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The number of fresh COVID-19 cases in India increased by 20,346 since yesterday, indicating a 12% spike, to hit 1,03,95,278. Of these, a little over 2.8 lakh were active cases. The number of deaths in the past 24 hours increased by 222 to touch an overall 1,50,336.
Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala remained the worst-hit, reporting the bulk of the fresh cases as well as deaths. Maharashtra recorded 4,382 new cases and 66 deaths - by far the most among all states.
Meanwhile, Bharat Biotech has enrolled 25,800 volunteers for phase 3 clinical trials of its COVID-19 vaccine, the company said today. The maker of Covaxin is one of the two firms cleared by the government to deploy their product for mass inoculation in the country. The other is Oxford-AstraZeneca's Covishield manufactured by the Serum Institute of India.
Bharat Biotech chairman Dr Krishna Ella in a press briefing on January 5 had hit out at critics for questioning the vaccine's efficacy. "We don't deserve this backlash," Dr Ella had said.
Covaxin has completed two of the three required trial phases; the third - which tests for efficacy - began in November.
Here are the LIVE updates on Coronavirus Cases:
Moderna CEO Says Vaccine Likely To Protect For "Couple Of Years"
Moderna's COVID-19 mRNA vaccine is likely to offer protection of up to a couple of years, its chief executive said on Thursday, even though more data is still needed to make a definitive assessment.
The US biotech company, which stunned the world last year by coming up with a vaccine against the disease caused by the new coronavirus in just a few weeks, received approval for its shot from the European Commission on Wednesday.
Given vaccines development and pharmacovigilance usually requires years, the protection duration of COVID-19 shots is a lingering question for scientists and regulators. Read
Moderna's COVID-19 mRNA vaccine is likely to offer protection of up to a couple of years, its chief executive said on Thursday, even though more data is still needed to make a definitive assessment.
The US biotech company, which stunned the world last year by coming up with a vaccine against the disease caused by the new coronavirus in just a few weeks, received approval for its shot from the European Commission on Wednesday.
Given vaccines development and pharmacovigilance usually requires years, the protection duration of COVID-19 shots is a lingering question for scientists and regulators. Read
"Maintain Strict Vigil": Centre's Warning To 4 States As Covid Cases Rise
The Union Health Secretary wrote to the Maharashtra, Kerala, Chhattisgarh and Bengal governments on Thursday to underline the need for "strict vigil" and "prompt action" to arrest the recent spike in coronavirus cases in each of the states. These four states account for 59 per cent of all active Covid cases in the country, the Health Secretary, Rajesh Bhushan, said in his letter.
The state governments were also warned against allowing testing rates to drop - particularly in light of the spread of a mutated (and considerably more infectious) strain of the virus - and to aggressively implement the 'Test-Track-Treat' strategy deployed by other states. Read
The Union Health Secretary wrote to the Maharashtra, Kerala, Chhattisgarh and Bengal governments on Thursday to underline the need for "strict vigil" and "prompt action" to arrest the recent spike in coronavirus cases in each of the states. These four states account for 59 per cent of all active Covid cases in the country, the Health Secretary, Rajesh Bhushan, said in his letter.
The state governments were also warned against allowing testing rates to drop - particularly in light of the spread of a mutated (and considerably more infectious) strain of the virus - and to aggressively implement the 'Test-Track-Treat' strategy deployed by other states. Read
Assam Prepared For Vaccination Since September, Dry Run In 33 Districts
Among one of the best performing states in the country for COVID-19 management, Assam is all set for rolling out trails and actual inoculation of health staff in both public and private medical facilities.
"For months we are prepared. In fact we started the build-up for vaccination since September and now we have several storage facilities. We have developed a central storage facility in Guwahati, apart from regional vaccine storages in five strategic locations in the state," Assam Health Secretary Samir Sinha told NDTV.
"We have local vaccine storage with modern refrigeration in 27 districts, in all we have 23 cold chain points," he said.
