Covid-19 Cases India: The fatality rate stands at 1.46 per cent. (Representational)
India's COVID-19 caseload went past 92 lakh with 44,376 new cases reported in a day, while the number of recoveries surged to 86.42 lakh, the health ministry said on Wednesday. The number of total coronavirus cases rose to 92,22,216 in the country, while the deaths due to the disease climbed to 1,34,699 with 481 new fatalities, the ministry's data updated at 8 am showed.
The active caseload shot up to 4,44,746, an increase of 6,079 cases from Tuesday, even though it remained below five lakh for the 15th consecutive day, accounting for 4.82 per cent of the total cases, the data stated.
The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 86,42,771, pushing the national recovery rate to 93.72 per cent, while the COVID-19 case fatality rate stands at 1.46 per cent.
According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), over 13.48 crore samples were tested for COVID-19 up to November 24, including 11,59,032 on Tuesday.
Here are the LIVE updates on Coronavirus Cases:
Coronavirus news: Germany extends virus curbs to early January
Germany will extend its current coronavirus restrictions through to early January unless there is a dramatic drop in infections -- something that is not expected, Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday.
Merkel said the measures introduced in early November, including limits on private gatherings and the closure of restaurants, leisure and cultural facilities, cannot be lifted given current infection rates, AFP reported.
Coronavirus news: Covid-19 antibody surveys underestimate infections, says study
Covid-19 prevalence surveys that detect levels of antibodies to determine whether people were infected in the past might be unreliable given how quickly these infection-fighting proteins fade, a US government study said Wednesday.
Whether the decline in antibodies increases the risk of reinfection remains uncertain, AFP reported.
Coronavirus news: Kerala issues revised COVID-19 guidelines on dead body management
Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja said on Wednesday that close relatives of Covid patients will be permitted to see the dead body in the isolation ward, mortuary and burial place following safety protocols. She also said that permission will be given to conduct local and religious rites in strict compliance with the Covid-19 norms, ANI reported.
Coronavirus news: Bihar logs 763 fresh COVID cases
Bihar's COVID-19 tally rose to 2,32,459 after 763 new cases were reported in the past 24 hours, while four fresh fatalities took the death count to 1,237, a health department bulletin said on Wednesday.
It said that 350 patients recovered from the disease taking the total number of cured people to 2,25,797. The state now has 5,425 active cases, PTI reported.
Coronavirus news: West Bengal's COVID-19 death cases rises to 8,172 with 51 more fatalities
The COVID-19 death toll in West Bengal climbed to 8,172 after 51 more patients died due to the disease on Wednesday, a bulletin released by the state health department said. The coronavirus tally mounted to 4,66,991 with 3,528 fresh cases, PTI reported.
Coronavirus news: Robust Covid Vaccine Manufacturing, Delivery Ecosystem Initiated To Meet Demand, says Centre
The government has initiated a robust COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing and delivery ecosystem to meet the demand, Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Wednesday.
Mr Vardhan, who is also the health and family welfare minister, said that as the world races to develop the vaccine for COVID-19, India is looking to be self-reliant in both its development and mass production, PTI reported.
Coronavirus news: UP to be ready by Dec 15 to accept COVID-19 vaccine, says Health Minister
Uttar Pradesh Health Minister Jay Pratap Singh on Wednesday said the state already has an established system of cold chain across all its districts and remaining work at some places will be completed by December 15 to accept vaccine for COVID-19 whenever it is ready.
Covid-19: 6,159 new cases in Maharashtra
A total of 6,159 new cases of coronavirus were reported in Maharashtra on Wednesday.
According to the state Health Department, 4,844 recoveries and 65 fatalities due to the COVID-19 were also recorded today.
The total count of cases in the state now stands at 17,95,959 including 84,464 active cases.
COVID-19: Delhi fatality per million least among 4 metro cities, says Satyendar JainAmid a spike in coronavirus cases and deaths in the city, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Wednesday claimed the national capital reported the "least fatality" per million population among the four metro cities in the country.
He also asserted that the AAP government will do its best to save every life.
"Delhi has least fatality per million amongst all 4 metro cities in India. There are 860 deaths per million in Mumbai, in Kolkata 562, in Chennai 538 whereas in Delhi 435 deaths per million. We will do our best to save each and every life," he tweeted along with a list.
