Coronavirus Vaccine Registration, Coronavirus Omicron Variant Cases in India January 11 Highlights: India reported 1,68,063 new Covid-19 cases followed by 277 deaths on Tuesday. The country’s active count rose to 8,21,446, according to the latest data from the Union Ministry of Health. The daily positivity rate is at 10.64 per cent.
Maharashtra meanwhile reported the highest number of Omicron cases (1,247) followed by Rajasthan (645) and Delhi (546).
Delhi government has ordered all the private offices to shut down. Employees have been asked to work from home barring those who are exempted such as private banks, courier services, and pharmacies. The announcement came following the Delhi government’s order to discontinue dine-in facilities, allowing only takeaways and delivery services at restaurants in the national capital.
ALSO READ — 7-day home quarantine mandatory for all international arrivals
As the highly contagious Omicron variant of Coronavirus continues its rapid spread across the globe, including in India, the Union Health Ministry started providing ‘precaution doses’ of Covid vaccine. According to Union Health Ministry data, over 11 lakh health care and frontline workers, and 60-plus citizens with co-morbidities received their third Covid dose on Monday as India began administering a “precautionary” dose against Coronavirus.
Watch out this space for news related to Covid-19 and Omicron variant from India and around the globe:
With Gujarat witnessing a sudden spike in new coronavirus cases, the state government on Tuesday announced that a maximum of 150 persons will be allowed to attend social, religious or political events, including wedding functions. The decision to put a cap on participation at such events was taken by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel after reviewing the current coronavirus situation during a core committee meeting in Gandhinagar, said an official release. So far, 400 persons were allowed to attend social, religious, educational, political or cultural events, including weddings in the state. But now, the limit on participation has been reduced to just 150. As per the release, the new curb will remain in place across the state till 6 am of January 22. – PTI
India's COVID-19 vaccination coverage crossed 153.7 crore on Tuesday with 76,68,282 vaccine doses being administered till 7 pm, the Union Health Ministry said. More than 18 lakh (18,52,611) precaution doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered to healthcare workers, frontline workers and those aged 60 and above with comorbidities since Monday. Over 2,81,00,780 doses have been given to beneficiaries in the 15-18 years age group so far. The daily vaccination tally is expected to increase with the compilation of the final reports for the day by late night. The countrywide vaccination drive was rolled out on January 16 with healthcare workers (HCWs) getting inoculated in the first phase. The vaccination of frontline workers (FLWs) started from February 2. – PTI
In view of an upsurge in COVID-19 cases, the Arunachal Pradesh government on Tuesday imposed night curfew and other restrictions till January 31. Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar, in an order, said that night curfew will be imposed from 9 PM to 5 AM from January 12. All government and private schools shall remain closed till January 31, while online classes will be held on working days, it said. Universities, colleges and technical institutions were advised to regulate the timing of their classes with 50 per cent attendance and adherence to COVID protocols. Only fully vaccinated people from other states will be allowed to enter Arunachal Pradesh, it said. Offices, bars, restaurants, gymnasiums, public transport, swimming polls and cinema halls will operate with 50 per cent capacity, while business establishments whose proprietors and staffers have been fully vaccinated can operate till 8 PM, the order stated. – PTI
Delhi logged 23 COVID-19 fatalities on Tuesday, the highest since June 16, and the positivity rate rose to 25.65 per cent with the government directing closure of all private offices, except those in exempted categories. According to data shared by the health department, 21,259 cases were reported on Tuesday, the highest single-day infection since May 1. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that his government had to impose restrictions out of compulsion but a complete lockdown will not be implemented. Noting that it is difficult to predict when the third wave of infections will peak, Kejriwal said the Centre's representatives have assured the Delhi government that Covid-related curbs imposed in the capital will be replicated across the NCR. – PTI
Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday recorded 1,550 fresh COVID-19 cases, raising the tally of active cases to 5,476 from 4,186 and total number of infections till date to 2,34,835, a Health Department official said. The Covid toll, however, remained pegged at 3,867 as no death was reported on Tuesday, he added. The highest number of 325 new cases were found in Kangra, followed by 287 in Solan, 270 in Hamirpur, 153 in Shimla, 148 in Mandi, 117 in Una, 89 in Kullu, 73 in Bilaspur, 47 in Sirmaur, 27 in Chamba, 12 in Kinnaur and two in Lahaul-Spiti, he added. The number of active COVID-19 cases in the state climbed to 5,476 from 4,186 on Monday, the official said. Besides, 258 more patients recovered from the viral disease. With this, the total number of recoveries in Himachal Pradesh stands at 2,25,462, he said. PTI
Uttar Pradesh reported 11,089 fresh COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, raising the tally of active cases in the state to 44,466 while five more deaths pushed the overall death toll to 22,937, an official statement said. One death each was reported from Meerut, Moradabad, Kanpur, Gonda and Azamgarh, it said. In the past 24 hours, 543 COVID-19 patients recovered from the infection, increasing the total number of the recoveries to 16,89,526, the statement said. A total of 2.05 lakh samples were tested for presence of COVID-19 in the last one day. PTI
Health experts warned once again that allowing the Gangasagar Mela, a religious gathering in Sagar islands, at a time when the country is in the throes of a third Covid-19 wave could turn out to be a super -spreader 'incident. Experts warned that the Mela, akin to the Kumbh Mela held at Haridwar and Prayag among other places, which is slated to attract several lakhs of people could transform into a “hot source of transmission of the coronavirus”. “It (Gangasagar Mela) will definitely be a super-spreader. There is no doubt of that. Lakhs of people will congregate and we fear there will be violation of Covid-19 safety protocol. – PTI
Covid curfew, between 11 PM and 5 AM daily, will be in force from January 18 to 31 in Andhra Pradesh, a Government Order said here on Tuesday. Principal Secretary (Medical and Health) Anil Kumar Singhal issued the modified order, revising the night curfew date to January 18. On Monday, Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy directed the authorities to clamp Covid curfew in view of the spurt in fresh cases over the past one week. Accordingly, Anil Kumar Singhal issued an order saying the curfew would be in force till January 31. – PTI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday spoke to Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to enquire about their health and wished them a speedy recovery, government sources said. Both the chief ministers have tested positive for COVID-19. Modi also enquired about the health of iconic singer Lata Mangeshkar, who has been admitted to a hospital after contracting the virus. PTI
Sikkim on Tuesday reported 198 new COVID-19 cases, 86 more than the previous day, with the tally rising to 33,029, a health department official said. Ten people – six from Kolkata and four from Delhi – tested positive for the disease after they arrived at Pakyong airport near here, he said. They were allowed to return to their places for treatment, the official said. Eleven more travellers were also found infected with the disease at the Rangpo checkpost, and all of them were permitted to undergo treatment at their native places, he said. East Sikkim logged 141 new cases, followed by 28 in West Sikkim, 26 in South Sikkim and three in North Sikkim. – PTI
Amid a growing number of Covid cases in the country, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday said necessary arrangements for the upcoming Budget session of Parliament are being made to enable members of Parliament perform their constitutional responsibilities. He also asserted that the “situation is under control” and all steps are being taken to mitigate the impact of the pandemic. According to a statement issued by the Lok Sabha Secretariat, Birla inspected the Parliament House complex during the day to take stock of the health safety related measures and other preparations put in place in light of the recent spike in Covid cases in the country. Sources said 65 employees of the Rajya Sabha Secretariat, 200 of the Lok Sabha Secretariat and 133 of allied services tested positive for COVID-19 between January 4 and 8 during regular tests. – PTI
