Coronavirus LIVE updates: India's active tally dips to 3.62% of total cases

Coronavirus live updates: At 1,872,440, Maharashtra has the highest number of coronavirus cases, followed by Karnataka 899,011, Andhra Pradesh 874,000, Tamil Nadu 796,475, and Kerala 658,683

11:01 PM

Chhattisgarh records 1,259 new coronavirus cases, 13 deaths

With 1,259 new Covid-19 cases and 13 deaths, Chhattisgarh's infection count rose to 2,57,020 and toll to 3,097 on Sunday, a health official said.

The state's recovery count increased to 2,34,853 after 86 patients got discharge from various hospitals, while 554 others completed their home isolation during the day.

The state now has 19,070 active cases, the official said.

Raipur district reported 209 new cases, taking its total count to 49,125, including 687 deaths.

Bilaspur recorded 125 new cases, Janjgir-Champa 106, Balod 101 and Rajnandgaon 83, among other districts, he said.

"Of the latest fatalities, eight took place on Sunday and five on Saturday," he added.

Chhattisgarh's coronavirus figures are as follows: Positive cases 2,57,020, new cases 1,259, death toll 3,097, recovered 2,34,853, active cases 19,070, people tested so far 29,88,863.

10:56 PM

33 new cases push Nagaland's Covid-19 tally to 11,709

At least 33 more people tested positive for Covid-19 in Nagaland on Sunday, pushing the tally in the state to 11,709, Health and Family Welfare Minister S Pangnyu Phom said.

Of the fresh cases, 27 were reported from Kohima and six from Dimapur.

Seven people from Kohima were cured of the disease during the day, taking the total number of recoveries to 10,883, the minister said in a tweet.

The recovery rate among coronavirus patients in the state has fallen to 91.94 per cent from 93.15 per cent recorded on Saturday, Health and Family Welfare Department director Dr Denis Hangsing said.

The death toll remained at 71 as no new fatality due to the infection was reported, he said, adding that seven Covid-19 patients have died due to comorbidities.

9:37 PM

990 fresh Covid-19 cases in Haryana, 7 more die

Haryana on Sunday reported seven deaths due to the novel coronavirus, taking the toll to 2,717, while 990 fresh cases pushed the state's infection tally to 2,52,392, according to a bulletin.

The new fatalities linked to Covid-19 included two each from Gurgaon and Hisar, the state health department said in its daily bulletin.

Among the districts which reported a big spike in Covid-19 cases included Gurgaon (275) and Faridabad (177).

Haryana has 9,875 active cases and a Covid-19 recovery rate of 95.01 per cent. A total of 2,39,800 people in the state have been discharged after recovering from the infection, the bulletin said.

9:00 PM

1,175 new coronavirus cases in Gujarat, over 1,300 recover, 11 die

Gujarat recorded 1,175 new coronavirus positive cases on Sunday, which increased its infection tally to 2,27,683. With the death of 11 patients, the fatality count in the state rose to 4,171, it said. A total of 1,347 patients were discharged during the day, pushing the number of recovered cases in the state to 2,10,214, the department said in the statement.

 

The number of active cases is 13,298, it said. As many as 55,989 tests were conducted throughout the state on Sunday. With this, the total count of samples tested so far went up to 86,69,576. Gujarat's COVID-19 figures are as follows: Positive cases 2,27,683, new cases 1,175, deaths 4,171, active cases 13,298 and people tested so far 86,69,576.

8:40 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: 1,196 new Covid-19 cases, five deaths in Karnataka

Karnataka added 1,196 new COVID-19 cases and five related fatalities, taking the infection count to 9.01 lakh and the death toll to 11,944, the health department said on Sunday. The day also saw 2,036 patients getting discharged after recovery and there were 17,409 active cases in the state. The state's cumulative COVID-19 tally stood at 9,01,410, including 11,944 deaths and 8,72,038 discharges, a Health department bulletin said.

