Coronavirus Cases in India: The recovery rate is 95.53 per cent.
India's total coronavirus cases reached 1,00,55,560 on Monday with 24,337 new COVID-19 cases recorded in the last 24 hours, according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).
According to the Health Ministry, 25,709 recoveries have been reported in the last 24 hours. The difference in the new recoveries outnumbering new cases has also improved the recovery rate to 95.53 per cent on Monday.
The total numbers of recovered and active cases in the country are 96,06,111 and 3,03,639 respectively. Meanwhile, the country's death count stands at 1,45,810 after 333 deaths.
Meanwhile, European countries - and some beyond the continent - are restricting travel from the United Kingdom amid mounting fears over an infectious new strain of the novel coronavirus first detected in England.
Austria, Belgium, Italy, Ireland, Germany, France and the Netherlands announced bans Sunday, with others expected to follow. Israel, Turkey and Saudi Arabia have also temporarily suspended flights departing from or arriving in the United Kingdom.
Here are the Highlights on Coronavirus cases:
Coronavirus news - UK Working "As Fast As Possible" To Resolve Border Closures: Boris Johnson
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday sought to sound a note of calm saying he was working "as fast as possible" to unblock trade across the Channel after France shut its borders to UK hauliers in a bid to contain a new variant of the coronavirus.
Following conversations with French President Emmanuel Macron over the ban, which has caused chaos around the key UK port of Dover and led to concerns of food shortages just days before Christmas, Johnson said supply chains remained "strong and robust".
"These delays only apply to a very small percentage of food entering the UK," the prime minister told a press conference, adding that he wanted to sort out the problem "in the next few hours".
UK Working "As Fast As Possible" To Resolve Border Closures: Boris Johnson
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday sought to sound a note of calm saying he was working "as fast as possible" to unblock trade across the Channel after France shut its borders to UK hauliers in a bid to contain a new variant of the coronavirus.
Following conversations with French President Emmanuel Macron over the ban, which has caused chaos around the key UK port of Dover and led to concerns of food shortages just days before Christmas, Johnson said supply chains remained "strong and robust".
"These delays only apply to a very small percentage of food entering the UK," the prime minister told a press conference, adding that he wanted to sort out the problem "in the next few hours".
Joe Biden Receives COVID-19 Vaccine Live On Television
US President-elect Joe Biden received a Covid-19 vaccine live on television Monday in a campaign to boost Americans' confidence in the jabs.
The 78-year-old incoming president got the Pfizer vaccine at the Christiana Hospital in Newark, Delaware. His wife Jill received the shot earlier, the presidential transition team said.
Biden told Americans "there's nothing to worry about" when they get vaccinated and that in the meantime they should keep wearing masks and "listen to the experts."
Covid-19: Odisha fixes cost of Rapid Antigen Test by private labs at Rs 100
Odisha Government fixed the maximum cost for Rapid Antigen Test conducted by private laboratories at Rs 100 (inclusive GST) within the State.
The notification from Odisha''s Health and Family Welfare Department dated December 21 read, "In supersession of this Department notification dated 14.7.2020, Government after careful consideration have been pleased to refix the maximum cost for Rapid Antigen Test conducted by Private Laboratories @ Rs 100 (inclusive of GST) within the state of Odisha."
"The tests will be conducted by Private Laboratories under the supervision of RMRC, Bhubaneswar following ICMR guidelines regarding the testing protocols for Rapid Antigen Test," the notification read.
Covid-19: Punjab records 338 new cases, 11 deaths
As many as 338 new cases of novel coronavirus were reported in Punjab on Monday, taking the tally for active cases to 5,408.
According to the Government of Punjab, 535 recoveries and 11 fatalities were also recorded on the same day.
A total of 1,63,378 coronavirus cases have been reported in the state so far.
While 1,52,758 people have recovered from the deadly virus, 5,212 persons have succumbed to the disease, as per the state government.
New Covid Variant In UK "Not Out Of Control": WHOThe new coronavirus variant discovered in Britain with a higher transmission rate is not yet out of control and can be contained using existing measures, the World Health Organization said on Monday.
"We have had a much higher (contamination rate) at different points in this pandemic and we've got it under control," WHO's emergencies chief Michael Ryan told a press conference.
"So this situation is not in that sense out of control. But it cannot be left to its own devices."
Coronavirus Latest News: Assam Reports 101 New Cases And 93 Discharges
Coronavirus Live Updates: West Bengal Reports 1,515 New Cases, 2,342 Discharges And 41 Deaths
Coronavirus Latest News: European Union Watchdog Approves Pfizer-BioNtech Vaccine
The European Unions's drug regulator authorised the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine on Monday, and said there was no evidence it would not work against a new strain found mainly in Britain.
