Omicron Variant Cases and Deaths in India Live, Covid-19 Booster Vaccine Registration Latest Update: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today announced that he tested positive for Covid-19 and has isolated himself at home. Kejriwal urged the people who came in contact with him in the last few days to get tested.
Amid a surge in Coronavirus infections and rapidly spreading Omicron variant, India on January 3rd started its vaccination drive for children of the age group 15 to 18. Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya had informed that over 40 lakh teens got their first dose on the first day of vaccination. The health minister took to micro-blogging site Twitter and wrote, “Well done Young India! Over 40 lakhs between 15-18 age group received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine on the 1st day of vaccination drive for children, till 8 PM. This is another feather in the cap of India’s vaccination drive.”
During the day, Mandaviya visited the Covid vaccination site for children at the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and interacted with some of the beneficiaries, news agency PTI reported. “Visited RML Hospital and took stock of the vaccination campaign for children in the age group of 15-18 years. Interacted with the children and asked them to motivate their friends for the vaccine,” Mandaviya said in another tweet. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took to Twitter to congratulate the youngsters on getting their first jab. “Today we have taken an important step forward in protecting our youth against COVID-19. Congrats to all my young friends between the age group of 15-18 who got vaccinated. Congrats to their parents as well. I would urge more youngsters to get vaccinated in the coming days!” the PM said on Twitter.
Many schools were used as vaccination centres and as per the government’s directives, only Covaxin was administered to the children aged 15-18. The Health Ministry in a tweet said, “Only Covaxin approved for less than 18 yrs. Eighteen plus (ie born in 2004 or before) are eligible for all vaccines, including Covishield. For 15-17 years (born in 2005, 2006, 2007) eligible only for Covaxin. Validations in place in Co-WIN.”
Maharashtra’s health department on Monday reported 12,160 new Covid-19 cases, 283 more than the previous day, and 11 new deaths, while the active tally crossed the 50,000 mark. With these numbers, Maharashtra’s Covid tally rose to 67,12,028, while the death toll increased to 1,41,553. 68 new cases of Omicron were also detected in the state taking the tally to 578. Delhi on Monday recorded 4,099 fresh Covid-19 cases and the positivity rate spiralled to 6.46%. Delhi’s Health Minister Satyendar Jain said that the Omicron variant is behind the surge in infections in the national capital and more restrictions will be implemented if the bed occupancy rate goes up. The number of new cases and positivity rate in the city is the highest since May 18 last year when Delhi reported 4,482 infections, PTI reported. Tamil Nadu too continued to witness an increase in new Covid cases. The state on Monday recorded 1,728 new Coronavirus infections and 6 fatalities, taking the count to 27,52,856 and the death toll to 36,796.
Meanwhile, India reported 37,379 new Covid-19 cases and 124 deaths in the last 24 hours, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday morning. The Centre has stated that over 152.96 crore vaccine doses have been given to States/UTs so far through Govt of India and through direct state procurement category. More than 19.69 Cr balance & unutilized vaccine doses are still available with the States and Union Territories.
