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Economic Times | 23 Dec, 2022 | 11:34AM IST
Covid News LIVE Updates: Bharat Biotech's intranasal Covid vaccine will be available in private centres, to be introduced on CoWIN by Friday evening, say official sources
Covid News Live Updates: Bharat Biotech's intranasal Covid vaccine will be available in pvt centres, to be introduced on CoWIN by Friday evening, said official sources.Ahead of this, Bharat Biotech's needle-free intranasal Covid vaccine got government's approval as booster dose for those aged above 18. As per the health ministry data the country on Friday has logged 163 fresh coronavirus infections, while the active cases has declined to 3,380. The Covid case tally stands at 4.46 crore (4,46,76,678).The death toll was recorded at 5,30,690 with nine fatalities. While six deaths were reconciled by Kerala, two deaths were reported from Maharashtra and one from Delhi in the last 24 hours, the data updated at 8 am stated.
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Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann to hold a meeting with health department officials this afternoon to discuss COVID situation
Union Health Ministry to issue a new advisory for COVID19 in view of New Year and upcoming festivals: Sources
Covid News: Bharat Biotech's needle-free intranasal Covid vaccine approved by govt as booster dose for those aged above 18, say official sources
Goa government to hold meeting over rising COVID-19 cases
Goa government to hold meeting on Friday over rising number of COVID-19 cases in some countries. Preparedness for possible surge in cases amid ongoing tourist season in coastal state to be discussed.
BF.7 is sub-variant of Omicron strain of coronavirus. India need not worry too much about its severity on population
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS) Director Rakesh Mishra
Mock drill for emergency response to deal with COVID19 cases
A mock drill for emergency response to deal with COVID19 cases will be conducted in hospitals across the country on Tuesday, 27th December. Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will also visit a government hospital for the mock drill, said Sources.
India logs 163 new coronavirus infections, active cases declines to 3,380: Union Health Ministry data
The focus of our government is to transform health care into holistic health care. Following the PM's vision of 'One Nation One Health', we collectively handled COVID. 220 crore doses of vaccine have been administered till this Monday
- Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia
Drones being used for delivery of medicines in remote areas, says Scindia
Drones are being used for the delivery of blood, vaccine and medicine in remote areas. In 2014 there were only 6 AIIMS and today we have 22 AIIMS in the country. MBBS seats have been increased by 90 per cent, said Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.
Health Ministry is keeping a watch on it. PM Modi yesterday chaired a high-level meeting with top officials regarding preparedness for COVID. Today Union health minister will hold a meeting with health ministers of the states
- Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia
China to cut quarantine for overseas travelers from next month - Bloomberg News
China plans to cut quarantine requirements for overseas travelers in January as the country dismantles the last vestiges of its 'COVID Zero' policy, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter.
Two new COVID-19 cases in Thane; active tally at 12
Thane district in Maharashtra has reported two new coronavirus-positive cases, taking its overall tally to 7,47,387, a health official said on Friday. These cases were reported on Thursday, and the active infection count stood at 12, he said.The death toll remained unchanged at 11,967, the official said, adding that the recovery count has reached 7,36,170.
Goa govt to hold meeting to discuss COVID-19 preparedness
The Goa government will hold a meeting of various departments on Friday over rising COVID-19 cases in some parts of the world, wherein it will discuss its preparedness for a possible surge in infections amid the ongoing tourist season in the state. Talking to reporters on Thursday, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said precautionary measures that need to be taken in view of the spike in coronavirus cases in countries like China will be discussed at the meeting. "The meeting will take stock of the situation in Goa," he said. Due to the upcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations, the coastal state has been witnessing a rise in tourist footfall.
IMA advises people to avoid public gatherings, international travel amid fresh Covid scare
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has advised people to avoid public gatherings such as wedding ceremonies, political or social meetings as well as international travel amid a rising number of COVID-19 cases in some countries, including China. In an advisory issued on Thursday, the IMA also appealed to people to go for vaccination against the viral disease, including taking the precaution dose, and follow Covid-appropriate behaviour such as using masks at public places and following social-distancing norms. According to reports, around 5.37 lakh fresh cases of the infection were reported in a 24-hour period recently from countries such as the United States, Japan, South Korea, France and Brazil, the IMA said.
There is no need to worry about Covid-19, but there is a need to be alert. Everyone is advised to observe personal hygiene and those who have not taken the covid vaccine should take it immediately and take a booster dose: Telangana Health Minister Harish Rao.
Mansukh Mandaviya to hold virtual meeting with state health ministers today on Covid-19
Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya will hold a virtual meeting with State health ministers on the Covid-19 situation and preparedness at 3 pm today, according to sources. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting to review the status and preparedness of public health response to COVID-19 and emphasised the need for strengthened surveillance with a focus on genome sequencing and increased testing. This high-level review meeting comes against the backdrop of a spike in COVID-19 cases in some countries, according to the Prime Minister's Office.
