Coronavirus LIVE updates: India to resume UK flights from January 8

Coronavirus LIVE updates: Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine 'Covishield' has been cleared by the expert panel for India. Stay tuned for Covid-19 LIVE updates

12:03 AM

Maharashtra reports 3,524 new Covid-19 cases

Maharashtra reported 3,524 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, taking the total number of cases in the state to 19,35,636.According to the state health department, 4,279 people were discharged after recovering from the disease, while 59 patients succumbed to the virus.

The death toll has climbed to 49,580 and the case fatality rate is at 2.56 per cent.Total recoveries in the state stood at 18,32,825 and the recovery rate is at 94.69 per cent. There are 52,084 active cases in the state. Meanwhile, the state's capital Mumbai reported 631 new cases, 628 recoveries/discharges and nine deaths today.The total caseload in the city has surged to 2,94,067, including 2,74,072 recoveries/discharges and 11,125 deaths. Mumbai has 8,005 active cases.

12:02 AM

Maharashtra reports 3,524 new COVID-19 cases

Maharashtra reported 3,524 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, taking the total number of cases in the state to 19,35,636.According to the state health department, 4,279 people were discharged after recovering from the disease, while 59 patients succumbed to the virus.

The death toll has climbed to 49,580 and the case fatality rate is at 2.56 per cent.Total recoveries in the state stood at 18,32,825 and the recovery rate is at 94.69 per cent. There are 52,084 active cases in the state. Meanwhile, the state's capital Mumbai reported 631 new cases, 628 recoveries/discharges and nine deaths today.The total caseload in the city has surged to 2,94,067, including 2,74,072 recoveries/discharges and 11,125 deaths. Mumbai has 8,005 active cases.

12:00 AM

Former Goa CM Pratapsingh Rane, wife test positive for coronavirus

Goa Congress MLA and former chief minister Pratapsingh Rane and his wife Vijayadevi Rane tested positive for coronavirus infection on Friday, their son and state health minister Vishwajit Rane said.

In a tweet, Rane said, "I would like to inform the people of Goa that my father Shri Pratapsingh Rane (Former CM of Goa and MLA Poriem constituency) and my mother Smt. Vijayadevi Rane have both tested positive for COVID-19. They are under the supervision of our team of doctors headed by Dr Bandekar at GMC.

10:21 PM

Kerala reports 4,991 fresh Covid infections, 23 deaths

Kerala on Friday reported 4,991 fresh Covid-19 infections and 23 deaths due to the disease, taking the caseload to 65,054 and the number of fatalities to 3,095, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said. The state's test positivity rate stands at 9.45 per cent. Of the positive cases on Friday, 94 people had come from outside the state and 4,413 were infected through contact, said the Chief Minister.

Ernakulam has the maximum of 553 infections, while Kasaargod has the least number of 68 cases. 59 health workers tested Covid positive on Friday with 12 cases in Kannur, Pathanamthitta 9, Ernakulam and Kozhikode 6 each, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur ,Malappuram 5 each, Wayand 4 , Kollam 3, Alappuzha, Idukki, Palakkad and Kasargod has 1 each. As many as 2,43,828 people are under observation in various parts of the state, 2,31,831 under home/institutional quarantine and 11,997 admitted to hospitals, said Vijayan.

9:41 PM

585 fresh Covid cases, 21 deaths in Delhi; positivity rate 0.73%

Delhi recorded 585 fresh COVID-19 cases and 21 new fatalities on Friday, even as the positivity rate stood at 0.73 per cent, authorities said. The infection tally in the city stands at over 6.25 lakh and the death toll rose to 10,557, they said, adding that over 80,000 tests were conducted on the previous day. From December 21-23, the daily cases count had been below the 1000-mark.

On December 21, 803 cases were reported; 939 on December 22 and 871 on December 23. However, on December 24, 1,063 cases were recorded, dropping again to 758 on December 25 and 655 on December 26. On December 27, 757 cases were recorded while on December 28, the daily case count was 564, the lowest in the last five months.

9:40 PM

Karnataka reports 877 new Covid-19 cases, 6 deaths

Karnataka on Friday reported 877 new cases of Covid-19 and six related fatalities, taking the total number of infections to 9,20,373 and the death toll to 12,096. A total of over 1,41,96,065 samples have been tested so far, out of which 1,17,907 were tested today alone, and 8,951 among them were rapid antigen tests. The day also saw 1,084 patients getting discharged after recovery.

Out of the 877 fresh cases reported on Friday, 464 cases were from Bengaluru Urban alone. As of December Jan 1 evening, cumulatively 9,20,373 COVID-19 positive cases have been confirmed in the state, which includes 12,096 deaths and 8,97,200 discharges, the Health department said in its bulletin. It said, out of 11,058 active cases, 10,869 patients are in isolation at designated hospitals and stable, while 189 are in ICU. Out of the six deaths reported today, four are from Bengaluru Urban and Chikkaballapura and Ramanagara (1).