Renowned Bengali litterateur Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay has tested positive for the Covid-19 and is in home isolation. When contacted, the 85-year-old Sahitya Akademi awardee said that he had been unwell since inaugurating the Malda Book Fair earlier this month. “I went to Malda to inaugurate the book fair there on January 2. Since then I have not been keeping well. I did not have a fever but felt very weak. I took the test yesterday on the advice of my doctor and was found to be COVID-19 positive,” he said. Mukhopadhyay requested all those who came in contact with him in the last few days to take the test to find out whether they have been infected with the virus. “I am asymptomatic. I hope that nothing much will happen to me,” he said. PTI
Lt Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan on Tuesday said the territorial government is keeping in mind the sentiments of the people while deciding measures, including lockdown to curb the spread of the pandemic. Addressing reporters after inaugurating the special drive to vaccinate those in the age group of 15 to 18 years in a school near here, she said, “the economic aspect and also the need to ensure livelihood sources of the people should be considered while deciding lockdown to combat the pandemic.” (PTI)
India all-rounder Washington Sundar has tested positive for COVID-19 and is doubtful for the three-match ODI series against South Africa starting January 19. The 22-year old Tamil Nadu player tested positive for the virus in Bengaluru and has not yet joined the other white-ball cricketers in Mumbai, who are scheduled to leave for South Africa in a day or two. “Washington has tested positive for COVID-19 and is yet to join the other white ball specialists in Mumbai. He was in Bengaluru (at the National Cricket Academy) when he tested positive,” BCCI sources said. (PTI)
In light of the rise in COVID-19 cases, the administration in Maharashtra's Pune district has issued prohibitory orders for over 50 tourist spots in the region, an official said on Tuesday. In an executive order, district collector Rajesh Deshmukh stated that prohibitory orders have been issued under section 144 of CrPC for tourist spots in Maval, Mulshi, Haveli, Ambegaon, Junnar, Bjor, and Velha tehsils of the district. The order covers popular spots such as Bhushi dam near Lonavala, Lavasa, Temghar dam, Panshet, Khadakwasla dam, and forts including Sinhagad, Shivneri, Torna, Lohgad, and several other locations frequented by tourists, the official said. (PTI)
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya interacted with specialist doctors from across the country to discuss the COVID-19 situation virtually on Tuesday and listened to their suggestions. “Discussed with 120 expert doctors from across the country regarding the current COVID-19 situation through VC. Listened to their suggestions and gave related instructions. “I believe that we all will work together to fight against Corona,” he said in a tweet in Hindi. India on Tuesday reported 1,68,063 fresh COVID -19 infections. (PTI)
Y'day, 22 police personnel found infected with Covid. Today 6-7 personnel tested positive. Till now, none of the infected personnel have been infected to a hospital, their condition is stable. one suspected case with comorbidities admitted to hospital: Nagpur Police Commissioner (ANI)
Renowned Bengali litterateur Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay has tested positive for the Covid-19 and is in home isolation. When contacted, the 85-year-old Sahitya Akademi awardee said that he had been unwell since inaugurating the Malda Book Fair earlier this month. “I went to Malda to inaugurate the book fair there on January 2. Since then I have not been keeping well. I did not have a fever but felt very weak. I took the test yesterday on the advice of my doctor and was found to be COVID-19 positive,” he said. (PTI)
The COVID-19 tally of Jharkhand climbed to 3,82,054 as 4,482 more people tested positive for the disease in the last 24 hours, up from 3,444 fresh infections the previous day, a health department bulletin said. The state capital Ranchi reported the highest number of new cases at 1,537, followed by East Singhbhum at 923, Ramgarh at 232, Bokaro at 194 and West Singhbhum at 189. The death toll rose to 5,172 as two more persons- one each from Bokaro and Koderma- succumbed to the disease in the last 24 hours, the bulletin said. (PTI)
The Centre's representatives have assured the Delhi government that Covid-related curbs imposed in the capital will be replicated across the NCR, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday, noting that it is difficult to predict when the third wave of infections will peak. He said the government had to impose restrictions out of compulsion and reiterated that a complete lockdown will not be implemented. The chief minister also said Delhi is likely to record around 20,000 Covid cases on Tuesday. (PTI)
