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India's coronavirus case count rose to 99.06 lakh, while the number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 94.22 lakh pushing the national recovery rate to 95.12 per cent, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Monday. More than 22,000 infections were reported in a day on Tuesday, while the death count rose to 1,43,709 with 354 new fatalities, the data showed.
India currently has a fatality rate of 1.45 per cent due to coronavirus. The government has said more than 70 per cent of the people recover from COVID-19 with mild or very mild symptoms. Such cases may not even require admission to COVID-19 blocks or dedicated hospitals, the Health Ministry said.
Meanwhile, the US Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday released a positively-worded briefing document about the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, a strong sign that a group of experts that meets in two days could vote to approve it.
The agency said there were "no specific safety concerns identified that would preclude issuance of an EUA (emergency use authorization) and confirmed an overall efficacy of 94.1 per cent."
The United States kicked off a mass vaccination drive Monday hoping to turn the tide on the world's biggest coronavirus outbreak, as the nation's deaths passed a staggering 3,00,000
Here are the LIVE Updates on coronavirus (COVID-19) cases:
Melania Trump flouts children's hospital policy by taking her mask off
US First Lady Melania Trump on Tuesday violated the stated mask policy at Children's National Hospital as she removed her mask to read a holiday book to children.
According to a CNN report, the first lady arrived in the hospital's main atrium wearing a mask but when she took her seat in front of a tree, she removed the mask.
According to the hospital policy, "Everyone must wear a mask at all times while in any Children''s National facility to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including wearing a mask when entering any Children''s National building, as mandated by area officials. This includes all public places, such as the hallway and cafeteria and wearing a mask at all times when you are around other individuals."
COVID-19 Updates: Jharkhand schools to reopen for Classes 10-12 students from December 16
Regular classes for students of class 10 to class 12 will resume from December 16 in Jharkhand amid the COVID-19 outbreak, according to the Office of Banna Gupta, State Minister for Disaster Management Department.
The decision was taken at a review meeting of the disaster management department chaired by Chief Minister Hemant Soren where Gupta was also present. Besides this, medical, dental, and nursing colleges have also been allowed to resume work.
Nepal: Adhering to public health safety protocols, Pashupatinath Temple to reopen today after over 9 months, says Pashupati Area Development Trust pic.twitter.com/kjUcsqMqoZ
- ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2020
Southern California intensive care swamped by record Covid cases
Record coronavirus cases sweeping across southern California left Los Angeles with fewer than 100 intensive care beds available Tuesday for a county of 10 million people.
The situation is equally dire in nearby Ventura and Riverside counties, with 99 and 100 per cent of ICU capacity used up respectively, as local health authorities sounded the alarm Tuesday.
With remaining ICU capacity across southern California down to just 1.7 per cent, experts warned the lack of specialized care could trigger a spike in mortality.
"Many folks may be thinking that this is just not anything to be really worried about because hospitals can just add more beds -- the reality is every bed needs to be staffed by highly trained and skilled healthcare workers," said Los Angeles County public health director Barbara Ferrer.
Speaker of Czech Parliament's Lower House tests COVID positive
The president of the Czech parliament's lower house, the Chamber of Deputies, Radek Vondracek, said he had contracted COVID-19 on Tuesday and was undergoing home treatment.
"I have always been [a] positive [person], and now I also have a document about this... [positive test result]. Fortunately, the coronavirus is passing calmly. Be careful!" Vondracek wrote on Twitter.
Earlier, First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Jan Hamacek and some other ministers recovered from the coronavirus. In addition, after contact with infected people, four more ministers were in home isolation for two weeks.
US COVID-19 immunization rollout expands as officials avow vaccine's safety
The United States expanded its rollout of the newly approved COVID-19 vaccine to hundreds of additional distribution centers on Tuesday, inoculating thousands more healthcare workers in a mass immunization expected to reach the general public in the coming months.
