India added only 19,556 new coronavirus infections in the past 24 hours, the lowest since early July, according to Health Ministry data released this morning. The country's total number is now at 1,00,75,116. The number of Covid-related deaths reported from across the country in this period was 301, taking the total to 1,46,111.
In India, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala remained the worst-hit states, though others like Delhi, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh also reported high number of fresh cases in the past 24 hours.
Maharashtra on Monday imposed an 11 pm-6 am curfew till January 5 in Mumbai and other cities, and announced new quarantine rules for arrivals from the Europe and Middle East, in view of the new coronavirus strain emerging in the UK. Authorities in Delhi have surveyed over 1.72 crore residents so far for coronavirus-like symptoms to assess the spread of the infection and found that just over 39,500 had cough, fever and other indicators of the viral disease, officials said Monday.
The US also on Monday surpassed 18 million reported Covid-19 cases, figures from Johns Hopkins University showed.
Here are the Highlights on Coronavirus Cases:
Anthony Fauci, the United States' top infectious disease specialist, received his Covid-19 vaccine on Tuesday along with other senior officials and six health workers at a live streamed event at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
The widely-respected scientist rolled up his left shirt sleeve, and said he was taking the shot "as a symbol to the rest of the country that I feel extreme confidence in the safety and the efficacy of this vaccine.
"I want to encourage everyone who has the opportunity to get vaccinated so that we could have a veil of protection over this country, that would end this pandemic," he added.
He then gave a thumbs-up sign and clapped for his colleagues as he left the stage of an auditorium at the NIH's headquarters in Bethesda, a Washington suburb.
With 75 new cases reported on Tuesday, the tally for coronavirus cases in Assam reached 2,15,585, according to the State Health Department.
There are 3,483 active Covid-19 cases in the state.
While 1,024 people have succumbed to the deadly virus in the state, 2,11,075 persons have recovered from the infection till December 22.
Meanwhile, India continues to witness a steady decline in daily new coronavirus cases as 19,556 new Covid-19 cases were reported in the last 24 hours taking the total count to 1,00,75,116.
President-elect Joe Biden said Tuesday he will ask the US Congress to pass another Covid-19 relief bill after taking office in January.
"Congress did its job this week. And I can and I must ask them to do it again next year," Biden said in a pre-holiday address to the American people.
Biden was speaking a day after lawmakers approved a $900 billion relief package that will provide a long-sought boost for millions of Americans and businesses battered by the pandemic.
The Democratic president-elect, who takes office January 20, applauded Congress for finally reaching a long-sought bipartisan compromise on the vital aid.
France will relax a temporary UK travel ban introduced after a new variant of coronavirus emerged, the prime minister's office said on Tuesday.
EU nationals and residents as well as Britons will be allowed to enter from Wednesday providing they can show a negative Covid-19 test no more than 72 hours old.
The tests must be of a type capable of detecting the new variant that emerged in Britain, the office said in a statement.
People who "must carry out essential travel" will also be allowed into the country, it said.
After the Maharashtra government on Monday declared night curfew in municipal corporation areas in the state, the Pune police imposed curfew in the city from Tuesday night.
It will be in force between 11 pm to 6 am from the night of December 22 to January 5, said the order issued by senior police officer Ravindra Shisave.
Essential services and goods have been excluded from the night curfew, he added.
Karnataka reported 1,141 new #COVID19 cases, 1,136 discharges and 14 deaths today.
- ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2020
Total cases: 9,11,382
Total discharges: 8,85,341
Death toll: 12,029
Active cases: 13,993 pic.twitter.com/CkKxMn2uW2
The total number of #COVID19 cases in Himachal Pradesh rises to 52,955 with 332 new COVID19 cases reported today.
- ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2020
Total active cases: 4,791
Total recovered cases: 47,240
Total deaths: 877 pic.twitter.com/6DddOR0v6q
He also mentioned that the Russian-made vaccine Sputnik V will be coming to India soon.