Goa Deputy CM Manohar Ajgaonkar tests positive for COVID-19, admitted to Manipal Hospital near Panaji (ANI)
Poland has become the latest European nation to reach the grim milestone of 100,000 deaths related to the coronavirus. Nearly a quarter of those deaths, some 24,000, occurred in the most recent wave of infection that began in October, a period in which vaccines have been widely available in the European Union nation. (PTI)
Lockdowns to contain the spread of the third COVID wave hurt loan collections and new lending by non-banks, and will in turn impact securitisation volumes, a domestic rating agency said on Tuesday. The overall volumes of securitisation, where a non-bank lender passes on future receivables against loans or a bunch of loans to another entity for upfront cash, will come at Rs 1-1.1 lakh crore in FY22 as against the Rs 1.2 lakh estimated earlier, Icra said in a report. (PTI)
Congress in-charge for Uttarakhand Devender Yadav has tested positive for COVID-19. Sharing the information on his Twitter page on Tuesday, Yadav said he has tested positive for Covid but has very mild symptoms. He advised all those who had come in contact with him to isolate themselves and get themselves tested. (PTI)
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who tested positive for COVID-19, is recovering well, a government spokesperson said on Tuesday. A Bharat Bhushan Babu, the principal spokesperson of the Defence Ministry, said a team of doctors from the Army's Research and Referral (R&R) Hospital examined Singh. “A team of doctors from Army Hospital (R&R), Delhi Cantt examined Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh who had tested COVID positive, yesterday. He is recovering well,” Babu tweeted. (PTI)
The coronavirus pandemic has not impacted India's long-term growth trajectory although it has delayed it and in this decade, the country will lead the global growth rates, Tata group Chairman N Chandrasekaran said on Tuesday. Speaking at tech giant Microsoft's annual flagship event, Future Ready, he said it should be a national priority to enable access to healthcare and education using digital infrastructure for all in the country, considering how the acceleration of digital adoption during the pandemic has created a divide as many people, who do not have the means and access, have been left behind. “There are many things going for India. I think as the economy fully opens up post the pandemic, I believe that our growth will continue to get stronger. We'll get the full benefit of the consumer spend,” Chandrasekaran said. (PTI)
Instead of horror and panic, there is a need for hope and precaution to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said on Tuesday as he took the “precautionary” vaccine dose against the viral disease. India began administering the “precautionary” dose against Covid, a critical step that comes as cases spike alarmingly in the country, on Monday. The dose is being administered to healthcare and frontline workers and comorbid people aged 60 and above. (PTI)
The Delhi government on Tuesday issued an advisory asking all hospitals to ensure that Covid-positive patients with comorbidities are duly attended by specialists. The advisory noted that Delhi has witnessed an upsurge in COVID-19 deaths since last week and 70 fatalities have been reported from medical facilities since the last week of December. Most of the deceased patients suffered from comorbidities such as cancer, heart and liver diseases, it said. (PTI)
Molnupiravir, which prevents hospitalization and ICU admissions, should be given to senior citizens, particularly those with comorbidities. It should not be given to people of the reproductive age: Dr NK Arora, Chairman of COVID-19 Working Group of NTAGI
About 22,000 COVID cases with a positivity rate of 24-25% in the last few days…Don't worry, we will not impose lockdown…At the DDMA meet we requested Central govt officials to cover the entire NCR for restrictions, they assured us on the same: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal (ANI)
Amid rise in the coronavirus cases, the Delhi government has taken action against 4,434 people on Monday for not wearing masks in public or work places, according to official data. The data stated that 4,434 people were challaned for violation of masks, 107 for not maintaining social distancing, 17 people for spitting in public places and two for consumption of liquor/pan/gutkha/tobacco etc., in public places in its 11 districts. (PTI)
