Covid Cases In India: The active cases stand at 18,31,268, comprising 4.43 per cent of total cases (File)
India's daily Covid curve showed marginal improvement as the country reported 2,09,918 cases on Sunday -- 10 per cent lower than yesterday's 2.34 lakh cases -- taking the total infection tally to 4.13 crore. The active cases stand at 18,31,268, now comprising 4.43 per cent of total cases.
The daily positivity rate is up from 14.5 per cent to 15.77 per cent while the weekly positivity rate stands at 15.75 per cent. As many as 959 people have died of Covid during the past 24-hour period, according to the Health Ministry, higher in comparison to previous days as Kerala added 374 fatalities to its backlog.
In the ongoing Covid vaccination drive across the country, 166.03 crore vaccine doses have been administered so far. Over 75 per cent of the country's adult population is now fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Here are the Highlights on coronavirus cases in India:
COVID-19 India News: Assam Reports 1,811 New Cases, 19 More Deaths
Assam logged 1,811 new COVID-19 positive cases on Monday, registering an increase in fresh infections after having been on a declining trend for the last four days, as the overall caseload climbed to 7,16,406, a National Health Mission (NHM) bulletin said. The day's deaths decreased by one in a day to 19, it added. The day's positivity rate is 4.66 per cent, down from 6.95 per cent recorded on the previous day. The number of active cases in the state on Monday is 20,627. (PTI)
COVID-19 India News: Maharashtra Sees 15,140 New Cases, 39 Deaths
Maharashtra today reported 15,140 fresh coronavirus positive cases, 7,304 less than the day before, and 39 fatalities, including 26 in the Mumbai region, due to the infection, the state health department said. The new additions pushed the overall caseload to 77,21,109 and the death count to 1,42,611, it said. The state has 2,07,350 active cases. With 91 new Omicron cases being detected today in Maharashtra, the tally of such infections went up to 3,221, the department said. Out of these cases, 1,682 patients have recovered so far. (PTI)
COVID-19 India News: Haryana Reports 19 Deaths, 3,563 New Cases
Nineteen coronavirus-related deaths were reported in Haryana on Monday, while 3,563 fresh cases pushed the state's infection count to 9,49,532, according to a Health Department bulletin. So far, 10,305 people have died from the infection in the state. Gurugram district reported a maximum of 1,155 new cases while Faridabad, Hisar and Sonipat reported 219, 273 and 181 cases, respectively. (PTI)
2,861 New Cases In Telangana
Telangana reports 2,861 new Covid cases and three deaths in 24 hours.
Delhi Sees 2,779 New Cases, 24% Fewer Than Yesterday Delhi positivity rate slightly down to 6.2% from 6.3%, 2,779 new cases, 24% fewer than yesterday
Gujarat's Daily Surge Lowest Since Jan 10
Gujarat saw the lowest daily surge since January 10 with 6,679 fresh cases. But 35 deaths were recorded during the same period.
In Himachal, 1,471 New Covid Cases, 5 Covid Deaths In 24 Hours
Himachal Pradesh recorded 1,471 fresh Covid cases and five more deaths in the last 24 hours.
Madhya Pradesh Sees 8,062 New Covid Cases, 2 Deaths In 24 hours
Madhya Pradesh's overall caseload rose to 9,67,501 after 8,062 new cases were added in the last 24 hours; two deaths were recorded in the same period. The positivity rate, or cases detected per 100 tests, decreased to 10.8 per cent on Monday from 11.49 per cent a day earlier, news agency PTI reported.
Canada PM Justin Trudeau says tests positive for Covid-19: news agency AFP
Karnataka Sees Over 24,000 New Cases; Over 10,000 From Bengaluru
Karnataka reported over 24,000 cases in the last 24 hours and more than 10,000 cases were reported from Bengaluru alone. The surge in cases in the southern state as well as its capital has been worrying this month.
Puducherry To See Curbs In Feb Too
Puducherry will be under Covid curbs in February too. The Secretary, in an order, said all social, entertainment-related gatherings would be prohibited. Restaurants, hotels, bars and liquor shops would operate with adherence to standard operating procedures, he said, news agency PTI reported.