Distribution of the vaccine developed by Pfizer Inc and German partner BioNTech SE began on Monday, three days after it won US emergency-use authorization, opening a new front in the battle against a pandemic claiming more than 2,400 US lives a day
Chhattisgarh speaker tests COVID-19 positive
Chhattisgarh's COVID-19 count rose to 2,60,240 with 1,605 more people, including the state assembly speaker, testing positive on Tuesday, officials said.
Chhattisgarh assembly speaker Dr Charan Das Mahant tweeted about his diagnosis. "I got myself tested for COVID-19 and the report came positive. Those who came in my contact (recently) are requested to get themselves isolated or tested for COVID-19 if necessary," he tweeted.
Japan confirms 2,431 new Covid-19 cases, more personnel deployed to help combat surge
Japan on Tuesday confirmed 2,431 new daily COVID-19 infections, bringing the nation's cumulative total to 184,732, not including those related to a cruise ship quarantined near Tokyo earlier this year.
Tokyo, the hardest hit by the virus among all of Japan's 47 prefectures, reported 460 new cases, bringing its total number of infections to 47,990.
US, EU push forward vaccine approval as fears of Christmas infections grow
The United States and the European Union on Tuesday pushed forward approval of two leading Covid-19 candidate vaccines, as fears grew of a fresh wave of infections over Christmas.
Two leading British medical journals urged London to scrap plans easing restrictions for the holiday season and the Netherlands imposed its tightest lockdown since the pandemic emerged.
Health professionals have registered over 1.6 million lives lost and more than 72 million cases of the novel coronavirus since it emerged in China last December.
Moscow's COVID-19 deaths at 10,095
Moscow has registered 73 deaths of patients infected with COVID-19 over the past 24 hours, bringing the Russian capital's number of deaths to 10,095, the city's coronavirus response centre said in a statement on Tuesday.
"Another 73 patients, who were diagnosed with pneumonia and tested positive for the coronavirus infection, died in Moscow," the centre said.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau: Country To Get Up To 1,68,000 Doses Of Moderna Covid Vaccine, Before Year End Moderna vaccine to arrive in Canada in weeks: Justin Trudeau
The first doses of Moderna's Covid-19 vaccine are due to arrive in Canada before the end of December, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday.
"Canada is now contracted to receive up to 168,000 doses of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine before the end of December, pending Health Canada approval," Trudeau told a news briefing.
"These doses are part of the guaranteed 40 million we have secured from Moderna, and deliveries could begin within 48 hours of regulatory approval," which could come in days, he said.
US Authorises First Rapid At-Home Covid-19 Test Coronavirus updates: Assam reports 142 new COVID-19 cases
Assam's COVID-19 caseload went up to 2,14,945 on Tuesday after 142 more people tested positive for the disease, while one fresh fatality took the deaths to 1,004, Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
He said that 102 patients recovered from coronavirus during the day, taking the total number of cured people in the state to 2,10,398. The state has 3,540 active cases now, the minister said adding that three patients had migrated out.
"Sad to share the demise of one #COVID patient today......Condolences to the bereaved family," Mr Sarma tweeted.
Madhya Pradesh reports 1,073 COVID-19 cases, 13 deaths; 1,347 discharged
Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday saw an addition of 1,073 COVID-19 new cases, taking the infection count to 2,25,709, while 13 patients died and 1,347 people were discharged during the day, an official aid.
The deaths in the state is now 3,425, while the recovery count is 2,09,768, he added. Four died in Indore, two in Bhopal and one each in Gwalior, Jabalpur, Khargone, Damoh, Mandsaur, Jhabua and Khandwa, the official said.
Coronavirus Latest News: Assam Reports 142 New Cases And 102 Discharges Today
Assam reported 142 new #COVID19 cases and 102 discharges today.
- ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2020
Total cases 2,14,945
Total discharges 2,10,398
Death toll 1004
Active cases 3540 pic.twitter.com/2XpX6VoMte
COVID-19 Live Updates: Jharkhand Reports 209 New Cases, 211 Recoveries And 1 Death Today
Jharkhand reported 209 new #COVID19 cases, 211 recoveries/discharges and 1 death today.
- ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2020
Total cases 1,11,931
Total recoveries/discharges 1,09,352
Death toll 1001
Active cases 1578 pic.twitter.com/cFslL2gpby
Drug Regulator Seeking More Data For Granting Emergency Use Authorisation Won't Impact Timeline For Vaccine Rollout: Government
These applications filed with the DGCI are being examined by the subject expert committee on COVID-19 of CDSCO for emergency use authorisation, NITI Aayog member (health) Dr VK Paul said.
"This situation was factored in from before as it is emergency use authorisation. There should be more than reasonable satisfaction about the safety, immunogenicity and effectiveness of the vaccine," he told reporters when asked about DCGI seeking more information from the companies for grant of emergency use authorisation to their vaccines.
The applications of Bharat Biotech, Serum Institute and Pfizer seeking emergency use authorisation for their COVID-19 vaccines are being examined, the centre said on Tuesday, asserting that Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) seeking more data from these companies will not impact the vaccine-roll out timeline.
These applications filed with the DGCI are being examined by the subject expert committee on COVID-19 of CDSCO for emergency use authorisation, NITI Aayog member (health) Dr VK Paul said.
"This situation was factored in from before as it is emergency use authorisation. There should be more than reasonable satisfaction about the safety, immunogenicity and effectiveness of the vaccine," he told reporters when asked about DCGI seeking more information from the companies for grant of emergency use authorisation to their vaccines.
Coronavirus Live Updates: Maharashtra Cuts Price Of RT-PCR Test From Rs 980 To Rs 700
Maharashtra government has announced the reduction in RT-PCR test rate from Rs 980 to Rs 700, ANI reported.
COVID-19 Live News: Uttar Pradesh Reports 1354 New Cases, 1852 Discharges And 20 Deaths In The Last 24 Hours
Uttar Pradesh reported 1354 new #COVID19 cases, 1852 discharges and 20 deaths in the last 24 hours.
- ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 15, 2020
Total discharges 5,41,579
Death toll 8103
Active cases 18,382 pic.twitter.com/ALt07CcUUA
Delhi Reports 1617 New Cases, 2,343 Recoveries And 41 Deaths In The Last 24 Hours
Delhi reports 1617 new #COVID19 cases, 2343 recoveries and 41 deaths in the last 24 hours.
- ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2020
Total cases 6,10,447
Total recoveries 5,85,852
Death toll 10,115
Active cases 14,480 pic.twitter.com/8l6vAM0bcF
Coronavirus Latest Updates: Rajasthan Reports 1,045 New Cases, 13 Deaths And 1,722 Recoveries
Rajasthan reported 1045 new #COVID19 cases, 13 deaths and 1722 recoveries/discharges today.
- ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2020
Total cases 2,93,584
Death toll 2568
Total recoveries/discharges 2,75,506
Active cases 15,510 pic.twitter.com/fwk3MkdmTW
COVID-9 Live News: Karnataka Reports 1185 New Cases, 1594 Discharges And 11 Deaths Today
Karnataka reported 1185 new #COVID19 cases, 1594 discharges and 11 deaths today.
- ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2020
Total cases 9,03,425
Total discharges 8,75,796
Death toll 11,965
Active cases 15,645 pic.twitter.com/pGyWmT20t6
Andhra Pradesh Reports 500 New COVID-19 Cases, 5 Deaths And 563 Recoveries
Andhra Pradesh reports 500 new #COVID19 cases, 5 deaths and 563 recoveries.
- ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2020
Total cases 8,76,336
Total recoveries 8,64,612
Death toll 7064
Active cases 4660 pic.twitter.com/TNoSVyEgWH
Coronavirus Latest News: Uttar Pradesh Reports 8,103 New Cases And 20 Deaths
Uttar Pradesh COVID-19 death count rose to 8,103 with 20 more fatalities; while 1,336 fresh cases pushed the tally to 5,68,064, PTI reported quoting officials.