9:35 PM

Himachal Pradesh reports 193 new Covid-19 cases

8:45 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: Indian, UK airlines to share 30 weekly flights to London from Jan 8

Indian and British carriers will operate 30 weekly flights to and from London starting January 8.

 

While currently there are over 60 weekly flights between India and UK, the Centre has decided to begin with limited resumption of flights till January 23. Currently there are flights to London from ten cities but services will resume from Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru in the intial phase.

 

"It has been decided that flights between India & UK will resume from 8 Jan 2021. Operations till 23 Jan will be restricted to 15 flights per week each for carriers of the two countries to & from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru & Hyderabad only," civil aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri said in a tweet. READ ON...

8:22 PM

Health Minister reviews preparedness for Covid-19 vaccination dry run tomorrow

Union health minister Harsh Vardhan on Friday chaired a high-level meeting to review preparedness at various session sites in the country for coronavirus vaccination trial run on January 2. The senior officials of the health ministry apprised the minister on various improvements that have been made to make the pan India dry run glitch free, such as number of telephone operators has been increased to answer every possible query from the teams on the ground conducting the dry run.

 

Block-level task forces have been constituted for physical inspection of the sites and all workers have been oriented for the purpose with the dissemination of FAQs on the process, among other issues, the ministry said in a statement.

 

Vardhan asked officials concerned to ensure that the vaccination sites and official in-charge abide by the detailed checklist and SOP for vaccination that has been prepared by the health ministry and shared with the states/UTs to guide them in the dry run.

8:14 PM

3,524 new coronavirus cases in Maharashtra, 59 deaths, 4,279 recover

Maharashtra's COVID-19 case tally rose to 19,35,636 with 3,524 new cases being reported on Friday. As many as 59 patients died during the day, taking the death toll of the pandemic in the state to 49,580. But recoveries outnumbered new infections as 4,279 patients were discharged from hospitals during the day.

 

So far, 18,32,825 COVID-19 patients have recovered in the state while there are 52,084 active cases. With 76,201 samples tested on Friday, the tally of tests carried out in the state rose to 1,28,23,834. The recovery rate of the state is 94.69 percent while case fatality rate is 2.56%. Mumbai recorded 631 new cases on Friday, taking the total number of cases in the city to 2,94,067, while nine fatalities pushed the death toll in the state capital to 11,125.

8:02 PM

India-UK flights to resume from January 8: Union Civil Aviation Minister

7:41 PM

Covid-19: Ayurveda formulations to be tested by CCMB for checking anti-viral efficacy

Ayurveda formulations would be tested on lab-grown strains of coronavirus by the CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) here to ascertain their anti-viral efficacy in the fight against the pathogen, under a pact with Kerala-based Arya Vaidya Sala (AVS). Standardised Ayurveda formulations provided by AVS in Kottakkal would be tested on the lab-grown coronavirus in the cell culture system, the premier research institute here said on Friday.

 

"If it yields tangible results, the project will lead to a major progress in pharmaceutical industry in India," CCMB Director Rakesh Mishra said.

 

While the country possessed a lot of ancient wisdom, it has lacked defined regulatory protocols for testing the efficacy of formulations that were based on classical texts, he said. In the ongoing fight against the coronavirus, it has become imperative to rigorously test the different treatment possibilities before they were used by the public, he said.

7:24 PM

New Covid-19 strain: Total 29 people in India test positive

A total of 29 people have tested positive for thenew UK variant of SARS-CoV-2 in India so far, the Union Health Ministry said on Friday. These include the 25cases which were announced till Thursday. "All the 29 persons are in physical isolation in health facilities," an official said.

 

Of the 29, the mutated UK strain was detected in the samples of eight persons at the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in New Delhi, twoin the Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), Delhi,one inthe National Institute of Biomedical Genomics (NIBMG), Kalyani (near Kolkata), five in the National Institute of Virology in Pune, three in Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB)in Hyderabad and 10 were sequenced at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences Hospital (NIMHANS)Bengaluru.

 

Comprehensive contact tracing has been initiated for co-travellers, family contacts and others, the ministry said.

7:05 PM

India drug regulator approves AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, country's first

India's drug regulator on Friday approved a coronavirus vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University for emergency use, two sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

 

The decision clears the vaccine's rollout in the world's second-most populous country which, after the United States, has the highest number of COVID-19 infections.

