3 years ago
New Delhi:
India reported 8,318 new COVID-19 cases today -- 21 per cent lower than yesterday's spike of 10,549 fresh cases -- taking the country's total caseload since the pandemic began to 3,45,63,749, according to health ministry data updated this morning.
The country also reported 465 new fatalities, taking the total Covid deaths in India to 4,67,933.
10,967 recoveries have been reported in the last 24 hours, pushing the total recoveries up to 3,39,88,797. The recovery rate is currently at 98.34 per cent, the highest since March 2020.
At little over a lakh, active cases stand at 1,07,019 after falling by 3,114 cases since yesterday.
The daily rise in new coronavirus infections has been below 20,000 for 50 straight days and less than 50,000 daily new cases have been reported for 153 consecutive days now.
Over 121.06 crore vaccine doses have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive, the health ministry reported.
Meanwhile, reports of a new Covid variant, named Omicron, surfacing first in South Africa has triggered concerns across the world, with several countries, including the UK, US, Canada, Singapore, Germany, France, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia, among others, imposing travel bans on multiple southern African nations.
The new strain, declared as a variant of concern by the World Health Organisation, has also been detected in Israel, Botswana, Belgium, Hong Kong and Israel. It is said to be much more infectious than the Delta variant and the "most heavily mutated" version of coronavirus discovered so far.
Here are the LIVE Updates on Coronavirus cases:
Nov 28, 2021 04:25 (IST)
Israel on Saturday said it would ban the entry of all foreigners into the country, making it the first country to shut its borders completely in response to the potentially more contagious 'Omicron' coronavirus variant. Read here.
Nov 28, 2021 04:14 (IST)
Health officials in Australia's Sydney have begun urgent testing after two people who arrived on a flight from southern Africa overnight tested positive to the coronavirus, raising concerns that a newly detected strain has arrived in the country. Read here.
Nov 28, 2021 03:36 (IST)
New Covid Variant: Rajasthan Chief Minister Says "Centre Must Take Prompt Action"
Amid rising concerns over the new COVID-19 variant 'Omicron', Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday said that the Centre must take prompt action, adding that many people across the country have not taken their second dose of the vaccine, reported news agency ANI.
"Centre should take prompt action in view of the new variant of COVID-19 'Omicron'. Many people across the country have not taken the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. A booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine should also be administered," Mr Gehlot told reporters in Jaipur on Saturday.
Emphasizing on the need to follow COVID appropriate behaviour, the Chief Minister said that now there is laxity among the people. Mr Gehlot also said that he would hold a review meeting on the matter.
Nov 28, 2021 03:33 (IST)
Switzerland Adds UK, Netherlands, 3 Other Countries To Quarantine List
Switzerland on Saturday widened quarantine requirements to stem the spread of the new Omicron coronavirus variant to travellers arriving from Britain, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Egypt and Malawi, where cases have been detected, its health ministry said, according to news agency Reuters,
On Friday, Switzerland banned direct flights from South Africa and the surrounding region due to the detection of a new COVID-19 variant, while also imposing restrictions on travel from other countries including Hong Kong, Israel and Belgium. Entry from those countries would only be possible for Swiss citizens or those with a residence permit in Switzerland or the broader Schengen area.
Now, following the detection of new 'Omicron' cases, travellers from Britain, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Egypt and Malawi will need to present a negative COVID-19 test and quarantine for 10 days as well, the Federal Office of Public Health said in a tweet. It didn't state whether travel from those countries would be limited to Swiss citizens and residents or not.
Nov 28, 2021 03:30 (IST)
The regional hospital in the northern Czech city of Liberec confirmed the new 'Omicron' strain of Covid-19 in a female patient, its spokesman Vaclav Ricar told Czech Television on Saturday. Read here.
