COVID-19 India Highlights: The active Covid case count of India stands at 1,45,582.
India recorded 33,750 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, 22 per cent higher than yesterday, while 123 people died due to the virus in a day. The number of cases of fast-spreading Omicron variant has risen to 1,700, with Maharashtra reporting the most number of infections.
The active case count of India stands at 1,45,582.
A total of 10,846 recoveries in the last 24 hours took the overall recovery number to 3,42,95,407.
India had reported 27,553 infections on Sunday and 284 deaths due to the virus.
Meanwhile, vaccination opened for teens in the 15 to 18 age group from today amid a surge of Covid cases in multiple cities. Over 40 lakh teens received their first dose on day 1 of the programme. The vaccination programme - carried out in consultation with schools - is being held at hospitals and health centres. Those born in 2007 and before are eligible for the vaccine.
Here are the Highlights on Coronavirus cases in India:
As COVID-19 cases spike, Mumbai civic body modifies sealing rules for buildingsWith the rise in COVID-19 infections and detection of Omicron cases suggesting an increase in "transmissibility", the Mumbai civic body on Monday revised the protocol regarding sealing of buildings where coronavirus cases are found.
The revised guidelines will come into effect from Tuesday, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said on Monday night.
As per the modified protocol, an entire building or a wing of a building complex or a housing society will be sealed if COVID-19 cases are found in more than 20% of the occupied flats in that building or the wing of the building complex or society.
Coronavirus Live Updates: Assam reports 351 fresh COVID-19 infections, 2 deathsWitnessing a major spike in the number of COVID-19 cases, Assam reported 351 fresh infections in the last 24 hours, the state health bulletin said on Monday.
The state also reported two new fatalities in the last 24 hours.
On Sunday, Assam reported 156 new COVID-19 cases and zero deaths.
Delhi asks school principals to daily upload status of vaccinated students on Google Tracker
The Delhi government has asked all school principals to daily upload the status of vaccinated students on Google Tracker by 4 pm without fail, officials said on Monday.
Over 20,900 teenagers received their first vaccine dose as the inoculation drive for the 15 to 18 age group began at 169 vaccination centres in Delhi on Monday.
The national capital reported 4,099 new Covid cases on Monday, 28 per cent more than Sunday, and one death as the positivity rate rose to 6.46 per cent, according to data shared by the Health Department.
"Heads of Schools shall daily upload the status of vaccinated school students on Google Tracker by 4 pm without fail. Class teachers must ensure that parents are informed to take their children to the nearest vaccination site earmarked for vaccination of children between 15 to 18 years of age," the Directorate of Education (DoE) said in an order.
At 1,259, Gujarat sees highest single-day spike in COVID-19 cases after seven months; three die
Gujarat on Monday reported 1,259 new coronavirus positive cases, the highest single-day rise after the last seven months, taking the total number of infections to 8,35,028, the state health department said.
On June 2 last year Gujarat had reported 1,333 cases. With three more patients succumbing to the coronavirus infection, the deaths in Gujarat rose to 10,123.
A total of 151 patients were discharged during the day, which raised the number of recoveries in Gujarat so far to 8,19,047, leaving the state with 5,858 active cases, the department said.
With 7.46 lakh people getting jabbed on Monday, the total number of doses administered so far in Gujarat crossed the 9-crore mark to reach 9.04 crore, the department said.
38 jawans of CRPF unit CoBRA test COVID-19 positive in SukmaAs many as 38 personnel of the CRPF's jungle warfare unit CoBRA tested positive for coronavirus in Chhattisgarh's Maoist-hit Sukma district on Monday following which they were quarantined in their camp, officials said.
The personnel belong to the 202nd battalion of the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), an elite wing of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), they said.
"As many as 75 personnel posted in the Temelwada camp of the district were subjected to rapid antigen test. Of them, 38 tested positive for the infection following which they were quarantined in their camp," Sukma Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) CV Bansod said.