Health Ministry Receives Data Of 50 Lakh Healthcare Workers For Vaccination: Government Sources
The government aims to vaccinate 1 crore healthworkers in the first phase of vaccination.
The Union Health Ministry has received data of 50 lakh healthcare workers so far for vaccination drive, government sources told NDTV.
The government aims to vaccinate 1 crore healthworkers in the first phase of vaccination.
Six COVID-19 Vaccines Are Undergoing Clinical Trials In India: NITI Aayog Member VK Paul
At this time, six vaccines are undergoing clinical trials in this nation: Dr VK Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog#COVID19 https://t.co/WfmJChJTcV
- ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2020
Happy To Note That Delhi Has Made Progress In Controlling COVID-19: NITI Aayog Member VK Paul
We are happy to note that Delhi has made progress, we congratulate the Govt of Delhi as well as the other governments who have done so well in contributing towards such a significant control in the recent times: Dr VK Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog#COVID19 pic.twitter.com/p9q1aBPcix
- ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2020
29,000 Cold Chain Points, 45,000 Ice-Lined Refrigerators, 300 Solar Refrigerators To Be Used For COVID-19 Vaccination: Health Ministry
29000 cold chain points, 240 walk-in coolers, 70 walk-in freezers, 45000 ice-lined refrigerators, 41000 deep freezers & 300 solar refrigerators will be used. All these equipment have already reached state governments: Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary, Ministry of Health #CovidVaccine pic.twitter.com/0tnJjVCB8n
- ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2020
India’s COVID-19 Cases Per Million Among Lowest In The World: Health Ministry
The number of cases per million population in India continues to be amongst the lowest in the world. The number of cases in India is 7178 per million population, the global average is 9000: Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare#COVID19 pic.twitter.com/0I92LC1fTH
- ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2020
Coronavirus Live News: Vice Admiral Srikant Dies Due To COVID-19 Complications
The vice admiral, the Navy's senior-most submariner, was due to retire on December 31.
Expressing his condolences, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted, "Deeply pained at the untimely and sudden demise of Director General Seabird, Vice Admiral Srikant."
Vice Admiral Srikant died on Tuesday morning at the base hospital in New Delhi due to COVID-19-related complications, PTI reported quoting officials.
The vice admiral, the Navy's senior-most submariner, was due to retire on December 31.
Expressing his condolences, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted, "Deeply pained at the untimely and sudden demise of Director General Seabird, Vice Admiral Srikant."
Singapore to allow business travel arrivals from all countries
Singapore will allow business travellers and visiting officials from all countries to enter from next month, authorities said Tuesday, as the financial hub seeks to recover from a coronavirus-induced downturn.
Under the new arrangements, a limited number of travellers can apply for stays of up to 14 days from mid-January, the trade ministry said.
Singapore already had arrangements allowing in selected visitors from countries including China and South Korea, but the new scheme marks a significant easing of travel curbs.
There are strict conditions, however, for those wishing to visit the city-state, which has escaped the coronavirus relatively lightly.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Uttarakhand To Provide Free COVID-19 Vaccine To 93 Thousand Health Workers
More than 93 thousand health workers of Uttarakhand will be given free coronavirus vaccine, the state Health Secretary Amit Negi said on Tuesday. Read more
More than 93 thousand health workers of Uttarakhand will be given free coronavirus vaccine, the state Health Secretary Amit Negi said on Tuesday. Read more
Navy's Senior-Most Submariner Vice Admiral Srikant Dies Of COVID-19
Seniormost submariner of the Indian Navy, Vice Admiral Srikant, passed away due to Covid-19 related complications at Base Hospital in New Delhi on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday. Read more
Coronavirus Latest News LIVE: 16 new COVID-19 cases push Andamans tally to 4,834
Sixteen more people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, pushing the tally in the Union Territory to 4,834, a health department official said on Tuesday.