Nov 28, 2021 02:23 (IST)
In view of rising COVID-19 cases, the Karnataka government requested the Centre to allow the state to administer the booster dose of vaccine to prevent the third wave, informed state Revenue Minister R Ashok on Saturday. Read here.
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Nov 28, 2021 02:22 (IST)
COVID-19 India News: Assam Reports 123 New Cases, 5 Related Deaths
Assam reported five COVID-19 deaths and 123 fresh infections on Saturday, taking the total number of cases to 6,16,435, a National Health Mission bulletin said, according to news agency PTI. Barpeta, Dibrugarh, Kamrup (Metro), Kokrajhar, and Sonitpur reported one death each, taking the total fatalities due to the virus in the state to 6,091. The current death rate is 0.99 per cent while 1,347 COVID-19 positive patients have died due to other causes.
The number of active cases currently in the state is 1,373 as against 1,444 on Friday, according to the bulletin. The daily positivity rate decreased to 0.45 per cent from 0.54 per cent on Friday.
As many as 189 patients recovered from the infection during the day, with the total number of recovered people rising to 6,07,624 in Assam. The current recovery rate was 98.57 per cent.
Nov 28, 2021 01:10 (IST)
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Nov 28, 2021 01:08 (IST)
COVID-19 India News: Sikkim Reports 4 New Cases, Cases Tally Rises To 32,211
Sikkim has reported four more COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, pushing the total number of cases to 32,211, a health department bulletin said on Saturday, according to news agency PTI. Sikkim's COVID-19 death count stood at 403, with no fatalities reported in the past 48 hours. Of the new cases, East Sikkim registered three, while South Sikkim accounted for one. Sikkim has 114 active cases, while 31,354 people have recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nov 28, 2021 00:46 (IST)
COVID-19 India News: West Bengal Reports 701 New Cases, 11 Related Deaths
West Bengal recorded 701 new COVID-19 cases and 11 fresh fatalities due to the disease on Saturday, the health department said in a bulletin, according to news agency PTI. The virus tally and the death count went up to 16,14,152 and 19,450 respectively.
Of the 11 deaths, North 24 Parganas recorded four, while Kolkata and Paschim Bardhaman two each. South 24 Parganas, Hooghly and Dakshin Dinajpur districts reported one death each, it said.
As 717 COVID-19 patients were discharged in the last 24 hours, the recovery rate stood at 98.31 per cent. Altogether 15,86,882 people have recovered from the disease in the state so far. The number of active cases on Saturday was 7,820.
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Nov 28, 2021 00:11 (IST)
After UK, Germany And Italy Report New Cases Of COVID-19 Strain 'Omicron'
Germany and Italy have become the latest European countries to report the cases caused by the new strain of COVID-19, after UK confirmed its first two cases of the 'Omicron' variant. While Germany on Saturday confirmed its first two 'Omicron' variant cases in travellers who arrived at Munich airport from South Africa, Italy said it detected its first case of the new strain in a traveller from Mozambique.
Nov 27, 2021 23:25 (IST)
New Strain Causes "Mild Disease", Says South African Medical Body: Report
The new Omicron variant of the coronavirus results in mild disease, without prominent syndromes, Angelique Coetzee, the chairwoman of the South African Medical Association, told Sputnik on Saturday.
The World Health Organization (WHO) identified on Friday the new South African strain as one of concern, as it is reported to carry a high number of mutations -- 32 -- which possibly makes it more transmissible and dangerous. The WHO has dubbed it Omicron, the 15th letter of the Greek alphabet.
"It presents mild disease with symptoms being sore muscles and tiredness for a day or two not feeling well. So far, we have detected that those infected do not suffer loss of taste or smell. They might have a slight cough. There are no prominent symptoms. Of those infected some are currently being treated at home," Ms Coetzee said.
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Nov 27, 2021 22:43 (IST)
Rajasthan Chief Minister reviews pandemic situation
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday asked health department officials to stay alert and make all necessary preparations in view of rising cases of the coronavirus.