Swab samples of remaining jawans were sent for RT-PCR tests to Jagdalpur, the headquarters of Bastar district, he said, adding contact tracing has been undertaken for coronavirus positive CoBRA personnel.
Sukma Superintendent of Police Sunil Sharma said these troops from the CoBRA' 202nd battalion, who hail from different parts of the country, had reached Sukma on Sunday to report to duty at their unit's camp in Temelwada.
Covid-19: Over 50,000 teens vaccinated in Haryana
Over 50,000 teens in the age group of 15 to 18 were administered coronavirus vaccine in Haryana on Monday. There are around 15.40 lakh teens in the state who will be given the jab, Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij said.
As many as 54,979 teens in this age group were administered the vaccine in the state on the first day, Mr Vij said.
He said 8,062 children were vaccinated in Panipat, which was the highest figure of those taking the jab on the first day.
As many as 7,612 teens took the jab in Ambala, 5,093 in Palwal, 4,751 in Gurugram and 4,222 in Karnal district.
In districts like Nuh, 266 teens took the vaccine. Meanwhile, 424 teens were administered the vaccine in Kurukshetra and 601 in Sirsa district.
Union Minister Mahendra Nath Pandey tests positive for COVID-19Union Minister for Heavy Industries Mahendra Nath Pandey was admitted at a hospital here on Monday after he tested positive for COVID-19.
Mr Pandey, 65, who is a BJP MP from Chandauli constituency, had earlier also tested positive for the coronavirus. "'I was unwell for the last two days due to which I underwent the COVID test and the report came positive. All those who have come in contact with me in the last few days are requested to take care of themselves and get the necessary investigations done," he tweeted.
The minister was admitted at the Yashoda hospital in Kaushambi.
"His treatment under Corona protocol has started. A report about his health has been sent to the district chief medical officer," Anuj Agarwal, who is the medical superintendent of the hospital, said in a statement.
Over 3,000 Noida teens take jab as Covid vaccination starts for 15+ age group
Over 3,000 teenagers took their first jab across Gautam Buddh Nagar on Monday as anti-coronavirus vaccination started for the 15-18 age group in the district, officials said.
The vaccines were administered to them at 42 centres, including 27 government facilities, spread across Noida and Greater Noida, the officials said.
Overall 17,054 vaccines were administered at government facilities to beneficiaries across age-groups in Gautam Buddh Nagar, adjoining Delhi in western Uttar Pradesh, District Immunisation Officer Dr Neeraj Tyagi said.
"First dose of vaccine in the 15+ category was administered to 3,068 beneficiaries. In the 18+ category the first dose was administered to 4,484 people and second dose to 9,502," Dr Tyagi said.
There are 102 government Covid vaccination centres (CVCs) in Gautam Buddh Nagar, the officer said.
Meghalaya to restrict movement of people to prevent spread of Covid: Chief Minister
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Monday said his government will take a slew of measures including night curfew, odd-even rule for vehicles and restrictions on public gatherings from January 5 to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Mr Sangma said details of the measures will be announced by officials later. "We as a government feel that it is very important for citizens and the government to take precautions. Though the past one year has been very difficult for all of us, we still need to be very careful in the coming days," the chief minister said.
The government has decided to come up with certain restrictions in the next few days but it will be ensured that their impact on economic activities is bare minimum, Mr Sangma said after a meeting to review the Covid-19 situation in the state.
"There will be restrictions on movement of private vehicles. It will be different in different regions but in Shillong city and most of East Khasi Hills district, we will have an odd-even system coming up," he said.
Under the odd-even scheme, cars can be driven only on alternate days, depending on the last digit (odd or even) of their registration number.
West Bengal logs 6,078 new Covid cases, 13 deaths
West Bengal on Monday registered 6,078 new Covid-19 cases, 75 less than the previous day's figure, pushing the tally to 16,55,228, the health department said.
The deaths went up to 19,794 after 13 more people died due to the disease in the last 24 hours, the department said in a bulletin. Since Sunday, 2,917 coronavirus patients have been discharged from various hospitals in the state.