Of the fresh cases, 14 have travel history while two were detected during contact tracing, he said.
Eight more persons were cured of the disease on Monday, taking the total number of recoveries in the archipelago to 4,681, the official said.
The Union Territory now has 92 active cases while 61 people have died of the infection so far, he said.
Coronavirus Latest News LIVE: Telangana Transport Minister tests COVID-19 positive, state tally at 2.78 lakh
Telangana Minister P Ajay Kumar on Tueday said he has tested positive for coronavirus, as the state's overall COVID-19 tally touched 2.78 lakh with the addition of 491 fresh infections.
Three fatalities pushed the toll to 1,499.
Mr Kumar, state Transport Minister, was currently in home isolation.
In a statement, he advised people who came in contact with him recently to undergo COVID-19 tests.
Meanwhile, a government bulletin on Tuesday, providing details as of 8 pm on December 14, said Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) accounted for the most number of cases with 102, followed by Rangareddy (35) and Medchal Malkajgiri--33.
Collaboration, not confusion, is best response to COVID-19 pandemic: India at UN
India has said its vaccine production and delivery capacity will be used to help all humanity in fighting the COVID-19 crisis, which has highlighted gaps in global cooperation and underlined the need for the international community to respond to the pandemic with collaboration and not confusion.
Addressing the UN General Assembly special session on COVID-19, Secretary (West) in India's Ministry of External Affairs Vikas Swarup said on Monday the ongoing coronavirus crisis had "laid bare" the gaps that exist in global cooperation and governance structures of multilateral organisations.
"It is important that we make reformed multilateralism our guiding principle. It is imperative that we must join hands to show leadership, solidarity and collaboration to deal with the pandemic. We can respond best by collaboration, not confusion; preparation, not panic and coming together, not growing apart," he said.
"As a responsible member of the international community, I want to reiterate that India's vaccine production and delivery capacity will be used to help all humanity in fighting this crisis. India will also help all the countries in enhancing their cold chain and storage capabilities for the delivery of vaccines," Mr Swarup said at the resumed special session.
COVID-19: 491 new cases, 3 deaths in Telangana
Telangana registered 491 fresh coronavirus cases, taking the total caseload to over 2.78 lakh while three fatalities pushed the toll to 1,499.
Transport Minister P Ajay Kumar was among those who tested positive for the virus in the last 24 hours.
In a statement, he advised people who came in contact with him recently to undergo COVID-19 tests.
The minister is currently in home isolation.
Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) accounted for the most number of cases with 102, followed by Rangareddy 35 and Medchal Malkajgiri 33, a government bulletin said on uesday providing details as of 8 pm on December 14.
COVID-19 Triggering Rare, Deadly Fungal Infection, Claims Delhi Hospital
Doctors at a leading private facility in Delhi have found multiple cases in recovering coronavirus patients, who were diagnosed with a deadly fungal infection "triggered by COVID-19", due to which nearly half of them lost their eyesight, hospital authorities claimed on Monday. Read more
JustIn| No winter session of Parliament due to COVID-19
JustIn| 22,065 fresh COVID-19 cases in India, lowest one-day figure in over 5 months; total cases cross 99 lakh, 1,43,709 deaths
Coronavirus Latest News LIVE: 212 New COVID-19 Cases In Jharkhand; Tally Rises To 1,11,722
Jharkhand's COVID-19 tally mounted to 1,11,722 as 212 more people tested positive for the infection, a health department official said on Tuesday.
The COVID-19 death toll reached 1,000 mark as one more person succumbed to the infection in the last 24 hours, he said.
Ranchi district registered the maximum number of fresh cases at 98, followed by East Singhbhum (23), Bokaro (22) and Dhanbad (21).