 

A total of 17,149 patients were stable in isolation at designated hospitals while 260 remained in intensive care units.

 

As many as 672 fresh cases were from Bengaluru Urban district which also accounted for three of the five deaths. Dakshina Kannada and Mysuru reported the other fatalities. Most of the dead had a history of Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI). Chikkaballapura district reported 55 new cases, Mysuru 42, Ballari and Dakshina Kannada 36, Chitradurga 33, Kodagu 30, Raichur 29 followed by others.

8:12 PM

1,290 fresh Covid-19 cases, 14 more deaths recorded in a day in Rajasthan

Rajasthan recorded 14 more fatalities due to the novel coronavirus on Sunday taking the death toll in the state to 2,542, while 1,290 new cases pushed the infection tally in the state to 2.91 lakh. Of the 2,91,289 COVID-19 cases reported in Rajasthan till now, 16,629 are under treatment. As many as 2,72,118 people have been discharged after treatment, it stated.

 

In Jaipur, the death toll from the coronavirus infection is 474 till now, followed by 269 in Jodhpur, 208 in Ajmer, 164 in Bikaner, 157 in Kota, 116 in Bharatpur, 107 in Udaipur and 102 in Pali. On Sunday, Rajasthan recorded 1,290 new cases, including 295 in Jaipur, 105 in Jodhpur, 99 in Kota, 70 in Bhilwara, 65 in Udaipur, and 61 in Nagaur.

7:34 PM

Maharashtra reports 3,717 new Covid-19 cases and 70 deaths today

7:13 PM

Tamil Nadu records 1,195 new coronavirus cases; 12 fatalities

Tamil Nadu posted 1,195 fresh COVID-19 cases aggregating to 7.98 lakh infections in the state, while 12 more people succumbed to the virus pushing the toll to 11,895, the health department said on Sunday. As many as 1,276 people have got cured from the contagion totalling to 7.76 lakh so far, a bulletin said. Active cases on Sunday, in Tamil Nadu stood at 10,115.

 

Two districts, including the State capital and Coimbatore logged new cases in triple digits with Chennai adding 340, Coimbatore 115 while the remaining were spread across other districts. Chennai continued to top the list of cases with 2.19 lakh infections out of more than 7.98 lakh in the state. A total of 69,568 samples were tested on Sunday taking the cumulative to 1.29 crore specimens examined so far.

6:55 PM

Andhra Pradesh reports 506 coronavirus cases even as active infections fall below 5,000

Active coronavirus cases fell below the 5,000 mark to 4,966 in Andhra Pradesh on Sunday even as the state added 506 fresh positives, 613 recoveries and five deaths to its tally. The cumulative COVID-19 positives now climbed to 8.75 lakh, recoveries to 8,63,508 and deaths 7,057, according to the latest bulletin.

 

After 1.08 crore sample tests, at the rate of 2.02 lakh per million population, the overall infection positivity rate fell to 8 per cent.

 

In 24 hours ending 9 am on Sunday, Chittoor district reported 104, Guntur 69, West Godavari 66 and Krishna 59 fresh COVID-19 cases. The remaining nine districts added less than 50 new cases each. Apart from Krishna and Chittoor, Guntur, West Godavari and Vizianagaram districts reported one fresh coronavirus fatality each in 24 hours.

6:49 PM

LIVE: Germany to impose stricter lockdown to battle Covid-19

Germany will close most stores from Wednesday until at least Jan. 10, cutting short the busy Christmas shopping season, as it tightens coronavirus restrictions and tries to rein in the spread of the disease, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Sunday.

“I would have wished for lighter measures. But due to Christmas shopping the number of social contacts has risen considerably,” Merkel told journalists following a meeting with leaders of the country’s 16 federal states.

“There is an urgent need to take action,” she said.

 

6:35 PM

32 fresh coronavirus cases in UP's Muzaffarnagar, total caseload now 7,480

Thirty-two fresh coronavirus cases were reported in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar, taking the number of active cases to 484 on Sunday, officials said.

