4 years ago
New Delhi:
India's COVID-19 tally crossed the 90-lakh mark with 45,882 confirmed cases on Friday, according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
The country's Covid-19 tally has risen to 90,04,365 including 84,28,410 recoveries and 4,43,794 active cases. With 584 new deaths, the cumulative count mounted to 1,32,162.
This is the thirteenth consecutive day when India reported less than 50,000 cases in a day. The last time daily new cases crossed the 50,000-threshold was on November 7.
The new recoveries continue to overtake the daily new cases continuously since the past 47 days. India's active caseload has fallen under the five per cent mark today, according to an official press release.
Here are the Highlights on Coronavirus Cases:
COVID-19: All But One Test Positive For Coronavirus In Himachal Village
Lahaul-Spiti district have tested positive for COVID-19 with 2.83 per cent population of the sparsely-populated tribal district itself having been infected.
While 41 people have tested positive in the Thorang village, a total of 890 people of Lahaul-Spiti district, accounting for about 2.83 per cent of its population of around 31,500, have been found infected with coronavirus so far, an HP Health Department data showed on Friday.
Earlier in October, 39 residents of Rangrik village of Spiti valley had tested positive for the infection.
Of the 890 Lahaul-Spiti district people tested Covid-positive so far, 479 have been cured while 406 are still recovering from the disease.
Lahaul-Spiti district have tested positive for COVID-19 with 2.83 per cent population of the sparsely-populated tribal district itself having been infected.
While 41 people have tested positive in the Thorang village, a total of 890 people of Lahaul-Spiti district, accounting for about 2.83 per cent of its population of around 31,500, have been found infected with coronavirus so far, an HP Health Department data showed on Friday.
Earlier in October, 39 residents of Rangrik village of Spiti valley had tested positive for the infection.
Of the 890 Lahaul-Spiti district people tested Covid-positive so far, 479 have been cured while 406 are still recovering from the disease.
COVID-19: Donald Trump's Son Tests Positive For Coronavirus
US President Donald Trump's eldest son Donald Trump Jr has tested positive for Covid-19 and has been quarantining without symptoms, a spokesman said Friday.
"Don tested positive at the start of the week and has been quarantining out at his cabin since the result," his spokesman said.
US President Donald Trump's eldest son Donald Trump Jr has tested positive for Covid-19 and has been quarantining without symptoms, a spokesman said Friday.
"Don tested positive at the start of the week and has been quarantining out at his cabin since the result," his spokesman said.
COVID-19: FDA panel to discuss emergency use of Pfizer vaccine on Dec 10
Food and Drug Administration's outside advisers will meet on Dec 10 to discuss whether to authorize the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer Inc and German partner BioNTech for emergency use, the agency said on Friday.
The move comes after Pfizer applied for the authorization of its COVID-19 vaccine earlier in the day, the first such application in a major step toward providing protection against the new coronavirus.
"While we cannot predict how long the FDA's review will take, the FDA will review the request as expeditiously as possible," FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn said in a statement.
The meeting of Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee will discuss the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine candidate.
COVID-19: 40 million vaccine doses to be available by the end of the year, says White House
As many as 40 million doses of such vaccine will be available by the end of the year, it said.
"It was only made possible because of this President, who said at the same time, 'I am pursuing a vaccine; I am going to do something novel. I am going to manufacture it''. So, many American lives will be saved thanks to President Trump and the great work of Operation Warp Speed," she said.
The Trump administration is ready with a plan to distribute COVID-19 vaccine across the country as soon as the US Food and Drug Administration gives the necessary Emergency Use Authorisation to them, the White House said on Friday.
"With regard to the vaccine, we believe that there will be 40 million doses available by the end of the year. Again, this is extraordinary. This is the fastest vaccine in history by fivefold," White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany told reporters at a news conference here.
COVID-19: Rajasthan Home Department advises district administrations to impose Section 144
Rajasthan Home Department on Friday advised district administrations across the state to impose restrictions under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure(CrPc) in view of rising cases of COVID-19 in the state.
Rajasthan reported 2,762 new COVID-19 cases, 14 deaths, and 1,993 recoveries on Friday.
Rajasthan Home Department on Friday advised district administrations across the state to impose restrictions under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure(CrPc) in view of rising cases of COVID-19 in the state.
