3 years ago
New Delhi:
In a landmark achievement, India's cumulative COVID-19 vaccination coverage crossed 100 crore doses on Thursday. A total of 100 crore vaccine doses have been administered so far to eligible beneficiaries, as per the Cowin portal at 9:47 am today.
India's COVID-19 vaccination drive was launched on January 16, 2021. Initially, the vaccination was opened for Health Care Workers (HCWs) only. From February 2, front-line workers were made eligible for vaccination. These included State and Central Police personnel, Armed Force Personnel, Home Guards, Civil Defence & Disaster Management Volunteers, Municipal workers, Prison Staff, PRI Staff and Revenue workers involved in containment and surveillance, Railway Protection Force and election Staff.
The vaccination drive was expanded from March 1 to include persons above 60 years of age and those above 45 years with associated specified 20 comorbidities. It was further expanded to all people above 45 years of age from April 1. From May 1 all persons above 18 years of age were made eligible for COVID-19 vaccination.
Here are the LIVE updates on coronavirus (COVID-19) cases:
Oct 22, 2021 01:58 (IST)
Oct 22, 2021 01:18 (IST)
Thailand To Allow Quarantine-Free Travel From 46 Countries, Says PM
Thailand will allow vaccinated visitors from 46 countries forgo COVID-19 quarantine from next month, up from 10 previously announced, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said on Thursday, according to Reuters. The country is poised to introduce new quarantine-free travel arrangements on November 1 as it seeks to revive its vital tourism industry.
The 46 countries include Britain, the US, China, Singapore, Germany and Australia, according to the ministry of foreign affairs. Thailand will reopen the capital Bangkok and other key tourist destinations, including Hua Hin and Pattaya, where curfews will be lifted at the end of the month, according to the Royal Gazette released late on Thursday.
Oct 22, 2021 01:02 (IST)
COVID-19 India News: West Bengal Adds 833 New Cases, 14 More Deaths
West Bengal's Covid tally increased to 15,83,646 on Thursday after 833 more people tested positive for the infection as a Kolkata Municipal Corporation official attributed the spike to lack of safety protocols followed by people during Durga puja festivities last week, reported news agency PTI.
Fourteen new fatalities pushed the death count to 19,021, a Health Department bulletin said.
Atin Ghosh, KMC board member in-charge of Health, told reporters that the spike, though anticipated, was caused by a large section of people moving around for puja shopping and pandal hopping without wearing masks and overcrowding at certain spots.
"The figures are not that alarming though Covid cases are on steady rise. Many cases are asymptomatic and we have to watch out till next week," Mr Ghosh explained.
Meanwhile, Kolkata recorded the highest number of new cases at 232, followed by North 24 Parganas at 143, the bulletin said.
Oct 21, 2021 23:32 (IST)
Rajasthan govt did not promote COVID-19 vaccines: BJP MP Rajyavardhan Rathore
BJP national spokesperson and Jaipur Rural MP Rajyavardhan Rathore on Thursday alleged that the Congress government in Rajasthan has not promoted coronavirus vaccination in the state and has instead politicised the inoculation drive.
He claimed that there was discrimination in the vaccination campaign in the state due to which people had to wait in long lines to get their jabs.
Oct 21, 2021 23:01 (IST)
Russia has reported "isolated cases" of COVID-19 with a subvariant of the Delta variant that is believed to be even more contagious, the state consumer watchdog's senior researcher said on Thursday.
Oct 21, 2021 22:10 (IST)
Wishes pour in from WHO, Bhutan and Sri Lanka
Wishes poured in for India from the World Health Organisation and the leadership of Israel, the US and Sri Lanka, after it scripted history on Thursday with the cumulative COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country surpassing the 100-crore milestone.
Wishes poured in for India from the World Health Organisation and the leadership of Israel, the US and Sri Lanka, after it scripted history on Thursday with the cumulative COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country surpassing the 100-crore milestone.
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Oct 21, 2021 20:58 (IST)
Parimahal in Srinagar illuminated to mark 100 crore Covid vaccination feat
Parimahal, a historical garden in the Zabarwan Hills here, was one of the 100 monuments illuminated on Thursday across the country to mark India crossing the 100 crore vaccine doses mark.