Watch out this space for latest news related to Covid-19 and Omicron variant from India and around the globe:
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The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) on Tuesday decided to impose weekend curfew in the national capital in view of the surge in Covid cases driven by the fast-spreading Omicron variant, sources said. They said government employees, barring those engaged in essential services, will be asked to work from home. Private offices will remain open with 50 per cent capacity. Delhi on Monday reported 4,099 fresh COVID-19 cases and the positivity rate spiralled to 6.46 per cent, with Health Minister Satyendar Jain saying the Omicron variant of coronavirus is behind the surge in infections in the city and more restrictions will be implemented if the bed occupancy rate goes up. The number of new cases and positivity rate in the city is the highest since May 18. According to the DDMA-approved Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), a positivity rate of more than five per cent for two consecutive days is one of the criteria to declare a 'red alert' which would mean a 'total curfew' and halting of most economic activities in the capital. According to the latest government data, only 420 (4.65 per cent) of the 9,029 beds in Delhi hospitals are occupied. As many as 124 patients need oxygen, while seven are on ventilator support. (PTI)
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Delhi Govt likely to impose weekend curfew to curb COVID surge: Sources https://t.co/5n6ghjiHPz
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An RNA molecule that stimulates the body's early antiviral defence system may provide protection against a range of SARS-CoV-2 variants, including Delta, according to a study conducted in mice. Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a single stranded molecule essential in various biological roles and expression of genes. Researchers at Yale School of Medicine in the US noted that the molecule could lead to new treatments for COVID-19 in immunocompromised patients. The research, published recently in the Journal of Experimental Medicine (JEM), could also provide an inexpensive therapeutic option for many developing countries that currently lack access to vaccines. The study was conducted before Omicron was identified and did not test for the variant which is behind the current spike in COVID-19 cases in many countries. The researchers noted that the vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 are highly effective at preventing severe disease and death. However, vaccine availability is extremely limited in many low-income countries, and vaccine-resistant strains of the virus are also emerging, they said. “This is why, in addition to the use of vaccines in preventing COVID-19, efforts are required to develop efficacious therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2,” said Akiko Iwasaki, a professor at Yale School of Medicine. The body's first line of defence against SARS-CoV-2 — before the involvement of antibodies and T cells — is thought to depend on receptor molecules such as RIG-I. These molecules recognise the virus's genetic material and induce the production of signalling proteins known as type I interferons. These interferons promote the production of proteins that can inhibit viral reproduction and stimulate the recruitment of immune cells to fight the infection, the researchers said. Multiple studies have suggested that early and robust production of interferons protects against COVID-19, whereas delayed production is associated with severe disease. A clinical trial has shown that treating COVID-19 patients with purified interferon protein early during disease can reduce mortality, but manufacturing interferons is extremely expensive. The latest study suggests a cheaper option in the form of short RNA molecules that mimic SARS-CoV-2's genetic material and activate the RIG-I receptor to stimulate production of type I interferons by the body's own cells. The researchers tested their approach in mice susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. A single dose of an RNA molecule named SLR14 was sufficient to protect the mice from severe disease and death, particularly if the treatment was provided shortly before or soon after exposure to the virus, the researchers said. When administered shortly after viral infection, SLR14 was more effective than treating mice with purified interferon protein, they said. SLR14 protected mice from all emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants, including Delta. The researchers tested SLR14 in immunocompromised mice chronically infected with SARS-CoV-2. The RNA molecule was able to completely clear the virus from these animals, even though they lack both T cells and antibody-producing B cells. The researchers noted that RNA molecules like SLR14 are relatively cheap and easy to manufacture. “SLR14 therefore holds great promise as a new class of RNA therapeutics that can be applied as antivirals against SARS-CoV-2,” Iwasaki added. (PTI)
(File photo) pic.twitter.com/cMKODqdMIq
— ANI (@ANI) January 4, 2022
— ANI (@ANI) January 4, 2022
A hotel in Odisha's Puri was declared a micro-containment zone after three people were found to be positive for the omicron variant of coronavirus, officials said on Tuesday. One of the patients is a tourist from West Bengal, while the other two are staff members of the hotel, they said. The hotel in ward 11 was declared a micro-containment zone after the three cases were detected, Puri District Collector Samarth Verma said. No one would be allowed to enter the hotel, and no one from inside would be allowed to come out, he said. All the employees of the hotel will undergo RT-PCR tests, he said. All the shops on the premises of the hotel have been closed, while the administration is providing essential items to those living inside, he said. Verma, however, clarified that it would have no impact on devotees visiting the famed Jagannath temple. (PTI)
Punjab | 102 #covid19#omicronpic.twitter.com/dizw2IvxZK
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Ladakh has reported 65 new Covid cases, taking the infection tally to 22,289, while the active cases have increased to 249, officials said on Tuesday. The Union Territory has recorded 220 Covid-related deaths — 162 in Leh and 58 in Kargil — since the outbreak of the pandemic last year, they said. Twelve patients were cured and discharged from hospitals in Ladakh. The total number of cured patients is 20,820, they said. Of the new cases, 58 were reported from Leh and seven from Kargil district, they said, adding that the active cases include 198 from Leh and 51 from Kargil districts. A total of 774 sample reports in Ladakh were found negative, they said. (PTI)
Bharatiya Janta Party MP from North East Delhi and former state unit chief Manoj Tiwari on Tuesday said he tested positive for COVID-19 and has isolated himself at home. He has developed fever and cold two days back and tested positive on Tuesday. “Was feeling unwell since January 2 night. I could not go for poll campaigning in Rudrapur in Uttarakhand due to mild fever and cold. Have tested positive today. As precautionary measure I have isolated myself yesterday (Monday) only. Please take care of you and your families,” Tiwari said in a tweet in Hindi on Tuesday. He has also asked his staff and those who came in contact with him to get tested and quarantine themselves as a precaution. According to his staff members, the BJP MP has tested positive for COVID-19 second time, earlier he had tested positive during the second wave of coronavirus pandemic in April 2021. The BJP star campaigner, Tiwari has cancelled his upcoming rallies in poll bound Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. He has to address a rally in Lunckow on January 7, which has been cancelled now, one of his staff members told PTI.
