. clears proposals worth ₹1,500 crore to boost health and transport infra
The Delhi Cabinet, in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday, gave its nod to two significant proposals with a budget of over ₹1,500 crore for the Capital’s health sector.
The Delhi Government’s ‘Emergency COVID Response Package’ (ECRP) will be spent on further enhancing testing and labs, procuring supplies, mobilising additional human resources, increasing health facilities in hospitals and managing Covid Care Centres among others.
Sangma asks for 100 % COVID vaccination in Meghalaya by Christmas
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma Friday asked the authorities concerned to acheive 100% COVID-19 vaccination before Christmas this year.
He reviewed the vaccination status in the state with deputy commissioners of the districts of the State and directed them to intensify the vaccination drive, officials said.
“We must remember the times. We had multiple deaths and inadequate facilities to handle the cases. We must use that experience to intensify our efforts to save lives,” a CMO statement quoted Mr. Sangma- PTI
Britain allows early booking of booster shots to speed up rollout
Britain's health ministry on Saturday said it would open up bookings for booster shots a month before people were eligible to receive the shots to help speed up the rollout ahead of the challenging winter months.
Around 3 in 5 eligible over-50s have had booster shots in England, with more than 9 million people getting booster doses in Britain overall so far.
Over-50s and vulnerable people will still become eligible for their booster shots 6 months after their second dose. But from Monday, they can book the appointment after five months.
Currently, people can only book the appointment six months after their second dose.- Reuters
Denver Zoo reports world's first coronavirus cases in hyenas
Two hyenas at the Denver Zoo have tested positive for the coronavirus, the first confirmed cases among the animals worldwide, a national veterinary lab announced Friday.
In addition to the two hyenas, 11 lions and two tigers at the zoo tested positive for the virus.
Zoo officials said the hyenas — 22-year-old Ngozi and 23-year-old Kibo — are experiencing mild symptoms, including slight lethargy, some nasal discharge and an occasional cough.
The other animals that tested positive in recent weeks have either fully recovered or are on the path to a full recovery.- AP