Delhi Covid Cases: War Rooms To Ensure 100 Per Cent Vaccination
The Delhi government has launched war rooms in the national capital with an aim to achieve 100 per cent vaccination amid the battle against COVID-19.
COVID-19 India News: Mumbai Reports 960 New Cases, 11 Deaths; Positivity At 2.1%Mumbai today reported 960 new cases of coronavirus and 11 related deaths. Currently, there are 9,900 active cases of the virus in the city. The city conducted 45,618 tests in the last 24 hours and the positivity rate stands at 2.1%. Yesterday, the financial capital had reported 1,160 new cases and 10 deaths, with a positivity of 2.5%. Cases in Mumbai have dropped by 17% over the past 24 hours. Today's figure marks a fall of nearly 95% since peak.
COVID-19 India News: Kerala Reports 42,154 New Cases, 729 More Deaths
After reporting more than 50,000 fresh COVID-19 cases daily for the last few days, Kerala today reported 42,154 new infections which raised the caseload to 60,25,669. The state had reported 51,570 cases a day ago. Kerala today also reported 729 deaths which raised the total deaths in the state to 54,395, according to a government release. With 38,458 more people recovering from the virus since Sunday, the total recoveries reached 56,12,993. However, as the recoveries were less than the new COVID-19 cases, the active cases rose to 3,57,552, the release said. As many as 99,410 samples were tested in the last 24 hours. (PTI)
COVID-19 India News: Tripura Reports 79 New Cases; Schools, Colleges Reopen
Tripura's daily Covid-19 cases dropped to 79 on Monday from 186 a day before, while the overall infection tally increased to 1,00,221, a health department official said. The state registered four fresh deaths taking the death count to 896. All schools, colleges and universities opened from Monday after a gap of one month in Tripura. Altogether 186 Covid positive cases were confirmed out of 4,945 samples on Sunday while the test positivity rate was 3.54 per cent. (PTI)
COVID-19 India News: Andhra Pradesh Reports 5,879 New Cases, 9 Deaths In 24 Hours
Active Covid-19 cases came down to 1,10,517 as Andhra Pradesh added 5,879 fresh infections against 11,384 recoveries in the 24 hours ending 9 am on Monday. The latest bulletin said nine infected persons also died due to the virus in the state in 24 hours. The cumulative Covid-19 cases in the state now touched 22,76,370, recoveries 21,51,238 and deaths 14,615, the bulletin said. The state had recorded 10,310 fresh cases yesterday, while active cases stood at 1,16,031. (PTI)
COVID-19 India News: Puducherry Covid Curbs To Stay Till February 28
Secretary to Puducherry Government (Relief and Rehabilitation) Ashok Kumar on Monday announced the extension of Covid-19 restrictions till midnight of February 28. The Secretary, in an order, said that all social, entertainment-related gatherings would be prohibited. Restaurants, hotels, bars and liquor shops would operate with adherence to standard operating procedures, he said. But, the beach road, parks and public gardens would remain open, he said and asked people to wear masks and maintain social distancing. All religious places of worship would be open for public only up to 10 PM. Weddings are permitted in religious places with just 25 people and the number of guests in functions not more than 100. Funerals should not have more than 20 mourners, he said. The Secretary said petrol bunks, ATMs, water and electricity supply, dairy and milk supply booths are exempted from the restrictions. Cinemas, theatres, and multiplexes are permitted to function till 12.30 AM. (PTI)
COVID-19 India News: Sikkim Reports 53 New Cases, No New Deaths
Sikkim's COVID-19 caseload rose to 38,152 on Monday as 53 more people tested positive for the virus in the past 24 hours, a health department bulletin said. The state had reported 127 new cases on Sunday. Sikkim's coronavirus death count remained unchanged at 429, as no fresh fatality was reported. The state now has 931 active cases, while 36,118 people recovered from the disease. Altogether 674 patients have migrated to other states. (PTI)
COVID-19 India News: Bengal Allows Schools, Colleges To Reopen From February 3
The West Bengal government has allowed schools to reopen for classes 8 to 12 from February 3 as the pandemic situation improved in the state. Addressing a press conference on Monday, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said colleges, universities and polytechnic institutes will also reopen on that day. "We will decide on reopening primary schools later," she said. Mr Banerjee said that the COVID-19 situation in the state has improved a lot, because of which certain relaxations are being given. (PTI)
Indian-made vaccines play important role in freeing world from Covid, says President Kovind
President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday said that 'Made in India' COVID-19 vaccines are playing an important role in making the world free from the pandemic.