Among one of the best performing states in the country for COVID-19 management, Assam is all set for rolling out trails and actual inoculation of health staff in both public and private medical facilities.
The state has been preparing COVID-19 vaccination plan since September to cover 1.75 lakh frontline medical staff. Assam had been setting up cold chains for vaccine for the last four months, officials said.
"For months we are prepared. In fact we started the build-up for vaccination since September and now we have several storage facilities. We have developed a central storage facility in Guwahati, apart from regional vaccine storages in five strategic locations in the state," Assam Health Secretary Samir Sinha told NDTV.
"We have local vaccine storage with modern refrigeration in 27 districts, in all we have 23 cold chain points," he said.
First Shipment Of Covid Vaccine To Land At Delhi Airport From Pune Soon
The first shipment of Covishield - the coronavirus vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University and manufactured by the Serum Institute - is expected to land at Delhi's Indira Gandhi airport tonight.
In the event it is not possible to transfer the shipment tonight, it may be kept at the airport (which also has a cold storage facility) and taken to the hospital early Friday morning. Read
The first shipment of Covishield - the coronavirus vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University and manufactured by the Serum Institute - is expected to land at Delhi's Indira Gandhi airport tonight.
The shipment, which is being carried on Air India flight AI 850 from Pune, will likely be immediately shifted to the Rajeev Gandhi Superspeciality Hospital, where a cold storage facility has been set up. The hospital will serve as the main storage facility for the national capital and from there vials will be sent to over 600 cold chain points in the city.
In the event it is not possible to transfer the shipment tonight, it may be kept at the airport (which also has a cold storage facility) and taken to the hospital early Friday morning. Read
Four More Delhi Residents Test Positive For New Strain Of Coronavirus
The total number of people found infected with the mutant variant of COVID-19 that was first detected in the UK now stands at 13 in the national capital.
Four more samples sent for genome sequencing have been found positive, as part of the door-to-door medical checkup of people who had recently arrived from the UK and persons who came in their contact in the city, sources said.
Four more Delhi residents have tested positive for the new coronavirus strain, sources said on Thursday, even as Health Minister Satyendar Jain appealed to the Centre to extend the ban on flights between India and the UK till the end of January.
The total number of people found infected with the mutant variant of COVID-19 that was first detected in the UK now stands at 13 in the national capital.
Four more samples sent for genome sequencing have been found positive, as part of the door-to-door medical checkup of people who had recently arrived from the UK and persons who came in their contact in the city, sources said.
Border Restrictions With UK To Remain: French Prime Minister
France closed its border with Britain on December 20 after the emergence of a new UK strain of the disease and "this will extended until further notice".
French Prime Minister Jean Castex said on Thursday that border restrictions with Britain would remain in place "until further notice" to prevent the spread of a new variant of the coronavirus which is thought to be more infectious.
France closed its border with Britain on December 20 after the emergence of a new UK strain of the disease and "this will extended until further notice".
COVID-19 Live News: France Says Two Clusters Of UK Covid Strain Detected
Two risk clusters of the mutant coronavirus variant sweeping Britain have been detected in France, the health ministry said on Thursday.
The UK last month sounded the alarm over the variant, which experts say is much more contagious than the original coronavirus.
The clusters were located in the western French region of Brittany, and in the Paris region, the ministry said in a statement.
Coronavirus Live News: Second Dry Run For Covid Vaccination In Delhi Tomorrow
The first dry run for COVID-19 vaccination roll-out was held in Delhi on January 2 for which three sites were chosen across the city.
Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain had reviewed the exercise at a dispensary in Daryaganj and said the COVID-19 vaccine will be provided to people in the national capital for free once it arrives. He had asserted that the city government has made all preparations for the vaccination drive.