He also instructed the officials to speed up vaccination of people against COVID-19.
In a review meeting, the chief minister said that those who have not got the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine yet should be persuaded to take it so that the risk of coronavirus infection can be minimised in the state.
He said that district collectors and health department officials should ensure that the maximum number of people in their districts get the second dose on time.
Nov 27, 2021 21:34 (IST)
Over 121.84 crore Covid vaccine doses administered in India so far: Health Ministry
The cumulative COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country crossed 121.84 crore on Saturday, the Union Health Ministry said.
On Saturday, more than 73 lakh (73,74,792) vaccine doses were administered till 7 pm. The daily vaccination tally is expected to increase with the compilation of final reports for the day by late night, the ministry said.
The countrywide vaccination drive was rolled out on January 16 with healthcare workers getting inoculated in the first phase. The vaccination of frontline workers started from February 2.
The next phase of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from March 1 for people over 60 years of age and those aged 45 and above with specified co-morbid conditions.
The country launched vaccination for all people aged more than 45 years from April 1.
The government then decided to expand its vaccination drive by allowing everyone above 18 to be vaccinated from May 1.
Nov 27, 2021 20:41 (IST)
Bangladesh suspends travel to South Africa amid fears of new COVID-19 variant spread
Bangladesh on Saturday suspended travel from South Africa immediately, joining a growing list of countries banning travel to the country amid fears of the spread of the new COVID-19 Omicron variant, first detected there.
Bangladesh's Minister of Health and Family Welfare Zahid Maleque said that they are aware of the emergence of the new variant and have decided to suspend travel from South Africa, bdnews24.com reported.
"This new variant is extremely aggressive and so we are suspending travel from South Africa immediately," he said.
"We are also strengthening screening procedures at all airports and land ports," he was quoted as saying in the report.
The minister said that they have also sent out instructions at the district level to step up enforcement of health regulations, including the wearing of masks.
"We must also be cautious about citizens travelling from other countries. We will check if they have received the vaccine and the RT-PCR test," he said.
Nov 27, 2021 20:13 (IST)
Nepal makes 7-day quarantine mandatory for air travellers from South African nations
Nepal has made a week-long quarantine compulsory for those arriving from South African Nations or using any of the nations as transit to prevent contraction of B.1.1.529 or the 'Omicron' variant.
The spokesperson at the Ministry of Health and Population, Krishna Prasad Paudel, confirmed that it would be mandatory for all the passengers travelling from or via South African countries would require to undergo 7 days quarantine.
"Nepal and South Africa don't have direct flight connections but we will be stepping up screening and quarantine of passengers who will be travelling from those nations or use any of the African nations as transit. If there's a positive case amongst any of the passengers then we will send the samples for gene sequencing as well," Mr Paudel confirmed ANI over the phone.
Nov 27, 2021 19:30 (IST)
Dutch find 61 Covid positive on 'dystopia' flights from South Africa
Dutch health authorities said Saturday that 61 passengers aboard two KLM flights from South Africa tested positive for Covid-19 and the results were being examined for the new Omicron variant.
The positive cases -- more than one tenth of the 600 people on the two planes -- were now being quarantined in a hotel near Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, one of Europe's biggest international air travel hubs.
Passengers said they had endured miserable hours at the arrivals hall to get tested, with witnesses saying many people failed to wear face masks or keep to social distancing.
"We now know that 61 of the results were positive and 531 negative," the Dutch Health Authority (GGD) said in a statement.
Nov 27, 2021 18:39 (IST)
Delhi Hospitals On Alert Over New Covid Variant 'Omicron': Sources
Hospitals in Delhi have been asked to be on high alert and ensure coronavirus safety measures amid the detection of a new coronavirus variant 'omicron' and a surge in cases in other countries.
Delhi's Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal has directed the Chief Secretary, Police Commissioner and other senior officers of the national capital to ensure strict adherence to all Covid protocols in public places and functions and full preparedness in hospitals to deal with any emergency, sources have told NDTV.
