Covid-19 Cases in India: The active cases comprise 0.73 per cent of the total infections (File)
India reported 22,431 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, 19% higher than yesterday's figure when the country reported 18,833 Covid cases. About 318 deaths were recorded during the same period, according to the Health Ministry.
With the addition of the new coronavirus infections, the country's tally of COVID-19 cases stands at 3,38,94,312, while the death count climbed to 4,49,856. The daily rise in new coronavirus infections remained below 30,000 for the 13th straight day.
WHO Set To Restart Sputnik Covid Vaccine AnalysisThe World Health Organization said on Thursday it was about to restart the process of approving Russia's Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine following a series of problems with the dossier.
WHO authorisation has been sought for the Sputnik V jab created by Russia's Gamaleya research institute, which is already being used in 45 countries, according to an AFP count.
Several Covid-19 vaccines have been given the WHO green light for emergency use during the pandemic: Pfizer-BioNTech, Janssen, Moderna, Sinopharm, Sinovac and AstraZeneca in various plants.
COVID-19 News Updates: Pfizer Seeks US Authorization Of Covid Vaccine For Ages 5-11US drugmaker Pfizer said Thursday it has formally requested emergency use authorization for its Covid-19 vaccine in children age five to 11.
Children have been infected in greater numbers in the latest coronavirus wave driven by the Delta variant, and inoculating young people is seen as key to keeping schools open and helping end the pandemic.
Coronavirus Live Updates: Maharashtra reports 2,681 new COVID-19 cases, 49 deaths in last 24 hoursMumbai reported 458 new Covid cases, and 5 related deaths in the past 24 hours. The city's active cases now stand at 4,784.
Maharashtra on the whole logged 2,681 new COVID-19 cases and 49 deaths. The state now has 33,397 active cases.
COVID-19 News Updates: Niti Aayog Member VK Paul Says Science Relating To Booster Doses Of Covid Vaccines Is Still EvolvingThe science relating to the use of booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines is still evolving and the developments are being closely watched, the government said on Thursday.
NITI Aayog Member (Health) Dr VK Paul said there are several studies that are looking into the subject of booster doses: "This is an evolving science and a paradigm of information...that data is still emerging. We are watching this science very very carefully."
"We also know that WHO has not given a clear-cut recommendation on the matter," he added.
Coronavirus Live Updates: Delhi reports 44 COVID-19 cases, zero deaths in last 24 hours
Delhi recorded 44 COVID-19 cases and zero related deaths today, data shared by the city government showed.
The national capital has recorded only one death due to the infection in October so far. Last month, five people had succumbed to the viral disease.
With the new cases, the coronavirus infection tally in the city climbed to 14,39,097. Over 14.13 lakh patients have recovered from the disease so far, while total deaths stand at 25,088.
There are 383 active Covid cases in Delhi at present.
COVID-19 News Updates: "Prepared to tackle a surge of up to 5 lakh Covid cases a day," says Centre
The government today said it has made healthcare preparations to handle a surge of up to 5 lakh coronavirus cases a day, but stressed that it does not imply that such a high number of infections will be reported in the future.
Listing details of India's preparations for a possible surge, NITI Aayog member (Health) VK Paul said at a press conference that according to reports from states, 8.36 lakh hospital beds are available for COVID-19 patients in the country and almost one million (9,69,885) additional isolation beds are available in dedicated COVID-19 care centres that are complementing home care.
In addition, 4.86 lakh oxygen-supported beds and 1.35 lakh ICU beds are available, he said.
Coronavirus Live Updates: Jammu and Kashmir record 134 new Covid cases, zero related deaths
Jammu and Kashmir today recorded 134 fresh coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, pushing its total infection tally to 3,30,252, officials said. The death toll remained unchanged at 4,426.
The number of active COVID-19 cases in Jammu and Kashmir stands at 1,090.
COVID-19 News Updates: Share Happiness, Not Virus: Centre's Covid Warning For Festive SeasonWarning people not to drop their guard against Covid during the festive season, the government today asked them to ensure that they "share happiness but not the virus".
"Please watch your October, November, December. These months bring a lot of festivals, weddings and parties," joint secretary in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Lav Agarwal said, calling upon people to celebrate the festivals in the spirit of winning over Covid-19.