COVID-19: Ashok Gehlot urges people to follow limits on number of guests attending wedding functionsChief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday appealed to the people of Rajasthan to follow recent guidelines on size of gatherings to curb the spread of COVID-19 and not exceed the number of guests allowed to attend wedding functions.
As per the guidelines, up to 100 people are allowed to attend a marriage function in Rajasthan. The state government has also increased the penalty amount from Rs 10,000 to Rs 25,000 if more than 100 people gather in marriages and other events.
Mr Gehlot said the state government is taking all steps to ensure that lives are saved during the coronavirus pandemic. "The restrictions announced are for our own safety," the chief minister said.
Coronavirus: Delhi Police personnel save over 350 COVID-19 patients by donating plasmaDelhi Police personnel saved the lives of more than 350 COVID-19 patients by donating them plasma, the force said Wednesday.
It said some police personnel like Head Constable Krishan Kumar donated their plasmas not just once but whenever any requirement came in.
The 42-year-old Kumar, who is posted at the Kapashera police station in Southwest district, donated his plasma five times.
Mr Kumar tested positive for the infection on May 1 and got admitted to a hospital when his health deteriorated. After he recovered from the deadly disease, he was discharged from the hospital on May 19. He donated his blood plasma to a colleague's wife on May 28.
COVID-19: No separate permission needed for wedding if guests up to 100 in NoidaNo separate permission is required for wedding functions in Gautam Buddh Nagar if the number of guests is up to 100, the district administration said Wednesday.
However, it is binding on the organiser to intimate the administration and the district police the details of the programme in advance.
District Magistrate Suhas L Y had on Saturday ordered that not more than 100 people will be allowed in any indoor event, including wedding, a decision taken in the wake of spike in COVID-19 cases in the region.
Also, not more than 40 per cent of area is allowed for any outdoor event, he had ordered.
The district magistrate on Wednesday clarified that the events should be held in strict compliance with government protocols on coronovirus that include wearing of face masks, social distancing, thermal scanning for guests among others.
COVID-19: NGOs turn saviours for most vulnerable communities during pandemicProviding ambulance for COVID-19 patients, arranging for cremation of those who succumbed to the disease, providing meals to the needy and helping bridge the growing digital divide in education, NGOs in Delhi have left no stone unturned to help the most vulnerable during the pandemic.
The ongoing pandemic had an unprecedented impact on lives, livelihood and children''s education. Lending a helping hand, many NGOs are working day in and day out to help those deprived of basic necessities in these trying times.
NGO Shaheed Bhagat Singh Sewa Dal (SBSSD), for instance, has been working round-the-clock to help COVID-19 victims and their families by providing ambulance, hearse and cremation services.
COVID-19: Maharashtra reports 6,159 new cases, 65 deaths
Maharashtra on Wednesday reported 6,159 fresh COVID-19 cases, taking the count of infections to 17,95,959, the state health department said.
With 65 more people succumbing to the viral infection, the cumulative count in the state mounted to 46,748, it said.
A total of 4,844 patients were discharged after treatment during the day, taking the tally of recovered people to 16,63,723, a health department official said.
COVID-19: 831 fresh cases reported in Andhra PradeshOnly 831 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday, taking the gross to 8,64,674.
The number of active cases fell below the 13,000 mark to 12,673 after 1,176 patients got cured in 24 hours ending 9 am on Wednesday.
Six deaths were reported, the lowest daily count in about five months now.
The total recoveries increased to 8,45,039 and the count to 6,962, according to the latest bulletin.
Maharashtra Exempts On-Duty Cockpit, Cabin Crew From Mandatory Covid Tests
The Maharashtra government on Wednesday exempted on-duty cockpit and cabin crew members of all airlines from the mandatory RT-PCR test across airports in the state.
The exemption, however, will be subjected to following all necessary COVID-related protocols by the respective airlines, Maharashtra Chief Secretary Sanjay Kumar said in an order.
The exemption was granted after the state government received a request from the national carrier Air India in this regard, the order stated.
In its revised standard operating procedures on preventive measures to check the spread of COVID-19 in the state, issued on November 23, the state government made it mandatory for all persons seeking to enter the state from Delhi, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Goa to carry RT-PCR negative reports amid the rising number of cases in these states.