Puducherry registered a spike in number of daily cases of coronavirus on Tuesday with 655 infections being added afresh to the overall tally which reached 1,31,866. The test positivity rate in the Union Territory however dropped to 16.51 percent against 31.15 percent recorded on Monday, a release from Director of Health and Family Welfare Services G. Sriramulu said. The 655 fresh cases were identified at the end of examination of 3967 samples and the cases were spread over Puducherry 535, Karaikal 93 and Mahe 27. (PTI)
More than 93 percent of the eligible population in Rajasthan has received the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine, Health Minister Parsadi Lal Meena said on Tuesday. The 70-year-old Meena, who was administered the precautionary dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at the Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital here, said the pandemic can be defeated only by vaccination. “Be it the first dose or the second or the precautionary dose, whether eligible adolescents or elders, everyone should get the dose,” he said. (PTI)
Bollywood personality and interior designer Sussanne Khan on Tuesday said she has contracted the Omicron variant of coronavirus. Khan, 43, took to Instagram and informed her followers that she tested positive for COVID19 on Monday evening. (PTI)
Special Yoga/pranayam classes to be brought in by Delhi govt for COVID positive patients in home isolation. Yoga boosts immunity. We will send them a link today and classes to begin from tomorrow in different batches: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal (ANI)
Ladakh's coronavirus caseload surged to 22,686 on Tuesday with 125 fresh infections, while the death toll climbed to 222 as one more person succumbed to the virus, officials said. Of the fresh cases, 118 were from Leh district and seven from Kargil district, they said. The latest death was reported from Leh, the officials said. The number of active coronavirus cases in Ladakh increased to 397. Of these, 373 cases are in Leh district and 24 in Kargil district, they said. (PTI)
Arunachal Pradesh on Tuesday recorded 134 new COVID-19 cases, the highest single-day spike in January so far, pushing the tally to 55,692, a health department official said. Of the fresh cases, 63 were registered in the Capital Complex Region, 23 in Papum Pare district, 11 in Namsai and nine each in West Kameng and Lohit, he said. Seven new infections were reported from Tawang, four from Lower Subansiri, two each from West Siang, Lower Dibang Valley and East Siang and one each from Changlang and Pakke Kessang. (PTI)
Amid surge in COVID cases in Delhi with a total of 70 deaths reported since last week of Dec 2021, all hospitals are directed to issue necessary directions to ensure timely management of hospital admissions, satisfactory levels of patient care and analysis of COVID deaths (ANI)
The WTO's General Council has discussed India's call to convene a virtual ministerial meeting on the World Trade Organisation's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the patent waiver proposal. India on December 23, 2021 sent a letter to the General Council Chair to hold a virtual ministerial meeting on the response of WTO (World Trade Organisation) to the pandemic, including the proposal to waive certain provisions of the TRIPS agreement for COVID-19-related vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics. On January 10, the General Council Chair Ambassador Dacio Castillo (Honduras) convened a meeting to discuss the World Trade Organisation's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, WTO said in a statement. (PTI)
Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin takes 'precautionary dose' of COVID vaccine. The nationwide drive for healthcare workers, frontline workers, and people aged 60 and above with comorbidities kicked off yesterday, January 10. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to hold a meeting with chief ministers over the COVID-19 situation on Thursday as the number of virus infections sees a surge due to its Omicron variant. Fresh curbs have been imposed in various parts of the country to check the spread of the highly transmissible virus. Reviewing the Covid situation at a high-level meeting on Sunday, Modi had called for ensuring adequate health infrastructure at the district level and accelerating the vaccination drive for adolescents in mission mode. (PTI)
All private offices in Delhi shall be closed, except those which are falling under the exempted category; work from home shall be followed. All restaurants & bars shall be closed, takeaways allowed: DDMA in its revised guidelines (ANI)
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will be doing a virtual meeting with all Indian Medical Association leaders and senior doctors across the country on Covid management at 11:30 am today (ANI)
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