The Parimahal or Palace of fairies, over looking the famous Dal Lake, was illuminated in the colours of the national flag this evening, officials said.
Oct 21, 2021 20:06 (IST)
Over 6.10 crore Covid vaccine doses administered in Rajasthan
More than 6.10 crore coronavirus vaccine doses have been administered in Rajasthan, the state's Health Minister Raghu Sharma said on Thursday.
He said that the state has so far administered 4.21 crore first doses and 1.89 crore second doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
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Oct 21, 2021 19:08 (IST)
"Big achievement": Piyush Goyal on India achieving 100-crore Covid vaccinations
Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal today hailed India achieving the landmark of 100-crore Covid vaccinations.
Mr Goyal also said that India would soon be able to inoculate all its citizens with the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
"Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, touching 100-crore COVID vaccination is a big achievement. It is clear that India would soon vaccinate all its citizens with the first dose of vaccine. There are sufficient vaccine stocks available for the second dose," Goyal told ANI.
Oct 21, 2021 18:45 (IST)
Kerala records 8,733 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday
Kerala reported 8,733 new Covid case on Thursday, a day after the daily infections in the state had cross the 10,000-mark. The caseload in Kerala currently stands at 48,79,317.
Kerala reported 8,733 new Covid case on Thursday, a day after the daily infections in the state had cross the 10,000-mark. The caseload in Kerala currently stands at 48,79,317.
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Oct 21, 2021 18:30 (IST)
The United States Embassy in New Delhi on Thursday congratulated India on administering 1 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
Oct 21, 2021 17:53 (IST)
Pfizer's booster shot 95.6 percent effective against Covid
A third dose of the vaccine against COVID-19 developed by Pfizer/BioNTech is 95.6 percent effective against symptomatic infection, according to a study by the makers published on Thursday.
A third dose of the vaccine against COVID-19 developed by Pfizer/BioNTech is 95.6 percent effective against symptomatic infection, according to a study by the makers published on Thursday.
The clinical phase three trial with "10,000 participants 16 years of age and older" showed "a relative vaccine efficacy of 95.6 percent against disease during a period when Delta was the prevalent strain", the companies said in a statement.
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Oct 21, 2021 17:31 (IST)
Delhi records 22 coronavirus cases, zero deaths on Thursday
Delhi recorded 22 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, while there was zero deaths due to the infection.
The cumulative COVID-19 cases now stand at 14,39,488 and the death toll remains at 25,089.
Oct 21, 2021 17:16 (IST)
BJP's Dilip Ghosh hails inoculation feat, slams Bengal government for ''haphazard'' drive
Hailing the Narendra Modi government over its 100 crore COVID-19 vaccination feat, BJP national vice-president Dilip Ghosh on Thursday said the performance of the West Bengal government, however, has been a "disappointing" one on this front.
Ghosh claimed that there was little coordination and planning among officials carrying out the vaccination drive in Bengal, "making it difficult for the poor to get free jabs, unlike other states".
Oct 21, 2021 16:48 (IST)
Adar Poonawalla, chief of the Serum Institute of India which manufactures the Covishield vaccine, today admitted to stress and anxiety in the initial days of the vaccination drive. The second wave, he added, was worse.
Oct 21, 2021 16:27 (IST)
New antibody treatment could offer up to 18 months' protection against severe Covid
A new treatment could soon help protect people from developing severe COVID. AstraZeneca has just released results from a phase 3 clinical trial - the final stage of testing before a drug is authorised - that suggest its new COVID treatment, AZD7442, is effective at reducing severe disease or death in non-hospitalised COVID patients.
The treatment contains antibodies, which are usually produced naturally in response to a COVID infection or vaccination. They work by recognising specific parts of SARS-CoV-2 - the virus that causes COVID - and either attack these directly or bind to them to stop the virus from working and flag it for destruction by other parts of the immune system.
After they''ve done their job of clearing the virus, the antibodies remain in the body for a period of time, making up part of our immunological memory. If what they target is encountered again, they can leap into action.