Rajasthan reported 2,762 new COVID-19 cases, 14 deaths, and 1,993 recoveries on Friday.
COVID-19: Brazil passes 6 million coronavirus cases
Brazil surpassed 6 million confirmed cases of the coronavirus on Friday, the country's Health Ministry said, becoming the third country in the world to pass that milestone after the United States and India.Brazil recorded 38,397 additional confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours and 552 deaths from COVID-19, the Health Ministry said on Friday.
Brazil surpassed 6 million confirmed cases of the coronavirus on Friday, the country's Health Ministry said, becoming the third country in the world to pass that milestone after the United States and India.Brazil recorded 38,397 additional confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours and 552 deaths from COVID-19, the Health Ministry said on Friday.
COVID-19: 74 new deaths in Moscow, count reaches 8233
Moscow has registered 74 deaths of patients infected with the COVID-19 over the past 24 hours, bringing the Russian capital's death count to 8,233, the city's coronavirus response centre said in a statement on Friday.
"Another 74 patients, who were diagnosed with pneumonia and tested positive for the coronavirus infection, died in Moscow," the centre said.
Moscow has registered 74 deaths of patients infected with the COVID-19 over the past 24 hours, bringing the Russian capital's death count to 8,233, the city's coronavirus response centre said in a statement on Friday.
"Another 74 patients, who were diagnosed with pneumonia and tested positive for the coronavirus infection, died in Moscow," the centre said.
Bengal's COVID-19 death toll jumps to 7,923 with 50 more fatalities
The COVID-19 death count in West Bengal mounted to 7,923 on Friday after 50 people succumbed to the virus, the health department said in a bulletin.
The state's coronavirus tally mounted to 4,49,131 with 3,626 fresh cases reported from different districts of the state, it said.
Since Thursday, 3,850 recoveries have been reported in West Bengal, which improved the discharge rate to 92.54 per cent.
So far, 4,15,609 people have recovered from the disease, the bulletin said.
The maximum number of 16 fatalities were reported from North 24 Parganas, while the city accounted for 10 deaths, it said.
COVID-19: Sikkim reports 24 new cases
At least 24 more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Sikkim, raising the tally in the
At least 24 more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Sikkim, raising the tally in the
state to 4,632, a senior official said on Friday.
A 40-year-old man succumbed to the infection, pushing the count to 96.
East Sikkim reported 20 new cases, while South Sikkim registered two cases and West Sikkim and North Sikkim logged one case each, the official said.
COVID-19: Over 1,200 people without masks fined in Noida, Greater Noida
In Greater Noida, owners of 793 vehicles, including 427 four-wheelers and 353 two-wheelers, were penalised under the Motor Vehicles (MV) Act and Rs 5.31 lakh collected in fines, it stated.
Over 1,200 people who were found without face masks at public places were fined across Noida and Greater Noida on Friday, police said.
Penalties were also levied on owners of over 800 vehicles for various offences, including occupants violating social-distancing norms, police said in a statement.
Police Commissioner Alok Singh has directed officials to issue challans to those people who are found not adhering to coronavirus protocols in public places, it stated.
According to the statement, 976 people were fined a total of Rs 1 lakh for not wearing face masks in public places. Two-hundred such offenders were found at Kasna police station area and penalised,, 189 in Badalpur police station area in Central Noida and 87 in Noida's Sector 24 police station area.
COVID-19: Assam's death count rises to 971, tally mounts to 2,11,204
Two more persons succumbed to COVID-19 in Assam on Friday, pushing the death count to 971, while 164 fresh cases took the tally to 2,11,204, Minister for Health and Family Welfare Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
The victims are an 80-year old man from Nalbari and a 55-year old man from Morigaon, he said.
The current death rate in the state is 0.46 per cent and recovery rate is 98.02 per cent.
The new cases were detected out of 18,270 tests conducted during the day, lower than the 22,970 samples tested on Thursday.
Assam has conducted 51,08,138 tests so far. A total of 2,07,026 patients have recovered from the disease thus far, the minister said.
Himachal Pradesh reports 588 new #COVID19 positive cases, 726 recoveries, and 11 death cases in the last 24 hours.
- ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2020
Total cases in the state rise to 32,785, including 6,803 active cases, 25,432 recoveries & 491 deaths. pic.twitter.com/v0QEqULPTs
No "VIP or non-VIP categories" for COVID-19 vaccine: Arvind Kejriwal
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said there should not be "VIP or non-VIP categories" for vaccinating people against COVID-19 as everyone''s life is important and priority should instead be given to "corona warriors", vulnerable groups such as senior citizens, and those having comorbidities. The chief minister said that it was likely that the distribution plan of the vaccination will be prepared by the central government, but he would prefer "priority-based" vaccination which is "technical rather than political in nature".
Tamil Nadu records 1,686 new COVID-19 cases, 18 deaths
Tamil Nadu recorded 1,686 new COVID-19 cases and 18 deaths, pushing the infection count to 7,66,677 and the death count to 11,568, the health department said. As many as 2,173 people were discharged as the cumulative number of those cured rose to 7,41,705, a bulletin said. Active cases in the state, which has been on the decline, stood at 13,404.
Meghalaya records 173 new COVID-19 cases, two more deaths
Two COVID-19 patients died in Meghalaya, taking the fatality count in the state to 106, a senior official said. At least 173 more people tested positive for the disease, taking the number of cases in the state to 11,152, Health Services Director Aman War said.
Delhi records 118 COVID-19 deaths
The national capital recorded 6,608 fresh COVID-19 cases in a day taking the infection tally to over 5.17 lakh, while 118 more fatalities during the same period pushed the death toll to 8,159, authorities said. These fresh coronavirus cases were detected from 62,425 tests conducted the previous day, including 23,507 RT-PCR tests, the highest till date. The positivity rate was 10.59 per cent, according to a bulletin issued by the Delhi health department.
Held a meeting to review India's vaccination strategy and the way forward. Important issues related to progress of vaccine development, regulatory approvals and procurement were discussed. pic.twitter.com/nwZuoMFA0N
- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 20, 2020
Fine of Rs 2,000 for spitting and tobacco consumption in public places in Delhi
Spitting and consumption of tobacco in public places, violation of COVID-19 quarantine rules, not wearing of masks and not maintaining social distancing will now attract a fine of Rs 2,000 in the national capital, according to a notification issued by the Delhi government. The increase in the fine amount from earlier Rs 500 came at a time the national capital recorded a spike in coronavirus cases.
1,420 new coronavirus cases in Gujarat, seven deaths
As many as 1,420 new cases of coronavirus infection were found in Gujarat in the last 24 hours, taking the state's caseload to 1,94,402, the health department said. The daily figure of new infections has been increasing in the state. On Thursday, Gujarat added 1,340 cases, while on November 12, it had reported 1,120 cases.
Curfew to be imposed in Rajkot, Surat, and Vadodara between 9 pm and 6 am, starting Nov 21: Gujarat Deputy CM Nitin Patel (file photo)
- ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2020
The state govt has decided to impose complete curfew in Ahmedabad from 9 pm of Nov 20 to 6 am of Nov 23. #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/wfEDyt1Av6
Kerala records 6,028 new COVID-19 cases,6,398 recoveries
Kerala recorded 6,028 COVID-19 cases, pushing the caseload to 5,49,541, as the death toll is inching towards the 2000 mark, Health minister KK Shailaja said. With 6,398 people getting cured of the disease, the total recoveries mounted to 4,81,718 while 67,831 people are undergoing treatment, the minister said.
Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij Becomes First Volunteer Of Covid Vaccine Covaxin TrialsHaryana Health Minister Anil Vij was administered a trial dose of a coronavirus vaccine today in a hospital in the state's Ambala Cantonment. The third phase trial of Bharat Biotech's Covaxin began in Haryana today.
Karnataka reports 1,781 new #COVID19 cases, 2,181
- ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2020
discharges and 17 deaths today
Total cases in the state rise to 8,69,561, including 8,33,169 discharges and 11,621 deaths.
Active cases stand at 24,752 pic.twitter.com/O8cjVFlzHU
Pfizer, BioNTech to seek emergency use approval for vaccine
Pfizer and its partner BioNTech confirmed they will apply for emergency use authorisation for their coronavirus vaccine, becoming the first to do so in the US as the pandemic rages around the world. The companies had announced that a completed study of trials of the product showed it was 95 percent effective in protecting people from coronavirus infection. The Food and Drug Administration has not said how long it will take to study the vaccine data, but the government expects to give the green light for the vaccine in the first two weeks of December.