The authorities on Friday will conduct the second dry run for the COVID-19 vaccination roll-out in Delhi that will span across at least three districts of the national capital, officials said. These districts are South Delhi, South East Delhi and North West Delhi, officials said.
The first dry run for COVID-19 vaccination roll-out was held in Delhi on January 2 for which three sites were chosen across the city.
Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain had reviewed the exercise at a dispensary in Daryaganj and said the COVID-19 vaccine will be provided to people in the national capital for free once it arrives. He had asserted that the city government has made all preparations for the vaccination drive.
Health Minister Harsh Vardhan Arrives In Chennai To Review Vaccine Dry Run In Tamil Nadu
Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan arrives in Chennai to personally review the dry run for administering #COVID19 vaccine in Tamil Nadu.
- ANI (@ANI) January 7, 2021
A nationwide dry run is being conducted across 33 states & UTs tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/ZwbiXzbrth
Allow Offline COVID-19 Vaccination In Remote Areas: Gujarat Government
The request was made by Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel during his virtual discussion with Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, said a state government release.
"There are issues of internet connectivity in remote as well as hilly areas of the state. In such a situation, the administration faces difficulty in sharing information about the vaccine with the beneficiaries," it said.
"Thus, I request you to consider allowing an offline system for such areas," Mr Patel was quoted as saying in the release.
Ahead of the roll-out of coronavirus vaccine in the country, the Gujarat government on Thursday requested the Centre to allow an offline system of sharing information for remote places in the state where Internet connectivity is an issue.
The request was made by Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel during his virtual discussion with Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, said a state government release.
"There are issues of internet connectivity in remote as well as hilly areas of the state. In such a situation, the administration faces difficulty in sharing information about the vaccine with the beneficiaries," it said.
"Thus, I request you to consider allowing an offline system for such areas," Mr Patel was quoted as saying in the release.
Coronavirus Latest News: 665 New Covid Cases, 7 Deaths In Mumbai
It took the tally of cases in the city to 2,96,984 and the death count to 11,162.
Mumbai had reported 795 new cases and eight fatalities on Wednesday.
With 379 patients recovering from infection, the number of recovered patients increased to 2,77,192, about 93 per cent of total cases, on Thursday.
As many as 665 new COVID-19 cases and seven deaths were reported in Mumbai on Thursday, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said.
It took the tally of cases in the city to 2,96,984 and the death count to 11,162.
Mumbai had reported 795 new cases and eight fatalities on Wednesday.
With 379 patients recovering from infection, the number of recovered patients increased to 2,77,192, about 93 per cent of total cases, on Thursday.
COVID-19 Latest News: RT-PCR Test For Passengers Arriving From UK To Cost Rs 3,400
As per government guidelines, all passengers arriving from UK will have to undergo a mandatory RT-PCR test in the UK as well as in India.
"The passengers must upload a negative RT-PCR test report via self-reporting form on the Air Suvidha portal before boarding the flight from the UK. The sample for the RT-PCR test must be collected within 72 hours of the journey," the passenger advisory read.
Ahead of the resumption of flight operations from the United Kingdom from January 8, the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport on Sunday said that the cost of RT-PCR test for passengers arriving from there will be Rs 3,400 per person.
As per government guidelines, all passengers arriving from UK will have to undergo a mandatory RT-PCR test in the UK as well as in India.
"The passengers must upload a negative RT-PCR test report via self-reporting form on the Air Suvidha portal before boarding the flight from the UK. The sample for the RT-PCR test must be collected within 72 hours of the journey," the passenger advisory read.
Coronavirus Latest News: Karnataka Reports 761 New Cases, 812 Recoveries And 7 Deaths
Karnataka reported 761 new #COVID19 cases, 812 discharges, and 7 deaths today.
- ANI (@ANI) January 7, 2021
Total cases: 9,24,898
Total discharges: 9,03,629
Death toll: 12,131
Active cases: 9,119 pic.twitter.com/RzPFGhPpRh
Covid-19 Latest News: 16 Muzaffarnagar Medical College Staff Test Positive For Coronavirus
Among the fresh cases, 16 medical staff of Muzaffarnagar Medical College tested positive for the virus, District Magistrate Selvakumari J said.