Coronavirus Live Updates: Kerala logs 12,288 fresh COVID-19 cases, 141 deaths
Kerala reported 12,288 fresh COVID-19 cases and 141 deaths in the last 24 hours, taking the total infections in the state to 47,63,722 and total fatalities to 25,952.
The number of people who recovered from the disease since Wednesday was 15,808, which brought the total recoveries to 46,18,408., an official press release said.
The active cases currently stand at 1,18,744.
COVID-19 News Updates: Foreign Tourists Allowed From November 15 Into India In a move aimed at boosting the economy through tourism, the government has decided to lift the Covid barrier for international travellers by resuming the grant of tourist visas.
The Ministry of Affairs will start granting fresh tourist visas to foreigners coming to India from November 15. For those coming on chartered flights, visas would be granted starting October 15.
The move comes a year and a half after grant of tourist visas was suspended in the wake of Covid pandemic.
COVID-19 News Updates: Navratri Celebrations Begin In Delhi Temples Under Strict Covid ProtocolsThe nine-day Navratri celebrations began in temples across Delhi today with government-mandated COVID-19 protocols in place.
Temple authorities said they have made provisions for proper sanitisation of the premises and to ensure social distancing among visitors.
"Our temple has lakhs of visitors during Navratri, which is why we will be allowing two thousand visitors at a time to ensure proper social distancing," said Surendra Nath, the chief priest of the Kalkaji temple.
629 New COVID-19 Cases In Mumbai, Highest Single-Day Rise Since July 14Mumbai saw a slight rise in coronavirus cases today with 629 fresh infections and seven deaths in 24 hours. Wednesday's figures are Mumbai's highest single-day rise in coronavirus cases since July 14. On July 14, Mumbai had recorded 635 coronavirus cases.
The total caseload in Mumbai now stands at 7,46,703 and total deaths are 16,136, the greater Mumbai municipal corporation said in its daily bulletin.
Puducherry Adds 64 Fresh Covid-19 cases
The union territory of Puducherry logged 64 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours pushing the overall tally to 1,26,806 on Thursday. The new cases identified at the end of the examination of 5,246 samples were spread over Puducherry (35), Karaikal (23), and Mahe (6).
India's Cumulative COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage Exceeds 92.63 Crores
With the administration of 43,09,525 COVID-19 vaccine doses in the last 24 hours, India's COVID-19 vaccination coverage exceeded 92.63 crores, said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Thursday.
As per provisional reports, till 7 am today, 92,63,68,608 vaccine doses have been administered so far through 90,14,182 sessions.
Active COVID-19 Cases In India Lowest In 204 Days With 22,431 people testing positive for coronavirus infection in a day, India's total tally of COVID-19 cases rose to 3,38,94,312, while the active cases declined to 2,44,198, the lowest in 204 days, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Thursday.
The number of deaths climbed to 4,49,856 with 318 fresh fatalities, according to the data updated at 8 am.
The daily rise in new coronavirus infections has been below 30,000 for 13 straight days.
Arunachal Logs 41 New COVID-19 Cases, 2 Fresh Fatalities
Arunachal Pradesh's COVID-19 tally soared to 54,812 on Thursday as 41 more people tested positive for the infection. Two people succumbed to the disease, pushing the northeastern state's coronavirus death count to 279. The state now has 425 active cases, while 54,108 people have been cured of the disease so far, adding that the recovery rate among the coronavirus patients in the state stood at 98.71 per cent.
1 New COVID-19 Case In Andamans, Tally Rises To 7,627
The COVID-19 tally of Andaman and Nicobar Islands rose to 7,627 on Thursday as one more person tested positive for the infection, a health bulletin said. The Union territory now has 10 active cases, while 7,488 people have recovered from the disease, and 129 patients have succumbed to the infection to date, it said.
UK Lifts Travel Advisory Against All But Essential Travel For 32 CountriesThe UK government's travel advisory warning against "all but essential travel" on public health grounds was updated on Wednesday to lift COVID-19 related restrictions for 32 countries, including Bangladesh and Malaysia.
India was not among the countries covered by this complete travel ban, which impacts travellers' ability to access travel insurance. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said the change means people will be able to travel to a larger number of destinations with greater ease.
"These rule tweaks will make travelling more straightforward, supporting businesses and families right across Britain - and allow more of us to see friends and loved ones with greater peace of mind," said UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss.