Coronavirus LIVE: Delhi records 3,797 fresh cases, 99 deaths in 24 hours
Coronavirus update: Maharashtra has 1,747,242 coronavirus cases, Karnataka 861,647, Andhra Pradesh 854,011, Tamil Nadu 758,000 and Kerala 525,580. Stay tuned for coronavirus India LIVE updates
US' New Mexico re-imposes 'most heightened' Covid-19 restrictions: Governor
The US state of New Mexico has re-imposed the strictest public health restrictions in response to the novel coronavirus outbreak, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said in a statement on Monday. "Beginning Monday, for two weeks, New Mexico will re-enact the most heightened level of statewide public health restrictions," Grisham said.
The governor said she has instructed New Mexico residents to shelter in place with the exception of going out only on "essential" trips and avoid contacts outside their immediate household. Grisham said those businesses that have been deemed by the authorities to be essential may operate at limited occupancy, while other entities must fully stop in-person activities.
WHO confirms 65 Covid cases among headquarters staff since start of pandemic
The World Health Organisation on Monday (local time) revealed that 65 members of staff have tested positive for coronavirus since the beginning of the pandemic. "Since the start of the pandemic, a total of 65 WHO staff stationed in Geneva-- working from home and onsite-- have tested positive for Covid-19. We have not yet established whether any transmission has occurred on campus, but are looking into the matter," WHO tweeted.
In the following tweet, it said, "WHO staff who were confirmed positive with Covid-19 in Geneva have received the necessary medical attention. WHO carried out full contact tracing and related protocols. Enhanced cleaning protocols were implemented in relevant offices." "Out of the 65 recorded Covid-19 cases among WHO HQ staff to date, 49 have occurred in the last eight weeks, in line with the epidemiological situation in Geneva and surrounding areas," WHO added.
Mumbai, Delhi Covid testing strategies differ, say civic officials
Despite Mumbai and Delhi having almost the same positivity rate, civic officials here on Monday said the city does not require to increase its daily number of Covid-19 tests like in the national capital, which is witnessing a fresh wave of the infection. Testing strategies between the two cities also differ, the officials said, pointing out that while Delhi has adopted random testing methods, Mumbai is focusing on those showing symptoms or ones who are suspected to have come in contact with Covid-19 patients.
They said currently Mumbai is logging less than 1,000 cases daily, while Delhi is witnessing a third wave with over 6,000-7,000 coronavirus cases on single days.
Probably, this is because Mumbai followed a more cautious unlock strategy, wherein its lifeline - suburban trains - continues to be off-bounds for a majority of commuters more than eight months on as against Delhi's "liberal" attitude towards easing of curbs, said the officials of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
Bihar's Covid-19 tally reaches 227,000, toll rises to 1189
Bihars Covid-19 tally rose to 227,000 on Monday with 517 fresh cases reported in the past 24 hours, while the recoveries surged to 220,461 pushing the states recovery rate to 96.93 per cent, a health department bulletin said on Monday.
The toll in the contagion reached 1189 with five fresh deaths being reported during the period in the state, the bulletin said. The states recovery rate has increased to 96.93 per cent, marginally up from 96.89 per cent which was reported on Sunday, it said.
The national recovery rate is at present 93.27 per cent.
UK PM lauds British Hindu, Sikh, Jain communities for helping people during Covid
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has lauded the contribution of British Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities in helping the people during the coronavirus pandemic and responding to the crisis with compassion, community spirit and a can-do attitude. Johnson said this in his message during a virtual Diwali prayer meet organised by NRI entrepreneur G P Hinduja and his family on Sunday.
"Congratulations to everyone on this fantastic "Virtual Diwali" festival. This brings the spirit of Diwali into peoples homes while helping the people to remain safe," Johnson said. It is not easy when the people want to get together with their family or visit their friends or share with them the Diwali fun and Samosa or Gulab Jamun, he said.