Also, the active patients count went up to 286 in the district. She said 792 sample results were received of which 47 came out positive.
The recovered cases tally went up to 7,842 after 25 people were cured of the infection.
47 more COVID-19 cases were detected in Muzaffarnagar district, taking the total caseload to 8,232 on Thursday, officials said.
Among the fresh cases, 16 medical staff of Muzaffarnagar Medical College tested positive for the virus, District Magistrate Selvakumari J said.
Also, the active patients count went up to 286 in the district. She said 792 sample results were received of which 47 came out positive.
The recovered cases tally went up to 7,842 after 25 people were cured of the infection.
Coronavirus Live News: Kerala BJP Chief Tests Positive For COVID-19
He urged those who had come in close contact with him recently to isolate themselves.
"I have tested COVID positive and admitted in MIMS hospital, Kozhikode. I request all those who came in close contact with me recently to self-isolate," Mr Surendran tweeted.
Kerala BJP president K Surendran has tested positive for COVID-19.
He urged those who had come in close contact with him recently to isolate themselves.
"I have tested COVID positive and admitted in MIMS hospital, Kozhikode. I request all those who came in close contact with me recently to self-isolate," Mr Surendran tweeted.
Health Minister Asks States To Stop Misinformation Campaigns Ahead Of Second Nationwide Vaccine Dry Run
The second nationwide mock drill on the COVID-19 vaccination will be held at three-session sites of 736 districts across 33 States and Union Territories.
The objective of the mock drill on vaccination is to simulate the actual vaccine administration event, adding that the entire planning of the vaccination drive including beneficiary registration, microplanning and vaccination at the planned session site, will be tested under the leadership of District Collector/District Magistrate.
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Thursday interacted with the Ministers and Principal Secretaries/Additional Chief Secretaries of the States and Union Territories to review the preparedness for the nationwide mock drill on the COVID-19 vaccination scheduled for Friday.
The second nationwide mock drill on the COVID-19 vaccination will be held at three-session sites of 736 districts across 33 States and Union Territories.
The objective of the mock drill on vaccination is to simulate the actual vaccine administration event, adding that the entire planning of the vaccination drive including beneficiary registration, microplanning and vaccination at the planned session site, will be tested under the leadership of District Collector/District Magistrate.
Coronavirus Live Updates: Odisha Reports 230 New COVID-19 Cases, 1 Death
The State Health Department said the total count of cases stands at 3,31,151 and includes 3,27,008 recovered cases.
The state had 2,202 active cases on Wednesday.
Odisha reported 230 COVID-19 cases, 230 discharges and one death on Thursday.
The State Health Department said the total count of cases stands at 3,31,151 and includes 3,27,008 recovered cases.
The state had 2,202 active cases on Wednesday.
COVID-19 Vaccination Dry Run At 263 Places Across Karnataka On January 8
Speaking to the media after the video conferencing with Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, Mr Sudhakar said vaccination drive should be people's movement, once we get the vaccine.
The minister said a detailed discussion was carried out with the Union Government regarding the preparation and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Karnataka Health Minister K Sudhakar on Thursday informed that the COVID-19 vaccination dry run will be conducted at 263 places across the state on January 8.
Speaking to the media after the video conferencing with Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, Mr Sudhakar said vaccination drive should be people's movement, once we get the vaccine.
The minister said a detailed discussion was carried out with the Union Government regarding the preparation and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Coronavirus Live Updates: Delhi Government Hospitals Made Non-COVID Facilities
These two hospitals are Ayurvedic and Unani Tibbia College and Hospital and Nehru Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital.
The two facilities had 100 and 35 beds reserved for COVID-19 patients earlier.