He has last addressed a public gathering in Chandigarh on December 21. Meanwhile, Delhi BJP spokesperson Harish Khurana has also tested COVID positive. “Dosto I have been diagnosed Covid Positive. Fortunately it's a mild one. I m in Home isolation now. Please aap sab log apna dhyan rakho. U people take care of urself,” Khurana, son of former Delhi chief minister late Madan Lal Khurana, tweeted. (PTI)
Multiple COVID-19 outbreaks inside bio-bubbles on Tuesday have hit the Australian domestic league hard as cricket in the country continued to grapple with the virus while several top players cope with anxiety. Both the men's and women's domestic game has been hit hard as Cricket Australia (CA) was forced to make many late schedule changes. Two matches of the Women's National Cricket League involving Western Australia were postponed till March due to border closures after a spike in COVID-19 cases. This has pushed the women's domestic 50-over final to mid-March. WA were scheduled to play Tasmania in Hobart twice this week, on January 7 and 9, but the games have been pushed back to March 9 and 11 given the western state's hard border with the rest of the country. The Big Bash League (BBL) is facing an unprecedented crisis and CA has an onerous task at hand on how to complete the season and also keep players and staff safe. Anxiety is running high among players across the BBL teams as multiple COVID-19 outbreaks reportedly leave a hub in Melbourne as a serious option to continue the tournament. An announcement on the future of this season could be made as soon as Tuesday, and all the eight teams could be based in Melbourne to limit travel and allow greater flexibility in the schedule, according to a report in the 'Australian Associated Press'. Twelve Melbourne Stars players have contracted COVID-19, forcing them to call-up Victorian club cricketers just to field a team for their last two games. Melbourne Stars players Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa and Nathan Coulter-Nile were already in isolation due to COVID-19. Players at the Sydney Thunder, Perth Scorchers and Brisbane Heat have also tested positive in recent days. CA was on Tuesday forced to make changes in the schedule of matches to be played at Gold Coast due to fresh COVID-19 cases, according to a report in 'cricket.com.au'. CA said some members of the Heat camp returned positive results in rapid antigen testing this morning, forcing the club out of tonight's game against the Sydney Sixers at Metricon Stadium, with the Perth Scorchers stepping in to face the Sixers instead. The Board has shuffled the order of this week's games as the Heat await the results of PCR tests. Melbourne Stars all-rounder Hilton Cartwright admitted it was tough to forget about the coronavirus situation and prepare for matches. “I've never felt more vulnerable to a virus in my entire life and I never realised how much it was going to affect my mental state,” Cartwright was quoted as saying by 'cricket.com.au'. “I've had form slumps and this ranks right up there with how I actually feel about going about my business day-to-day. “Myself and my wife have basically been locked up in our room, not sure if we're capable of catching the lift in case someone in there might have caught (COVID-19).” He said he was not able to focus on games because of the happenings around. “Constantly, it's on your mind and then you've got to walk out there and perform one of the biggest pressure stages in the world.” “My mental state wasn't in a great place about coming to your workplace and COVID is basically running rampant,” he said. (PTI)
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In the major Indian cities, the Omicron variant of the coronavirus is accounting for more than 50 per cent of the fresh cases of the infection and the massive surge in the number of cases over the last one week is indicative of a third wave of the pandemic, as is being witnessed in several countries, Dr N K Arora, the chairman of the COVID-19 working group of the NTAGI, said on Tuesday. Omicron is being detected in most of the states in the country, he told PTI. Noting that in the major metro centres and the surrounding regions, the new variant of the virus is accounting for over 50 per cent of the fresh cases, Arora said, “The galloping increase in the number of Covid cases over the last one week is indicative of the third wave, as is being seen in several other countries across the globe.” He, however, stressed that there is no need to panic. Arora said over 80 per cent of the people in the country have been infected with the virus naturally, more than 90 per cent of the adults have received at least one dose of an anti-Covid vaccine and over 65 per cent are fully vaccinated. “If we look at the behaviour of the Omicron wave in South Africa, where it rapidly increased, in two weeks, the number of cases started coming