COVID-19: Kerala records 6,491 fresh casesKerala on Wednesday registered 6,491 fresh COVID-19 cases and 26 deaths, taking the total caseload to 5,78,132and the toll to 2,121.
A total of 5,770 people recovered from the viral infection, state Health Minister K K Shylaja said. With this the total number of cured in the state has risen to 5,11,008, she said.
The state has 65,106 active cases as of Wednesday. "Kerala has tested 66,042 samples in the last 24 hours and the test positivity rate is 9.83 per cent. The state has tested 60,18,925 samples so far," she said.
Northern district of Kozhikode reported the highest number of cases on Wednesday at 781, followed by Ernakulam (566) and Malappuram (628) cases.
COVID-19: Sunday lockdown to return in Dehradun from this week Uttarakhand's Dehradun district will be locked down on Sundays from this week to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Dehradun District Magistrate Ashish Shrivastava issued an order on Wednesday seeking strict compliance of the lockdown on Sundays for carrying out sanitisation drives in busy market areas.
Only shops selling essentials like medicines, fruits, vegetables, milk, petrol pumps and LPG agencies will be allowed to open.
Coronavirus: Amid surge in COVID-19 deaths, Delhi govt increases ICU beds in hospitals
Delhi government has increased the number of ICU (Intensive Care Unit) beds in hospitals in view of an increasing number of deaths due to coronavirus.
The maximum number of 232 ICU beds has been added in Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital and 200 ICU beds in Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital of Delhi government, said sources.
According to a government source, more than 9,000 regular beds and over 1,000 ICU beds are available in Delhi for corona patients now.
Delhi reported 6,224 new cases of COVID-19 (out of 61,381 tests), 4,943 recoveries, and 109 deaths in the last 24 hours, according to Delhi Health Department.
Coronavirus: District authorities setting up micro-containment zones as COVID-19 cases surge in DelhiAmid a surge in COVID-19 cases in the national capital, some district authorities have been setting up micro-containment zones where two or more infections have been reported for better management of the pandemic, officials said on Wednesday.
Normally, an area is marked containment zone where three or more COVID-19 cases are detected. But it is a dynamic exercise, conducted by district authorities on a need-based manner, they said.
The Delhi Epidemic Disease COVID-19 Regulation, 2020, authorises district magistrates to seal off a geographical area, banning entry and exit of the population from the containment zone and to take any measures directed by the health department to prevent the spread of the disease.
According to a senior Delhi government official, micro-containment zones have been formed in the southwest and northwest districts, while other districts were also using a flexible approach to ensure restricting virus transmission in the best possible way.
Centre Issues New COVID-19 Guidelines For States From December 1The central government on Wednesday asked states to step up efforts to contain coronavirus cases especially in areas where a spike has been reported in recent weeks. Issuing a set of guidelines that will be effective from December 1, the Home Ministry suggested measures including local restrictions such as night curfews, stricter enforcement of containment zones and encouraging "Covid-appropriate" behaviour.
The centre said states can impose additional fines and curbs on gatherings but there can't be any lockdown outside containment zones without its permission.
The government call for stricter enforcement of existing rules like mask-wearing, social distancing and said it will issue formal rules for markets and weekly bazaars.
COVID-19: Delhi Lt Governor directs timely hospitalisation of patients under home isolationDelhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal on Wednesday directed officers to ensure timely hospitalisation of COVID-19 patients under home isolation in case of emergency to reduce the mortality rate in the national capital which has recorded over 100 daily deaths in seven of the last 13 days.
PTI Sources said the lieutenant governor also asked officers to ensure strict monitoring of COVID-19 patients under home isolation, amid instances of some people not following isolation norms.
According to official data, there were 22,246 COVID-19 patients under home isolation in the national capital till Tuesday.
Mr Baijal on Wednesday reviewed the COVID-19 situation in Delhi, hospital preparedness and implementation of a new strategy and action points recently issued by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
COVID-19: UK PM Boris Johnson offers days off from lockdown to form ''Christmas bubble''Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed a time-limited one-off dispensation from COVID-19 lockdown rules agreed by all parts of the United Kingdom for families to get together to form a Christmas bubble between December 23 and 27.
In a video message on Tuesday evening from Downing Street, where he continues to self-isolate after being in contact with a COVID-positive politician, Mr Johnson said a family can get together with two other households to form such a bubble in order to spend the festive period together.
