New Delhi: The centre wants 300 to 400 million doses of the coronavirus vaccine being developed by the Oxford University and pharma company AstraZeneca by July, Serum Institute's Adar Poonawalla, said on Saturday. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to a company facility today to review the vaccine's development, Mr Poonawalla said "we are amazed with what he already knew".
India has reported 41,322 fresh COVID-19 cases on Saturday, 4% lower than on Friday, taking its overall number to 93.51 lakh cases and 1,36,200 deaths, Union Health Ministry data shows. These numbers come even as a vaccine to fight back the virus seemed tantalisingly close. The states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala were the most affected ones, with deaths ranging from 23 to 85 in the past 24 hours.
PM Modi began his three-city vaccine tour with a visit to pharma major Zydus Cadila's plant near Ahmedabad. He then visited Pune where Serum Institute of India (SII), which has partnered with global pharma giant AstraZeneca and Oxford University for a COVID-19 vaccine, is based.
On November 24, Prime Minister while speaking with chief ministers of various states over the deteriorating pandemic situation in their states at a virtual meeting advised the states to establish cold storage facilities for COVID-19 vaccine beforehand and suggested them to prepare and send a plan for its distribution to the Central government. Delhi registered 5,482 fresh COVID-19 cases in a day, while 98 more fatalities linked to the disease pushed the city's death count to 8,909 on Friday, authorities said.
Here are the Highlights on Coronavirus Cases:
Nov 29, 2020 04:22 (IST)
650 new COVID-19 cases and 270 recoveries reported in the state on Saturday. The total number of cases in the state is 38,977 including 29,753 recovered cases, 8,574 active cases and 613 deaths: Health Department, Himachal Pradesh
Nov 29, 2020 00:22 (IST)
163 new COVID-19 cases and 122 discharges reported in Assam on Saturday. Total cases in the state rise to 2,12,483, including 2,08,187 discharges and 980 deaths. Active cases stand at 3,313
Nov 28, 2020 22:29 (IST)
98 inmates of a jail in Chhattisgarh's Korba district were among the 1,890 people who were detected with the coronavirus infection, news agency PTI reported.
Nov 28, 2020 21:27 (IST)
"Cases, Positivity In Delhi Going Down": Arvind Kejriwal
The COVID-19 positivity rate in Delhi dropped to 7.24 per cent on Saturday, the lowest since October 23.
"Since 7 November, cases and positivity in Delhi are going down. Today, less than 5000 cases, 89 deaths and 7.24 positivity. Hope this trend continues. Delhiites and Delhi govt together will win over this third wave also. Pl continue to observe all precautions," Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted.
Nov 28, 2020 21:12 (IST)
Rajasthan Caps RT-PCR Covid Test By Private Labs At Rs 800
The Rajasthan government on Saturday fixed the rate for COVID-19 RT-PCR tests by private labs in the state to Rs 800, slashing it by Rs 400, news agency PTI reported.
Nov 28, 2020 19:21 (IST)
"Amazed With What He Already Knew": Adar Poonawalla On PM's Visit
"We are amazed with what he already knew. He was impressed with the new facility that we have built. We have showed him a new facility so that we can deal with more than one billion doses"
Nov 28, 2020 19:13 (IST)
Serum Institute's Adar Poonawalla On Vaccine
"What we discussed is the implementation plan only after we get the emergency use approval after we make the submissions. After that, the health ministry will roll out the doses in first and second quarter. But, that is after we have made the submissions and everything is approved"
Nov 28, 2020 19:00 (IST)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit on Saturday to Zydus Cadila's manufacturing facility near Ahmedabad where a coronavirus vaccine is being developed was encouraging, the pharma major said.
"Today, honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited our Zydus Biotech park. This visit has encouraged us in doing more and doing fast," the company's Chairman Pankaj Patel was quoted by PTI as saying in a video.
Nov 28, 2020 18:44 (IST)
"Great Inspiration": Bharat BioTech On PM's Visit
PM Modi today visited a facility of Bharat BioTech, which is working on Covaxin, pitched as India's first indigenous vaccine candidate. The company later released a statement: "The prime minister's visit serves as a great inspiration to our team, and further reinforces our commitment towards scientific discovery, solving public health issues, and the nation's fight against COVID-19".
Nov 28, 2020 16:39 (IST)
Coronavirus Pandemic Spread Contained: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister
The Tamil Nadu government has contained the spread of coronavirus through focused and concerted efforts and is now engaged in efforts to ensure that normalcy returns to the state, Chief Minister K Palaniswami said on Saturday.
"We have observed that whenever there is a large gathering like a wedding or when people step out of their homes, some wear face masks while others ignore the precaution," the Chief Minister was quoted by news agency PTI as saying.