down and most of the cases were either asymptomatic or had a mild illness, along with the decoupling of the total number of Covid cases vis-a-vis those requiring hospitalisation. All these factors indicate that the Omicron wave in South Africa may soon subside,” he said. There are some epidemiological similarities between South Africa and India. The natural infection rates in both the countries are very high, Arora pointed out, adding that however, the immunisation rates in India are several fold higher. “In view of this, we may see a somewhat similar pattern in India as far as the third wave is concerned. “Looking at the behaviour of the Covid infection in the last seven to 10 days in India, I feel that we may be in for a third wave peak very soon,” he said. Arora, however, asserted that there is no need to press the panic button. “Those who are yet to take the vaccine or are partially immunised should get the jab for protection against severe disease and hospitalisation. Also, one should strictly follow Covid-appropriate behaviour,” he said. A total of 1,892 Omicron cases have so far been detected across 23 states and Union territories in the country and of the patients, 766 have either recuperated or migrated, the Union health ministry said on Tuesday. Maharashtra has recorded the highest number of 568 Omicron cases, followed by Delhi (382), Kerala (185), Rajasthan (174), Gujarat (152) and Tamil Nadu (121). With 37,379 fresh cases, India's COVID-19 tally has climbed to 3,49,60,261, while the number of active cases of the infection has gone up to 1,71,830, according to the ministry's data updated at 8 am. (PTI)
Mixing of COVID-19 vaccines Covaxin and Covishield as first and second doses or vice versa was found to be four times effective, a study by city-based AIG Hospitals along with a team of researchers from the Asian Healthcare Foundation has said. The study was conducted to determine the safety profile of mixing Covishied and Covaxin along with checking the antibody response, a press release from AIG said on Monday. The most important finding of the study was that the Spike-protein neutralizing antibodies found in the mixed vaccine groups were significantly higher than the same-vaccine groups, D Nageshwar Reddy, Chairman of AIG Hospitals said. “Spike-protein neutralizing antibodies are the ones which kill the virus and reduce the overall infectivity. We found that when the first and second dose are of different vaccines, the Spike-protein antibody response is four times higher compared to two-dose of same vaccine,” Dr. Reddy who is also among the researchers involved in the study said. The findings are particularly important when considering administering third booster dose aiming to elicit robust antibody response and help in killing the virus, he said. Mixed doses can certainly boost these Spike-protein neutralizing antibodies and will enhance the vaccines' effectiveness even against the Omicron variant, Reddy added. The study results show that mixing of COVID-19 Vaccines (Covishield and Covaxin) provide higher antibody response and is safe as well. Furthermore, AIG Hospitals has shared the data fromthe study with the ICMR (Indian Council for Medical Research) to be considered as a reference study while deciding on the “Prevention” doses starting January 10. (PTI)
Veteran actor and “The View” co-host Whoopi Goldberg has tested positive for COVID-19. Joy Behar, co-host of the ABC talk show, revealed 66-year-old Goldberg's diagnosis on the programme Monday. “Whoopi unfortunately tested positive over the break, but she will hopefully be back next week. Since she is vaxxed and boosted, her symptoms have been very, very mild, but we are being super cautious here at The View,” Behar, 79, said. According to The Hollywood Reporter, another co-host Sunny Hostin (53) also said she tested positive for COVID-19 before Christmas. “I am so thankful that I was vaccinated and boosted, because I just had cold-like symptoms, but I didn't feel great,” Hostin said. Ana Navarro's father tested positive for the virus over the holidays, along with Sara Haines' husband in separate incidents. The hosts all appeared on the show remotely. Celebrity late-night show host Jimmy Fallon also revealed that he tested positive for COVID-19 over holiday break. He shared a photo of himself masked in an isolation room on Instagram Monday. “Hey guys, on the first day of our holiday break I tested positive for Covid. I was vaccinated and boostered which made me lucky enough to only have mild symptoms,” Fallon, who recovered in time for “The Tonight Show” return from break, wrote. The 47-year-old also thanked the medical professionals for the commitment to their job “to get everyone vaxxed”. “Thank you to NBC for taking the testing protocols so seriously and doing a great job,” he added. (PTI)
