Coronavirus: Kerala leads the states in the most number of infections over a 24-hour period. (File)
India today added 42,766 new Covid cases in the last 24 hours, slightly lower than yesterday's 43,393 cases. Kerala leads the states with most number of cases in a day.
The daily positivity rate - the number of positive cases identified per 100 - is 2.19 per cent, less than 3 per cent for 19 straight days. The recovery rate stands at 97.20 per cent.
Kerala leads the states in the most number of infections over a 24-hour period. It is followed by Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka.
The centre has warned against laxity in following Covid-appropriate behaviour, with particular reference to disquieting visuals from the past few days of large crowds at popular holiday and tourist destinations. The Health Ministry has described the situation as a "cause for concern", and reminded people the virus spreads aggressively in crowded places.
Here are the highlights on coronavirus cases:
Assam logs 2,391 new COVID-19 cases, 24 more fatalities
Assam on Saturday reported 24 more COVID-19 deaths, which took the number of deaths to 4,812, according to a bulletin issued by the National Health Mission.
The coronavirus caseload in the northeastern state mounted 5,32,084 as 2,391 more people tested positive for the infection, it said.
Assam now has 21,202 active cases. At least 2,854 people were cured of the disease during the day, taking the total number of recoveries to 5,04,723, it said.
Nagaland reports 111 new COVID-19 cases, tally at 25,898
Nagaland's COVID-19 tally rose to 25,898 on Saturday as 111 more people tested positive for the infection, a health bulletin said.
The deaths remained at 507 as no new fatality due to the infection was reported in the last 24 hours, it said.
Kohima district registered the highest number of new cases at 51, followed by Dimapur (19) and Tuensang (10), the bulletin said. The state now has 973 active cases, while, 23,698 people have recovered from the disease and 720 patients have migrated to other states.
The recovery rate among coronavirus patients has improved to 91.51 per cent, it said.
COVID-19: Manipur records 788 new cases, 7 deaths
Manipur reported 788 new cases of COVID-19 taking the total number of positive cases to 76,820, said the state government on Saturday.
According to the state government, a total of 68,654 people have been recovered so far with 483 recoveries reported in last 24 hours.
However, seven people succumbed to the coronavirus taking the death count to 1,258. The active cases stand at 6,908 with recovery rate at 89.36 per cent in the state.
COVID-19: Daily infections in Tamil Nadu drop below 3,000
Tamil Nadu on Saturday reported 2,913 new COVID-19 cases, which include those of five returnees from other States, the Health Department said.
This pushed the total infected so far to 25,16,011, the department said.
Forty-nine deaths today took the toll to 33,371 till date, the department said.
As many as 3,321 people got discharged during the day aggregating to 24,49,873 leaving 32,767 active infections, according to a bulletin.
COVID-19: Maharashtra reports 8,296 new cases, 179 deathsMaharashtra on Saturday reported 8,296 fresh coronavirus positive cases and 179 fatalities while 6,026 patients recovered, the state health department said.
With the new additions, the COVID-19 tally in Maharashtra climbed to 61,49,264 and the death count to 1,25,528.
Of the 179 fatalities, 143 occurred in last 48 hours while 36 in the last week. Additionally, 315 deaths have been added to the cumulative toll report of Maharashtra, which means the overall fatality count has gone up by 494 compared to Friday, the health department said in a report.
A health official said 6,026 patients were discharged from hospitals in the last 24 hours, taking the number of recoveries so far in Maharashtra to 59,06,466, leaving the state with 1,14,000 active cases.
India Raises Mutual Recognition Of CoWIN Vaccine Certificate With ItalyAt the 21st session of the Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation (JCEC) with Italy, India raised several issues including the mutual recognition of CoWIN vaccine certificate and opening up of travel restrictions, the commerce ministry informed on Saturday, reported ANI.
A total of 15 countries in the European Union (EU) have now recognized the Covishield vaccine produced by the Serum Institute of India (SII) and developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University for travellers. Belgium is the latest EU nation to recognise the Covishield.
Helpline For Healthcare Workers Facing Mental Health Issues LaunchedA number of associations of doctors and psychiatrists from around the world have joined hands to launch a dedicated helpline for healthcare workers to address stress, depression and other psychological issues faced by them during the COVID-19 pandemic, reported PTI.
In an official statement issued on Saturday, the Global Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (GAPIO), one of the primary partners behind the initiative, said the move was particularly important as the second wave of the pandemic in the country has affected doctors, nurses and others in the sector in a big way.
This has led to significant challenges, with medical, nursing and allied healthcare workers experiencing stress, depression and distress while discharging their duties towards patient care, the GAPIO said in the statement.