 

India wants to start administering the vaccine soon, most likely by Wednesday, said one of the sources, both of whom declined to be named ahead of an official announcement expected later in the day. Britain and Argentina have already authorised the AstraZeneca vaccine for urgent public use.

 

6:49 PM

Serum Institute gets SEC thumbs up; Bharat Biotech proposal being discussed

The expert panel that is advising the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) on Covid-19 vaccines has given an in-principle nod today to the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine candidate, which Pune's Serum Institute of India will make and market here, say sources in the know.

 

"Serum Institute's Covishield vaccine candidate has been given an in-principle nod from the expert panel and now the drug regulator needs to approve it. This would be a restricted emergency use authorisation with some conditions," said the source.

 

While US giant Pfizer did not come to present its case on Friday before the Subject Expert Committee (SEC), Hyderabad-based vaccine major Bharat Biotech has presented its case. The meeting is still on and an official update is expected soon. READ ON...

6:47 PM

Andhra Pradesh reports 'zero' Covid deaths after seven months; 326 fresh cases

For the first time in almost seven months, Andhra Pradesh did not report a single death due to COVID-19, even as 326 fresh cases and 350 recoveries were reported in the 24 hours ending 9 am on Friday. The states Covid-19 chart now showed the caseload at 8,82,612, 8,72,266 recoveries and 7,108 deaths. The number of active cases was 3,238.

 

The state completed 1,18,84,085 sample tests, at the rate of 2,22,548 per million population, turning out an overall infection positivity rate of 7.43 per cent so far.

 

Krishna district reported the highest 53 fresh cases, East Godavari 45, Chittoor 44, Guntur 41 and Visakhapatnam 39 in a day. The remaining eight districts added less than 25 each to their tally. Kadapa district, which added 16 new cases, crossed the 55,000 total cases mark. Four districts now have less than 100 active cases each, with Vizianagaram having the lowest 41. Only Krishna and Guntur districts now have more than 500 active cases each.

6:30 PM

Panel clears Covid-19 vaccine manufactured by Serum Institute: Reports

A panel comprising experts appointed by the government on Friday approved a coronavirus vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University for emergency use in India, said media reports.
 

The Serum Institute of India (SII), the local maker of the vaccine called Covishield, has stockpiled about 50 million doses of the vaccine, enough for 25 million people, said its CEO last week. The committee listed certain conditions for the vaccine while giving its approval, LiveMint reported. A formal clearance from V G Somani, Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), is likely to follow soon. There is no clarity on the committee’s decision on Bharat Biotech's and Pfizer's vaccines, said Mint and NDTV. READ MORE...

6:21 PM

Expert panel's meet on Covid-19 vaccine approval still underway; final nod by DCGI

6:14 PM

LIVE: Expert panel clears Oxford Covid-19 vaccine emergency use in India

The 10-member Subject Expert Committee of India's Central Drug Standard Control Organisation on Friday approved emergency use authorisation of the Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine 'Covishield'.

 

The expert panel had convened a meeting to take a call on the emergency use authorisation sought by the Serum Institute of India, the manufacturer of Covishield, and Bharat Biotech for its Covaxin.

 

Once the vaccines are cleared by the committee, the application will be sent to Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) V.G. Somani for final approval.

5:37 PM

AstraZeneca vaccine set to become first to get approval in India: Report

India’s drug regulator is set to approve on Friday a coronavirus vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University for emergency use, three sources with knowledge of the matter said.

 

The decision would pave the way for the vaccine’s rollout in the world’s second-most populous country which, after the United States, has the highest number of COVID-19 infections in the world.

 

Britain and Argentina have already authorised the vaccine for urgent public use. India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), whose experts were meeting for the second time this week, could also approve a vaccine locally developed by Bharat Biotech, two of the sources said on condition of anonymity. READ MORE...

5:07 PM

India's Covid-19 active caseload drops to 2.54 lakh, lowest after 179 days

India's total active COVID-19 caseload significantly dropped to 2,54,254 which is the lowest after 179 days, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). The total active cases were 2,53,287 on July 6, 2020.

 

In the last 24 hours, 23,181 recoveries were registered against 20,035 new cases. The Health Ministry observed that the recoveries outnumber daily new cases from the last 35 days.

 

As per the MoHFW data, the total recovered cases are nearing 99 lakh with a recovery rate of 96.08 per cent. Around 78 per cent of the new recovered cases are concentrated in 10 states/Union Territories. Kerala has reported the maximum number of single day recoveries with 5,376 newly recovered cases, while 3,612 people recovered in Maharashtra followed by 1,537 in West Bengal.