“I didn't know the school was shut. I don't have a phone so my child could not attend online classes, hampering his studies,” says a student's mother pic.twitter.com/hojDnBqMKR
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The Gujarat High Court has restricted the entry of people in its premises in the wake of a rise in coronavirus cases in the state, and barred the entry of litigants while making it mandatory for those required to appear in person to carry COVID-19 negative report. The curbs will come into effect from Wednesday, as per a circular issued by the HC's registrar general on Monday. According to the circular, the Chief Justice has also ordered for the closure of all the canteens located in the high court premises from Wednesday. Screening has been made mandatory for all those entering the court premises, with strict adherence to social distancing norm and cooperation with the medical screening team, it said. “In the matter of habeas corpus petitions, the corpus shall be produced by the jurisdictional police authorities before the jurisdictional district court to enable the judges presiding the bench to interact in virtual mode with the persons so produced,” said the circular. The HC has also asked the advocates' association president to ensure that the bar library, reference library and all bar rooms are closed by 1 pm every day, and requested advocates to not sit in large numbers in any of the court premises. Other precautionary measures like downloading the Aarogya App and avoiding handshakes are also required to be taken, apart from following the government advisory issued from time-to-time, said the circular. On Monday, Gujarat reported 1,259 new COVID-19 cases, its highest tally in nearly seven months, raising the total number of confirmed cases reported from the state to 8,35,028. Out of the fresh cases, Ahmedabad city alone accounted for 631 cases. The high court had resumed physical hearing from August last year, after operating online for nearly a year due to the pandemic situation. (PTI)
Bars, cinemas halls, malls, restaurants, spas to operate at 50% capacity subject to staff being fully vaccinated
Gyms to remain closed
Only fully vaccinated staff to attend Govt, pvt offices pic.twitter.com/UXwg2wUB4H
— ANI (@ANI) January 4, 2022
A total of 1,892 cases of Omicron variant of coronavirus have been detected across 23 states and Union Territories so far, out of which 766 have recovered or migrated, according to the Union health ministry's data updated on Tuesday. Maharashtra has recorded the maximum number of 568 cases, followed by Delhi (382), Kerala (185), Rajasthan (174), Gujarat (152), and Tamil Nadu (121). India's Covid tally rose to 3,49,60,261 with 37,379 new cases, while the active cases increased to 1,71,830, according to the data updated at 8 am. The death toll climbed to 4,82,017 with 124 more fatalities, the data showed. The active cases comprise 0.49 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.13 per cent, the health ministry said. An increase of 26,248 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours. The daily positivity rate was recorded at 3.24 per cent while the weekly positivity rate was recorded at 2.05 per cent, according to the health ministry. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 3,43,06,414, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.38 per cent. (PTI)
The Cordelia cruise ship, where 66 of the over 2,000 people on board tested positive for coronavirus, has been sent back to Mumbai from Goa with all the passengers after some of the infected persons refused to get admitted to a medical facility in the coastal state, an official from a shipping agency said on Tuesday. The infected passengers would be isolated on the ship, he said. As many as 66 of the over 2,000 people on board the Cordelia cruise ship, which came to Goa from Mumbai, had tested positive for COVID-19, state Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said on Monday. The cruise liner, where the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) busted a high-profile rave party in October last year, was carrying hordes of New Year revellers. The testing of those on board the vessel was necessitated after a crew member was found infected with the coronavirus on Sunday, an official said. The ship was sent back at 11.30 pm on Monday after 27 passengers, who had tested positive, refused to disembark, Govind Pernulkar, manager operations, JM Baxi and Co, a local ship agent, told PTI. “The ship had to be sent back after some of the passengers who tested positive refused to get admitted to a COVID-19 facility in Goa. Only six crew members out of the total 66 who had tested positive were disembarked in Goa,” he said. Pernulkar said after considering the situation, the South Goa district administration ordered that the ship along with all the passengers be sent back to Mumbai. “The passengers who were shifted to an isolation facility were also brought back to the ship before it sailed to Mumbai. The coronavirus positive passengers would be isolated on the ship,” he said. Some of the infected persons who refused to leave the ship were travelling along with their families, he said, adding that a few of their family members had tested negative for the viral infection. The ship is expected to reach Mumbai by Tuesday afternoon, he added. (PTI)