The number of active cases now is 20,186.
Jharkhand imposes COVID-19 restrictions till January 15Amid the rising COVID-19 cases, Jharkhand today imposed fresh COVID-19 restrictions in the state.
The decisions to impose restrictions were taken in the Jharkhand State Disaster Management Authority meeting held today in the Jharkhand Ministry under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Hemant Soren. The restrictions will remain in force till January 15.
According to Jharkhand State Disaster Management Authority, all parks, swimming pools, gyms, zoos, tourist places, sports stadiums will be completely closed. Schools, colleges, coaching institutes will remain closed till 15 January but administrative work will be done in these institutions with 50 per cent capacity. Cinema halls, restaurants, bars and shopping malls will open with 50 per cent capacity. Restaurants, bars and medicine shops will be closed at their normal time, all other shops will remain open till 8 pm.
A maximum of 100 people can participate in the outdoor event while indoor events can be held with 50 per cent of the total capacity or 100, whichever is less. Offices of government and private institutions will remain open with 50 per cent capacity. The state has put a ban on biometric attendance.
COVID curbs: Jharkhand shuts educational institutes till Jan 15, allows offices to operate with 50% workforce
Amid a fresh surge in COVID-19 cases, the Jharkhand government on Monday decided to re-impose pandemic-related restrictions, shutting down all educational institutions and tourist places till January 15 and capping employee attendance at 50 per cent in offices.
The announcement was made shortly after senior officials held a meeting here, which was chaired by Chief Minister Hemant Soren.
A statement issued by the government said, "The chief minister has directed all districts to be on alert, given the sudden spurt rise in COVID-19 cases...Government and private offices will be allowed to operate with 50 per cent workforce. Biometric attendance is being banned for the time being."
Schools, colleges and coaching institutes will remain closed over the next 12 days. "Administrative work can, however, continue at these educational institutes with 50 per cent workforce," the statement said.
All tourist sites in the state, including zoos, have been shut down.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra goes into self-isolation after a member from family, staff test COVID positive
Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has hone isolated herself after a member of her family and one of her staff members tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday.
Taking to Twitter, the Congress leader informed that she has been tested negative for the COVID-19.
"A member of my family and one of my staff have tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday. I have tested negative today however the doctor has advised that I remain isolated and test again after a few days," she said.
Eight more Omicron cases in Haryana
Haryana reported eight cases of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus on Monday, pushing the tally of such infections to 71 in the state, according to a health department bulletin. Twelve of the 71 cases are active while the rest have been discharged, the bulletin stated.
Meanwhile, the state continued to register a surge in COVID-19 cases, with 793 new infections being reported on Monday, 460 of them from Gurugram alone, the NCR district which is the worst-affected.
Faridabad, Panchkula, Karnal and Ambala reported 110, 35, 33 and 41 new infections respectively.
However, no fresh fatality due to the viral disease was reported in the state and the death toll remained unchanged at 10,064.
Around 24 lakh eligible teenagers set to get jabbed in Jharkhand: Senior official
Vaccination drive for teenagers in the age group of 15-18 years was rolled out in Jharkhand on Monday, much like in other states.
Additional Chief Secretary Arun Kumar Singh said that Jharkhand had 23.98 lakh beneficiaries in that age bracket, and efforts were being made to achieve the target as early as possible.
On the first day, many enthusiastic beneficiaries were seen making a beeline outside all eight health centres set up in Ranchi for the purpose.
District officials have been directed to make ready dedicated vaccination centres for children, Mr Singh stated. "The drive has been launched across the state. We have a target of vaccinating 23.98 lakh children. We are utilising space at government and private schools for setting up camps. As of now, we have enough Covaxin shots for the drive," Mr Singh told PTI.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren tweeted pictures taken outside the health camps on the first day of the vaccine rollout for children.