Earlier, the number of beds available for Covid patients in all these three facilities was 305.
Amid an improvement in the coronavirus situation in the national capital, two Delhi government hospitals have been turned into non-Covid facilities, officials said on Thursday.
These two hospitals are Ayurvedic and Unani Tibbia College and Hospital and Nehru Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital.
The two facilities had 100 and 35 beds reserved for COVID-19 patients earlier.
Earlier, the number of beds available for Covid patients in all these three facilities was 305.
WHO Europe Calls For Intensified Measures Over "Alarming" Covid Variant
The World Health Organization's European branch on Thursday said more needed to be done to deal with the alarming situation brought on by a recently discovered variant of the novel coronavirus.
Speaking at a press conference, the WHO's regional director for Europe Hans Kluge, called the current situation "a tipping-point in the course of the pandemic," as Europe was both challenged by surging cases and new strains of the virus causing Covid-19.
"This is an alarming situation, which means that for a short period of time we need to do more than we have done and to intensify the public health and social measures to be certain we can flatten the steep vertical line in some countries," Kluge said, referring primarily to the new variant first discovered in the UK.
Covid Vaccine Transport Module Finalised, Likely To Start Soon
The government has prepared a detailed draft for air transportation of COVID-19 vaccines and the movement of vaccine to different parts of the nation is likely to begin by today or tomorrow.
"For vaccine transportation across the country, a common draft has been made. It will shortly be shared with stakeholders. The transportation of vaccine is likely to begin by today or tomorrow," government sources said.
Transportation of COVID vaccine module has been finalised by the Government of India.
COVID-19 Live News: Delhi Records 486 Fresh Cases, 19 Deaths
Delhi recorded 486 fresh cases of COVID-19, while the death count reached 10,644 with 19 new fatalities, PTI reported quoting authorities.
30 Crore People To Be Inoculated After Vaccine Roll-Out: Harsh Vardhan
Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said today that the country is in the final stages of preparation for the rollout of the Covid vaccine, which will be administered to 30 crore people. A second countrywide dry run for vaccination will be held tomorrow from which a few states, which had undergone it earlier, will be exempt.
"Based on the quantity of doses, it is not possible to vaccinate all the people simultaneously. Hence, priority groups were decided," the minister said.
"From healthcare workers to municipal workers -- all such people are part of priority groups. This is 3 crore in total. After that, 27 crore people will get vaccinated," he added. This 27 crore people are the third group -- those above the age of 50 years and those below 50 who have co-morbidities like diabetes, hypertension and other chronic conditions.
Bharat Biotech announces over 25,000 volunteers have enrolled for Phase-3 Clinical trials of its vaccine
Bharat Biotech, which has been accorded Emergency Use Authorisation from the drug regulator for its COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin, today announced that over 25,000 volunteers have enrolled for Phase-3 Clinical trials of its vaccine, COVAXIN.
Announcing successful completion of volunteer enrolment for Phase-3 Clinical trials of COVAXINᵀᴹ.#BharatBiotech #COVAXIN #clinicaltrials #Covid19 #CovidVaccine #phase3 https://t.co/lIdXVpstDK
- BharatBiotech (@BharatBiotech) January 7, 2021
Centre has decided to lift the ban and start UK flights.
- Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) January 7, 2021
In view of extremely serious COVID situation in UK, I wud urge central govt to extend the ban till 31 Jan
377 more #COVID19 positive cases have been reported on 6th January in Bihar, taking the total count of active cases in the state to 4533: State Health Department pic.twitter.com/h7oqDb1q7l
- ANI (@ANI) January 7, 2021
Protective Immunity Against COVID-19 May Last For Over 8 Months: Study
COVID-19 survivors may have protective immunity against serious disease from the SARS-CoV-2 virus for months, or even years after the infection, a study suggests.
The findings, based on analyses of blood samples from 188 COVID-19 patients, suggest that nearly all survivors of the disease have the immune cells necessary to fight re-infection.