5:01 PM

Expert panel set to recommend approving Oxford Covid-19 vaccine Covishield for emergency use in India

4:59 PM

Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Delhi account for 63% of total deaths

4:31 PM

AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine set to become first one approved in India: Reuters

India’s drug regulator is set to approve on Friday a coronavirus vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University for emergency use, Reuters reported. The decision would pave the way for the vaccine’s rollout in the world’s second-most populous country which, after the United States, has the highest number of COVID-19 infections in the world.

 

Britain and Argentina have already authorised the vaccine for urgent public use. India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), whose experts were meeting for the second time this week, could also approve a vaccine locally developed by Bharat Biotech, two of the sources said on condition of anonymity.

 

“Both AstraZeneca and Bharat Biotech will get approval today,” said one of the sources. “All preparations are on with today’s date in mind.”

 

The other sources were less certain about Bharat Biotech’s prospects.

4:19 PM

Harsh Vardhan reviews preparations ahead of dry-run for coronavirus vaccine in Delhi

Ahead of the dry-run for COVID-19 vaccine in the national capital, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Friday held a review meeting with the Delhi government officials for the preparations of the mock drill, which is scheduled for January 2. The minister was speaking to the Delhi government officials via video-conference. He said the procedure of the vaccination drive is similar to the election preparations.

 

"The procedure of the vaccination drive is the same as the election. In any election, we train people at the booth the same way. We need more manpower so we have to train the people here who can look after the proposed beneficiaries," Vardhan said. "Over 2,000 master trainers at the national level have been trained. Training at state and district level is underway in over 700 districts," the minister added.

 

Regarding the target of the vaccination drive, Vardhan said, in this mock drill every detail will be covered.

 

"Aim of this exercise is to ensure that the minute details are thoroughly researched. Cold storage, temperature, electricity and arrangement of the injections, staff and the challenges, which will come forward during the drive will be studied in the drill," he said.

4:09 PM

Dry run of Covid-19 vaccination at six centres in Lucknow tomorrow

3:37 PM

Key meeting on vaccine approval underway, Bharat Biotech to begin presentation shortly

Serum Institute of India has concluded its presentation before the 10-member Subject Expert Committee of the Drug Regulator for the approval of its coronavirus vaccine. Bharat Biotech will commence presentation of its data shortly, an official source said on Friday.

 

"Serum Institute of India has concluded its presentation. Bharat Biotech will start presenting its data shortly," the source told IANS.

 

A key meeting of the Subject Expert Committee of the Central Drug Standard Control Organization is currently underway to take a call on the emergency use authorisation sought by Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech for their coronavirus vaccines candidates. The panel is likely to take call on the approval today.The Subject Expert Committee had, on Wednesday deliberated and analysed the additional data and information submitted by both the firms. Once the vaccines are cleared by the committee, the application will be sent to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) V.G. Somani for approval.

 

Serum Institute of India has partnered with Oxford-AstraZeneca for conducting clinical trials and manufacturing 'Covishield', while Bharat Biotech has collaborated with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to make 'Covaxin'.

3:03 PM

Bharatiya Janata Party President J P Nadda recovers from Covid-19

2:45 PM

Saudi Arabia receives over half a million doses of Covax

More than half a million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine have arrived in the Kingdom. The authorities are likely to announce the arrival of a second vaccine during the coming few days and preparations are underway for giving the new vaccine jabs to the people, Al-Arabiya channel reported quoting the well-informed sources.

 

The vaccination of the first category of beneficiaries will be completed during this week and then the second phase will begin early next week, according to the sources. It is expected that the number of beneficiaries of the vaccine will reach about 50,000 daily upon full operation of the clinics designated to provide the vaccine, the Saudi Gazette reported.

 

Minister of Health Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah said earlier that coronavirus vaccines are expected to reach all regions of the Kingdom within the coming three weeks. The vaccination campaign in Saudi Arabia was launched on December 17, with Minister Al-Rabiah receiving the first dose in Riyadh. A senior ministry official stated that the number of registered people to receive the vaccine may exceed one million within a couple of days and that the second dose of vaccination will be administered during a period of one week to 10 days after receiving the first dose.

2:16 PM

Covid-19 vaccine dry run to be conducted tomorrow in four districts of Maharashtra

As the country awaits a Coronavirus vaccine, the Maharashtra Health Department will conduct a dry run tomorrow in four districts of the state to ensure effective preparedness for its rollout. The districts of Pune, Nagpur, Jalna, and Nandurbar have been selected for the dry run, state Health Minister Rajesh Tope informed after a meeting with senior health officials.

 

All four districts will have three vaccination centers, with each having 25 people for vaccination.

 

"Vaccines will not be administered to anyone but all operation preparedness will be tested by this dry run, including manpower management at the centers, protocol following, unhindered power and internet supply, etc," Tope said. He further informed that each center will have a waiting room, a vaccination room, and an observation room.