 

According to DM Selvakumari J, 959 samples were received of which 32 came out positive while 51 patients recovered. The number of people who have been discharged is now 6,900 in the district. The total number of cases stands at 7,480.

6:16 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: BJP President J P Nadda tests positive for Covid-19

BJP President J.P. Nadda on Sunday said that he has tested positive for coronavirus, and is isolating at home.

 

Nadda said that after displaying preliminary symptoms, he had got himself tested and the report came out positive. "My condition is okay and on doctor's advice, am in home isolation and following all directions."

 

He requested all those who were in contact with him to get themselves tested and take precautions.

6:09 PM

Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine likely to offer two-year protection: Developers

Russia's Sputnik V vaccine is likely to offer two-year-long protection against Covid-19, Alexander Gintsburg, the head of the vaccine's developer, Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, has claimed.

 

"So far, I can only make suggestions, because more experimental data is needed. Our vaccine was created on the platform also used for the Ebola vaccine," he was quoted as saying to the Soloviev Live channel on YouTube by TASS News Agency on Saturday. "Experimental data received at that point demonstrate that a similar vaccine would offer protection for two years, maybe more."

 

According to the Russian scientist, Sputnik V is effective in 96 per cent of cases. The remaining four percent of vaccinated persons will have a mild form of the disease with runny nose, cough and slight fever, but their lungs won't be affected. Registered by Russia on August 11, Sputnik V became the world's first coronavirus vaccine.

 

5:56 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: BJP President J P Nadda tests positive for Covid-19

5:51 PM

Pakistani actor Mahira Khan tests positive for coronavirus

Pakistani actor Mahira Khan on Sunday revealed that she has tested positive for the novel coronavirus and is isolating herself. The 'Raees' actor took to Instagram to post a statement in the regard.

 

"I have tested positive for COVID-19. I'm isolating and have also informed all those who were in close contact with me over the last few days," she wrote. The 35-year-old actor also urged everyone to wear masks and follow all other Covid protocols. "It's been rough but it will be ok soon, InshAllah. Please please wear a mask and follow all other sops - for your sake and others. Love, Mahira Khan," she said. "RS Prayers and movie recommendations are more than welcome," she added.

 

Several celebrities including Bollywood actor Mouni Roy poured "get well soon" wishes in the comment section of the post.

5:46 PM

BJP President J P Nadda tests positive for Covid-19

5:26 PM

1,441 fresh Covid-19 cases recorded in a day in Uttar Pradesh

Sixteen more people succumbed to COVID-19 in a day in Uttar Pradesh taking the death toll to 8,072 on Sunday, while 1,441 fresh cases pushed the infection tally to 5,65,556. A statement issued by the state government on Sunday said of the 16 fresh deaths, six were reported from the state capital Lucknow, while two were from Varanasi. Of the 1,441 fresh COVID-19 cases reported from the state, Lucknow topped the chart with 209 cases followed by Ghaziabad with 152 cases.

 

As many as 1,770 COVID-19 patients in the state have recovered from the disease in a day, taking the total number of people discharged so far in the state to 5,37,755. The number of active cases in the state stands at 19,729. Over 1.56 lakh samples were tested for detection of coronavirus infection in the state in a day taking the total number of tests conducted so far to more than 2.14 crore.

4:59 PM

West Bengal's 'Poush Mela' to be called off this year due to Covid-19 restrictions

The annual 'Poush Mela', a heritage cultural event attracting lakhs of travellers to West Bengal's Santiniketan, will not be held this year due to COVID-19 restrictions. The over-a-century-old handicraft, handloom, art and music festival, is usually held in December-end.

 

"We are not sure about getting the nod from the local administration in view of the COVID-19 situation. Most students, an integral part of Poush Mela, are not coming to the campus.

 

"Keeping all these factors in mind, we had to take this unpleasant decision for public health safety," a member of Visva-Bharati's executive council said.