Omicron cases less severe, hospitalisation rate lower in South Africa: Study
Infections caused by the Omicron variant of the coronavirus in South Africa were milder compared to those in earlier waves, while hospitalisation rates were lower, according to a study.
The yet-to-be peer-reviewed study, posted as preprint in The Lancet, analysed the clinical severity of patients hospitalised with SARS-CoV-2 infection during the first four weeks of the Omicron-dominated fourth wave.
The researchers at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases in South Africa and colleagues from other institutes compared the severity to the first four weeks of the Beta dominated second and Delta-dominated third waves in Gauteng Province.
They collated daily polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and antigen positive SARS-CoV-2 case data from laboratory reports.
Data on hospital admissions were collected through a surveillance programme established specifically for COVID-19. Mathematical models were used to compare disease severity in the three wave periods.
COVID-19: Kerala logs 2,560 new infections, 71 deaths
Kerala on Monday recorded 2,560 fresh COVID-19 cases and 71 deaths, taking the caseload to 52,45,849 and the deaths to 48,184.
Of the 71 deaths, 30 were recorded over the last few days and 41 designated as COVID-19 deaths after receiving appeals based on the new guidelines of the Centre and the directions of the Supreme Court.
With 2,150 more people recovering from the virus since Sunday, the total recoveries reached 51,86,737 and the active cases reached 19,359, an official press release said.
As many as 43,210 samples were tested in the last 24 hours.
Among the 14 districts, Thiruvananthapuram logged the highest with 583 fresh cases, followed by Ernakulam 410 and Kozhikode (271).
Veteran actor Prem Chopra and wife test positive for COVID-19, admitted to hospital
Veteran actor Prem Chopra and his wife Uma Chopra were on Monday admitted to a hospital here after testing positive for COVID-19, a senior doctor treating the couple said.
According to Dr Jalil Parkar, the 86-year-old veteran, along with his wife, was admitted to the Lilavati Hospital here. Both are likely to be discharged in "a day or two", he added.
"Prem Chopra and his wife tested positive for covid-19 and were admitted under Dr Jalil Parkar in Lilavati hospital for treatment.
"They both have received the monoclonal antibody cocktail and are recuperating well. Hopefully (he) will be discharged in a day or two. At the age of 86 years (he) is responding quite well," Parkar said in a statement.
Delhi logs 4099 new Covid cases, positivity rate jumps to 6.46 %
The national capital on Monday reported 4,099 new Covid cases, 28 per cent more than on Sunday, and one death due to the disease as the positivity rate rose to 6.46 per cent, according to the data shared by the health department.
If the positivity rate is over five per cent for two consecutive days, it would trigger a 'red alert' under the Delhi Disaster Management Authority-approved Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) leading to a 'total curfew' and halting of most economic activities.
Delhi reported 3,194 Covid cases with a positivity rate of 4.59 per cent on Sunday and 2,716 cases with a positivity rate of 3.6 per cent on Saturday.
On Friday and Thursday, 1,796 and 1,313 cases were recorded with a positivity rate of 1.73 per cent and 2.44 per cent, respectively, according to official figures. The daily case tally on Wednesday, Tuesday and Monday were 923, 496 and 331, respectively.
Former Bihar chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi tests positive for coronavirus
Former Bihar chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has tested positive for COVID-19, a key political aide said on Monday.
Danish Rizwan, national spokesperson of the Hindustani Awam Morcha founded and headed by Manjhi, said the ex-chief minister was "safe" at his village in Gaya district.
"Manjhi had been unwell for some time. On Sunday, he got tested along with close family members and personal staff. Altogether 18 people have tested positive", said Rizwan.
Besides the 77-year-old leader, those testing positive for the infection include his wife Shanti Devi, daughter Pushpa Manjhi, daughter-in-law Dipa Manjhi and personal secretary Ganesh Pandit, said Rizwan.
Dipa Manjhi is married to Santosh Suman, who is a cabinet minister in the Nitish Kumar government.