"During this crisis, the entire world understood that the real superman is our doctors, nurses and paramedical staff. I am the Defence Minister. And, I urge you to come forward and render your services to the armed forces," Mr Singh said while addressing the foundation day programme of King George's Medical University (KGMU) through video-conferencing.
"Five passengers were found COVID-positive at the Delhi airport. One passenger who took a connecting flight to Chennai was tested there and found positive," the official said.
All the passengers of the 6 am flight have been tested and no one has been found COVID-19 positive, said Dr Gauri Agarwal, founder of the Genestrings Diagnostic Center that is handling coronavirus testing at Delhi airport
An RT-PCR test would be conducted on all passengers arriving from the UK and those testing negative would have to undergo a mandatory 14-day home quarantine, according to an order issued by Health Commissioner Katamaneni Bhaskar. Those testing positive will be shifted to a hospital.
Tamil Nadu reported 1,052 new #COVID19 cases, 1,139 discharges, and 17 deaths in the last 24 hours: State Health Department, Govt of Tamil Nadu
- ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2020
Total positive cases: 8,09,014
Total discharges: 7,87,611
Death toll: 12,012
Active cases: 9,391 pic.twitter.com/3nKj6g2sOY
Rajasthan reported 807 new #COVID19 cases, 8 deaths and 1,159 recoveries/discharges today.
- ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2020
Total cases 3,00,716
Death toll 2,634
Total recoveries/discharges 2,86,481
Active cases 11,601 pic.twitter.com/gcOGeaEukb
Maharashtra reported 3,106 new #COVID19 cases, 4,122 discharges, and 75 deaths today, as per State Health Department
- ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2020
Total cases: 19,02,458
Total recoveries: 17,94,080
Death toll: 48,876
Total active cases: 58,376 pic.twitter.com/Kqbg6uIbij
If we are able to rotate cargo twice a day, then 5.4 million (vials) can be distributed in a day," Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, CEO of the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) said.
As of now, there is
No Reason To Consider Vaccination In Children Based On Available Evidence: Centre
: Dr VK Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog on #COVID19 vaccination pic.twitter.com/VvbO27x1U0
- ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2020
In the wake of increasing Covid cases, bars, hotels, and other public places won't be permitted to hold programmes, parties, and public gatherings on the occasion of Christmas, new year's eve, and 01.01.2021: Uttarakhand Government pic.twitter.com/nuTDqtH1ya
- ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2020
27 deaths, 6,049 new COVID19 cases and 5,057 recoveries reported in #Kerala today.
- ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2020
Total active cases: 61,468
Total active cases: 6,50,836
Death toll: 2,870
13 deaths and 611 new positive cases reported in #Uttarakhand today
- ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2020
Total number of cases: 87,376
Total active cases: 5,512
Total recovered cases: 79,341
Death toll: 1,439 pic.twitter.com/xtcqhv7tfo
"In the country, active cases are less than 3 lakh after 163 days. It is after almost 5.5 months, we have less than 3 lakh active Covid-19 cases in the country. It is a big achievement and credit goes to every frontline worker, administration and officials who are engaged in coronavirus containment related work," Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary, Health Ministry said.
Haryana Health Dept has identified 1,800 vaccination session sites & more than 5,000 vaccinators have been mapped for the process of administering the vaccine. The dept has 22 Vaccine Vans (insulated) for transporting vaccine across the state:Rajeev Arora, Addl Chief Secy, Health
- ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2020
The new strain or mutation of Coronavirus seen in the United Kingdom has not been seen in India, so far: Dr VK Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog pic.twitter.com/MADa6lCuhx
- ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2020
This comes amid rising concerns over the discovery of a new strain of coronavirus in the UK.
Meanwhile, five out of 266 passengers and crew members of a London to Delhi flight have tested positive for coronavirus, an official said.
The new strain of COVID19 in the United Kingdom has increased transmissibility. This mutation is not affecting the severity of the disease. Case fatality is not affected by this mutation: Dr VK Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog pic.twitter.com/xs6pzuXTFU
- ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2020


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.
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."
They were the latest high-profile political figures publicly joining the first wave of vaccinations aimed at stopping a pandemic that has killed almost 318,000 Americans.
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".