The Delhi Disaster Management Authority will meet experts and representatives of the Ministry of Civil Aviation on Monday to review the situation and plan a way forward as countries start reporting cases related to this strain which, according to virologists, has an "unusually large number of mutations", they added.
Nov 27, 2021 17:49 (IST)
Being "Punished" For Detecting New Covid Variant Omicron: South Africa
South Africa complained Saturday that it is being "punished" for detecting a new Covid-19 variant Omicron which the World Health Organization has termed a "variant of concern" and is more transmissible than the dominant Delta strain.
The decision by a number of countries around the world to ban flights from southern Africa following the discovery of the variant "is akin to punishing South Africa for its advanced genomic sequencing and the ability to detect new variants quicker," the foreign affairs ministry said in a statement.
"Excellent science should be applauded and not punished," it said.
The ministry pointed out that new variants had been discovered in other parts of the world.
"Each of those cases have had no recent links with Southern Africa, but the reaction to those countries is starkly different to cases in Southern Africa," it said.
Nov 27, 2021 17:16 (IST)
"Be Vigilant", WHO Tells Southeast Asia Nations Amid New Variant Concerns
Amid the detection of a new coronavirus variant and surge in cases elsewhere, the WHO Saturday asked countries in the southeast Asia region to scale up surveillance, strengthen public health and social measures, and enhance vaccination coverage.
The global health body said festivities and celebrations must include all precautionary measures and crowds and large gatherings must be avoided.
"At no cost should we let our guards down," said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO, South-East Asia Region.
"Though COVID-19 cases have been declining in most countries of our Region, the surge in cases elsewhere in the world and confirmation of a new Variant of Concern, is a reminder of the persisting risk and the need for us to continue to do our best to protect against the virus and prevent its spread," she said in a statement.
Nov 27, 2021 16:46 (IST)
No case of Omicron variant in Madhya Pradesh, but state government monitoring situation, says minister
Amid concerns over the potentially more contagious new Omicron variant of coronavirus found in South Africa, a Madhya Pradesh minister on Saturday said that although nobody has been found infected with this particular variant in the state so far, the government is keeping an eye on the situation.
Minister for Medical Education Vishvas Sarang also said that genome sequencing is being carried out in a speedy manner.
"Our government has been continuously monitoring the situation. We are responding speedily on receiving information of any new variant or mutation. Genome sequencing is being done with promptness. So far, no case of new variant has been detected in Madhya Pradesh," Mr Sarang told reporters when asked about the Omicron variant of coronavirus.
Mr Sarang said that he got the information through media about the new variant being found in some other countries.
The symptoms of this mutant were not found in any patient here in Madhya Pradesh, he said.
Nov 27, 2021 16:12 (IST)
Gujarat Announces New Rules For International Flyers Amid New Variant Concerns
Amid the rise in concern due to the new COVID-19 variant 'Omicron', the Gujarat Government has mandated RT-PCR testing for travellers landing at the airport from Europe, Brazil, South Africa, Bangladesh, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, and Hong Kong.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, earlier in the day, chaired a meeting with top officials on the COVID-19 situation and said that the country needs to be proactive in light of the new variant while laying emphasis on the precautions to contain the virus.
PM Modi was briefed about the Covid-19 situation across the world, including the new Variant of Concern 'Omicron' along with its characteristics and the impact seen in various countries, as per the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).
Nov 27, 2021 14:41 (IST)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday advised officials to review plans to ease restrictions on international travel in light of global concern over the new coronavirus variant - Omicron - that was first detected in South Africa this week.
The Prime Minister spoke about the need to monitor all international arrivals and conduct Covid tests as per existing guidelines, with a specific focus on 'at risk' countries.
Nov 27, 2021 14:23 (IST)
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has advanced an urgent meeting with the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) to Saturday, amid growing global concern about the potentially more contagious new Omicron variant.
