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A teenager getting the Covid-19 vaccine in Gujarat. (Express Photo by Bhupendra Rana) India reported over 1 lakh daily Covid-19 cases for the first time in 214 days on Friday, taking the country’s total caseload to 3,52,26,386. With 30,836 recoveries, the active caseload stands at 3,71,363. The death toll increased to 4,83,178 after 302 patients succumbed to the infection.
India’s tally of Omicron cases rose to 3,007 on Friday, with Maharashtra contributing the highest number of new cases (876). Of the total number of Omicron cases, 1,199 people have recovered or migrated, according to data released by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
The second-highest number of Omicron cases was reported in Delhi, where 465 people have contracted the new variant of Covid-19. Karnataka recorded 333 cases, while Rajasthan reported 291, Kerala 284 and Gujarat 204.
Seven day home quarantine mandatory for all international arrivals
India made seven-day home quarantine mandatory for all international arrivals and an RT-PCR test on the eighth day, as it issued revised guidelines for international passengers.
According to PTI, the guidelines released on Friday come into force from January 11 and will remain effective till further government orders. The new order comes in the wake of coronavirus cases rising across the globe since the detection of the Omicron variant.
The new order comes in the wake of coronavirus cases rising across the globe since the detection of the Omicron variant.
Screening tightened in TN-Kerala border district amid fresh Covid surge
Coimbatore District Collector G S Sameeran on Friday inspected the Walayar check post located on the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border and said that only those who are fully vaccinated and have the necessary documents will be allowed to enter the district from other states.
Coimbatore District Collector G S Sameeran inspecting the Walayar check post located on the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border. (Phtoto: Twitter/@CollectorCbe) Coimbatore is among the districts which have been reporting a spike in cases amid the latest surge of Covid infections in the state. During the second wave of the pandemic, the district had recorded more cases than Chennai for several weeks. With the Omicron threat, the district has now tightened its borders and ramped up screening.
Delhi records no new case of Omicron, tally at 465
Even with coronavirus infections shooting up in Delhi, no fresh case of the Omicron variant was added to the official tally released by the Union Health Ministry Friday. So far, Delhi has reported 465 cases of the Omicron variant, which is still second only to Maharashtra, that has seen 876 cases of the new variant, and recorded 79 cases in the last 24 hours.
In view of the recent surge in cases, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Delhi University (DU) have issued guidelines for their staffers. According to the updated JNU Covid guidelines, biometric attendance will continue to remain suspended until further orders. It directed department heads of respective branches to ensure physical marking of attendance.
Two Supreme Court judges test positive for Covid
Two Supreme Court judges have tested positive for Covid-19, The Indian Express has learnt. While one has comorbidities and has been admitted to the hospital, the other is presently under home quarantine, sources said.
A few registrars of the court have also tested positive.
Nashik schools to remain closed this month for Classes 1 to 9 and 11
All schools in Nashik district will remain shut for offline classes, except for students of Grades 10 and 12, from January 10 till 31, Maharashtra minister Chhagan Bhujbal said on Thursday.
He warned that if both doses of Covid-19 vaccines are not taken on time by eligible people, ‘No Vaccination, No Ration’ decision will be taken.
Odisha: Govt offices to function at 50% capacity
Gearing up to tackle the third wave of the Covid pandemic, Odisha announced that government offices in the state will function at 50 per cent capacity from January 7 to 31. Special Covid hospitals which were operational during the second wave of the pandemic will be kept ready apart from all the government facilities, officials told PTI.
Those who contract the illness will be treated free of cost, officials said.
Puducherry govt introduces additional restrictions
The Puducherry administration introduced several; additional restrictions to combat the third wave of the coronavirus pandemic in the Union Territory. The government had extended lockdown on December 30 with several curbs.
Malls, market complexes and shops will be permitted to function at 50 per cent capacity, officials said.
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