Oct 21, 2021 16:15 (IST)
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya today launched a song and audio-visual film to celebrate India's milestone of achieving the 100 crore COVID-19 vaccination mark.
Oct 21, 2021 16:08 (IST)
Union Health Minister launches song, film as India achieves 1 billion jabs feat
As the cumulative vaccine doses administered in India surpassed the 100-crore mark, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday launched a song and a film describing the efforts that went behind the launch of the world's largest Covid inoculation programme.
The Union Health minister launched the song and the film at the iconic Red Fort where the country's largest khadi tricolour, weighing around 1,400 kg, has been displayed.
As the cumulative vaccine doses administered in India surpassed the 100-crore mark, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday launched a song and a film describing the efforts that went behind the launch of the world's largest Covid inoculation programme.
The Union Health minister launched the song and the film at the iconic Red Fort where the country's largest khadi tricolour, weighing around 1,400 kg, has been displayed.
Oct 21, 2021 15:52 (IST)
Shashi Tharoor credits government for Covid vaccine milestone
Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Thursday said credit should be given to the government for achieving the 100-crore COVID vaccine dose landmark in the country, drawing a sharp response from party colleague Pawan Khera, who asserted that giving credit is an "insult" to millions of families that "suffered due to the mismanagement" of the pandemic.
Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Thursday said credit should be given to the government for achieving the 100-crore COVID vaccine dose landmark in the country, drawing a sharp response from party colleague Pawan Khera, who asserted that giving credit is an "insult" to millions of families that "suffered due to the mismanagement" of the pandemic.
Oct 21, 2021 15:41 (IST)
Proud to have contributed to vaccine milestone: Bharat Biotech
As India crossed 100 crore COVID-19 vaccination, Bharat Biotech's Chairman and Managing Director Dr Krishna Ella said that the firm is proud to have contributed to this "historic landmark".
Terming the achievement as a "true success story of Atmanirbharta", he said that it was a unified effort of the government, vaccine manufacturers, healthcare workers and the citizens.
"Bharat Biotech is proud to have contributed to this historic landmark. This is a unified effort of the government, vaccine manufacturers, healthcare workers and all the vaccinated citizens, making it a true success story of Atmanirbharta," Dr Ella said in an official statement today.
Oct 21, 2021 15:32 (IST)
Achieving over 100 crore Covid vaccination "historic and proud moment": Amit Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah congratulated the nation for vaccinating over 100 crore people with the Covid-19 vaccine doses, describing it as a "historic and proud moment".
The Union Minister, in a series of tweets, said it is a "historic and proud moment today" as India through the visionary leadership and constant encouragement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has "set a record by achieving the target of more than 100 crore Covid-19 vaccinations, which has re-acquainted the whole world with the immense capabilities of New India".
Oct 21, 2021 15:19 (IST)
Oct 21, 2021 15:16 (IST)
Congratulations for achieving 100 crore vaccination mark: Union Minister Anurag Thakur
Union Minister Anurag Thakur said, "I congratulate everyone for achieving 100 crore vaccination mark. We achieved it despite an atmosphere of apprehensions."
Union Minister Anurag Thakur said, "I congratulate everyone for achieving 100 crore vaccination mark. We achieved it despite an atmosphere of apprehensions."
Oct 21, 2021 14:46 (IST)
An exhilarating time for me in the journey to India's 1 billion doses was when the entire team worked hard to ensure that supplies don't fall short. The way the team worked through the day and late into the night gave us all a push to deliver. A scary time was the 2nd wave hitting us and exports being stopped and an even greater rush to supply across the country with the kind of stress and pressure that the 2nd wave got and the panic it created was definitely a very scary time for everyone: Serum Institute Of India CEO Adar Poonawalla
Oct 21, 2021 14:45 (IST)
I can estimate that out of India's production capacity by January of about 360 million doses a month, even if we keep aside 100 million doses for booster shots in India for those in need of it, we will be looking at a healthy export of vaccine doses to fulfill our responsibility to humankind: Serum Institute Of India CEO Adar Poonawalla
Oct 21, 2021 14:44 (IST)
With SII producing about 220 million doses a month and with Bharat Biotech at about 100 million, and other Indian vaccine makers contributing significantly too - and I have no doubt they will - we should be looking at a 320-360 million doses a month - which will be adequate to vaccinate a larger percentage of the population, so you will see that 25% population figure rise fast. That being said, we will now even be able to resume exports. I am very happy to be committed to the supply of Covax for a global supply of the vaccine, Serum Institute Of India CEO Adar Poonawalla says.