"COVID-19 vaccines being made in India are playing an important role in making the whole world free from the pandemic and saving the lives of crores of people," President Kovind in his address to the joint sitting of the Parliament at Central Hall on the first day of Budget session.
Lauding the efforts of the state governments, central government, administrations, healthcare workers, frontline workers to curb COVID-19, the President said that everyone worked as a team.
Covid-Infected HIV Patient Developed 21 Mutations, Study ShowsA South African woman suffering from inadequately treated HIV, and who harbored Covid-19 for nine months saw the respiratory virus develop at least 21 mutations while in her body, according to a study.
The study adds to evidence that Covid-19 may mutate rapidly when harbored by immuno-suppressed individuals, such as those not taking medication to treat HIV, and this may lead to the development of new variants.
Coronavirus News: Recovery Clinics Across US Provide Hope To Long Covid PatientsSeveral recovery clinics have popped up across the United States as thousands of people who recovered from coronavirus infections -- even mild ones -- have found themselves still struggling.
Doctors have known for years that some patients who recover from viral infections go on to develop post-viral syndromes, but the exact cause is unknown.
Estimates of long Covid's prevalence vary widely from study to study, from as little as 10 percent of people who recover from a Covid infection, to as high as 35 or even 50 percent. Read more here.
Over 164.59 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses provided to states and union territories, says CentreThe Centre on Monday said that it has provided over 164.59 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses to states and UTs.
These vaccine doses have been provided under the government's free-of-cost channel and through the direct state procurement category.
The Centre also said that more than 12.38 crore (12,38,35,511) balance and unutilized Covid vaccine doses are still available with states and UTs to be administered.
Coronavirus Live Updates: 2.09 lakh new Covid cases in India today, 959 deathsIndia today recorded 2.09 lakh new Covid cases today, 10% lower than yesterday's daily spike of 2.34 lakh cases. The positivity rate rose to 15.77% from 14.5%, while the country's active caseload currently stands at 18,31,268.
The death count climbed to 4,95,050 with 959 Covid-related deaths. Kerala added 374 deaths as backlog to today's count.
New York City to deliver free antiviral Covid pills to coronavirus patients
New York City will provide free antiviral pills, home-delivered, to people who test positive and are at higher risk from Covid-19, Mayor Eric Adams announced on Sunday.
"We want to make sure that no one with Covid has to move throughout the city," Adams said at a press briefing in the Bronx. "We want you to take advantage of this."
Both oral anti-viral medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration -- paxlovid from Pfizer Inc. and molnupiravir from Merck & Co. -- will be available in limited quantities.
Covid Misinformation Row: Spotify To Add Content Advisory To Podcasts Discussing Covid After BacklashMusic streaming giant Spotify announced Sunday that it would start guiding listeners of podcasts discussing Covid-19 to more information about the pandemic, following a row that saw artist Neil Young remove his music from the platform.
The move comes after artists, spearheaded by Neil Young, earlier this week demanded the streaming service remove their music or drop podcaster Joe Rogan after a call from medical professionals to prevent Rogan from promoting "several falsehoods about Covid-19 vaccines."
India Fighting New Covid Wave With Great Success: PM ModiPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said India is fighting the new wave of Covid with "great success" and asserted that the people's trust on indigenous vaccines was "our strength".
In his monthly 'Mann Ki Baat' radio broadcast, PM Modi said, "Now the cases of corona infection have also started decreasing, this is a very positive sign." It is a matter of pride that till now about four-and-a-half crore children have been administered the first dose of coronavirus vaccine, he said.
Parliament strategises Covid measures for upcoming Budget SessionRajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Sunday discussed preparations for the Budget session of Parliament amid the surge in coronavirus cases.
The session begins Monday with the address of President Ram Nath Kovind to members of both the Houses.
During the meet, Om Birla suggested that members of both the Houses can be seated at different locations by name to avoid confusion, crowding and inquiries. Mr Naidu accepted the suggestion, parliamentary sources said.