Random Coronavirus Testing In Dehradun For People Coming From Other StatesIn order to combat COVID-19, the Dehradun District Administration on Friday started to conduct Rapid Antigen Tests at the Aasarodhi Inter-State Check Post for those coming from other states.
Spain to vaccinate "substantial part" of its population by mid-2021
Spain will have vaccinated "a very substantial part" of its population of 47 million people against Covid-19 by mid-2021, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced on Friday. He said the government had put together "a comprehensive vaccination plan" that would be presented at Tuesday's cabinet meeting, making Spain the first within the European Union, alongside Germany, to fully map out such an immunisation scheme.
Northern Ireland, Scotland impose more virus restrictions
Northern Ireland shops, pubs and restaurants will shut for two weeks in efforts to curb the coronavirus, the British province announced, on the eve of Friday's partial reopening of businesses. Cafes, hairdressers and beauty salons were permitted to unlock their doors on Friday as five weeks of limited "circuit-breaker" restrictions in the province expired. But starting on November 27, they will have to close again. Northern Ireland's First Minister Arlene Foster said the region faced "the sobering prospect of our hospitals becoming overwhelmed within weeks".
Dear AAP MLAs, MPs, councillors, volunteers,
- Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 20, 2020
Go to public places n distribute free masks to those not wearing a mask. Today, this is the best deshbhakti n manav sewa.
I urge all political parties also to ask their volunteers to do this
Lets join hands to stop spread of corona
WHO advises against anti-viral drug remdesivir for coronavirus treatment
The anti-viral drug remdesivir should not be used to treat Covid-19 patients no matter how severe their illness as it has "no important effect" on survival chances, the World Health Organization said. Denting hopes in one of the few treatments that had shown some initial promise in severe patients, a WHO Guideline Development Group (GDG) of international experts said there was "no evidence based on currently available data that it does improve patient-important outcomes".
Maintain vigil in districts bordering Delhi: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed senior officials to maintain special vigil in districts adjoining Delhi in view of the spike in COVID-19 cases. The chief minister has asked senior officials to maintain vigil in Meerut, Gautam Buddh Nagar and Ghaziabad besides Lucknow, Kanpur Nagar, Prayagraj and Gorakhpur, an official spokesperson said. The chief minister also directed officials to take special caution in these districts in view of the rising COVID-19 cases in Delhi.
Oxford's Covid Vaccine Trial Results Definitely Before Christmas: Chief InvestigatorResults of late-stage trials of University of Oxford's COVID-19 vaccine candidate should definitely be known by Christmas, the chief investigator on the study said on Thursday, adding it was too early to know its efficacy yet.
Haryana Schools To Stay Shut Till November 30 Due To Rise In Covid Cases
Schools in Haryana will remain closed till November 30, the state announced today, amid a spike in coronavirus cases across the country. Haryana has over 2 lakh confirmed coronavirus cases so far. Read more
Coronavirus LIVE News: Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation is penalising people not wearing masks and testing them for COVID-19
"We're doing rapid antigen tests on people not wearing masks. If they test positive, then they're sent to Covid centre, else they're fined Rs 1000," says a health official.
Coronavirus LIVE News: Bareilly Goes In For Testing People From Delhi For Covid At Border
In the wake of the recent spurt in coronavirus infection in the national capital, the Bareilly administration, in a bid to shield the district from a similar fate, has deployed mobile vans at its borders to test all those coming here from Delhi.
City's Additional District Magistrate Mahendra Kumar Singh, who is in charge of the Integrated Covid-19 Control Room here, on Friday said the district administration is keeping a close eye on all those coming from Delhi.
Directives have been issued to ensure prompt corona tests of people coming from Delhi for which mobile vans have been deployed on the borders, he said.
The administration is making an all-out effort to see to it that those testing positive go in for home isolation, the ADM said, adding the corporators'' help too is being sought in this task.
Bareilly Mayor Umesh Gautam said hundreds of people keep coming from Delhi and so it is a must to see to it that the infection does not spread here.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Random rapid testing being conducted at Noida's Sector 37 bus stand.