Decision On Emergency Use Listing Of Covaxin Likely In 4-6 Weeks: WHOThe World Health Organization (WHO) is likely to take a decision on including Bharat Biotech's COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin in the emergency use list (EUL) within four to six weeks, Soumya Swaminathan, the global health body's chief scientist has said.
Speaking at a webinar organised by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) on Friday, Ms Swaminathan said the WHO is reviewing Covaxin as its manufacturer Bharat Biotech is now uploading its entire data on the health body's portal.
According to WHO guidelines, EUL is a procedure to streamline the process by which new or unlicensed products can be used during public health emergencies.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: EU hits goal of delivering vaccines for 70% of adults
The European Union has hit its target of delivering enough coronavirus vaccine to cover 70 percent of the adult population, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Saturday.
The 27 EU member state governments are responsible for administering the vaccines to citizens -- and some are working much faster than others -- but von der Leyen stressed that: "The EU has kept its word."
The EU joint vaccine purchasing scheme, run by von der Leyen's European Commission, has delivered 330 million BioNTech-Pfizer shots, 100 million AstraZeneca, 50 million from Moderna and 20 million Johnson & Johnson, AFP reported.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: South Korea Hits Third Straight Record High In Covid CasesSouth Korea reported 1,378 new coronavirus cases Saturday, a record high for the third day in a row as the country prepared to impose its highest-level curbs in the greater capital area next week.
The country had previously been held up as a model of how to combat the pandemic, with the public largely following social distancing and other rules, but it was slow to start its vaccine roll-out due to supply shortages, AFP reported.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Maharashtra's Raigad records 484 fresh COVID-19 cases
With the addition of 484 new cases of COVID-19, the tally of infections in Maharashtra's Raigad district has reached 1,52,465, an official said on Saturday. Apart from the latest cases recorded on Friday, the district has reported 110 casualties in the period of one week, which has raised the death count to 3,742, PTI reported.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Over 1.73 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses still with states, private hospitals, says Centre
More than 1.73 crore balance and unutilised COVID-19 vaccine doses are still available with the states, union territories and private hospitals to be administered, the Union Health Ministry said on Saturday.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Over 38.54 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses provided to States, UTs
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Saturday informed that more than 38.54 crore vaccine doses have been provided to States, UTs.
"More than 38.54 crore (38,54,01,150) vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far, through all sources. Of this, the total consumption including wastages is 36,80,68,124 doses (as per data available at 8 AM today)", read the official release by the ministry.
More than 1.73 crore (1,73,33,026) balance and unutilized COVID vaccine doses are still available with the States, UTs and private hospitals to be administered, ANI reported.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Vending machine that dispenses masks for Rs 2 set-up in Karnataka's Hubli
As part of efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19, the Hubli Dharwad Municipal Corporation here with the help of an NGO has installed mask vending machines to provide masks to people at very nominal rates in public places, mainly markets, bus terminals corporation premises and the KIMS Hospital.
The state government has made it mandatory to wear masks owing to the pandemic, ANI reported.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Tripura imposes weekend curfew with restrictions
To curb the spread of COVID-19, the Tripura government on Saturday imposed a weekend curfew that comes into effect from today, ANI reported.
While addressing a press conference yesterday, Revenue Secretary Tanushree Deb Barma said, "A weekend curfew will be imposed in Tripura starting from Saturday 12 noon to Monday 6 am with various restrictions."
As per the Union Health Ministry, Tripura reported 4175 active COVID-19 cases, 472 discharges and six deaths yesterday.
"Covid Not Over": Himachal Chief Minister Urges Tourists To Follow Norms
As a major influx of tourists are moving to hills in search of some much-needed respite, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur on Friday appealed to tourists to follow COVID-19 norms.
Speaking to ANI, Jairam Thakur said, "We are concerned about the number of tourists coming to the state. Tourists are welcome here but I appeal to them to follow COVID-19 norms."
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Odisha Chief Minister grants Rs 352 crore special Covid assistance for 32 lakh MGNREGA workers
As part of the Odisha government's special COVID-19 package of Rs 1,690 crore for the poor, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Friday disbursed Rs 352 crore to 32 lakh workers engaged under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in the state from April to June.
Each worker was given an extra amount of Rs 50 per day along with his or her wages, given under the MGNREGA, as a result of which an additional amount of up to Rs 4,500 for three months was paid.
Addressing the function through video conferencing Mr Patnaik said, "There is always a special place in my heart for the poor and working for their welfare gives me satisfaction, I hope this financial assistance will help the workers."
Basis for international travel should be Covid testing: S Jaishankar in Russia
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that people who are tested for Covid before and after international travel is a good enough basis but some countries have now introduced the issue of vaccination, stressing on the need to reach some understanding.
Mr Jaishankar, addressing a joint press interaction following a meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, said that he believes that the basis for travel should be testing.