India logged 14,623 new coronavirus infections, taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 3,41,08,996, while the active cases declined to 1,78,098, the lowest in 229 days, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday. The toll climbed to 4,52,651 with 197 fresh fatalities, according to the data updated at 8 am.
The daily rise in new coronavirus infections has been below 30,000 for 26 straight days and less than 50,000 daily new cases have been reported for 115 consecutive days now. The active cases comprise 0.52 per cent of the total infections, the lowest since March 2020, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.15 per cent, the highest since March 2020, the ministry said.
A decrease of 5,020 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.
India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, 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 two crores on May 4 and three crores on June 23.
Here are the LIVE updates on coronavirus (COVID-19) cases:
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.
The United States is ready to start vaccinating kids aged 5-11 against Covid-19 starting next month, once health experts give the green light, the White House said Wednesday, reported AFP.
"Our planning efforts mean that we will be ready to begin getting shots in arms in the days following a final CDC recommendation," the White House said, referring to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As India nears the milestone of administering 100 crore Covid vaccine doses, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday appealed to all those who are eligible to get inoculated without delay and contribute in the historic vaccination journey of India, reported PTI.
A series of events have been lined up to celebrate the milestone of administering 100 crore Covid vaccine doses.
Maharashtra's Pune city reported zero COVID-19 deaths on Wednesday, for the first time in the last eight months, an official said, reported news agency PTI.
As many as 112 fresh COVID-19 cases were reported in the Pune Municipal Corporation limits during the day, taking the overall tally to 5,03,469, while no casualties were reported during the day, the official said.
Karnataka on Wednesday added 462 fresh COVID-19 cases and nine deaths, taking the caseload and death toll to 29,84,484 and 37,976, respectively, the health department said.
The day also saw 479 people being discharged, taking the total number of recoveries to 29,37,405. Active cases stood at 9,074, a department bulletin said.
Bengaluru Urban accounted for the maximum number of 253 cases and six deaths, it said.
Telangana on Wednesday recorded 191 new COVID-19 cases and one death, pushing the total number of positive cases to 6,69,556 and death toll to 3,942, respectively, reported news agency PTI.
A total of 162 COVID-19 recoveries were registered today, taking the total number of recoveries to 6,61,646, leaving 3,968 active cases, a state government bulletin said.
The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation reported the highest number of 49 cases followed by Karimnagar (19) and Rangareddy (13) districts.
Jammu and Kashmir recorded 78 fresh COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, raising the infection count to 3,31,299, while another death pushed the toll to 4,429, officials said, reported news agency PTI.
Out of the fresh coronavirus cases, 12 were from the Jammu division and 66 from the Kashmir division, they said.
Delhi reported 25 fresh COVID-19 cases and zero fatality on Wednesday, while the positivity rate dipped to 0.04 per cent, as per the health department.
Only five death due to the coronavirus infection were reported in the city last month -- one each on September 7, September 16 and September 17, and two on September 28.
Three fatalities have been recorded so far this month in Delhi -- October 18, October 2 and October 10, according to the health department's data.
In view of the improved COVID-19 situation in Uttar Pradesh, the state government on Wednesday lifted night restrictions between 11 PM to 6 AM, a senior official said, reported news agency PTI.
"On directions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Corona curfew between 11 PM to 6 AM is being lifted in the state," Additional Chief Secretary, Home, Awanish Kumar Awasthi said.
Health chiefs in the UK have urged the government to legally enforce some of the COVID-19 prevention measures, such as mandatory face coverings in enclosed spaces, as coronavirus infections in Britain continue to spike over the 40,000 mark daily, reported news agency PTI.
The NHS Confederation, a membership body of the country's National Health Service (NHS), said a back-up strategy, or "Plan B plus", is required as preemptive action over winter when the health service is already stretched due to seasonal flu and other diseases.
However, daily cases have continued to rise and hit a record 3,994 on Tuesday.
Russia said Wednesday 1,028 people died of Covid over the past 24 hours, a new record, as President Vladimir Putin mulls introducing nationwide restrictions to curb the spread of the disease.
The country recorded 34,074 new coronavirus cases, according to a government tally.
Russian officials have been accused of downplaying the severity of the pandemic, but even the official figures bring the country's official Covid-19 death count to 226,353 -- the highest in Europe.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation on Wednesday announced an investment of up to $120 million in an effort to speed up low-income countries' access to a new anti-Covid drug.
India's R-value, which reflects how rapidly the coronavirus pandemic is spreading, has remained below one since September, suggesting that the infection rate is declining, according to a study.
India's R-value, which reflects how rapidly the coronavirus pandemic is spreading, has remained below one since September, suggesting that the infection rate is declining, according to a study.
A World Health Organization-led programme to ensure poorer countries get fair access to COVID-19 vaccines, tests and treatments aim to secure antiviral drugs for patients with mild symptoms for as little as $10 per course.
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Tuesday conducted a door-to-door Covid-19 vaccination drive.
DR Sanjay Dhond, BMC Health department of Mumbai''s K East, said "The aim behind this mobile vaccination drive is to focus on the areas in which the population of vaccinated people is less. We are moving on the bus to do the vaccination."
One of the beneficiaries said, "I am a homemaker I don't know how to operate mobile and book an appointment. So today, I got to know about vaccination in my locality I got the vaccine here and feeling relaxed as the fear of COVID-19 will be less now."
Meghalaya recorded one COVID-19-related death, which pushed the toll to 1439, while 65 new cases raised the tally to 83,079, a senior official said.
The person who died had not taken the COVID-19 vaccine, Health Services director Dr. Aman War said.
Of the 65 new cases, 43 were detected in East Khasi Hills, nine in West Jaintia Hills, and six in West Khasi Hills.
As many as 80,900 people have recovered from the disease.
Meghalaya currently has 740 active cases.
Chhattisgarh's COVID-19 tally touched 10,05,701 on Tuesday with the addition of 20 cases, while the death toll stood unchanged at 13,570, an official said.
The recovery count reached 9,91,943 after two people were discharged from hospitals and 21 completed home isolation, leaving the state with an active tally of 188, he said.
"Raipur district recorded five cases, followed by four in Durg and three in Janjgir-Champa. No fresh case was reported in 21 districts. With 14,205 samples being examined during the day, the number of tests conducted so far went up to 13,436,160," he added.
Haryana reported no new coronavirus-related death, even as it added nine fresh cases, pushing the infection count to 7,71,101, according to the health department's daily bulletin.
The death toll from the pandemic remained unchanged at 10,049, it said.
Meanwhile, among the districts, seven fresh cases were reported from Gurugram.
The number of active cases in the state stands at 103, while the overall recoveries reached 7,60,926. Haryana has a COVID-19 recovery rate of 98.68 per cent, the bulletin said.
