India COVID-19 : India reported 131 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today cautioned against complacency as China and some other countries witness a surge in Covid cases. PM also called for strict vigil and directed that the ongoing surveillance measures, especially at international airports, to be strengthened.
India today reported 185 new coronavirus infections, while the active cases declined to 3,402.
The total tally of Covid cases was recorded at 4.46 crore (4,46,76,515). The death count stands at 5,30,681 with one fatality being reported from Delhi in the last 24 hours, the data updated at 8 am stated.
The active cases comprise 0.01 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate increased to 98.80 per cent, according to the ministry website.
Here are the updates on the Covid situation in India::
Meghalaya CM Asks People To Start Wearing Masks
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Thursday appealed to the residents to start wearing masks as a precautionary measure.
Sangma, after reviewing the COVID situation in the state, told reporters that the state government is continuously monitoring the condition. The situation was reviewed after the Centre directed all states and Union territories to conduct genome sequencing on all positive samples daily following a spike in fresh cases in several countries including China.
Random Covid Testing For Arriving International Passengers From Dec 24
The government on Thursday said that two per cent of passengers arriving in each international flight will be subject to random coronavirus test from December 24.
The Union health ministry has written to the civil aviation ministry in this regard amid an increase in coronavirus cases in many countries.
Covid Updates: PM Modi Cautions Against Complacency
After a high-level meeting today, PM Modi cautioned against complacency and advised for maintaining strict vigil.
Serum Institute Seeks Regulator's Approval For Covovax as Booster
The Serum Institute of India (SII) has sought the drug regulator's approval for market authorisation of its COVID-19 vaccine Covovax as a booster dose for those aged 18 years and above who have been administered two doses of Covishield or Covaxin, official sources said on Thursday.
Amid Covid Concerns, No Entry For Tourists In Taj Mahal Without TestingWith the surge in Covid cases in China and other countries, one of the most popular tourist attractions of the country Taj Mahal in Agra is put on alert, confirmed the District Health Information Officer in Agra. Domestic and foreign tourists come every day in large numbers to visit the Taj Mahal in Agra. Keeping the situation in mind, they will have to undergo a Covid test before their visit as per the official sources. Read full story
here Health Minister On Covid: Random Sampling Of International Travellers Has BegunTwo per cent of the travellers will have to give samples, after which they will be allowed to go, and the RT-PCR tests will thus be carried out, it is learnt. Read full story
here Random sampling of international travellers has started at airports, Health Minister tells parliament amid Covid concerns
No Decision Yet To Stop Flights From China, Says Centre: Report
There is no order issued by the central government to curb incoming flights from the country where a wave of Covid cases has been reported, government officials said, according to ANI. 'We don't have any direct flights from China to India or from India to China but as of now, there is no such order issued to stop connecting flights to India which are arriving via China. The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) is an executing ministry, the final decision will come from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW)," government sources told ANI.
Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to make a statement in both Houses on Covid-19: ANI
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to make a statement in both Houses of Parliament on Covid-19, reports ANI
"Very Concerned Over Evolving Situation In China": WHO Chief On Covid SurgeThe head of the World Health Organization on Wednesday said he was "very concerned" about an unprecedented wave of Covid cases in China, as the health body urged Beijing to accelerate vaccination of the most vulnerable. Read full story
here India Covid cases: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla urges MPs to wear masksAmid fresh concerns over coronavirus, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla today advised parliamentarians to wear a mask and spread awareness about Covid-appropriate behaviour. Mr Birla came to the House wearing a mask himself and said Covid cases are once again on the rise in certain countries.
"We should be vigilant keeping in mind the past trends of the pandemic," he told the members.
He also said masks have been made available for MPs at the gates and they should all wear one.
COVID-19: Uttarakhand preparing to issue fresh SOP
The Uttarakhand government is preparing to issue a fresh set of standard operating procedure on COVID-19 based on the Centre's guidelines following a sudden spurt in cases in some countries, Health Minister Dhan Singh Rawat said on Wednesday. The sudden rise in positive cases in countries such as the US, Japan, Korea, Brazil and China has caused concern among Indian authorities.
Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan has sent a circular to all states and Union Territories, emphasising on whole genome sequencing of positive cases to understand the virus' new variants.
India Covid cases: Mamata Banerjee asks health officials to form panel of experts, keep tab on COVID-19 situationWest Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed concern over the surge in COVID-19 cases in China, and advised health officials to form a committee of experts to keep an eye on the emerging situation. Ms Banerjee, during a meeting at the state secretariat on Wednesday, enquired why one of the reporters was wearing masks, which has become a rarity in the state, and cabinet minister Arup Biswas subsequently informed her that cases were on the rise in China.
"Is there a new variant of coronavirus in China? But they (China) have not imposed anything (restriction). I will ask the health department to keep a tab on the situation," she said.
Maharashtra health minister asks districts, civic bodies to ramp up COVID-19 testing The Maharashtra health department has asked all the district administrations and municipal corporations to increase COVID-19 tests.
While the fatality rate and hospitalisation are going down in Maharashtra, COVID-19 cases are witnessing a surge in some countries, an official release said on Wednesday.
In view of this, it said, health minister Tanaji Sawant directed all the districts to follow a five-point programme -- test, track, treat, vaccinate and (ensure) COVID-19 appropriate behaviour.
JUST IN: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will review the situation related to Covid 19 and related aspects in the country at a high-level meeting today afternoon, sources told NDTV.
In India,we've sufficient evidence to prove that those who recovered from Covid are best protected. It's important to monitor all variants.But it's unlikely that we'll face any serious problem due to the virus in current scenario, said Dr Sanjay Rai, Senior Epidemiologist, AIIMS Delhi, according to news agency ANI.
Four cases of BF.7 sub-variant of Omicron, which is driving the huge Covid surge in China, has been detected in Gujarat and Odisha.
India reported 131 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases to 4,46,76,330. The number of active cases also came down to 3,408 on Wednesday, according to the Union health ministry data.