Omicron Variant Cases and Deaths in India Live, Covid-19 Booster Vaccine Registration January 27 Latest Update: The government on Thursday said Omicron sub-variant BA.2 is more prevalent in India now. NCDC Director Dr S K Singh, while addressing a press conference, said sub-lineages of Omicron – BA.1 and BA.2 were found in sequenced samples while BA.3 has not been found yet. As many as 9,672 Omicron samples were found in January in genome sequencing constituting 75% of the total sequenced samples of Covid-19, compared to the December figure of 1,292. “We were getting more samples of BA.1 earlier mostly found in travellers but now we are seeing that BA.2 has become more prevalent in the community,” Singh said as reported by PTI.
Delhi Covid Curbs: The odd-even opening of shops and weekend curfew were lifted by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) on Thursday as it reconsidered Covid restrictions in capital in the light of improvement in Coronavirus conditions. However, it has decided to keep night curfew in place to check non-essential movement of people during 10 pm and 5am on all days. Schools in the capital will remain shut as of now.
The government offices in Delhi will be allowed to operate with 50% of strength and wedding venues will now be allowed to accommodate 50% guests upto 200 people. Restaurants and bars have also been permitted to function at 50% of their capacity. Read More
Amid concerns over tsunami-like Omicron infections in coming days, India once again witnessed a single-day increase in fresh coronavirus cases on Thursday. The official data released in morning showed a marginal increase in new infections to 2,86,384. There was some respite in terms of Covid fatalities as after 2 days, the figures dropped below 600-mark on Thursday. The health bulletin shows that 573 individuals died due to Covid-19 complications. The most alarming aspect of today’s update is the positivity rate. The situation has further worsened with national positivity rate jumping to 19.59 per cent on Thursday.
Also Read: Each dose of Covishield, Covaxin likely to be capped at Rs 275 after getting regular market approval
Meanwhile, in the global coronavirus updates, England has ended the Covid curbs as the cases have ebbed in the recent past. China, on the other hand, is still grappling with its stringent ‘zero-Covid’ policy. While other nations have either imposed more localised lockdowns or containment zones, China is still following the 2020 model. Reports suggest that Beijing feels that the healthcare infrastructure may not be able to handle another coronavirus explosion.
In another development related to Omicron variant, now Denmark has reported a ‘subvariant’ of Omicron. Labelled BA.2, this subvariant of coronavirus’ Omicron variant is far more contagious. However, the researchers say that they have still not found any evidence that this subvariant is any more lethal or causes severe infections among the patients.
The current global data suggests that at present, the BA.1 lineage of the Omicron variant is dominant in most of the countries.
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Coronavirus India Live News: Covid-19 Omicron Cases in India Live Count, Coronavirus Lockdown, Night Curfew Guidelines and Restrictions Live Updates
The European Medicines Agency has recommended that Pfizer's coronavirus antiviral drug be authorised for use in the 27-nation European Union, the first time the agency has recommended a pill for treating COVID-19, according to a report by AP. In a statement on Thursday, the EU drug regulator said giving the green light to Pfizer's Paxlovoid could help people infected with COVID-19 avoid more serious disease and being hospitalised. EMA's expert committee recommended the pill be given to adults who don't require oxygen and who are at higher risk of severe disease. The drug was cleared by regulators in the US and Britain in late December, although authorities noted that supplies would be extremely limited.
As many as 3,677 fresh COVID19 infections and 20 deaths are recorded in the state today, says Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, as reported by ANI. Overall positivity rate at 8.28% and recovery rate 93.95%, he adds.
The tally of Covid-19 infections in Maharashtra's Nashik district has reached 4,59,328 on Thursday, with the addition of 4,696 new cases over the last two days, an official said on Thursday as reported by PTI. At least seven patients died of the infection in the last 48 hours, raising the toll to 8792, he said.
The Coronavirus tally in Madhya Pradesh surged to 9,33,693 on Thursday with 9,532 new infections coming to light, the health department said, as reported by PI. Death toll increased to 10,597 as six patients succumbed since previous evening, it said. Positivity rate fell to 11.9% from 12.3% on Wednesday.
Odisha reported 5,901 fresh Coronavirus infections on Thursday ( 1,515 less than the previous day), taking its COVID-19 tally to 12,31,169. According to a health bulletin, eight more people succumbed to Covid-19, pushing the state's Coronavirus death toll to 8,550.
Maharashtra reports 25,425 fresh COVID cases, 36,708 recoveries, and 42 in the last 24 hours; Active cases at 2,87,397, reports ANI
12,911 new cases, 22 deaths and 23,197 discharges recorded in Gujarat today; Active caseload at 1,17,884, reports ANI.
Recoveries outnumbered fresh Coronavirus cases in Karnataka. According to a health bulletin, the state reported 38,083 new Covid-19 cases on Thursday, taking the tally to 36,92,496. The death toll climbed to 38,754, with 49 more deaths today. The state had yesterday reported 48,905 new infections.