Nov 27, 2021 13:58 (IST)
Sri Lanka bans travellers from 6 African nations due to Omicron COVID-19 variant
Sri Lanka said on Saturday it was barring travellers from six Southern African countries on Saturday over concerns about the new Omicron variant of COVID-19.
From Monday, travellers will not be allowed into the country from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho and Eswatini, Colombo said in a statement.
Travellers who arrived from these six countries over the past two days will have to undergo mandatory 14 days quarantine.
Sri Lanka said on Saturday it was barring travellers from six Southern African countries on Saturday over concerns about the new Omicron variant of COVID-19.
From Monday, travellers will not be allowed into the country from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho and Eswatini, Colombo said in a statement.
Travellers who arrived from these six countries over the past two days will have to undergo mandatory 14 days quarantine.
Nov 27, 2021 12:52 (IST)
Thailand bans flights from 8 African countries over new Covid variant
Thailand on Saturday said it would ban entry of people travelling from eight African countries it designated as high-risk due to the new COVID-19 variant, a senior health official said.
Starting in December, travel from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe, will be prohibited, the official told a news conference.
Thailand on Saturday said it would ban entry of people travelling from eight African countries it designated as high-risk due to the new COVID-19 variant, a senior health official said.
Starting in December, travel from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe, will be prohibited, the official told a news conference.
Nov 27, 2021 12:47 (IST)
The Gujarat government today mandated RT-PCR testing for travellers landing at the airport from a host of countries, including South Africa, as growing concern over the new Covid variant Omicron takes over the globe.
Nov 27, 2021 11:48 (IST)
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday morning urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to stop all flights from countries reporting cases of the new coronavirus strain - B.1.1.529, or Omicron.
"I urge Honourable PM to stop flights from those countries which are affected by new variant. With great difficulty, our country has recovered from Corona. We should do everything possible to prevent this new variant from entering India," Mr Kejriwal tweeted Saturday morning.
Yesterday Mr Kejriwal tweeted to say he had called for a meeting of medical and scientific experts on Monday in light of "the threat from (the) new Covid variant from African countries".
Yesterday Mr Kejriwal tweeted to say he had called for a meeting of medical and scientific experts on Monday in light of "the threat from (the) new Covid variant from African countries".
Nov 27, 2021 11:22 (IST)
Dutch health authorities said that dozens of people who arrived in Amsterdam on two flights from South Africa on Friday are likely infected with COVID-19, and they are conducting further testing to see if people are infected with the variant. Read here.
Nov 27, 2021 10:31 (IST)
India saw a single-day rise of 8,318 new Covid infections taking the country's tally of COVID-19 cases to 3,45,63,749, while the active cases have declined to 1,07,019, the lowest in 541 days, according to the Health Ministry data updated today.
Nov 27, 2021 09:55 (IST)
Nov 27, 2021 09:31 (IST)
Coronavirus Live Updates: India records 8,318 fresh Covid cases, 465 deaths
India reported 8,318 new COVID-19 cases today, 21 per cent lower than yesterday's spike of 10,549 fresh cases, according to Health Ministry data updated this morning.
India reported 8,318 new COVID-19 cases today, 21 per cent lower than yesterday's spike of 10,549 fresh cases, according to Health Ministry data updated this morning.
10,967 recoveries have been reported in the last 24 hours, pushing the total recoveries up to 3,39,88,797. The recovery rate is currently at 98.34 per cent, the highest since March 2020.
The country also reported 465 new fatalities, taking the total Covid deaths in India to 4,67,933.
Nov 27, 2021 09:09 (IST)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair an important meeting at 10.30 am today on the COVID-19 and vaccination situation in the country. Top officials will attend.
Today's meeting comes amid rising global concern about the B.1.1.529 strain of the coronavirus, which experts say has over 50 mutations and could be far more virulent than the Delta variant that battered India during the second wave of infections.