It's the usual testing method that we've been following since 2-3 days. The method is successful, we found 9 positive cases out of 178 tests at Botanical Garden yesterday: Amit Vikram, Additional CMO
Coronavirus Fact vs Myths | "We cannot have a total lockdown, since it's adversely affecting the economy. We have to strike a balance between going about our daily activities as well as maintaining good health," says Dr Puneet Misra pic.twitter.com/hBo1I0VOqs
- NDTV (@ndtv) November 20, 2020
Mumbai Schools Won't Open On Monday, To Stay Shut Till December 31
All schools under the jurisdiction of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will remain closed till December 31 in view of the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the city. The schools were earlier scheduled to reopen on November 23. Read more
Watch: Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij being administered a trial dose of Covaxin, at a hospital in Ambala.
He had offered to be the first volunteer for the third phase trial of Covaxin, which started in the state today.
#WATCH Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij being administered a trial dose of #Covaxin, at a hospital in Ambala.
- ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2020
He had offered to be the first volunteer for the third phase trial of Covaxin, which started in the state today. pic.twitter.com/xKuXWLeFAB
After 4 States, Centre May Send Teams To Others To Check Covid Spread
A day after high-level teams were sent to Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Manipur to monitor the fight against coronavirus, the centre is now considering sending high-level teams to other states that are seeing a rise in virus cases. Read here
JustIn| New COVID-19 cases reducing gradually, positivity rate falling. These indicate spread of virus decreasing in Delhi: Health Minister Jain.
Coronavirus LIVE News: As India Crosses 9 Million Cases, Experts Question "Spotty Testing"
India's daily coronavirus infections have been cut in half since a peak of more than 97,000 in mid-September, but the significant drop has raised fresh questions over the South Asian nation's testing regime and whether it reflects the true state of its epidemic. Read here
Covid-19 LIVE Updates: Puducherry Logs 54 New Coronavirus Cases, No Fresh Deaths Reported
Puducherry added 54 new COVID-19 cases while no fresh fatality was reported in the union territory in the last 24 hours, a top Health department official said on Friday.
The 54 new cases were identified at the end of the examination of 3,468 samples, Director of Health and Family Welfare S Mohan Kumar said in a release.
Cumulatively, there were 36,585 coronavirus cases after the transfer of two patients to Tamil Nadu, he said.
While 621 cases were active, the total number of patients treated and discharged stood at 35,355, the Health department Director said, adding and the toll remained at 609 as no fresh death was reported in the last 24 hours ending 10 AM Friday.
Almost A Million People Inoculated With Chinese Sinopharm Covid Vaccine
Nearly a million people have taken an experimental coronavirus vaccine developed by Chinese company Sinopharm, the firm said, although it has not yet provided any clear clinical evidence of efficacy. Read more
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: 28 New COVID-19 Cases In Mizoram; Tally Rises To 3,541
At least 28 more people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Mizoram in the last 24 hours, taking the state's tally to 3,541, an official statement said on Friday.
Of the 28 new cases, 12 were confirmed at Zoram Medical College (ZMC) RT-PCR lab, three at TrueNat labs from two district hospitals and 13 others were detected using Rapid Antigen Test in various districts, the statement by state Information and Public Relations department said.
Fourteen cases were reported from Aizawl district, six from Champhai district, two from Mamit district and three cases each were reported from Lawngtlai and Khawzawl districts, the statement said.
JustIn| India stands with Bhutan in difficult hour of COVID-19 pandemic, its requirements will always be top priority for us: PM Modi.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Thane district registers 795 new COVID-19 cases, 14 deaths
With the addition of 795 new COVID-19 cases, the tally in Thane district of Maharashtra has gone up to 2,21,593, an official said on Friday.
Also, 14 more patients succumbed to the infection, taking the death toll in the district to 5,568, he said.
The official said the COVID-19 recovery rate in the district stood at 94.67 per cent (2,09,785 discharged so far), while the mortality rate was 2.51 per cent.
The district has 6,240 active cases, or 2.82 per cent of the tally, he said.
The number of positive cases registered so far in some of the prominent cities were: Thane (49,454), Kalyan (52,240), Navi Mumbai (46,619) and Mira Bhayander (23,523).