"All four nations of the UK (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales) have agreed that from the 23rd of December to the 27th of December, you will be able to form a Christmas bubble with up to two other households," Mr Johnson said.
It would mean that up to three households will be able to come together from any part of the UK over the brief four-day period and also attend church and communal services.
"We can't afford to throw caution to the wind. The virus doesn't know it's Christmas and we must all be careful," he said, urging people "think carefully" about the festive plans.
Coronavirus Live Updates: Night Curfew In Punjab Cities From Dec 1-15 Over 2nd Covid Wave WorryAmid the grim Covid situation in Delhi and its neighbouring districts, and apprehensions of a second wave in Punjab, Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Wednesday ordered a series of fresh restrictions, including night curfew.
He has ordered private hospitals to take stock of bed availability amid patient inflow from Delhi, and immediately appoint more doctors and nurses to "meet future needs".
Punjab has re-imposed night curfew between 10 pm and 5 am in all its cities and towns starting December 1. "Hotels, restaurants and marriage venues will shut down at 9.30 pm," Mr Singh said.
EU must not relax COVID-19 measures too quickly, chief executive says
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned on Wednesday against relaxing coronavirus lockdown measures too quickly, telling the European Parliament there was a risk of a third wave of infections.
"I know that shop owners, bartenders and waiters in restaurants want an end to restriction. But we must learn from the summer and not repeat the same mistakes," von der Leyen said.
"Relaxing too fast and too much is a risk for a third wave after Christmas," she told EU lawmakers.
Indonesia reports record daily rise in coronavirus infections
Indonesia reported on Wednesday a record daily rise in coronavirus infections with 5,534 new cases, bringing the total to 511,836, according to its COVID-19 task force.
The task force's data also showed 114 new COVID-19 deaths, bringing total fatalities to 16,225.
Southeast Asia's biggest country has the region's highest number of coronavirus cases and deaths.
Coronavirus Cases Updates: Germany records 18,633 new COVID-19 cases
Germany recorded 18,633 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the national tally to 961,320, according to data released by the Robert Koch Institute on Wednesday. The deaths in the country increased by 410 to 14,771, it added.
Due to resurging COVID-19 cases nationwide, Chancellor Angela Merkel and the minister-presidents of the federal states are expected to extend the ongoing partial lockdown on Wednesday.
BioNTech, Fosun start Phase II trial of COVID-19 vaccine in China
BioNTech and Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical said on Wednesday they would launch a Phase II clinical trial of BioNTech's experimental COVID-19 vaccine in China
The vaccine, known as BNT162b2, will be tested on volunteers at the Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention to assess safety and immunogenicity, eyeing future approval in China, the two companies said in a statement.
BioNTech is also working with US pharma giant Pfizer on the vaccine and the partners said last week they were hoping to win approval in the United States and Europe this year after trial results showed the compound had a 95% efficacy rate and caused no serious side effects
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal asks experts to audit COVID-19 death cases
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday requested experts to audit COVID-19 death cases and suggest measures to reduce fatalities in the national capital, amid a spurt in the infections in the city.
The chief minister made the request at a meeting of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), which is chaired by Lt Governor Anil Baijal.
"At the meeting, the chief minister asked experts to audit death cases and suggest measures which could reduce deaths in the national capital," a source said.
Maharashtra's Aurangabad records 146 new COVID-19 cases
The detection of 146 fresh cases of COVID-19 has raised the count of infections in Maharashtra's Aurangabad district to 42,646, an official said on Wednesday.
With the addition of the latest cases on Tuesday, the district now has 802 patients undergoing treatment, the official said.
At least 110 persons were discharged from various hospitals and one died of the infection on Tuesday, he said. The district has so far recorded 40,707 recoveries and 1,137 deaths, he added.
COVID-19 Updates: US records highest daily deaths in 6 months with 2,146 fatalities
The United States has recorded highest daily fatalities due to COVID-19 since May with 2,146 deaths on Tuesday, according to data by John Hopkins University.
With this, the death toll of the country due to COVID-19 has reached 2,59,925, CNN reported.
This is 21st time the country has reported over 2,000 coronavirus fatalities in a day.