Yes, India may look at a booster shot, but ethically and humanely, our outlook will be to vaccinate the world, especially Africa with both doses of the vaccine first. We can't have all of Africa with only 3% vaccinated while here we all start taking booster shots after 2 doses. That being said, of course we will have more than enough doses available for a booster shot for the elderly and those who need it. For the healthy and young population we can wait for a year or so before considering a booster dose and first ensure that the rest of humanity gets 2 doses. he adds.
Oct 21, 2021 14:42 (IST)
Oct 21, 2021 14:40 (IST)
100-crore Covid vaccination an achievement showing India's capability to attain any goal: Anurag Thakur
As India breached the 100-crore Covid-19 vaccination mark on Thursday, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur lauded this achievement noting that it shows the country's capability to attain any big goal.
"India has crossed the landmark of administering 100 crores Covid-19 vaccine doses, this is an achievement for the country. By doing so, India has shown that even the biggest of goals can be achieved," Thakur said.
The minister mentioned how Himachal Pradesh and Goa were the first states to consecutively inoculate the entire adult population with the first dose and how they were subsequently followed by other states.
Thakur said the 100 crore vaccination achievement was notable as it came at a time when many leaders in the Opposition were misleading the public and rumours were also being spread against Covid-19 vaccination.
Oct 21, 2021 14:20 (IST)
Even though 100 crore vaccine jabs is a big milestone, but we must keep telling people not to let their guard down and those eligible for it to take the vaccine. God forbid, if we should see a 3rd wave - though it will perhaps not be as severe as the 2nd wave because we have a far better medical infrastructure, increased facilities, much better emergency infrastructure now as well as a significantly larger population having taken the vaccine: Serum Institute Of India CEO Adar Poonawalla
Oct 21, 2021 14:17 (IST)
The entire news of me getting threats at one point is exaggerated. It was never the case that I had to leave the country... it just so happened that I was visiting the UK at the time. See, at that time there was a sense of urgency because of the looming threat and so everyone wanted the vaccine first, says Serum Institute Of India CEO Adar Poonawalla.
If we look at the production numbers rising at the pace at which it is currently, I don't want to make a prediction here, but I can say with a degree of certainty that a lot of remaining population which currently has taken the first dose will by the end of the year have taken both doses. So, this 25% of the total population figure will definitely rise at an increasing pace, he adds.
Oct 21, 2021 14:11 (IST)
It is also credit to PM Narendra Modi's leadership, because his challenge was population. No other world leader had such a huge population to deal with, coupled with the demographics and cultural differences that exists in India: Serum Institute Of India CEO Adar Poonawalla
Oct 21, 2021 14:09 (IST)
Very happy to see that the 1 billion vaccine jabs promise by the end of the year has already been achieved. Also, very happy to say that our promise of delivering 100 million vaccine doses-a-month is now way over that mark. We are now in a position to deliver 220 million vaccine doses per month: Serum Institute Of India CEO Adar Poonawalla
Oct 21, 2021 14:06 (IST)
We are very happy to see this milestone. We are happy to play our part in this milestone. However, the real credit goes to all the healthcare workers who administered the doses as well as those who ensured that the masses take the vaccine: Serum Institute Of India CEO Adar Poonawalla
Oct 21, 2021 14:06 (IST)
Everybody wanted to be vaccinated first, there was a lot of pressure,
Oct 21, 2021 14:05 (IST)
We were in a lot of stress and anxiety. It's such a large population, producing in bulk and then having vaccines delivered has been a task, says Serum Institute Of India CEO Adar Poonawalla
Oct 21, 2021 14:01 (IST)
Oct 21, 2021 14:00 (IST)
Oct 21, 2021 14:00 (IST)
Gujarat vaccinates 90% of eligible population with first dose of COVID-19 vaccine
Gujarat has vaccinated 90 per cent of its eligible population with the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, while 47 per cent beneficiaries are completely vaccinated against the deadly disease, state Health Minister Rushikesh Patel said on Thursday.