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Telangana Logs 894 New COVID-19 Cases, 4 Deaths Take Number To 1,423
Telangana reported 894 fresh coronavirus cases, taking the tally to over 2.61 lakh while four fatalities pushed the toll to 1,423, the state government said on Friday.
Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) accounted for the most number of cases with 154, followed by Medchal Malkajgiri (84) and Rangareddy (70), it said in a bulletin, providing details as of 8 PM on November 19.
As many as 12,515 patients are under treatment and 39,448 samples were tested on November 19.
Cumulatively, over 50.50 lakh samples have been tested.
The samples tested per million population was 1,35,696, the bulletin said.
Coronavirus LIVE: Andaman And Nicobar Islands Reports 19 New COVID-19 Cases; Tally Rises To 4,604
Eleven more people tested positive for COVID-19 in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, pushing the coronavirus tally in the union territory to 4,604, a health department official said on Friday.
Of the 11 new cases, six have travel history, while five infections were detected during contact tracing, he said.
Twenty more people have been cured of the disease, taking the total number of recoveries to 4,398.
The archipelago now has 145 active coronavirus cases, while 61 patients have succumbed to the infection so far, he said.
"Covid A Hoax To Establish Anti-Christ Kingdom," Day-Care Operator Said
The complaints started to mount after a teacher who tested positive for the coronavirus had been at work maskless - working with toddlers and infants. Read more
Covid-19 LIVE Updates: Mexico's Coronavirus Deaths Surpass 1,00,000
Mexico said Thursday its coronavirus death toll had risen above 100,000, becoming the world's fourth country to pass the grim milestone.
"Today in Mexico we have 100,000 people who have lost their lives due to Covid-19," deputy health minister Hugo Lopez-Gatell told a news conference.
The health ministry announced 576 more deaths in its daily update, taking the total to 100,104, behind only the United States, Brazil and India.
The overall number of infections registered now stands at 1,019,543 in the nation of more than 128 million, up 4,472 from the previous day.
Taxi To Nowhere: Virus Measures Hit London Black Cab Business
Tony Georgiou sighed as he stood in front of a field full of parked taxi cabs, admitting he has lost count of how many are there.
Many London taxi drivers rent their instantly-recognisable black cabs from fleet companies such as GB Taxi Services, where Georgiou is one of the owners.
But with London's streets emptied by the coronavirus lockdown, many drivers are unable to keep paying for their vehicles and are handing them back in droves.
"There's probably around 150 to 200 vehicles that are here, which we've had to take off the road," said Georgiou, whose company has parked its vehicles in Epping northeast of the capital. "I've lost count".
Coronavirus LIVE: Free COVID-19 Testing At Chandigarh's ISBT-17, Health Department Urges Residents To Avoid Travelling To Delhi
Chandigarh Health Department is conducting free COVID-19 rapid antigen tests for people returning to the Union Territory from various states by bus at Inter-State Bus Terminal-17 (ISBT).
COVID-19 testing is being done by the Government Multi-Specialty Hospital.
According to Dr Rachna, 10 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past three days.
"We are testing passengers, bus drivers and conductors, especially those coming in from the national capital as cases are on a rise there. This is the third day of testing and about 10 people have tested positive so far. As per the administration''s instruction, we are giving self-isolation instructions to those who test positive and give them a free medical kit as well," Dr Rachna told ANI.
Covid-19 LIVE Updates: Superspreader Events Key Driver In Coronavirus Pandemic
At churches, on cruise ships and even in the White House, superspreading events that can sicken dozens, even hundreds, of people have illustrated the potential for the coronavirus to infect in dramatic bursts.
Experts say these large clusters are more than just extreme outliers, but rather the pandemic's likely main engine of transmission.
And understanding where, when and why they happen could help us tame the spread of the virus in the period before a vaccine may be widely available.
Research increasingly suggests that the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 does not fan out evenly across the population, but spreads at the extremes in an almost "all or nothing" pattern.
JustIn| India's COVID-19 cases cross 90 lakh, 1,32,162 total deaths
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: South Australia To End Lockdown Early After Pizza Parlour Blunder
South Australia's six-day "circuit-breaker" lockdown will be cut short, officials said Friday, blaming a pizza parlour worker who misled contact tracers about how he contracted the virus.
Premier Steven Marshall indicated a tough lockdown for the state's almost two million people would end late on Saturday, at least two days earlier than planned.
