This Article is From Jan 04, 2022

Coronavirus India Highlights: India Records 1,700 Omicron Cases; Covid Cases Up 22% Today

COVID-19 Highlights: Vaccination opened for teens in the 15 to 18 age group amid a surge of Covid cases in various cities.

Advertisement
India News Edited by

COVID-19 India Highlights: The active Covid case count of India stands at 1,45,582.

New Delhi:

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:

Jan 04, 2022 01:34 (IST)
As COVID-19 cases spike, Mumbai civic body modifies sealing rules for buildings
With 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.
Jan 04, 2022 01:27 (IST)
Coronavirus Live Updates: Assam reports 351 fresh COVID-19 infections, 2 deaths
Witnessing 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.
Jan 04, 2022 00:01 (IST)
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.
Jan 03, 2022 23:44 (IST)
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.
Jan 03, 2022 23:38 (IST)
38 jawans of CRPF unit CoBRA test COVID-19 positive in Sukma
As 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.
Advertisement
Jan 03, 2022 23:27 (IST)
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.
Jan 03, 2022 23:12 (IST)
US Authorizes Pfizer COVID-19 Booster Shot For Children As Young As 12
US health authorities on Monday approved Pfizer's Covid-19 booster shot for children as young as 12, and reduced the wait time between initial vaccination and an extra dose from six months to five, for all ages. Read here
Jan 03, 2022 22:50 (IST)
Union Minister Mahendra Nath Pandey tests positive for COVID-19
Union 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.
Jan 03, 2022 22:28 (IST)
Covaxin Shelf-Life Extension Not A Problem: Covid Task Force Chief

It is absolutely safe, underlined the head of the India's vaccine task force chief on the vexing question of extending the shelf life of Covid vaccine, Covaxin, being given to teenagers (15-18) under the national Covid immunisation programme. Read here
Jan 03, 2022 22:13 (IST)
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.

 
Jan 03, 2022 21:54 (IST)
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.


Jan 03, 2022 21:38 (IST)
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.
Jan 03, 2022 21:22 (IST)
Jharkhand imposes COVID-19 restrictions till January 15
Amid 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.
Jan 03, 2022 20:54 (IST)
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.
Jan 03, 2022 20:42 (IST)
Jan 03, 2022 20:30 (IST)
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.

 
Jan 03, 2022 20:12 (IST)
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.

 
Jan 03, 2022 19:29 (IST)
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.
Jan 03, 2022 18:42 (IST)
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.
Jan 03, 2022 18:24 (IST)
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).



Advertisement