India reported 13,091 new coronavirus cases and 340 deaths in the last 24 hours, according to a health ministry update. Besides, 13,878 recoveries were also recorded during this period, which increased total recoveries to 3,38,00,925. The recovery rate is currently at 98.25%, highest since March 2020. The active caseload stands at 1,38,556, lowest in 266 days.
So far, 110.23 crore vaccine doses have been administered in the country, with 57,54,817 doses being given in the last 24 hours.
Meanwhile, Dr Ram Vishwakarma, Chairman of the Covid Strategy Group, CSIR, told NDTV on Wednesday that Emergency Use Authorisation for the Merck drug Molnupiravir -- an oral antiviral medicine for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 -- is likely "within days".
The medicine is meant for adults who are at risk for progressing to severe COVID-19 or hospitalization. Another pill from Pfizer, Paxlovid, may take some more time, he added.
Here are the Highlights on Coronavirus Cases In India:
The World Health Organization's (WHO) approval to Covaxin vaccine earlier this month would bring about a significant improvement in the ease of travel for vaccinated Indians, the Ministry of External Affairs said.
Stating that the fight against COVID-19 is at the final stage, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya cautioned against letting the guard down before it is completely over and requested states to enhance the vaccination coverage and motivate the over 12 crore beneficiaries who are due for their second dose to take it. He also urged states and union territories to ensure the entire adult population is administered the first dose during the ongoing "Har Ghar Dastak" campaign.
Malaysia will reopen its borders to international visitors by Jan. 1 at the latest, a government advisory council said on Thursday, as the country seeks to revive its ailing tourism sector.
Beijing authorities have sealed off a mall and locked down several residential compounds over a Covid flare-up, as the latest outbreak spread to the Chinese capital's central districts.
Germany registered a record 50,196 new Covid-19 infections Thursday, according to health authorities. It is the first time Germany has exceeded 50,000 cases since the beginning of the pandemic, and comes as infections and deaths have soared in recent days. Read here.