COVID cases in India: Currently, there are 1,72,594 active cases in India. (File)
India today reported 15,906 new cases of COVID-19, taking its overall caseload to 3,41,75,468.
561 deaths due to the coronavirus infection were recorded in the last 24 hours, pushing the total fatalities in the country to 4,54,269.
There are 1,72,594 active cases in the country, according to the Union Health Ministry's data updated today. The active cases comprise less than one per cent of the total infections, currently at 0.51%, making it the lowest activity rate since March 2020.
Over 102 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in the country so far, including more than 70 lakh doses administered yesterday. On Thursday this week, India administered its billionth vaccine. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the nation a day after, said it was "not just a number" but the symbol of the country's ability and of a "new India".
Here are the highlights on coronavirus cases in India:
Covid infections rising in Bengal; over 970 cases reported for 2 days in a rowWest Bengal continued to record an upward trend in Covid-19 infection for the fourth consecutive day after the Durga Puja festival last week, according to the state Health department bulletin released on Sunday.
The state reported 989 new cases on Sunday, higher than the previous day's 974 cases. On October 22, 21 and 20, the number of fresh cases was 846, 833 and 867 respectively.
On Sunday, West Bengal registered 10 fresh fatalities due to coronavirus, two less than what the figure was on Saturday.
The new deaths took the count to 19,055 while the state's caseload has gone up to 15,86,455 on Sunday.
Coronavirus Updates: Punjab records 20 new COVID-19 casesPunjab on Sunday recorded 20 fresh COVID-19 cases that pushed its tally to 6,02,209, according to a medical bulletin.
Madhya Pradesh records nine new cases in last 24 hoursMadhya Pradesh on Sunday recorded nine new Covid cases, taking the state's tally to 7,92,749.
Goa sees 34 COVID-19 cases, 63 recoveriesGoa's COVID-19 tally reached 1,77,886 after 34 cases were detected on Sunday.
The discharge of 63 people took the recovery count to 1,73,983, leaving the state with 545 active cases.
With 2,566 samples being examined in the last 24 hours, the number of tests in Goa went up to 14,49,373.
Andhra Pradesh logs 400 fresh COVID-19 cases, 4 deathsAndhra Pradesh on Sunday reported 400 fresh COVID-19 cases, taking the tally to 20,63,577, while the toll climbed to 14,343 with four more deaths.
With 516 people being cured, the total recoveries stood at 20,44,132, leaving 5,102 active cases.
Coronavirus Updates: Active cases in India decline to 1,72, 594The active COVID-19 cases in India declines to 1,72,594 on Sunday, according to the Union Health Ministry data. In the last 24 hours, India recorded 15, 906 new covid cases.
Cheaper COVID-19 tests in place for vaccinated travellers to England
Fully vaccinated travellers returning to England from countries not on the travel ban red list can use a COVID-19 negative Lateral Flow Test (LFT) instead of the more expensive Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test, under the new rules effective from Sunday, which could boost the country's tourism sector.
Sunburn Festival Goa To Be Held In December, Only ''Fully Vaccinated'' Attendees AllowedThe 15th edition of Sunburn Festival Goa will be held in December, with access to only those audience members who have been fully vaccinated, the organisers announced today.
The festival was conducted digitally last year with no fan presence on ground. This year, the festival will be a three-day showcase from December 28-30 at Vagator, Goa.
According to Percept Live, the founding organisation behind the electronic dance music festival, Sunburn will adhere to health and safety measures and "all applicable COVID-19 government guidelines".
COVID-19 Updates: Puducherry Records 61 New Cases, 2 Related DeathsThe union territory of Puducherry logged 61 new coronavirus cases during the last 24 hours as the overall tally rose to 1,27,735, a senior official of the Department of Health said today.
Two more people succumbed to the virus in the last 24 hours, pushing the death count to 1,857.
The number of active cases stood at 467, with 88 undergoing treatment in hospitals and the remaining 379 in home isolation, the Health Department Director said.
Coronavirus Updates: Over 106.79 Crore COVID-19 Vaccine Doses Administered Across IndiaMore than 106.79 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses have been provided to states and Union Territories (UTs) till date, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said today.
"More than 106.79 crore (1,06,79,93,365) vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far through the Government of India (free of cost channel) and through direct state procurement category," the ministry's release informed.
Further, more than 12 crore (12,02,30,859) balance and unutilized COVID-19 vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs to be administered.
India Moving Ahead With New Enthusiasm After 100-Crore Caccine Milestone: PM Modi On 'Mann Ki Baat'Prime Minister Narendra Modi today credited lakhs of healthcare staff and their efforts in India crossing a massive milestone of 100 crore Covid vaccinations earlier this week. The country is moving ahead with a new enthusiasm after reaching the vaccine milestone, he added.
"It is only because of the hard work of lakhs of health workers that India has crossed the 100 crore vaccine dose milestone. Today I express my gratitude to every Indian who has given such height and success to the 'Vaccine-Free Vaccine for All' campaign," he said in his monthly radio show Mann Ki Baat.
Russia's St. Petersburg goes into lockdown from Oct 30-Nov 7
Following the COVID-19 situation in Russia, restaurants, cafes and non-essential shops will be closed in St. Petersburg city of the country from October 30 until November 7, according to the decree signed by Governor Alexander Beglov on Saturday.
"From October 30 to November 7, the operation of retail facilities is banned (the operation of public catering enterprises - except takeaways and deliveries, catering at train stations, gas stations, as well as canteens at enterprises - is suspended)," said the document posted on the city administration's website, TASS reported on Saturday.
Tamil Nadu Lockdown Extended, With Relaxation. Ban On Festivals Continues
The Tamil Nadu government on Saturday has further extended the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions till November 15 but allowed some relaxation. The ban on festivals and political events will, however, continue.
The state government had extended the lockdown till October 31 last month after a meeting headed by Chief Minister M. K. Stalin. It has now been extended for 15 more days starting November 1. (Read full story
here)