Speaking to reporters in Gandhinagar, Patel congratulated the countrymen, as India achieved the milestone of administered 100 crore vaccine doses "under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi". As per the official figures, Gujarat has around 4.93 crore people above the age of 18, who are eligible to take the vaccine against coronavirus.
Oct 21, 2021 13:52 (IST)
India shows exemplary capabilities to ensure people's welfare: Niti Aayog VC on vaccine milestone
Niti Aayog Vice-Chairman Rajiv Kumar on Thursday said India once again shows exemplary capabilities to deliver the solutions for ensuring people's welfare as the total COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in India crossed the 100-crore mark.
India achieved a major milestone in its vaccination programme as the cumulative vaccine doses administered in the country surpassed the 100-crore mark on Thursday.
Oct 21, 2021 13:43 (IST)
Oct 21, 2021 13:42 (IST)
Oct 21, 2021 13:42 (IST)
Oct 21, 2021 13:40 (IST)
Oct 21, 2021 13:21 (IST)
Odisha registers over 500 fresh COVID-19 cases for third consecutive day
Odisha on Thursday registered more than 500 fresh COVID-19 cases for the third consecutive day. The state's coronavirus tally rose to 10,37,056 as 524 more people, including 82 children, tested positive for the infection; while two fresh fatalities pushed the death toll to 8,298, a health official said.
Odisha had registered 559 cases on Wednesday, 556 on Tuesday, and 340 on Monday. The infection rate in the 0-18 age group stood at 15.64 per cent, higher than 12.70 per cent on Wednesday.
As many as 308 new cases were reported in quarantine centres, while 216 infections were detected during contact tracing, he said, adding that the daily test positivity rate stood at 0.74 per cent.
Khurda district, under which Bhubaneswar falls, recorded the highest number of new cases at 254, accounting for almost 49 per cent of the fresh infections, followed by 66 in Cuttack. Six districts did not register any new case.
Oct 21, 2021 13:08 (IST)
Oct 21, 2021 13:07 (IST)
Oct 21, 2021 13:02 (IST)
Single-day recoveries surpass fresh COVID-19 cases in Mizoram
Single-day recoveries outnumbered fresh COVID-19 cases in Mizoram on Thursday as 1,243 more people recuperated from the disease and 741 new infections were reported, a health department official said.
The fresh coronavirus cases pushed the tally in the northeastern state to 1,15,207, he said. Altogether, 1,04,548 people have so far been cured of the disease, the official said.
The recovery rate among coronavirus patients in the state now stands at 90.74 per cent.
The single-day positivity ratio dipped to 8.97 per cent from 12.36 per cent on the previous day, as the new patients, including 168 children, were detected from 8,264 sample tests.
The death toll rose to 396 as three more people succumbed to the infection in the last 24 hours, the official said. Mizoram now has 10,263 active cases.
Oct 21, 2021 12:56 (IST)
Arvind Kejriwal hails frontline workers as India achieves COVID-19 vaccination milestone
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal congratulated the countrymen and saluted the frontline workers as India crossed the 100-crore mark in administering Covid vaccine doses on Thursday, saying the pandemic will be defeated unitedly.
According to official sources, over 75 percent of India''s all eligible adult population has been administered at least the first dose and around 31 percent has received both doses of the vaccine.
"Congratulations to all the countrymen on the administration of 100 crore vaccine doses. Salute to the doctors, nurses, and frontline workers who made this happen. We the countrymen have faced this illness. We will together defeat it for once and all," Kejriwal said in a Hindi tweet.
Oct 21, 2021 12:45 (IST)
Oct 21, 2021 12:45 (IST)
Police force quintessential example of culmination of courage, restraint, diligence: Amit Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the occasion of ''Police Memorial Day'' on Thursday lauded the Indian Police force, saying it is "a quintessential example of the culmination of courage, restraint and diligence".
''Police Commemoration Day'' is observed every year in memory of ten valiant Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) killed during patrol duty in an ambush by heavily armed Chinese troops in Hot Springs, Ladakh on October 21, 1959.