The European Medicines Agency said the "historic" step paved the way for vaccinations to finally start within days across the 27-nation EU where cases of the disease are surging.
The Amsterdam-based regulator moved the decision forward from December 29 under pressure from EU governments, after Britain and the United States gave the green light weeks earlier.
Coronavirus Live News: Karnataka Reports 772 New Cases, 1,261 Discharges And 7 Deaths Today
COVID-19 Live News: Tamil Nadu Reports 1,071 New Cases, 1,157 Discharges And 12 Deaths
Coronavirus Latest News: Manipur Reports 38 New Cases And 133 Recoveries Today
Maharashtra Declares Night Curfew In Civic Corporation Areas Till January 5
The Maharashtra government on Monday declared a night curfew in municipal corporation areas of the state from December 22 to January 5 as a precautionary measure amid mounting fears about a new coronavirus variant spreading in the UK.
According to an official statement, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray held a meeting in the light of the situation in the UK.
It was decided at the meeting that a night curfew will be imposed in municipal corporation areas between 11 and 6 am from December 22 to January 5 as a precautionary measure, it said.
The statement said it has also been decided to put in institutional quarantine for 14 days those who arrive at the states airports from European and West Asian countries.
COVID-19 Live News: 448 New Cases Reported In Uttarakhand
Coronavirus Latest News: Andhra Pradesh Reports 214 New Cases, 422 Recoveries
Coronavirus Latest News: Delhi Reports 803 New Cases, 1,669 Recoveries And 27 Deaths In The Last 24 Hours
Coronavirus Latest News: Kerala Reports 3,423 New COVID-19 Cases
Give COVID-19 Vaccine Emergency Use Authorisation After Trials On Sufficient Sample Size: Parliamentary Panel
Any vaccine against COVID-19 should be granted emergency use authorisation only after proper consideration and conducting its trials on a sufficient sample size, a parliamentary panel chaired by senior Congress leader Anand Sharma has recommended to the government.
In a report submitted Monday to Rajya Sabha chairman and Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs also said there was a need for a comprehensive public health law to keep a tab on private hospitals and check black-marketing of medicines.
The report comes even as the government considers applications of at least three firms seeking emergency approval to roll out their vaccines against the coronavirus in India.
Coronavirus Latest News: Ladakh Records 9 New COVID-19 Cases, 78 Recoveries
Nine fresh COVID-19 cases were reported in Ladakh where 78 patients recovered from the infection during the past 24 hours, bringing down the number of active cases in the union territory to 355, officials said on Monday.
Ladakh had recorded a total of 9,279 virus caseload since the outbreak of the pandemic in March, out of which 124 patients, including 81 in Leh and 43 in Kargil, have died due to the infection.
With the recovery of 71 patients in Leh and seven in Kargil on Sunday, the recovery figure had gone up to 8,800, which is 95 per cent of the total cases, they said.
COVID-19 Live Updates: Rajasthan Chief Minister Urges People To Celebrate New Year's Eve At Home, Avoid Mass Gatherings
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has urged people to celebrate New Year's eve at home and avoid bursting firecrackers and mass gatherings in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, officials said on Monday.
After chairing a meeting to review preparedness for the coronavirus vaccination programme, the chief minister stressed that public health was paramount.
"People should celebrate New Year with their families inside their homes, avoid overcrowding and bursting firecrackers. This is important for everyone's health. Rajasthan will strictly implement COVID-19 guidelines issued by the Supreme Court for all states," he tweeted.
India Suspends UK Flights Until December 31 Amid Fears Of New COVID-19 Varient
The government said Monday it would suspend all flights to and from the UK until December 31 after the emergence of a new strain of coronavirus.
"Considering the prevailing situation in UK. Govt. of India has decided that all flights originating from UK to India to be suspended till 31st December 2020," the aviation ministry said in a tweet.
Passengers of flights from UK arriving before midnight tomorrow will have to take an RT-PCR test at airports.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: UK Cut Off From Europe Over Fears About New Covid Strain
Britain's European neighbours began closing their doors to travellers from the United Kingdom on Sunday amid alarm about a rapidly spreading strain of coronavirus that has caused cases to soar there.
France said it would bar all people coming from the United Kingdom for 48 hours from Sunday night, including freight carriers, whether by road, air, sea or rail.
Germany, Italy and the Netherlands ordered a suspension of flights from Britain, while Ireland said it would impose restrictions on flights and ferries from its neighbour.
Belgium said it would close its borders to flights and trains - including the popular Eurostar service - coming from the United Kingdom.
"The COVID variant recently discovered in London is worrying and will need to be investigated by our scientists," Italian Health Minister Roberto Speranza said.
"In the meantime we choose the path of maximum prudence."
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Saturday that the new strain had led to spiralling infection numbers. His government tightened its COVID-19 restrictions for London and nearby areas, and also reversed plans to ease restrictions over the Christmas period.