The Tamil Nadu government has announced the reopening of physical classes for students of Standard 1 to 12 from February 1, reports ANI. The state government has also decided to lift the night curfew from January 28.
Mumbai on Thursday reported 1,384 fresh Coronavirus infections, down from 1,858 on Wednesday, while 12 more people died due to complications related to the virus infection, reports PTI. With this, the overall number of Covid-19 cases in Mumbai rose to 10,41,747, while the toll increased to 16,581, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said in a bulletin. The city has been reporting below 2,000 cases for the past four days. There are now 18,040 active cases of COVID-19 in the city, says BMC.
Himachal Pradesh recorded 1,820 fresh Coronavirus cases, tooking its infection tally to 2,65,734, while seven people succumbed to Covid, pushing the death toll to 3,951. The dead included three women, reports PTI. Four deaths were reported from Solan, two in Mandi and one in Hamirpur, the official added.
Telangana on Thursday witnessed 3,944 new Covid-19 cases, taking the tally to 7,51,099, while the death toll rose to 4,081 with three more fatalities, reports PTI. Telangana on Wednesday reported 3,801 new COVID-19 cases.
Kerala Health Minister Veena George said on Thursday that the state is witnessing a wave of Omicron infections, with cases of the highly contagious variant now on the rise. “It is now clear that the third wave in Kerala is the Omicron wave,” she said, as reported by PTI. The minister said that the Omicron variant was found in 94% of samples of COVID-19 patients tested as part of surveillance in the state. Delta strain was detected in 6%.
Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday recorded 4,959 fresh cases of coronavirus, taking the tally of Covid-19 cases to 4,19,131, while seven deaths due to the virus were reported in the past 24 hours, reports PTI.
The Union Home Ministry on Thursday extended the existing Covid-19 containment measures till February 28 as 407 districts in the country still have a positivity rate of over 10%, reported PTI. In a communication to all states.UTs, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla said active cases have increased to over 22 lakh even though a majority of the patients are recovering fast and a low percentage of cases are in hospitals. “It is still a matter of concern that 407 districts in 34 states and Union Territories are reporting a positivity rate of more than 10 per cent.
Sikkim reported 112 fresh Coronavirus infections, taking its overall Covid-19 tally to 37,651, while two new fatalities pushed the death toll to 427, a health department bulletin said on Thursday. The state had reported 206 new COVID-19 cases and one fatality on Wednesday.
Calling vaccination one of the key weapons against Coronavirus infections, the Delhi government said about 64% of Covid deaths in the city have been witnessed among the unvaccinated people and those with comorbidities. Addressing a press conference, NCDC Director Dr S K Singh said the unvaccinated and the comorbid people form a very high risk group, as reported by PTI. “As per today's data of Delhi only, 64 per cent of deaths that we have seen are among the unvaccinated and those with comorbidities. Hence, those who are unvaccinated and comorbid form a very high risk group,” he said.
Maharashtra Minister and Congress leader Ashok Chavan tested positive for COVID19, reports ANI.
The government said on Thursday that 9,672 Omicron samples were found in January in genome sequencing constituting 75% of the total sequenced samples of Covid-19, compared to the December figure of 1,292, reported PTI. NCDC Director Dr S K Singh, while addressing a press conference, said sub-lineages of Omicron – BA.1 and BA.2 were found in sequenced samples while BA.3 has not been found yet.
Jammu and Kashmir reports 4,959 new COVID19 and 7 deaths today; Active cases at 46,657, reports ANI.
Kerala reported 51,739 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, taking its tally of Coronavirus cases the caseload to 58,26,596, while the death toll rose to 52,343 with 68 COVID-19-related deaths being registered, as reported by PTI. The state on Wednesday recorded 49,771. On Tuesday, Kerala had registered 55,475 cases, the highest ever single-day surge in the infection since the outbreak of the pandemic in 2020.
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar tested COVID19 positive, reports ANI.
Karnataka government will review the COVID-19 situation soon, and take decisions regarding the curbs that are in place, after obtaining the experts' committee report in this connection, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday said as reported by PTI.
Amid the rise in Covid-19 cases in the country, Union Home Secretary has written to chief secretaries of all states/UTs, asked them to issues necessary directions to authorities concerned for effective management of the disease. “All states/UTs must observe all precautions and not let the guard down,” he writes.
The Delhi government has revoked weekend curfew, allowed to open markets without odd-even rule, and govt offices with full strength, said LG, as reported by ANI. The DDMA has also allowed restaurants, bars and cinema halls to operate up to 50% capacity, he said. Marriage-related gatherings to be held with 50% capacity of venue subject to maximum of 200 persons.