The number of active COVID-19 cases in Andaman and Nicobar Islands jumped to 41 as 20 more people tested positive for the infection, while only three persons were cured of the disease in the last 24 hours, an official said on Tuesday. The fresh infections raised the tally in the Union Territory to 7,763, he said. Of the new patients, 10 have travel history and others were detected during contact tracing. Ten fresh cases of coronavirus infection were reported on Sunday. The death toll remained at 129 as no new fatality due to the infection was reported in the last 24 hours, the official said. At least 7,593 people have so far recovered from the disease in the archipelago. The local administration has been strict to contain the spread of the disease and has adopted an approach of tracking, testing and treating, he said, adding that people arriving here from the mainland are mandatorily required to undergo COVID tests. Altogether, 5,94,997 people have been inoculated with 2,93,992 of them having received both doses of the vaccines. At least 1,934 people were vaccinated on January 3, and of them, 1,293 beneficiaries were in the age group of 15-18 years. “All the active cases are in the South Andaman district. At least 1,607 beneficiaries were inoculated there during the day. Of the total number of immunised people in the age group of 15-18 years, 1,010 were in the South Andaman and 283 in North and Middle Andaman,” the official said. Congress MP from the archipelago, Kuldeep Rai Sharma, has requested the authorities to direct the health and education departments to arrange vaccination of children in their respective schools to avoid gatherings in immunisation centres. He also congratulated the Andaman and Nicobar administration for starting the inoculation drive for children between 15-18 years in Port Blair from Monday. The administration has conducted over 6.68 lakh sample tests for COVID-19 so far, and the positivity rate stands at 1.16 per cent, the official added. (PTI)
India reported 37,379 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, the health ministry said on Tuesday, the most since early September as the Omicron coronavirus variant overtakes Delta in places such as the capital New Delhi.
Deaths rose by 124 to reach a total of 482,017. Total infections stand at 34.96 million. (Reuters)
Daily positivity rate: 3.24%
Active cases: 1,71,830
Total recoveries: 3,43,06,414
Death toll: 4,82,017
Total vaccination: 1,46,70,18,464 pic.twitter.com/z9Qj9XPSfw
— ANI (@ANI) January 4, 2022
— ANI (@ANI) January 4, 2022
Oregon reported more than 9,700 new cases of COVID-19 from the holiday weekend on Monday and smashed a previous record for weekly coronavirus cases with an average of about 2,400 new daily cases as the omicron variant took hold. The state also hit a single-day high for new cases on Thursday, with 3,534 confirmed or presumptive infections. The Oregon Health Authority says 18.2% of COVID-19 tests administered over the long weekend were positive for the virus, the highest rate to date. Hospitalisations, however, hovered at 498 people, less than half the number at the previous peak. Eleven deaths were reported. (AP)
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There is no proposal at present to put any restrictions on suburban train travel in Mumbai, a senior civic official has said amid the metropolis recording a surge in new coronavirus cases. Though the number of daily COVID-19 cases and positivity rate have been increasing in the city, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is working on preventive measures and is ready to handle any crisis, Additional Municipal Commissioner Suresh Kakani told reporters on Monday. He said at present there is no proposal to put any curbs on suburban train travel. If needed, the Maharashtra government will take a decision on the issue in consultation with the state task force on COVID-19 as it pertains to the entire Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), Kakani said. Currently, 90 per cent of the coronavirus patients here are asymptomatic and only four to five per cent patients are being admitted to hospitals, the official said, adding that the number of serious cases is negligible. “Out of 30,500 hospital beds in Mumbai, only 3,500 beds are currently occupied. Also, adequate oxygen supply, medicines, ventilators, ICU facilities and hospital beds are available,” he said. On Monday, Mumbai recorded 8,082 new COVID-19 cases, the highest daily count since April 18, 2021, and two deaths. In the last one week, the metropolis has logged a 10-fold rise in fresh cases of the viral infection. (PTI)