Taking to Twitter, the Home Minister said: "The police force is a quintessential example of the culmination of courage, restraint and diligence". "On 'Police Memorial Day, on behalf of a grateful nation, I bow to all the brave soldiers who made their supreme sacrifice to protect the nation's sovereignty. The sacrifice and dedication of every policeman inspire us to serve the nation."
Oct 21, 2021 12:35 (IST)
Oct 21, 2021 12:35 (IST)
Oct 21, 2021 12:32 (IST)
Oct 21, 2021 12:28 (IST)
100 heritage monuments to be lit in colours of Indian flag to mark 100 crore Covid vaccination feat
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will light up 100 of its heritage monuments in colours of the national flag to mark the 100 crore COVID-19 vaccination milestone achieved by the country, officials said on Thursday.
Seventeen UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Humayun Tomb, Tughlaqabad Fort, Purana Qila, Fatehpur Sikri Agra, Ramappa Temple, Hampi, Dholavira (Gujarat), ancient Leh Palace; Currency Building and Metcalf Hall in Kolkata; Khajuraho temples (MP), and Golconda Fort in Hyderabad are among the 100 monuments which will be illuminated in tricolour, the officials said.
This will be a tribute to health professionals, frontline workers, scientists, vaccine manufacturers and the citizens of the country who bravely fought the pandemic, they said.
The officials said it is part of the activities to celebrate the landmark achievement across the country. The cumulative COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country surpassed the 100-crore milestone on Thursday.
Oct 21, 2021 12:11 (IST)
Oct 21, 2021 11:57 (IST)
Country now has strong ''protective shield'' of 100 crore vaccine doses against pandemic: PM Modi
The country now has a strong "protective shield" of 100 crore vaccine doses to combat the biggest pandemic in 100 years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday.
India achieved a major milestone in its vaccination programme against COVID-19 as the cumulative vaccine doses administered in the country surpassed the 100-crore mark on Thursday.
Speaking via video conferencing after inaugurating the Infosys Foundation Vishram Sadan at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) on the Jhajjar Campus of New Delhi AIIMS, Modi said, "This day of October 21, 2021, has been recorded in history. India has crossed the 100 crore vaccine doses mark sometime back."
"To combat the biggest pandemic in 100 years, the country now has a strong protective shield of 100 crore vaccine doses. This achievement belongs to India, every citizen of India," the prime minister said.
Oct 21, 2021 11:52 (IST)
Oct 21, 2021 11:47 (IST)
Oct 21, 2021 11:41 (IST)
Oct 21, 2021 11:41 (IST)
During COVID-19 pandemic, IT sector showed resilience, work from home gained popularity: Experts
As India breached the landmark of 100 crore COVID-19 vaccinations on Thursday, it is time to reflect on how the pandemic has changed the day-to-day working of the world. After sudden lockdowns across countries, when economies were closed and many sectors faced several challenges, the IT sector showed remarkable resilience and the concept of work from home gained popularity.
The IT sector has proven its ability to grow and transform to face the COVID-19 challenges due to its response strategy of keeping people-centricity, collaboration, and agility at the center displaying exemplary progress on its road to recovery.
According to the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM), during the COVID-19, the IT sector shifted from a cost advantage to a customer advantage approach, keeping the emergence of a more customer-centric operational focus.
"The pandemic has acted as a catalyst for digital transformation, adopting newer technologies like cloud, blockchain, AI, machine learning, IoT, and robotics. The industry is witnessing a solid deal pipeline of USD 15 billion in first-quarter in the financial year 2021-22 and twice the growth in digital spending in tech services, BPM, ER&D, GCC sectors," NASSCOM said.
Oct 21, 2021 11:37 (IST)
Oct 21, 2021 11:35 (IST)
Coronavirus Live Updates: Pandemic not yet over, says expert
Even as India reached the landmark of 100 crore COVID-19 vaccinations on Thursday, experts urged caution and said that the pandemic is far from over. Former Director-General of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Nirmal Ganguly said the threat of COVID-19 will exist until most states in India record less than 10 cases in a day.
Mr Ganguly said, "As per reports, only 25 per cent of the Indian population has received both the doses of COVID-19 vaccines. There is enough data that a single dose does not protect us from the infection. The inoculation of both doses of vaccine prevents hospitalisation and the death rate remains low. So double dose of vaccination is important."
The former ICMR DG stated: "The eight-month follow-up of Pfizer has confirmed that the COVID anti-bodies drop after six months of inoculation. So, many people are still vulnerable to the infection."
"In initial days, China recorded only five cases but eventually it spread around the globe. India is still recording nearly 20,000 cases per day. So the danger of COVID-19 prevails until most places in India record less than 10 cases per day," he said.
Oct 21, 2021 11:34 (IST)
Oct 21, 2021 11:31 (IST)
Coronavirus Live Updates: Achieved 100 crore COVID-19 vaccinations through collective effort, says Bhupender Yadav
Union Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav on Thursday said the landmark of 100 crore COVID-19 vaccinations has been achieved through collective effort.
"Today we've achieved 100 crore COVID-19 vaccinations. Under PM''s leadership, scientists through extensive research prepared these vaccines. Through collective effort, we've achieved this mark and in the future also we''ll continue on the path of ''Atmanirbhar Bharat''," Mr Yadav said.
The Environment Minister expressed his gratitude to the frontline workers and said, "in the country, our Corona warriors have helped to achieve this target. The health departments, its workers and all the administration officials and especially under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have fought this war together".
Oct 21, 2021 11:18 (IST)
Oct 21, 2021 11:16 (IST)
Oct 21, 2021 11:14 (IST)
Oct 21, 2021 10:58 (IST)
Coronavirus Live Updates: Over 12 lakh COVID-19 tests conducted in India in past 24 hours
Over 12 lakh COVID-19 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours with which the total tests conducted crossed 59.57 crore, informed Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on Thursday.
A total of 12,47,506 samples were tested on October 20, while the total samples tested upto October 20 reached 59,57,42,218.
With 12,47,506 samples tested, 18,454 new cases were recorded in India in the last 24 hours.
Oct 21, 2021 10:46 (IST)
Oct 21, 2021 10:44 (IST)
Kerala added 11,150 fresh Covid cases and 82 deaths, taking the caseload to 48,79,790 and the total fatalities to 27,084.
Oct 21, 2021 10:37 (IST)
India reached one billion COVID-19 vaccinations milestone this morning. The government wants all of India's 944 million adults to get vaccinated this year.
Oct 21, 2021 10:28 (IST)
Oct 21, 2021 10:21 (IST)
Coronavirus Live Updates: No new COVID-19 case in Andamans, tally at 7,646
Andaman and Nicobar Islands did not record a single fresh COVID-19 case in the last 24 hours, a health department official said on Thursday. The caseload in the archipelago remained at 7,646. The death toll stood at 129 as no new fatality due to the infection was reported during the period, he said.
Oct 21, 2021 10:04 (IST)
Oct 21, 2021 10:00 (IST)
Oct 21, 2021 09:59 (IST)
Oct 21, 2021 09:54 (IST)
Oct 21, 2021 09:48 (IST)
Oct 21, 2021 09:42 (IST)
Oct 21, 2021 09:30 (IST)
Maharashtra's Thane logs 226 new COVID-19 cases, 3 deaths
With the addition of 226 new cases of coronavirus, the infection tally in Maharashtra's Thane district has risen to 5,63,975, an official said on Thursday.
These new cases were reported on Wednesday, he said. Three more people also succumbed to the viral infection, which raised the fatality toll in the district to 11,468, he said, adding that the COVID-19 mortality rate in Thane stood at 2.03 per cent.
In neighbouring Palghar district, the COVID-19 case count has gone up to 1,37,632, while the death toll has reached 3,282, another official said.
Oct 21, 2021 09:23 (IST)
Oct 21, 2021 08:53 (IST)
100 crore Covid doses: Country's largest khadi tricolour to be displayed at Red Fort to mark occasion
To mark the completion of administering of 100 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses, the largest khadi tricolour in the country, weighing around 1,400 kg, will be displayed at the Red Fort on Thursday, official sources said.
