Coronavirus Highlights:: India Reports 2.85 Lakh New Covid Cases, 665 Related Deaths

Wanted: Volunteers To Catch Covid In The Name Of Science
The world's first medical trial authorised to deliberately expose participants to the coronavirus is seeking more volunteers as it steps up efforts to help develop better vaccines.

Govt to review situation, decide about reopening tourist places: Aaditya Thackeray
Maharashtra tourism minister Aaditya Thackeray on Wednesday said the chief minister will review the coronavirus situation next week and take decision about reopening tourist places and monuments in the state.

He was speaking to reporters after holding a meeting of tourism department officials here.

"Covid infection figures in Aurangabad have not yet come down much. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray will review the situation next week and decide about opening the monuments and tourist places," Aaditya Thackeray said.

Over half of Delhi citizens want weekend curfew to continue: Survey
Fifty four per cent of Delhiites are in favour of lifting the odd-even restrictions in markets but want the weekend curfew to continue till the positivity rate declines to five per cent, a survey has claimed.

Delhi had seen an uptick in COVID-19 infections, mainly triggered by the Omicron variant, but the cases have seen a decline over the last 10 days.

Gujarat reports 14,781 COVID-19 cases, 21 deaths
The coronavirus caseload in Gujarat on Wednesday crossed the 11 lakh-mark with addition of 14,781 new cases, the state health department said.

The tally of infections in the state reached 11,07,749.

With 21 patients succumbing to the viral infection during the day, the death toll reached 10,323.

Delhi Daily Covid Cases Rise By 24% To 7,498, Positivity Rate Stays At 10.5%
Delhi today logged 7,498 fresh Covid cases, a jump of over 24 per cent over yesterday's cases (6,028), and 29 Covid deaths. The positivity rate was at 10.59 per cent.

Mumbai reports 1,858 COVID-19 cases, 13 deaths
Mumbai reported 1,858 new coronavirus infections and 13 deaths on Wednesday, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said in a release.

The city has been reporting fewer than 2,000 cases for the last three days.

The caseload of the financial capital of the country went up to 10,40,363, while death toll rose to 16,569.

Omicron Survives On Skin For Nearly A Day, On Plastic Over A Week, Claims Study
The Omicron variant of coronavirus can remain alive on skin for over 21 hours, and more than eight days on plastic surfaces, which may be contributing to its faster spread compared to other strains, a study claims.

Active COVID-19 cases reduce by 50% within 2 weeks in Delhi
The number of active Covid-19 cases in Delhi has halved in just 12 days after rising to a high of 94,160 on January 13, while it took 21 days for the active caseload to drop by half during the second wave last year.

The third wave of the pandemic saw the active cases peaking to 94,160 on January 13. The number dropped to 42,010 by Tuesday.

During the ferocious second wave last year, active cases had risen to a high of 99,752 on April 28 and the number reduced to 45,047 by May 19.

Each dose of Covishield, Covaxin likely to be capped at Rs 275
The price of Covishield and Covaxin, the Covid vaccines which are expected to soon get regular market approval from India's drug regulator, is likely to be capped at Rs 275 per dose plus an additional service charge of Rs 150, official sources said.

According to them, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has been directed to start working towards capping the price to make the vaccines affordable.

Covid News Updates: Report On UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Lockdown Parties Due Soon, Says Foreign Minister
The findings of an investigation into gatherings at British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's office that may have broken COVID-19 lockdown laws will be published soon, Foreign Minister Liz Truss said on Wednesday.

An internal inquiry into allegations of lockdown parties at Johnson's offices could be published as soon as Wednesday, delivering findings that might determine the Prime Minister's future. Police have also launched an investigation.

Despite Covid, India displays tremendous resilience, capability: Kerala Governor in Republic Day speech
Leading the 73rd Republic Day celebrations in Kerala, Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Wednesday said as the largest democracy in the world, India's voyage has been steered by modern ideas of governance, the urge to ensure equality and justice and firm resolve to defend against all forms of aggression.

Despite the pandemic spread, the nation has displayed tremendous resilience and capability, scope of synergy and leadership in every sphere and our spirit of patriotism and pride in our march towards the pinnacle of prosperity and power are boundless, he said.

2.85 lakh new Covid cases in India, 11.7% higher than yesterday
India reported 2,85,914 new Covid cases in the last 24 hours, while its active caseload stands at 22,23,018. The daily positivity rate is at 16.16%.

Coronavirus News: US Withdraws Covid Vaccination-Or-Testing Mandate For Businesses
President Joe Biden's administration on Tuesday formally withdrew the Covid vaccination-or-testing mandate for large businesses that was struck down by the Supreme Court.

The conservative-dominated Supreme Court delivered a blow to Biden this month when it blocked his vaccination-or-testing mandate for businesses with 100 employees or more.

Delhi Positivity Rate Drops Slightly To 10%, Cases Rise By 4.7% To 6,028
Delhi's positivity rate has dropped to 10.55 per cent from 11.79 per cent, the government data this evening showed. The cases have risen by 4.7 per cent to 6,028.