 

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting of the executive council. Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore's father Maharshi Debendranath Tagore had first organised the fair in 1894 and Visva-Bharati, the university founded by the bard, started organising it from 1951.

4:46 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: Germany reports 20,200 new Covid-19 cases

Germany reported on Sunday 20,200 more COVID-19 cases over the past 24 hours, bringing the national tally to 1,320,716, according to data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI).

 

The country's new COVID-19 deaths in the same period totaled 321, taking nationwide death toll to 21,787, the data showed. To cope with surging COVID-19 infections, Germany's federal and state governments have decided to extend a partial lockdown until Dec. 20.

4:28 PM

Saliva-based smartphone platform built for rapid Covid-19 testing

Scientists have developed a portable saliva-based smartphone platform for rapid Covid-19 testing that they claim can provide results within 15 minutes without the resource-intensive laboratory tests. The new technique detailed in the journal Science Advances pairs a fluorescence microscope readout device with a smartphone to determine viral load from a CRISPR/Cas12a assay.

 

The new test works as effectively as the well-established quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction method, the experiments in a small number of participants showed.

 

"We believe this smartphone platform, a similar future application, offers the potential to rapidly expand Covid-19 screening capacity, and potentially simplify the verification of contact tracing, to improve local containment and inform regional disease control efforts," the authors wrote.

4:02 PM

LIVE: Increasing gap between India's recovered and active Covid-19 cases

3:57 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: Odisha reports 393 new Covid-19 cases, five deaths

A total of 393 new COVID-19 cases and five deaths have been reported from Odisha on Saturday, said the State Health Department on Sunday. The total count of cases in the state has increased to 3,23,757. It has 3,214 active cases. With 405 recoveries in the last 24 hours, the number of discharged patients has increased to 3,18,683. The death toll has gone up to 1,807.

 

Meanwhile, with 30,005 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, the total cases in India crossed the 98-lakh mark and reached 98,26,775, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's (MoHFW) data on Saturday.

3:22 PM

Covid-19 positive Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij shifted to Rohtak hospital

Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij, who had tested positive for coronavirus recently, has been shifted to the PGIMS hospital at Rohtak from the civil hospital here after he complained of discomfort, doctors here said on Sunday. Doctors said the minister was shifted on Saturday night. Ambala's Civil Surgeon Dr. Kuldeep Singh said a team of doctors at the Rohtak hospital was monitoring his condition.

 

Vij, who had last month got one shot of the two-dose trial of the COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin after he offered to be a volunteer, had on December 5 tested positive for the coronavirus.

 

The 67-year-old BJP leader had offered to be the first volunteer in the phase three trials for Covaxin, an indigenous potential vaccine being developed by Bharat Biotech against COVID-19. He was administered the dose on November 20 at the Civil Hospital in Ambala Cantonment, about 50 km from Chandigarh. Bharat Biotech had said that clinical trials of the vaccine are based on a two-dose schedule, given 28 days apart. The vaccine efficacy will be determined two weeks after the second dose, it said.

2:54 PM

India's active Covid-19 caseload falls to 3.62% of total cases: Health Ministry

Steadily following the trend set over the past few weeks, India's COVID-19 active caseload has fallen to 3.62 per cent of the total cases, the Union Health Ministry said on Sunday. The trend of registering more daily recoveries than the daily cases has led to a continuous contraction of India's active caseload, which presently stands at 3,56,546 as on date. While 30,254 persons were found to be COVID-19 positive in the country in a span of 24 hours, 33,136 new recoveries were registered during the same period. This has led to a net decline of 3,273 cases from the total active caseload in a day, the ministry said.

 

India reported one of the lowest cases per million population in the world (158) in the last seven days; much lower than many other countries of the Western Hemisphere, it underlined.

 

"The total recovered cases stand at 93,57,464 as on date. The gap between recoveries and active cases is steadily increasing and it has crossed 90 lakh (90,00,918) as on date," the ministry highlighted. It said 75.23 per cent of the new recovered cases are contributed by 10 states and union territories.

2:19 PM

Himachal Pradesh records 79 new Covid-19 cases; state tally 49,030

As many as 79 new coronavirus cases were reported in Himachal Pradesh on Sunday, taking the state's count to 49,030 total positive cases. According to the state health department's midday COVID-19 bulletin, there are 7,094 active cases and 41,094 cases have recovered. So far, 797 people have died to the virus.

 

With 30,254 new COVID-19 infections reported in the last 24 hours, India's total cases have risen to 98,57,029, said the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).

 

With 391 new deaths reported in the last 24 hours, the toll has mounted to 1,43,019.The total number of active cases is at 3,56,546 while the total discharged cases are at 93,57,464 with 33,136 new discharges in the last 24 hours.

1:52 PM

'Serious concerns' over Covid-19 re-infections in Pakistan

Pakistan health officials have raised "serious concerns" over the growing incidence of coronavirus re-infections at various health facilities across the country, the media reported on Sunday.

 

The first death from coronavirus re-infection in Pakistan was reported in October this year when a senior Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Rashid Rabbani, passed away after contracting the viral infection again after testing positive for the disease in May, Geo News reported.

 

Officials at renowned hospitals including the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) and the Indus Hospital Karachi are fully convinced that people are getting re-infected with the novel coronavirus and reporting to the hospitals with the severity of the disease for the second time.

1:23 PM

France reports 13,947 new Covid-19 cases

France recorded 13,947 new new confirmed coronavirus cases, bringing the nationwide tally to 2,405,255, according to Health Ministry. Besides the new cases on Saturday, the country also confirmed 194 new fatalities from the virus, taking the national death toll to 57,671, Xinhua news agency quoted the Ministry as saying.

Due to a night-time curfew and nationwide lockdown introduced in October, France's number of new infections decreased to around 10,000 per day from nearly 50,000 in late October, and pressure on hospitals has eased. The number of people with Covid-19 decreased 6 per cent last week, compared to a 31 per cent fall a week earlier, indicating "a high risk of the virus resurgence in the coming weeks", the country's Public Health Agency said in a report.

1:19 PM

Covid-19 complications include kidney, lung and cardiovascular issues, study reveals

According to new research, a larger study of patients in the USA has revealed that individuals who contracted Covid-19 suffered from several complications like kidney, lung, and cardiovascular issues due to the disease.

As per the research published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal), using de-identified outpatient and inpatient medical claims from a United States health database, researchers identified 70 288 patients who had a Covid-19-related health visit between March 1 and April 30, 2020.

More than half of all patients were admitted to the hospital, and approximately 5% were admitted to the intensive care unit. The median age was 65 years, and 55.8 percent were female. The authors looked at all possible diagnostic codes and identified those that increased in frequency after the onset of Covid-19.

12:56 PM

11 new Covid-19 cases push Mizoram's tally to 4,035

Eleven more people, including four security personnel, have tested positive for Covid-19 in Mizoram, pushing the tally to 4,035, an official said on Sunday. Of the 11 fresh cases, five were reported from Aizawl district, three from Serchhip, two from Lawngtlai and one case from Lunglei district, he said. Two army personnel, who have returned to Mizoram on vacation and two Border Security Force (BSF) jawans were among the newly infected people, he said.

Only one patient has developed symptoms of Covid-19, while the rest 10 patients were asymptomatic, he said. The state now has 192 active cases, while 3,836 people have recovered from the virus.  The Covid-19 recovery rate in Mizoram is 95 per cent and the infection rate is 2.46 per cent. Mizoram has reported seven Covid-19 deaths so far and all the victims were from Aizawl district. The state has tested 1,64,236 samples for Covid-19 till date, including 1,034 on Saturday.

12:51 PM

Puducherry reported 49 new Covid-19 cases, 57 discharges today