COVID-19 pandemic could be stopped if at least 70 pc public wore face masks consistently: Study
The COVID-19 pandemic could be stopped if at least 70 per cent of the public wore face masks consistently, according to a review of studies which suggests that the type of material used and the duration of mask use play key roles in their effectiveness.
The research, published in the journal Physics of Fluids, assessed studies on face masks and reviewed epidemiological reports on whether they reduce the number of people an infected person spreads the pathogen to -- the reproduction number of the virus.
"The highly efficacious facemask, such as surgical masks with an estimated efficacy of around 70 per cent, could lead to the eradication of the pandemic if at least 70 per cent of the residents use such masks in public consistently," the scientists, including Sanjay Kumar from the National University of Singapore, wrote in the study.
Coronavirus Cases Live Updates: COVID-19 case tally goes past 8,000 in Ladakh
Four more COVID-related fatalities pushed the deaths due to the disease to 105 in Ladakh, while the virus caseload crossed the 8,000-mark in the Union Territory after 83 new cases were detected in the last 24 hours, officials said on Wednesday.
A civil society-sponsored weeklong lockdown in Leh entered the third day with all shops and business establishments except pharmacies remaining closed and transport off the roads.
All the four new COVID-related deaths were reported from Leh, taking the deaths in the district to 64, the officials said.
Kargil district accounts for the remaining 41 COVID-related deaths in the Union Territory.
No fresh COVID-19 fatality reported for sixth day in Puducherry
Puducherry saw no COVID-19 related deaths for the sixth day in a row on Wednesday while 51 more people were infected by the virus taking the overall tally to 36,820.
The toll in the union territory stood at 609 as no deaths due to the infection were reported from any of the four regions of Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam during the last 24 hours ending 10 am today.
Director of Health and Family Welfare S Mohan Kumar said 51 new cases were detected at the end of examination of 3,258 samples. He noted that of the total cases, 545 were active, 35,666 patients recovered and were discharged so far. The fatality and recovery rates were 1.65 percent and 96.87 percent respectively.
Coronavirus Update: Colombia reports 7,515 more COVID-19 cases
Colombia reported 7,515 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide tally to 1,262,494, Colombian health authorities said Tuesday. 198 more deaths were reported, raising the nationwide deaths to 35,677, the authorities said, adding that 1,167,857 people have so far recovered from the disease.
The Colombian government has extended the selective quarantine phase until Dec. 1 to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Covid-19 LIVE Updates: Los Angeles shuts restaurants as coronavirus surges
A restaurant dining ban in Los Angeles was due to come into force Wednesday as officials warned Americans to stay at home for the Thanksgiving holiday, while parts of Europe eyed looser lockdowns over the festive season.
The three-week order in America's second-biggest city will begin as California faces record Covid-19 cases, and its health secretary urges people to avoid large family gatherings.
"It's as important to say no even when it comes to the closest people in our family," Dr Mark Ghaly said Tuesday, adding he had barred his own mother from his planned celebration.
The US government's health protection agency has for the first time called on Americans not to travel for the annual holiday, which will see families get together Thursday over turkey, yams and cranberry sauce.
Coronavirus Cases Live: 35 new cases push Mizoram's COVID-19 tally to 3,745
Mizoram's COVID-19 tally rose to 3,745 on Wednesday as 35 more people, including 12 security personnel, tested positive for the infection, a health official said. Lawngtlai district reported the highest number of new cases at 16, followed by Serchhip (10) and Aizawl (nine), he said.
Twenty new cases were detected during rapid antigen tests, 10 during TrueNat and five during RT-PCR tests, the official said. Nine policemen, two BSF jawans and an Assam Rifles
personnel are among the new patients, he said.
Coronavirus Live Updates: Jharkhand reports 233 new COVID-19 cases
Jharkhand's COVID-19 tally rose to 1,07,921 on Wednesday as 233 more people tested positive for the infection, a health official said. Two more patients died due to the infection, pushing the state's coronavirus deaths to 955, he said.
Bokaro and Ranchi districts reported one fresh fatality each, the official said. Ranchi district reported the highest number of new cases at 93, followed by East Singhbhum (28) and Ramgarh (27), he said.
The state now has 2,242 active coronavirus cases, while 1,04,724 people have been cured of the disease so far, the official said. Jharkhand has tested 20,205 samples for COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, he added.