Omicron threat: Karnataka Cabinet to discuss long-term measures, says Chief Minister
Amid increasing cases of COVID-19, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai today said that the state Cabinet will discuss measures on Thursday to control the pandemic without affecting the daily life of the common people.
Speaking to media persons Mr Bommai said, "COVID-19 and Omicron are spreading fast throughout the country and neighbouring states. We will discuss this with the expert committee on Tuesday evening. We have the experience of handling the previous two waves of COVID-19. The experts have been asked to suggest appropriate measures to control the pandemic without affecting the daily life of the common people."
On the vaccination drive for 15 to 18-year-old children, the Chief Minister said, "They need to be brought under the COVID-19 secure bubble. An extensive vaccination campaign is being launched for this purpose. We need a coordinated effort from the parents, teachers and health workers to make it a success."
Take Covid-19 vaccine immediately: Lok Sabha Speaker's appeal to those yet to be inoculated
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday said that the Omicron variant of the coronavirus poses a bigger threat to those who have not yet been inoculated and appealed to such people to get vaccinated immediately.
In a tweet, he also noted that the risk of Omicron infection is increasing in the country. A total of 1,700 cases of the Omicron variant have been detected across 23 states and union territories so far, out of which 639 have recovered or migrated, according to Union health ministry's data updated on Monday.
"The risk of Omicron infection is increasing in the country. This virus is the biggest threat to those who have not yet taken the vaccination. It is my humble request to all those people to get their vaccination done at the nearest health centre immediately," Mr Birla said in a tweet in Hindi.
Maharashtra has recorded the maximum number of Omicron cases at 510, followed by Delhi (351), Kerala (156), Gujarat (136), Tamil Nadu (121) and Rajasthan (120).
Seven test positive at Chief Minister's programme in Bihar
Seven persons - six of them citizens of Bihar who came here to meet Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday at a public interaction programme and were at the same premises have tested positive for COVID 19.
The chief minister told reporters after the programme that a staff member involved in catering arrangements tested positive for coronavirus and hinted that the state might go in for restrictive measures to contain the spread of the disease.
"It is a matter of concern, indicative of the incredible rate at which the number of cases are rising", Mr Kumar said.
All those who visit the chief minister's secretariat every Monday for his outreach programme 'Janata Ke Durbar Mein Mukhyamantri' undergo the mandatory tests.
The VVIP establishment went into a tizzy when the reports of the swab sample tests came in.
"The existing guidelines will remain in force till January 5. But tomorrow when officials will meet to review the situation they will definitely take into consideration the sudden rise and come out with orders accordingly", Mr Kumar said.
Bihar's first genome sequencing facility becomes operationalBihar's first genome sequencing facility has become operational in Patna that will help in the timely detection of the Omicron variant among COVID-19 patients, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said.
"From today, samples can be tested for Omicron within the state. We are committed to inoculation of all minors over 15 years of age besides providing booster doses to senior citizens," he said.
COVID-19: India supplies 5 lakh more Covaxin doses to AfghanistanBharat Biotech informed that India has supplied another batch of humanitarian assistance consisting of 5,00,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine, Covaxin to Afghanistan. Taking to Twitter, Bharat Biotech said, "Today, India supplied the next batch of humanitarian assistance consisting of 5,00,000 doses of COVID vaccine (COVAXIN) to Afghanistan. The same was handed over to Indira Gandhi Hospital, Kabul."
It also informed that another batch of additional 5,00,000 doses would be supplied in the coming weeks.
The last batch of humanitarian assistance consisting of 5,00,000 doses of Covaxin was supplied to Afghanistan on January 1.
Odisha records 424 new COVID-19 casesOdisha's COVID-19 tally rose to 10,55,980 as 424 more people, same as Sunday, tested positive for the infection, a health bulletin said. The state's coronavirus death count remained unchanged at 8,463 as no fresh fatality was registered, it said.
Khurda district, of which Bhubaneswar is a part, registered the highest number of 151 new cases, followed by 66 in Cuttack. Forty-seven children are among the new patients.