Jharkhand now has 1,581 active coronavirus cases, while 1,09,141 people have been cured of the disease so far, the official said.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Canada Administers First Covid Vaccines, Trudeau In No Rush For His Shot
Canada kicked off its inoculation campaign against COVID-19 on Monday by injecting frontline healthcare workers and elderly nursing home residents, becoming just the third nation in the world to administer the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. Read more
Covid-19 LIVE Updates: Over 3.13 lakh people fined for not wearing masks in Ahmedabad, Rs 18.41 crore collected
Ahmedabad Police has collected Rs 18.41 crores as fine from people who were challaned for not wearing face masks in public places amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
"Over 3.13 lakh people paid Rs 18.41 crores in fine for not wearing face masks in public places in Ahmedabad, Gujarat since the outbreak of COVID-19, Harshad Patel, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic control), Ahmedabad said.
DCP Patel also informed that over 1,400 police personnel detected positive for COVID-19 and 13 of them have succumbed to the infection.
According to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, there are 13,298 active coronavirus cases in Gujarat, while over 2.10 lakhs have recovered and 4,171 died due to the virus.
Coronavirus LIVE: Mizoram reports 9 new Covid-19 cases
Mizoram recorded nine fresh Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours which pushed the infection tally to 4,049, according to the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Government of Mizoram.
As per the government's data, the total discharged cases in the state are 3,869. The active cases in the state are 173, while the death toll due to the infection is at seven.
The five new cases were confirmed through the Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test, three through Rapid Antigen Test and one case was reported by TrueNat.
New York Nurse First Person To Receive Covid Vaccine In US
The United States kicked off a mass vaccination drive Monday hoping to turn the tide on the world's biggest coronavirus outbreak, as the nation's death toll passed a staggering 300,000.
The start of the desperately awaited vaccine program coincided with several European countries announcing new lockdowns amid spiraling infections, highlighting how the road to ending the global pandemic is still long.
New York nurse Sandra Lindsay became the first person in America to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech shot, live on television, six days after Britain launched the West's vaccine campaign against Covid-19. Read more
New Variant Of Coronavirus Found In UK, May Be Spreading Faster: Report
London is to move into the highest level of coronavirus restrictions due to concern about spiralling numbers of infections, the health minister announced Monday.
The British capital's move into "Tier 3" from 0001 GMT Wednesday means theatres as well as pubs, restaurants and other hospitality venues will have to close, except for takeaway food.
People are not supposed to socialise with anyone not from their household, but they can meet in groups of up to six in public places outside.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said London had seen a "sharp rise" in daily cases and hospital admissions, and there was public health concern about a new strain of the coronavirus.
Coronavirus Deaths In US Cross 3,00,000: Report Coronavirus Updates: Turkey announces 4-day curfew over New Year's to combat COVID
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the introduction of a round-the-clock curfew in Turkey for the New Year holidays, from 9 pm on December 31 to 5 am on January 4.
"At today''s government meeting, it was decided to establish a curfew from 9 pm on December 31 to 5 am on January 4," President Erdogan said.
Earlier, he announced new restrictive measures due to the increase in the coronavirus incidence in the country. Bathhouses, saunas, swimming pools, gyms have suspended work since Tuesday, a certain number of visitors are allowed to shopping centers and only by digital code. The curfew is in effect from 9 pm to 5 am on weekdays, and from 9 am Friday to 5 am on Monday.
Covid-19 Live Updates: Canada announces new Covid-19 aid package for developing nations
Canada on Monday announced a Can$458 million ($380 million) aid package to help developing countries fight the coronavirus pandemic.
Of that amount, Can$230 million will go to the UN children's agency UNICEF to buy approximately three million treatments based on new therapeutic antibodies, once clinical trials are complete and approvals received, according to international development minister Karina Gould.
"The faster we can get tests, treatments and vaccines out to people, the sooner this pandemic can be contained," Gould said during a press conference.
Ottawa will also invest an additional Can$255 million to support the World Health Organization's plan to distribute vaccines and therapeutic products, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean, she said.
