New Delhi: The Union health ministry has accepted the recommendations of the expert group on COVID-19 vaccination, suggesting that those infected with the virus defer their vaccination for three months after recovery.
If infected with the virus after taking the first dose, the second dose has to be deferred by three months after clinical recovery from the infection, according to the recommendation made by the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC).
India saw record 4,529 fatalities due to coronavirus in a single day pushing the COVID-19 death count to 2,83,248, while 2,67,334 fresh infections were recorded taking the total tally of cases to 2,54,96,330, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday.
The active cases have further reduced to 32,26,719 comprising 12.66 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has improved to 86.23 per cent, the data updated at 8 am showed.
The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 2,19,86,363 while the case fatality rate has increased to 1.11 per cent, the data stated.
India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16. It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19.India crossed the grim milestone of 2 crore on May 4.
Meanwhile, Mumbai's daily coronavirus case figure has dropped below the 1,000-mark after over 10 weeks. The Maharashtra capital, which had been ravaged by the dangerous second wave of Covid infections in April, on Tuesday logged just 953 cases, lowest since March 2. However, testing has sharply declined compared to the April levels.
The city on Tuesday reported 44 deaths in a day. The positivity rate in Mumbai was 5.31 per cent - way lower than the April figures. Its recovery rate has also improved to 93 per cent; the doubling rate rests at 255 days.
Mumbai had reported 849 cases on March 2. The next few weeks, however, were extremely challenging as it was hit by an unprecedented surge, which took the city's health infrastructure to the verge of collapse.
Here are the Live Updates on India Coronavirus (Covid-19 Cases) Cases:
May 20, 2021 06:26 (IST)
Vaccination 3 Months After Covid Recovery, Says Government
Vaccination for coronavirus can be taken three months after recovery, the Centre said today. The second dose of Covid vaccine should also be delayed by three months for anyone contracting the disease after the first dose. So far, there was no fixed gap for taking a vaccine in such situations. Individual physicians recommended a gap of two or four weeks depending on the condition of the patient.
A few days ago, Dr Randeep Guleria -- chief of Delhi's Al-India Institute of Medical Sciences and a member of the Centre's Covid task force -- had held a press conference where he suggested a gap of four weeks in such cases.
The fresh rules are part of the recommendations by NEGVAC -- the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 led by NITI Aayog member Dr VK Paul --- which have been accepted by the Union health ministry.
The new expert group has also recommended vaccination for lactating women.
The changes come less than a week after the government expanded the gap between two doses of Covishield vaccine from six to eight weeks to 12 to 16 weeks, saying it pushed up the efficacy of the vaccine.
May 20, 2021 04:28 (IST)
Covid Home Test Kit Gets Approval, Guidelines Out On Who Should Use
Rapid Antigen Kits to conduct Covid test at home got a green signal today and the Indian Council of Medical Research -- the nodal body in the fight against the virus -- issued detailed guidelines on who can use it and how.
The ICMR has made it clear that only symptomatic individuals and immediate contacts of people who tested positive in the laboratory should use the home test. "Indiscriminate testing is not advised," the top medical body said.
"All individuals who test positive may be considered as true positives and no repeat testing is required... All symptomatic individuals who test negative by RAT should get themselves immediately tested by RTPCR," the ICMR said.
May 19, 2021 23:35 (IST)
Late Dr KK Aggarwal's Foundation To Provide Free Online Covid Consultation
The foundation started by Dr K K Aggarwal announced on Wednesday it will run free online consultation services on COVID-19 for 12 hours everyday in keeping with the late cardiologist's spirit of "the show must go on". Dr Aggarwal, 62, died on Monday after a prolonged battle with COVID-19.
The announcement was made through Dr Aggarwal's Twitter handle: "Dr KK Aggarwal always believed that the show must go on, hence HCFI Dr KK Research Fund will carry on his legacy and continue to help those in need #onlineopd 10:00 am-10:00 pm, everyday!"
May 19, 2021 22:53 (IST)
Delhi HC Asks Centre, Delhi To Apprise On Shortage Of Black Fungus Drug
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed the Centre and the Delhi government to apprise them on the issue of shortage of medicine used for treating black fungus, a rare infection that's primarily affecting those recovering from COVID-19. "Tomorrow you tell us about your stock, your supply and how you are distributing it and what is the rationale behind it," said a bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Jasmeet Singh.
May 19, 2021 21:55 (IST)
West Bengal Records 19,006 Fresh COVID Cases, 157 Deaths
West Bengal reported 19,006 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday. However, the state also reported the highest (157) deaths in a single day. The current tally now stands at 11,90,867 cases and 13,733 deaths. Currently, there are 1,31,491 active cases in the state. The cumulative Test Positivity Rate stands at 10.23 per cent.
May 19, 2021 21:16 (IST)
Sikkim adds 266 more COVID-19 cases, 2 new fatalities
Sikkim recorded 266 more cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, pushing its total caseload to 11,955, according to a health bulletin. Two new deaths were also reported and the small Himalayan state's total death count now stands at 214. There are 3,092 active cases in the state. The total recoveries has gone up to 8,439 while 210 others have migrated out, according to the bulletin.
May 19, 2021 21:08 (IST)
Kerala Records 32,762 Fresh Cases Of COVID-19, 112 Deaths
Kerala recorded 32,762 fresh cases of COVID-19 and 112 more related deaths on Wednesday. Its total tally now stands at 22,03,413 cases and 6,724 deaths, according to the state government.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said 48,413 persons have been cured, adding which the total recoveries now stand at 18,94,518. He said 3,31,860 people are currently undergoing treatment for the infection.
Of the 1,40,545 samples tested in the last 24 hours, the Test Positivity Rate (TPR) was 23.3 per cent.
May 19, 2021 21:00 (IST)
Tripura Has Vaccinated 26% Of Its Population Against COVID-19, Says Minister
About 26 per cent of Tripura's population of around 40 lakh have been inoculated with either the first or both the doses of COVID-19, the state government said on Wednesday. While the state currently has 40,000 doses in stock, it is set to receive 66,000 more by the end of this month, according to senior minister Ratan Lal Nath.
"As of now, 9.6 lakh people, who form 26 per cent of the total population, have been administered the vaccine. Of them, 5.04 lakh have received the second dose," Mr Nath said, adding that 17,038 people in the 18-44 years age category have received the vaccines so far. He said 96 per cent of healthcare and frontline workers in the state have been inoculated.
May 19, 2021 19:54 (IST)
Meghalaya Records 872 Fresh COVID-19 Cases, 24 More Deaths
The COVID-19 tally of Meghalaya increased to 25,744 with the state recording 872 new cases on Wednesday, according to an official. The state also reported 24 fatalities that raised its death count to 379, said Health Services director Aman War. Since Tuesday, 411 patients have recovered from the disease, he said, adding that so far 19,596 people have recovered in the state. There are currently has 5,769 active cases in Meghalaya. The official said that altogether 5.98 lakh tests have been conducted in the state while 4.15 lakh have been inoculated with both the doses of Covishield vaccine.
May 19, 2021 18:17 (IST)
Telangana Invites Global Tenders For 10 Million Doses Of COVID-19 Vaccine
Telangana has invited global tenders for the procurement of 10 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine. The Telangana State Medical Services and Infrastructure Development Corporation (TSMSIDC) said in a tender document on Tuesday that the goods to be supplied must be as per the guidelines issued by the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR).
TSMSIDC said it requires at least 15 lakh (1.5 million) to 20 lakh (2 million) doses of the vaccine to be supplied every month. The date for the submission of tender documents is June 4.