The number of active cases rose to 2,355, while 10,45,109 people have recovered from the disease, including 147 in the last 24 hours, the bulletin said.
Telangana Congress chief Revanth Reddy tests positive for COVID-19Telangana Congress chief Revanth Reddy on Monday informed that he has tested positive for COVID-19. Mr Reddy tweeted, "I have tested positive for covid with mild symptoms. Those who came in contact with me over the last few days, kindly take necessary precautions."
He recently participated in two programmes where thousands of the public including Congress leaders and supporters participated.
551 COVID vaccination centres designated for children, says Kerala health ministerAs India started inoculating children between the age group of 15 and 18 on Monday, Kerala designated 551 exclusive vaccination centres for the teens.
State Health Minister Veena George said, "Out of the 1426 total vaccination centres, 551 centres are exclusive for children. Covaxin doses will be administered to children and we have installed pink board outside all the centres, which are exclusive children. There are over 15 lakh children, who are eligible for COVID-19 jabs in the State."
Jaipur schools shut for class 1-8, Rajasthan implements new Covid guidelinesAmid the surge in Omicron cases, the Rajasthan government has imposed a fresh set of COVID-19 guidelines which has shut schools in Jaipur till January 9 for classes 1 to 8. However, colleges will have to ensure that students above 18 years of age should be fully vaccinated.
"Regular classroom activities for classes 1 to 8 in all private and government schools in the areas of Jaipur Greater and Jaipur Heritage municipal corporations will be closed from January 3 to 9. In other districts, collectors will take decisions about schools after discussion with the additional chief secretary of the education department," the order reads.
As per the new guidelines, foreign returnees will have to undergo quarantine for seven days even if they test negative and not more than 100 people can attend any marriage, meetings or processions.
10 new COVID-19 cases in AndamansThe COVID-19 tally of Andaman and Nicobar Islands rose to 7,743 as 10 more people tested positive for the infection, a health bulletin said. Two new patients have travel history, while eight fresh cases were detected during contact tracing, it said.
The Union territory now has 24 active cases, while 7,590 people have recovered from the disease so far, including three in the last 24 hours, and 129 patients have succumbed to the infection to date, the bulletin said.
US Defense Secretary tests positive for Covid-19US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reported Sunday that he has contracted Covid-19, as the highly infectious Omicron variant sweeps across the United States. Austin's symptoms were "mild" and he will quarantine at home for the next five days, the Pentagon chief said in a statement.
Austin said he is fully vaccinated and boosted, which had "rendered the infection much more mild than it would otherwise have been."
"The vaccines work and will remain a military medical requirement for our workforce," Austin said. "I continue to encourage everyone eligible for a booster shot to get one."
OVID-19: Vaccination of children aged 15-18 years to begin from todayCOVID-19 vaccination drive for beneficiaries in the age bracket of 15-18 years is scheduled to begin from Monday across the country.
As announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 25, 2021, the vaccination for the age-group 15-18 years is scheduled to begin from January 3, 2022, while administration of precautionary third dose for the vulnerable categories is to commence from January 10, 2022.
In the context of the vaccination of the age group 15-18 years, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan had informed the States, Union Territories that only 'Covaxin' is to be administered in this population category and additional doses of 'Covaxin' will be sent to all States and UTs.
Rajasthan Imposes Covid Curbs On Political Rallies, Fairs, WeddingsThe Rajasthan government on Sunday capped the number of people attending political and other rallies, dharnas, fairs and weddings at 100 and ordered closure of schools in Jaipur city for classes 1 to 8, in view of rising COVID-19 cases.
The decisions were taken at a Covid review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot in Jaipur.
Schools for classes 1 to 8 will be closed in Jaipur from January 3 to 9, while the other restrictions are applicable for entire Rajasthan and will come into force from 5 am on January 7, according to guidelines issued by the home department.
A maximum of 100 people will be allowed in marriage functions, public, political, social or educational meetings and processions, dharnas, fairs and such events, it stated.