The government has informed that as of today, i.e., January 27th, there are 19 States/UTs with both 1st & 2nd dose coverage more than National Average. The Centre has also informed that there are 16 States/UTs with coverage of adolescents aged 15-18 years more than the National Average.
Andhra Pradesh logged 13,374 new Covid-19 cases in last 24 hours. Active cases stand at 1,09,493, reports ANI.
Booster shots could reduce future hospitalisations in Europe by at least half a million, the European Union's public health agency said on Thursday, even as the Omicron variant spreads at an unprecedented pace. “The current uptake of a booster dose achieved by early January may reduce future Omicron hospital admissions by 500,000 – 800,000” in Europe, the European Centre for Disease prevention and Control (ECDC) said. The figures cover the 27-nation EU plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Currently about 70% of the EU's population of 450 million has been fully vaccinated and half of them have received a booster. (Reuters)
Booster shots could reduce future hospitalisations in Europe by at least half a million, the European Union's public health agency said on Thursday, even as the Omicron variant spreads at an unprecedented pace. “The current uptake of a booster dose achieved by early January may reduce future Omicron hospital admissions by 500,000 – 800,000” in Europe, the European Centre for Disease prevention and Control (ECDC) said. The figures cover the 27-nation EU plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Currently about 70% of the EU's population of 450 million has been fully vaccinated and half of them have received a booster. (Reuters)
The Union Health Ministry has informed that there's an early indication of plateau in Covid-19 cases in certain areas. The Ministry further said that the trend needs to be observed and precautions need to be continued.
Karnataka, Maharashtra & Kerala have 3 lakh active cases, whereas Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat & Tamil Nadu have over one lakh case. The govt says 'we're in touch with the states regarding containment activities.'
The government officials say that 95% Indians have got at least one dose of Covid19 vaccine. As far as double jab coverage is concerned, the figure stands at 74 per cent of eligible population. Since the rollout of booster jabs plan, 97.03 lakh individuals have got the ‘precaution dose’.
The vaccines will not be available in medical stores. The hospitals and clinics can purchase the vaccines. Vaccination data has to be submitted to DCGI every six months. Data to be updated on CoWIN app also. (ANI)
India’s drug regulator on Thursday granted regular market approval for COVID-19 vaccines Covishield and Covaxin for use in the adult population subject to certain conditions, official sources said. The approval was granted under the New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019. — Read More
Four biological factors that can be identified early during a person’s coronavirus infection appear to correlate to the increased risk of long Covid, a new survey has found.
The research, published in the Cell journal, followed over 200 patients for two to three months following their Covid-19 diagnoses to identify the biological factors that might help predict if a person would develop long Covid, The New York Times reported. | Read More
Covid-19 vaccines Covaxin and Covishield have received regular market approval for use in the adult population from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI). PTI reported that the approval has been granted under the New Drugs and Clinical Trial rules, subject to certain conditions.
The Delhi Disaster Management Authority on Thursday decided to lift weekend curfew and odd-even system of opening non-essential shops in the city besides permitting restaurants and bars to reopen with 50 per cent seating capacity, in view of improving COVID-19 situation. | Read More
ANI reports that legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar — who was hospitalised after testing Covid positive — is now showing signs of improvement. However, an official statement has said that she will remain under observation as of now.
As per the decisions taken in today's DDMA meet, government offices will be allowed to operate with 50% capacity.
As per the agencies, schools in the capital will remain closed for now.
In the DDMA meet, it has been decided that bars, restaurants and cinema halls will be allowed to operate at 50% capacity.
With regards to weddings, ANI reports that a maximum of 200 people or 50% of the venue capacity will be allowed.
As far the opening of schools is concerned, the decision has been postponed till the next DDMA meeting, ANI said.
Apart from weekend curfew, the odd-even for shops will also end in Delhi, as per the agencies.
DDMA officials say that the ongoing weekend curfew in Delhi will be lifted, but night curfew will remain.
As much of the world sees vaccination slowing and infections soaring with the spread of omicron, Iran has found a rare, if fleeting, respite from the anxiety and trauma of the pandemic. After successive virus waves pummeled the country for nearly two years, belated mass vaccination under a new, hard-line president has, for a brief moment, left the stricken nation with a feeling of apparent safety. | Read More
The schools and other educational institutes in Uttar Pradesh will remain closed till February 15, latest government notification says. The decision has been taken due to the current surge of coronavirus cases in the state. The schools were first closed till January 23, later the closure was extended till January 30. Now the fresh notification means that the students will have to wait before resuming the physical classes.
The current drugs to treat COVID-19 remain very effective against the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, according to a laboratory study. However, available antibody therapies — typically given intravenously in hospitals — are substantially less effective against Omicron compared to earlier variants of the virus, the researchers said. | Read More
Coronavirus India Live News: Covid-19 Omicron Cases in India Live Count, Coronavirus Lockdown, Night Curfew Guidelines and Restrictions Live Updates