Covid-19 LIVE Updates: Britain Holds Crisis Meeting Over Travel BanPrime Minister Boris Johnson was to chair a crisis meeting Monday as a growing number of countries from France to Argentina blocked flights to Britain over a new highly infectious coronavirus strain the UK said was "out of control".
The World Health Organization also called for stronger containment measures across Europe, which has passed 500,000 deaths from Covid-19.
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Odisha reports 363 new COVID-19 cases, 3 more deaths
Odisha's COVID-19 tally Monday mounted to 3,26,596 after 363 more people tested positive for the infection, while three fresh fatalities pushed the death toll to 1,839, a health department official said.
The new cases were detected in 27 of the state's 30 districts, with 208 reported from different quarantine centres and 155 are local contact cases.
Khurda and Sundergarh districts each recorded the highest of 50 new cases followed by Sambalpur (35).
Taking to twitter, the health and family welfare department said: "Regret to inform the demise of three numbers of Covid positive patients while under treatment in hospitals."
The fresh fatalities were reported from Sundergarh (2) and one patient succumbed to the infection in Kalahandi district.
Apart from 1,839 fatalities reported so far, 53 other COVID-19 positive patients also died due to comorbidities.
JustIn| "Government is alert, no need to panic": Health Minister on new strain of coronavirus in UK
Jharkhand reports 172 new COVID-19 cases, tally rises to 1,13,025
Jharkhand's COVID-19 caseload rose to 1,13,025 as 172 more people tested positive for the infection, a health department official said on Monday.
The death toll remained at 1,010 as no COVID-19 fatality was reported in the last 24-hours, he said.
Ranchi district registered the maximum number of fresh cases at 71, followed Dhanbad (16), East Singhbhum (15) and Ramgarh (12).
Jharkhand now has 1,708 active coronavirus cases, while 1,10,307 people have been cured of the disease so far, the official said.
Worst is over concerning Covid-19 in India, but precautions still needed: Harsh Vardhan
Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on Sunday said that the worst is over concerning coronavirus in the country but people still need to follow Covid appropriate behaviour to stay safe.
"At a personal level, I think that the worst is over concerning the Covid-19 situation. I have been following this situation right from the time when we had our first case on January 30, 2020. Since then, I have watched everything from the closest of quarters with meticulous precision. If we look at the things in the last three-four months then things are in a declining phase," Dr Vardhan told ANI in an exclusive interview.
"But we need to strictly follow Covid appropriate behaviour and cannot afford to relax on that front," he added.
Telangana logs 316 new COVID-19 cases, 2 deaths take number to 1,515
Telangana reported 316 fresh COVID-19 cases, taking the tally to over 2.81 lakh while two fatalities pushed the toll to 1,515, the state government said on Monday.
Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) accounted for the most number of cases with 86, followed by Rangareddy (30) and Medchal Malkajgiri (22), it said in a bulletin, providing details as of 8 PM on December 20.
As many as6,590 patients are under treatment and 32,714 samples were tested on Sunday.
Cumulatively, over 64.75 lakh samples have been tested.
The samples tested per million population was nearly 1.74 lakh, the bulletin said.
Coronavirus: Arunachal Pradesh reports one new COVID-19 case, 17 fresh recoveries
One more person tested positive for COVID-19 in Arunachal Pradesh, pushing the tally in the northeastern state to 16,630, a health department official said on Monday.
The fresh case was reported from Tawang district, State Surveillance Officer (SSO) Dr Lobsang Jampa said.
Seventeen more people were cured of the disease and discharged from hospitals on Sunday, taking the total recoveries to 16,350, the official said.
The recovery rate among coronavirus patients in the state currently stands at 98.31 per cent, SSO Jampa said.
Arunachal Pradesh now has 225 active cases, while 55 patients have succumbed to the infection so far.
Centre preparing with states for past four months for Covid-19 vaccination, says Harsh Vardhan
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan has said that the government has been working with the state governments for the past four months for preparations regarding Covid-19 vaccination in the country.
"For the past four months, the union government has been preparing with the state governments at the state, district, and even at the block level. We have been preparing for the past four months," the minister told ANI in an exclusive interview.
He was asked if the country is ready for vaccination and if there are certain issues that need to be resolved.
The minister talked about India's vast experience in vaccination including the campaign to get polio-free.
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan says Covid-19 vaccine cannot be forced on anyone, government will educate people
The coronavirus vaccine cannot be forced upon anyone but the government will educate and give the right information to people about it, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Sunday.
"Vaccine hesitancy issues will be addressed through education. The government will spread awareness and educate people about the vaccine that this is for their own good and benefit," Harsh Vardhan said in an interview with ANI.
He also said that the government had prioritised who will get the vaccines after observing international trends and keeping in mind the guidelines of the World Health Organisation.