PM has indicated COVID vaccine likely to be ready soon: BS Yediyurappa
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has indicated that the COVID-19 vaccine was likely to be ready soon and has asked states to prepare for its quick and effective distribution, Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa said on Tuesday.
"He (PM) spoke about it (vaccine) and there are indications that it may be ready in about four weeks, we (centre) are preparing for it and asked the states to also make all the necessary arrangements," Mr Yediyurappa said.
Covid-19 Live News: South Korea reports 382 more coronavirus cases
South Korea reported 382 more cases of COVID-19 as of 0:00 a.m. Wednesday local time compared to 24 hours ago, raising the total number of infections to 31,735.
The daily caseload hovered above 300 for two straight days, growing in triple digits for 18 days running due to the continued small cluster infections in Seoul and its surrounding Gyeonggi province as well as imported cases.
Of the new cases, 139 were Seoul residents and 77 were people residing in Gyeonggi province. Nineteen were imported from overseas, lifting the combined figure to 4,472.
Coronavirus News: France's Covid-19 deaths pass 50,000
France's coronavirus deaths rose past 50,000 on Tuesday after another 458 patients died in hospitals in the past day, according to figures shared by the public health agency. The country recorded 9,155 new infections in the past 24 hours, in what is a marked decrease from over 45,000 cases reported exactly a week ago.
Overall, more than 2.1 million people in France have tested positive for the virus since the outbreak began. Further 12,174 people were hospitalized in the past 7 days, with 1,833 in intensive care.
1.24 lakh beds added to 1,426 hospitals in State: Kerala Chief Minister to PM Modi
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday informed Prime Minister Narendra Modi that a total of 1.24 lakh new beds were added to 1,426 hospitals in the state.
Participating in a virtual meeting held by Modi with chief ministers of states witnessing a spike in the COVID-19 cases, Vijayan informed him about the steps taken by Kerala in containing the COVID-19.
"We have been able to reduce the pressure on hospitals with the widespread opening of covid Firstline Treatment Centers (FLTCs). In addition to the existing hospital beds, 1.24 lakh new beds have been set up in 1,426 institutions. The government has set up extensive facilities for testing. There are currently 2,113 labs for testing in both the government and private sectors. 58.09 lakh tests have already been conducted. About 30 per cent of these are RT-PCR tests," Mr Vijayan said.
Travellers from Delhi, Rajasthan, Goa and Gujarat arriving at Mumbai to undergo mandatory RT-PCR test from today
Coronavirus Updates: US to distribute 6.4 million Covid vaccine doses in first tranche
The United States plans to distribute 6.4 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in the first week after it is cleared for emergency use, which is likely next month, officials said Tuesday.
A committee of the Food and Drug Administration meets on December 10 to decide whether to green light the medicine, with the US confronted by soaring numbers of deaths and new cases.
Latest figures on Tuesday showed that the country had recorded a total of 259,600 Covid deaths and 12.5 million cases -- with over 2,000 deaths and 167,000 new cases in just the last 24 hours.
French President Emmanuel Macron poised to soften lockdown as virus caseload drops
French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to announce lighter coronavirus restrictions on Tuesday thanks to a recent drop in new infections, paving the way for shops to reopen swiftly and allow travel for Christmas.
In an evening television address, Macron began outlining France's strategy to procure coronavirus vaccines as trial successes reported by some laboratories spark a worldwide scramble for Covid shots.
"At this point, we will see a slight relaxing of the lockdown," Prime Minister Jean Castex told leaders of Macron's LREM party hours before the president's primetime appearance, participants told AFP.
Coronavirus news: 6 employees of Punjab Raj Bhavan test positive for Covid
As many as six employees of the Punjab Raj Bhavan, including Principal Secretary to the Governor, have tested positive for Covid-19, the Raj Bhavan said on Tuesday.
As many as 614 new Covid-19 cases and 22 deaths were reported from Punjab in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of active cases to 6,834, ANI reported.
Coronavirus news: Odisha records 642 new COVID-19 cases, 14 more deaths
Odisha's COVID-19 caseload on Tuesday mounted to 3,15,271 after 642 more people tested positive for the infection, while 14 fresh fatalities took the state's death count to 1,671, a health department official said.
Of the 642 new cases, 374 were reported from various quarantine centres, and the remaining detected during contact tracing, PTI reported.