The same tricolour with dimensions 225 feet by 150 feet was unfurled on October 2 - Gandhi Jayanti - in Leh, they said. Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday appealed to all those who are eligible to get inoculated without delay and contribute to the historic vaccination journey of India.
To mark the milestone on the COVID-19 vaccination exercise, a series of events have been lined up. Mandaviya will launch a song by singer Kailash Kher and an audio-visual film at the Red Fort. "The country is close to making a vaccine century. To be a part of this golden opportunity, I appeal to the citizens who are yet to be vaccinated to contribute to this historic golden vaccination journey of India by getting vaccinated immediately," he said in a tweet in Hindi.
Oct 21, 2021 08:52 (IST)
West Bengal reports 867 fresh COVID-19 cases, 9 deaths
West Bengal's COVID-19 tally surged to 15,82,813 as 867 more people tested positive for the infection on Wednesday, 141 more than the previous day, a Health department bulletin said.
The new cases were reported from Kolkata (244) and North 24 Parganas district (129), it said.
The state had reported 726 COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, 690 on Monday, and 624 on Sunday respectively.
Nine more persons died of COVID-19 pushing the death toll to 19,007 on Wednesday, it said.
Nine COVID-19 fatalities were reported on Tuesday, 12 on Monday, and 14 on Sunday.
Oct 21, 2021 08:32 (IST)
Oct 21, 2021 08:11 (IST)
The new US travel policy will block entry to foreign nationals who have recovered from COVID-19 and then gotten one dose of two-dose vaccines -- a standard that France and the European Commission consider full vaccination.
Oct 21, 2021 07:56 (IST)
Oct 21, 2021 07:40 (IST)
Tamil Nadu records 1,170 new Covid-19 cases, 20 deaths
Tamil Nadu added 1,170 new Covid-19 infections on Wednesday, taking the infection count to 26,90,633, while the death toll rose to 35,948 with 20 more deaths.
Recoveries stood at 26,40,627, with 1,418 people getting discharged in the last 24 hours, leaving 14,058 active infections, a medical bulletin said.
A total of 1,28,759 samples were tested in the last 24 hours, pushing the cumulative number of specimens examined to 4,97,92,210. Chennai and Coimbatore accounted for the majority of new infections by adding 148 and 141 cases, respectively, while the remaining were scattered across other districts.
Oct 21, 2021 07:29 (IST)
Oct 21, 2021 07:20 (IST)
Oct 21, 2021 07:04 (IST)
Oct 21, 2021 06:44 (IST)
Oct 21, 2021 06:34 (IST)
Assam logs 308 fresh COVID-19 cases
Assam on Wednesday reported 308 fresh COVID-19 cases, pushing the tally to 6,07,427, according to the bulletin of the National Health Mission. The COVID-19 death toll rose to 5,958 as one more person succumbed to the disease in Jorhat district, it said.
The new cases were reported from Kamrup Metro (109), Sonitpur (24), Barpeta, and Lakhimpur (22 cases each). The 308 new cases were detected out of 39,654 tests conducted on Wednesday, while the cumulative tests conducted in the state so far is 2,42,82,029.
Assam currently has 2,263 active COVID-19 cases. A total of 5,97,859 people have recovered from COVID-19 so far, including 282 patients on Wednesday.
The COVID-19 recovery rate now is 98.42 per cent.
Oct 21, 2021 06:08 (IST)
Hooting over announcement speakers and tricolour hoisting at the Red Fort are among the plans of the government to celebrate the moment India crosses the landmark of one billion or 100 crore vaccine doses, Health Ministry sources have said. Read here.
Oct 21, 2021 06:07 (IST)
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday will launch a song and an audio-visual film to celebrate the milestone of administering 100 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses. Read here.
Oct 21, 2021 06:06 (IST)
Nine months after launching what it called "the world's biggest vaccination drive", India is set to complete 1 billion or 100 crore doses today, with the government planning festivities for a "great achievement". Read here.
Oct 21, 2021 05:58 (IST)
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday authorized using a so-called "mix and match" strategy for eligible people who require a booster shot of a Covid vaccine after their primary series. Read here.