Marshall said a man who claimed he was a customer at a pizza parlour hotspot -- leading authorities to believe the strain was virulent enough to be transmitted via a takeaway box -- in fact worked there.
"One of the close contacts linked to the Woodville pizza bar deliberately misled our contact-tracing team," said Marshall. "Their story didn't add up. We pursued them. We now know that they lied."
WHO Advises Against Remdesivir For Coronavirus Treatment
The anti-viral drug remdesivir should not be used to treat Covid-19 patients no matter how severe their illness as it has "no important effect" on survival chances, the World Health Organization said Friday. Read more
The anti-viral drug remdesivir should not be used to treat Covid-19 patients no matter how severe their illness as it has "no important effect" on survival chances, the World Health Organization said Friday. Read more
Coronavirus news: Someone In Europe Is Dying Every 17 Seconds From COVID-19, WHO Says
Europe's painful second coronavirus wave may be starting to ease, a top World Health Organization official said Thursday, as cases drop slightly even though over the past week someone on the continent died every 17 seconds from the virus.
The cautious prognosis came after new diagnoses of the novel coronavirus slowed last week across Europe to 1.8 million cases, compared with 2 million the week before last. Hospitals across the continent remain packed, a situation that sharply increases the chance that patients will die of the disease.
"There is good news and not so good news," said Hans Kluge, the WHO's regional director for Europe, at a news conference, describing the drop in new diagnoses as "a small signal, but it's a signal nevertheless."
Europe's painful second coronavirus wave may be starting to ease, a top World Health Organization official said Thursday, as cases drop slightly even though over the past week someone on the continent died every 17 seconds from the virus.
The cautious prognosis came after new diagnoses of the novel coronavirus slowed last week across Europe to 1.8 million cases, compared with 2 million the week before last. Hospitals across the continent remain packed, a situation that sharply increases the chance that patients will die of the disease.
"There is good news and not so good news," said Hans Kluge, the WHO's regional director for Europe, at a news conference, describing the drop in new diagnoses as "a small signal, but it's a signal nevertheless."
COVID-19: High Court directs Telangana to conduct 50,000 tests every day
The Telangana High Court on Thursday directed the state government to conduct 50,000 coronavirus tests every day and if need be increase the number to 1 lakh in the wake of second wave of the pandemic that is being experienced in the national capital.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Raghvendra Singh Chauhan while hearing a batch of PILs on COVID-19 related issues noted that if more tests were conducted the virus can be contained and directed the state government to carry out 50,000 tests daily and expected that the number may go up to 1 lakh in a day.
The bench was informed by the Advocate General that the state government was already conducting around 50,000 COVID-19 tests per day.
The Telangana High Court on Thursday directed the state government to conduct 50,000 coronavirus tests every day and if need be increase the number to 1 lakh in the wake of second wave of the pandemic that is being experienced in the national capital.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Raghvendra Singh Chauhan while hearing a batch of PILs on COVID-19 related issues noted that if more tests were conducted the virus can be contained and directed the state government to carry out 50,000 tests daily and expected that the number may go up to 1 lakh in a day.
The bench was informed by the Advocate General that the state government was already conducting around 50,000 COVID-19 tests per day.
COVID-19: Meghalaya's tally nears 11,000-mark, death count at 104
Meghalaya reported 109 fresh COVID-19 cases, pushing the tally to 10,979, a senior health
official said on Thursday.
The death count rose to 104 after one more patient succumbed to the virus, Health Services Director Aman War said.
He said 60 patients have recovered from the disease since Wednesday, increasing the number of those cured to 10,074 in the state.
Meghalaya reported 109 fresh COVID-19 cases, pushing the tally to 10,979, a senior health
official said on Thursday.
The death count rose to 104 after one more patient succumbed to the virus, Health Services Director Aman War said.
He said 60 patients have recovered from the disease since Wednesday, increasing the number of those cured to 10,074 in the state.
Pfizer to seek emergency vaccine approval in US Friday
An emergency use authorization request for the Covid-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech was expected to be filed with the FDA on Friday, the US government and BioNTech's co-founder said.
This type of Food and Drug Administration authorization is temporary or conditional and is granted in response to an emergency situation such as a pandemic.