JustIn| 24,337 fresh COVID-19 cases in India, 8.5% lower than yesterday; over 1 crore total cases, 1,45,810 deaths
Section 144 imposed within 300 metres of Vidhan Sabha building in Uttarakhand
In view of the Uttarakhand Assembly Session on Monday, Section 144 has been imposed within 300 meters radius of the Legislative Assembly building.
Dehradun District Magistrate Dr Ashish Shrivastava issued orders in this regard on Sunday amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Speaker of the Assembly had informed that all the members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) will only be allowed to enter with a negative COVID-19 report.
Speaker Premchand Aggarwal had said, "All the MLAs will only be allowed to enter after submitting their COVID-19 negative reports to the concerned authorities. If anyone fails to do so, he or she will be tested at a nearby spot and only to enter if they test negative."
Don't think night curfew or lockdown should be imposed in Maharashtra, says Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has said, he doesn't think a night curfew or another lockdown should be imposed though many people have suggested this to him.
"Many people suggested me to impose night curfew or lockdown in the state. But I don't think night curfew or another lockdown should be imposed," Mr Thackeray said while addressing a press conference via video conferencing on Sunday.
He also inspected ongoing metro construction work at Gundawali (Andheri) Kandivali and Dahisar.
Maharashtra has 62,218 active coronavirus cases, which is the highest in the country. 17,81,841 have recovered so far in the state while 48,648 died.
Covid-19 LIVE Updates: New Coronavirus Variant "Out Of Control": Nations Impose UK Travel BanEuropean countries - and some beyond the continent - are restricting travel from the United Kingdom amid mounting fears over an infectious new strain of the novel coronavirus first detected in England.
Austria, Belgium, Italy, Ireland, Germany, France and the Netherlands announced bans Sunday, with others expected to follow. Israel, Turkey and Saudi Arabia have also temporarily suspended flights departing from or arriving in the United Kingdom.
British officials have reported that a mutation of the virus appears to speed its transmission, and they have imposed restrictions on 18 million people in London and across southern England.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: India May Start Covid Vaccination In January, Says Health MinisterIndia may begin vaccinating people for COVID-19 in January, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan has said, adding that the government's priority has been the safety and efficacy of the vaccine.
"I personally feel may be in January in any stage or any week, there can be a time when we can be in a position to give first Covid vaccine shot to the people of India," Harsh Vardhan told news agency ANI in an interview.
The minister said that the vaccines that have applied for emergency use authorisation are being analysed by the drug regulator.
"India is not less than any country when it comes to COVID-19 vaccine and research. Our priority has been the safety and efficacy of the vaccine. We do not want any compromise on that. Our regulators are analysing them with seriousness," he said.
Health Ministry Calls Meet After Mutant Coronavirus Spreads Rapidly In UKThe Health Ministry has called a meeting on Sunday of its joint monitoring group on COVID-19 to discuss a mutant coronavirus that has spread rapidly in the UK, government sources have said. Several European nations have banned flights to and from Britain. No policy decision has been taken by India on any flight ban from the UK but the matter will be given a serious consideration, people with direct knowledge of the matter said.
Read more Coronavirus news: Canada PM Justin Trudeau To Get Covid Vaccine In Public "When Turn Comes"
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will receive the Covid-19 shot in public once those in his age group are in line to be vaccinated, he said in an interview broadcast Sunday.
Canada began vaccinating people in high-risk categories -- including frontline health care workers and residents and staff of long-term care facilities -- on December 14, with a relatively limited supply of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
"Absolutely," Trudeau told the CBC public network in a year-end interview. "When my turn comes, I will do it publicly and enthusiastically."
Trudeau added that he would follow the recommendations of public health experts.
Coronavirus news: Boris Johnson To Chair Emergency Response Meet On Covid Travel, Freight
Britain Prime Minister Boris Johnson will chair an emergency response meeting on Monday to discuss international travel, in particular the flow of freight in and out of Britain, a spokeswoman for his office said on Sunday.
Earlier on Sunday, several European countries began closing their doors to travellers from Britain after the country tightened COVID restrictions in London and southern England to try to curb the spread of a new strain of the coronavirus.
France said it would bar all people coming from the UK for 48 hours from Sunday night, including freight carriers, whether by road, air, sea or rail. Britain's port of Dover said its ferry terminal was closed.
Coronavirus news: Himachal Pradesh records 319 new Covid-19 cases, active tally at 5,196
As many as 319 new coronavirus cases, 306 recoveries were reported in Himachal Pradesh on Sunday as of 9 pm, according to the state's Department of Health and Family Welfare.
While 52,329 confirmed cases of Covid-19 have been registered in the state so far, there are 5,196 active cases.
A total of 46,221 persons have recovered from the viral infection while 864 have lost their lives to the deadly virus.