"I want you to know that your sacrifices and your determination to do the right thing really are helping to save lives... I have been blown away by the inspirational way in which Hindus, Sikhs and Jains have responded to this crisis with compassion, community spirit and a can-do attitude," Johnson said.
He said he has the confidence that "together we will overcome this virus as Diwali teaches us that light triumphs over darkness and good over evil, knowledge over ignorance."
Pak suspends political rallies to prevent spread of coronavirus
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday announced a temporary ban on political rallies and big gatherings to prevent the second wave of the coronavirus from wreaking havoc in the country but emphasised that businesses would not be closed. He urged the countrymen to follow coronavirus-related standard operating procedures (SOPs), warning that authorities have observed that infections in Pakistan have quadrupled over the past 10 days.
Khan's remarks came as he chaired the National Coordination Committee (NCC), Pakistan's top decision-making body on Covid-19. "So we have decided to cancel our political rallies and urge all others to stop political gathering, he said.
It was decided that marriage halls would be allowed to organise outdoor wedding events and limit the gatherings to 300 guests.
Chhattisgarh records 1,110 new cases, 26 deaths in 24 hours
With 1,110 new Covid-19 cases and 26 more deaths, Chhattisgarhs infection count rose to 2,11,644 and the toll to 2,604 on Monday, a health official said.
The number of people who have recovered increased to 1,90,463 after 140 people were discharged from hospitals, while 1,174 patients completed their home isolation during the day, he said. The state now has 18,577 active cases, the official said.
Delhi records 3,797 fresh Covid-19 cases, tally over 489,000
EU strikes deal with CureVac for up to 405 million Covid vaccine doses
The European Commission will authorise a deal with German biotech firm CureVac on Tuesday to secure up to 405 million doses of its potential Covid-19 vaccine, the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said.
"I am happy to announce a new agreement. Tomorrow will authorise a new contract to secure another Covid-19 vaccine for Europeans," she said, adding that the contract with the German firm follows EU funding to the company to develop its vaccine.
The Commission president also said she hoped to finalise a deal soon with Moderna for its Covid-19 vaccine. The deal with CureVac follows supply agreements the Commission has reached with AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Sanofi, and Pfizer for the supply of their potential vaccines.
EU seeks Moderna Covid vaccine deal at below $25 per dose: Report
The European Commission wants to reach a deal with Moderna for the supply of millions of doses of its Covid-19 vaccine candidate for a price below $25 per dose, an EU official involved in the talks said.
Moderna said on Monday its experimental vaccine was 94.5% effective in preventing Covid-19, based on interim data from a late-stage clinical trial. The EU has been in talks with Moderna for its experimental Covid-19 vaccine at least since July, an internal EU document seen by Reuters shows.
10 multi-disciplinary bodies to visit Delhi pvt hospitals, submit report in 2 days: MHA
The Centre has constituted 10 multi-disciplinary teams for visiting private hospitals treating COVID-19 patients in the national capital to check compliance with various directions issued by it and the Delhi government to contain the spread of the virus.
According to a Union Home Ministry order on Monday, the teams will start their visits immediately and will submit their reports within two days.
The multi-disciplinary teams are constituted to visit all private hospitals in National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi to check the status of compliance with various directions issued by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for testing and treating of COVID-19 patients and the Government of NCT of Delhi to contain the spread of the virus, the order said.
The multi-disciplinary teams were set up as per the decisions taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday in view of the recent spike in coronavirus cases in Delhi.
84 new coronavirus cases in Gautam Buddh Nagar; tally 20,424
Moderna's Covid vaccine 94.5% effective, edges over Pfizer on storage
Gujarat adds 926 fresh coronavirus cases; 1,040 recover
Coronavirus LIVE: Another Kolkata Police officer dies of Covid-19
Don't miss the most important news and views of the day. Get them on our Telegram channel
First Published: Nov 16 2020 | 6:38 AM IST