China authorities take over medical supplies production as Covid surges
China has requisitioned medical supplies production across the country as millions struggle to obtain basic drugs and testing kits in the face of a surge in Covid-19 cases. Pharmacies in major cities have been stripped bare in the wake of the Chinese government's sudden decision to lift years of lockdowns, quarantines and mass testing. Authorities have urged those with mild symptoms to stay at home and take treatment into their own hands, leading to a run on everything from ibuprofen to rapid antigen tests. To address nationwide shortages, more than a dozen Chinese pharmaceutical firms have been tapped by officials to help "secure supplies" of key drugs -- a euphemism for requisitioning -- according to AFP interviews and local media.
Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya will hold a meeting with State health ministers on the COVID-19 situation and preparedness at 3pm today: Sources.
China reports zero new COVID deaths for Dec 22, same as a day earlier
China reported no new COVID-19 deaths for Dec. 22, compared with zero the previous day, the National Health Commission said on Friday. The country reported 3,761 new symptomatic COVID-19 infections on Dec. 22 , compared with 3,030 a day earlier. Excluding imported infections, China reported 3,696 new local cases, up from 2,966 a day earlier. Severe cases rose by 42 across China on Wednesday, versus an increase of 45 the previous day.
Karnataka to hold meet to assess Covid-19 preparedness
Speaking on Covid-19 preparedness of Karnataka, amid fear of a possible fourth outbreak in the country, state Health Minister K Sudhakar Rao on Thursday said an emergency meeting has been called under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Basavraj Bommai to discuss the state's preparedness. Saying the Karnataka government will be adhering to the instructions of the Central advisory in this regard, he said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called a meeting with all health officials and technical committee members. Based on their directions, our government will also follow all their recommendations and guidelines."
We are prepared for COVID-19 but must follow the old advisory. Oxygen, PPE kits and ventilators are available in the hospital. People know what is to be done. Instructions have also been given to the health department for the same
- Tripura CM Manik Saha
Mamata Banerjee stated that there will be no curbs on Christmas, as no Covid cases with new strain recorded in the state
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said her government is not currently planning any restrictions on the Christmas celebrations and the Gangasagar mela in view of the advent of a new Covid-19 variant, maintaining that it has not yet been detected in the state.
No need to worry, prepared to deal with situation if Covid spreads again: Delhi CM
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday said the new Omicron sub-variant BF.7 of the coronavirus that is causing a surge in cases in many countries has not been detected in Delhi so far and added his government is fully geared up to tackle any eventuality. Addressing a press conference, Kejriwal said the dominant sub-variant in Delhi is XBB that has been detected in 92 per cent of the samples till now. Kejriwal had convened a meeting at his residence on the Covid situation amid a surge in cases in many countries. During the meeting, the chief minister also issued instructions to send all positive cases for genome sequencing, increase precaution dose coverage and manpower in hospitals. He directed officials to take prior approval for procurement of essential items needed and inspect machines in all hospitals.
Florida high court OKs grand jury probe of COVID-19 vaccines
The Florida Supreme Court will convene a grand jury at Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis' request to investigate any wrongdoing with respect to the COVID-19 vaccines, the court announced on Thursday. The Republican governor, who is often mentioned as a possible presidential candidate in 2024, earlier this month called for the investigation. He suggested it would be in part aimed to jog loose more information from pharmaceutical companies about the vaccines and potential side effects.Vaccine studies funded by pharmaceutical companies that developed COVID-19 vaccines have been published in peer-reviewed journals such as the New England Journal of Medicine, and government panels reviewed data on the safety and effectiveness of the shots before approving them for use.
Patna: Special arrangements being made at IGIMS amid fresh Covid surge
Amid a fresh global surge in Covid-19 cases, the Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) Hospital in Patna stated on Thursday that it was focusing on making special arrangements for combating the disease. IGIMS superintendent Manish Mandal said, "There is nothing to worry about, as we are better prepared this time. The doctors and staff are more aware of the treatment of Covid patients." "We can treat 500 people here like we did earlier. We have made all necessary arrangements and the people of Bihar need not fear," he added.
All instructions of Union govt to be followed strictly: Haryana Health minister
Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij on Thursday said the Haryana Government will be abiding by all the instructions given by the Central government when it comes to tackling Covid-19. "If any guidelines of the central govt comes on Covid, it will be fully implemented," said the Haryana Health minister. Talking about the state's preparedness in tackling Covid, Vij said, "We have equipped ourselves better in the previous three waves of Covid. We have RT-PCR testing facilities in all districts along with a sufficient supply of oxygen in plants. People shouldn't panic and must follow all guidelines." According to data from the Union Health Ministry, 131 fresh cases have been detected across the country, while the number of active cases has come down to 3,408.