Nov 27, 2021 09:03 (IST)
A medical college in Karnataka's Dharwad has become a Covid hotspot with 77 more students testing positive after a recent freshers' party on campus, taking the total number of cases to 281.
The SDM College of Medical Sciences, a tertiary care centre, is considered the medical hub of north Karnataka.
Fresh admissions to the hospital have been suspended. The entry and exit to the hospital has been blocked and of those admitted only the one who test negative will be discharged.
Most of the people infected at the college were fully vaccinated against coronavirus, officials said, adding that party which led to the outbreak continued for two to three days.
Nov 27, 2021 08:48 (IST)
The discovery of a new coronavirus variant named Omicron triggered global alarm on Friday as countries rushed to suspend travel from southern Africa and stock markets on both sides of the Atlantic suffered their biggest falls in more than a year. Read a rundown of all the recent developments in relation to the new variant here.
Nov 27, 2021 08:25 (IST)
Australia imposes travel curbs on arrivals from 9 southern African nations over Omicron variant
Australian on Saturday imposed new restrictions on people who have been in nine southern African countries, as the new Omicron variant of COVID-19 raises concerns about a further wave of the pandemic.
Effective immediately, the government will ban non-citizens from the countries from entering country and will require 14-day quarantines for Australian citizens and their dependents returning from the countries, said Health Minister Greg Hunt.
The countries are South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, the Seychelles, Malawi and Mozambique.
Australian on Saturday imposed new restrictions on people who have been in nine southern African countries, as the new Omicron variant of COVID-19 raises concerns about a further wave of the pandemic.
Effective immediately, the government will ban non-citizens from the countries from entering country and will require 14-day quarantines for Australian citizens and their dependents returning from the countries, said Health Minister Greg Hunt.
The countries are South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, the Seychelles, Malawi and Mozambique.
Nov 27, 2021 07:45 (IST)
"It's coming": New York governor warns of new Omicron variant, declares 'disaster emergency' in state
New York governor Kathy Hochul signed an Executive Order "Declaring a Disaster Emergency in the State of New York" late on Friday, amid spiking cases and widespread concerns over the new Omicron variant of the coronavirus.
New York governor Kathy Hochul signed an Executive Order "Declaring a Disaster Emergency in the State of New York" late on Friday, amid spiking cases and widespread concerns over the new Omicron variant of the coronavirus.
Nov 27, 2021 07:31 (IST)
Anxious-looking travellers stood in long queues at Johannesburg's international airport on Friday, desperate to squeeze onto the last flights to countries that had just shut their doors to South Africa.
Nov 27, 2021 06:54 (IST)
The US pharmaceutical company Moderna said Friday it will develop a booster shot against the new Omicron variant of the coronavirus.
It is one of three strategies the company is working to address the new threat, including a higher dose of its existing vaccine, Moderna said.
"The mutations in the Omicron variant are concerning and for several days, we have been moving as fast as possible to execute our strategy to address this variant," said Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel.
"The mutations in the Omicron variant are concerning and for several days, we have been moving as fast as possible to execute our strategy to address this variant," said Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel.
Nov 27, 2021 05:39 (IST)
COVID-19 News: Saudi Arabia Bans Travel From African Nations Over New Strain
Saudi Arabia on Friday was among countries in the Middle East and North Africa to ban travellers from several African nations due to fears over a new coronavirus variant, reported news agency AFP. The Saudi interior ministry and authorities in the UAE said that visitors from seven African countries were barred from entry. They listed the countries as South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho and Eswatini. The Saudi ban comprises flights to and from those countries, the official Saudi Press Agency said, quoting an interior ministry official.
Nov 27, 2021 05:35 (IST)
Next week's World Trade Organization ministerial conference, the global trade body's biggest gathering in four years, was postponed at the last minute Friday due to the new Omicron Covid-19 variant. Read here.