"Pfizer's partner BioNTech has announced that tomorrow they intend to file for emergency use authorization at the FDA," health secretary Alex Azar told a press conference Thursday in Washington.
BioNTech co-founder Ugur Sahin earlier told AFP in a Zoom interview: "The documents will be finalized today and tomorrow and submitted to the FDA."
The FDA did not say how long it would take to review the data on vaccine efficacy and safety, the two main criteria.
An emergency use authorization request for the Covid-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech was expected to be filed with the FDA on Friday, the US government and BioNTech's co-founder said.
This type of Food and Drug Administration authorization is temporary or conditional and is granted in response to an emergency situation such as a pandemic.
"Pfizer's partner BioNTech has announced that tomorrow they intend to file for emergency use authorization at the FDA," health secretary Alex Azar told a press conference Thursday in Washington.
BioNTech co-founder Ugur Sahin earlier told AFP in a Zoom interview: "The documents will be finalized today and tomorrow and submitted to the FDA."
The FDA did not say how long it would take to review the data on vaccine efficacy and safety, the two main criteria.
COVID-19: Andhra reports 1,316 new cases
Andhra Pradesh reported 1,316 new cases of COVID-19 taking the tally of total cases to 8,58,711, said state government on Thursday.
According to state government, total recoveries in the state stand at 8,35,801 with 1,821 people recovered in last 24 hours.
The death count reached 6,911 in the state with eleven people succumbed to the disease. Out of the eleven deaths reported today, two people each succumbed in Chittoor and Krishna district while one death each reported in Anantapur, East Godavari, Guntur, Nellore, Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam and West Godavari districts.
Andhra Pradesh reported 1,316 new cases of COVID-19 taking the tally of total cases to 8,58,711, said state government on Thursday.
According to state government, total recoveries in the state stand at 8,35,801 with 1,821 people recovered in last 24 hours.
The death count reached 6,911 in the state with eleven people succumbed to the disease. Out of the eleven deaths reported today, two people each succumbed in Chittoor and Krishna district while one death each reported in Anantapur, East Godavari, Guntur, Nellore, Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam and West Godavari districts.
Coronavirus news: Joe Biden says won't order 'national shutdown' despite Covid surge
US President-elect Joe Biden said Thursday he would not order a nationwide shutdown to fight the Covid-19 pandemic despite a surge in cases.
States and cities have been imposing their own restrictions, including home confinement, the closure of indoor dining and a limit on gatherings as infections soar across the country.
"There's no circumstance which I can see that would require total national shutdown. I think that would be counterproductive," Biden, who takes office on January 20, told reporters.
He said however that rules for when and how businesses and other establishments can open would have to be calibrated based on the threat in the area in question, noting the varying levels of spread throughout the country.
US President-elect Joe Biden said Thursday he would not order a nationwide shutdown to fight the Covid-19 pandemic despite a surge in cases.
States and cities have been imposing their own restrictions, including home confinement, the closure of indoor dining and a limit on gatherings as infections soar across the country.
"There's no circumstance which I can see that would require total national shutdown. I think that would be counterproductive," Biden, who takes office on January 20, told reporters.
He said however that rules for when and how businesses and other establishments can open would have to be calibrated based on the threat in the area in question, noting the varying levels of spread throughout the country.
COVID-19: WHO advises against remdesivir for coronavirus treatment
The anti-viral drug remdesivir should not be used to treat Covid-19 patients no matter how severe their illness as it has "no important effect" on survival chances, the World Health Organization said Friday.
Scratching one of the few treatments that had shown some initial promise in severe patients, a WHO Guideline Development Group (GDG) of international experts said there was "no evidence based on currently available data that it does improve patient-important outcomes".
The United States, the European Union and other countries have granted temporary approval for the use of remdesivir after initial research showed it may shorten recovery time in some coronavirus patients.
The anti-viral drug remdesivir should not be used to treat Covid-19 patients no matter how severe their illness as it has "no important effect" on survival chances, the World Health Organization said Friday.
Scratching one of the few treatments that had shown some initial promise in severe patients, a WHO Guideline Development Group (GDG) of international experts said there was "no evidence based on currently available data that it does improve patient-important outcomes".
The United States, the European Union and other countries have granted temporary approval for the use of remdesivir after initial research showed it may shorten recovery time in some coronavirus patients.