New virus cases in Australia surged to record levels on Tuesday, increasing the strain on hospitals and testing centres across the country. In New South Wales, Australia's most-populous state, 23,131 new cases were reported, an increase on the record of 22,577 cases on New Year's Day. There were 1,344 people in hospitals, up 140 on the previous day and 78 more than the record previously set in late September. The new cases were detected from 83,376 tests, a positivity rate of 28%. Victoria state reported 14,020 cases on Tuesday, eclipsing the record of 8,577 set on Monday. There were 516 people in hospitals, including 108 in intensive care. The new numbers mean Australia has passed the grim milestone of 500,000 COVID-19 cases. New South Wales Chief Medical Officer Kerry Chant on Monday urged people not to seek hospital treatment unless absolutely necessary. “It is important that we all play our part in not placing unnecessary burden on the health system,” she said. Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Monday rejected calls for the federal government to make rapid antigen tests free, in part to relieve pressure on PCR testing centres. Australian Medical Association Vice President Chris Moy said large numbers of healthcare workers have been furloughed after contracting the virus, making it difficult for remaining workers to provide adequate patient care. “You have this double-whammy of lots of patients and also staff being furloughed at the same time,” Moy told ABC Radio. (AP)
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Union Minister for Heavy Industries Mahendra Nath Pandey was admitted at a hospital here on Monday after he tested positive for COVID-19. Pandey, 65, who is a BJP MP from Chandauli constituency, had earlier also tested positive for the coronavirus. “'I was unwell for the last two days due to which I underwent the COVID test and the report came positive. All those who have come in contact with me in the last few days are requested to take care of themselves and get the necessary investigations done,” he tweeted. (PTI)
Odisha government on Monday launched the vaccination drive for 15-18 year-olds at 939 special session sites across the state and geared up to tackle Omicron after 12 people having no foreign travel history tested positive for the coronavirus variant in the state. Odisha Health and Family Welfare Minister N K Das said the state government has set the target to complete the inoculation drive by the month end, he said. Students of class 10, who are appearing for assessment tests between January 5 and 8, can take the vaccine after the examination. Similarly, class 12 students will get vaccinated after January 12, the minister said. The state has set a target to vaccinate 25.53 lakh teenagers in the 15-18 age group, the director of health service, Bijoy Mohapatra said. (PTI)
Tamil Nadu continued to witness an increase in fresh Coronavirus positive cases and on Monday the State recorded 1,728 new Coronavirus infections and 6 fatalities, taking the count to 27,52,856 and the death toll to 36,796. On Sunday, the State recorded 1,594 cases and another 1,489 the previous day. About 1,728 persons including a passenger who returned from UAE tested positive today. With 662 COVID-19 positive patients getting discharged following treatment, total recoveries rose to 27,05,696. The number of active cases including isolation, remain at 10,364. (PTI)
Over 20,900 children of Delhi in the age of 15 to 18 years received Covid vaccine doses on the first day of the inoculation drive of this group of beneficiaries. In the northeast district, the highest 3,687 children were vaccinated. In the Central district, the least 739 children received the vaccine shots till 6 pm. As many as 2,667 beneficiaries in the age group of 15 to 18 years in the Southwest district received the shots, 2,268 in the east district and 2,034 in New Delhi. (PTI)
With the launch of COVID-19 vaccination for youngsters from Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India has taken an important step in protecting its youth population against the disease. Modi called for more youngsters to get vaccinated in the coming days. Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said earlier that over 40 lakh people in the 15-18 years age group received their first dose on the first day of vaccination drive for children till 8 PM. (PTI)
COVID-19 cases may be rising in Pune city but severe symptoms are not being observed in patients and the civic body was fully prepared to handle any situation, said Mayor Murlidhar Mohol on Monday. The 47 Omicron patients in the state's second largest city also have mild symptoms, he added. “In one week, the number of active cases is 2,500. However, even as numbers are rising, no severe symptoms are being observed in the patients. Of the 2,500 active cases, 70 to 75 percent are fully vaccinated, which is perhaps why they have no complaints. Some 300 active cases are under hospitalization,” he said. (PTI)
Karnataka | 24X7 Control rooms set up to provide all information regarding COVID19 in all eight zones in BBMP limits: Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (ANI)
Delhi | Two inmates and six staff have tested positive for Covid-19 in different jails of Tihar. The last positive case detected was in July 2021: Prison officials (ANI)
COVID19 | Maharashtra reports 12,160 fresh cases & 11 deaths today; Active cases 52,422. Omicron case tally 578, of these, 259 patients have been discharged (ANI)
Bihar reports 344 new COVID19 cases in the state today. Active cases stand at 1,385: Bihar Health Department (ANI)
Himachal Pradesh recorded 137 COVID-19 cases and one fatality due to the disease on Monday, taking the state's infection tally to 2,29,153 and its death toll to 3,862, an official said. The fresh death was reported from Hamirpur, he added. The number of active COVID-19 cases now stands at 621, up from 526 on Sunday. (PTI)
West Bengal on Monday registered 6,078 new Covid-19 cases, 75 less than the previous day's figure, pushing the tally to 16,55,228, the health department said. The death toll also went up to 19,794 after 13 more people succumbed to the disease in the last 24 hours, the department said in a bulletin. (PTI)
Mumbai reported 8,082 COVID-19 cases on Monday, the highest daily count since April 18, 2021, taking the caseload beyond the 8-lakh mark, while two more patients succumbed to the infection, the city civic body said. Mumbai also reported 40 new cases of the latest coronavirus variant Omicron, pushing the number of such infections to 368 in the metropolis, according to the Maharashtra government's health department.
With fresh additions, the financial capital's coronavirus tally rose to 8,07,602, while the death toll increased to 16,379, according to a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) bulletin. (PTI)
The US is expanding COVID-19 boosters as it confronts the omicron surge, with the Food and Drug Administration allowing extra Pfizer shots for children as young as 12. Boosters already are recommended for everyone 16 and older, and federal regulators on Monday decided they're also warranted for 12- to 15-year-olds once enough time has passed since their last dose. But the move, coming as classes restart after the holidays, isn't the final step. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must decide whether to recommend boosters for the younger teens. Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the CDC's director, is expected to rule later this week. (PTI)
Over 40 lakh children between 15-18 age group received their first dose of COVID19 vaccine on the 1st day of vaccination drive for children, till 8 PM: Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (ANI)
Gujarat on Monday reported 16 more cases of the Omicron variant of coronavirus, taking the tally of such cases to 152, the state health department said. The number of Omicron recoveries remained unchanged at 85. Only one of these 16 patients was without travel history, it said. Ahmedabad city reported seven cases of the new coronavirus variant, raising the tally to 57, the department said in a release. (PTI)
The COVID-19 tally in Madhya Pradesh reached 7,94,461 on Monday with the detection of 221 cases, while the death toll remained unchanged at 10,533, an official said. The recovery count stood at 7,83,155 after 56 people were discharged from hospitals during the day, leaving the state with an active tally of 773, he said. With 61,474 samples being examined during the day, the number of tests in MP went up to 2,38,65,695, the official added. (PTI)
Dismissing reports alleging expired Covid vaccines are being administered in India as “false and misleading”, the Centre on Monday clarified that the national regulator had approved the shelf life extension of Covishield and Covaxin in February and October, 2021 respectively. “There have been some media reports alleging that expired vaccines are being administered in India under its national COVID-19 vaccination programme. This is false and misleading and based on incomplete information,” the health ministry said in a statement. (PTI)
South Korea says it has confirmed its first death related to the new omicron variant. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said on Monday that the deceased was in their 90s and living at a nursing home in the southern city of Gwangju. It says the person received a second dose of COVID-19 vaccine in October. A total of 21 people in the facility have tested positive for COVID-19 – three of them with the omicron variant – since the first case was reported there on Dec. 24. (PTI)