"Our data suggest that the immune response is there -- and it stays," Professor Alessandro Sette from La Jolla Institute for Immunology in the US. (Read full story here)
Coronavirus latest updates: China reports 63 new COVID-19 cases
China reported 63 new cases in the mainland on Wednesday, of which 52 were locally transmitted and 11 were imported infections.
Of the locally transmitted cases, 51 were reported in Hebei province and one in Liaoning, the National Health Commission said in its daily report.
Coronavirus news: Moderna aiming to make up to one billion doses of COVID-19 vaccine this year
Moderna Inc is on track to deliver between 600 million and 1 billion doses of its COVID-19 vaccine this year, Chief Executive Stephane Bancel said on Thursday. Bancel said Moderna had orders for 500 million doses of its vaccine and could comfortably make at least 600 million doses.
Transportation of COVID19 vaccine to begin by today or tomorrow. Govt has allowed passenger aircraft to transport vaccines. Pune will be central hub from where vaccine distribution will take place. 41 destinations across the country finalised for delivery of vaccines:Govt sources
- ANI (@ANI) January 7, 2021
Maharashtra, Kerala and Chhattisgarh have seen a sudden spike in coronavirus cases: Health Minister
- Feedback on dry run of COVID vaccine in 4 states was reviewed. We have made improvements based on the feedback. Tomorrow dry run will be done in 33 states and Union Territories.
- Maharashtra, Kerala and Chhattisgarh have seen a sudden spike in coronavirus cases recently. This gives us a warning that we shouldn't forget precautions & continue our fight against COVID-19.
PIL filed in Delhi High Court seeking the removal of mobile caller tune on #COVID19 awareness in the voice of actor Amitabh Bachchan
- ANI (@ANI) January 7, 2021
Coronavirus news: 4,382 new cases, 66 deaths in Maharashtra in a day
Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala remained the worst-hit, reporting the bulk of the fresh cases as well as deaths. Maharashtra recorded 4,382 new cases and 66 deaths - by far the most among all states.
1,00,16,859 people have recovered from the novel coronavirus in India so far.
Kerala, the worst affected state in the country, has reported 65,252 active cases. The Centre on Wednesday deployed a high-level central team headed by Dr. SK Singh, Director, National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) there, to help the state combat the pandemic.
Maharashtra witnessed slight improvement with 51,969 active cases reported on Thursday morning. Delhi has 4,481 active cases, 6,13,246 recoveries, and 10,625 fatalities, according to the Health Ministry.
JUST IN: 20,346 fresh coronavirus cases in India, 12% higher than yesterday; over 1.03 crore total cases, 1.5 lakh deaths
COVID-19 Testing Update. For more details visit: https://t.co/dI1pqvXAsZ @MoHFW_INDIA @DeptHealthRes #ICMRFIGHTSCOVID19 #IndiaFightsCOVID19 #CoronaUpdatesInIndia #COVID19 #Unite2FightCorona pic.twitter.com/rO1bj0g0fR
- ICMR (@ICMRDELHI) January 7, 2021
9 new cases push Mizoram's tally to 4,256
Nine more persons, including two BSF jawans, have tested positive for COVID-19 in Mizoram, pushing the tally in the state to 4,256 on Thursday, news agency PTI reported quoting an official.
Of the nine new cases, six were reported from Aizawl district and three from Lunglei district, it said.
Seven patients have returned from other states, the official said, adding that only one patient has developed symptoms of COVID-19 and the rest are asymptomatic.
Mizoram now has 88 active COVID-19 cases, while 4,160 people have recovered from the virus.
Coronavirus news: China reports biggest rise in daily COVID cases in five months
China reported the biggest rise in daily COVID-19 cases in more than five months on Thursday, driven by rising infections in Hebei province surrounding the capital Beijing.Hebei, which entered a "wartime mode" on Tuesday, accounted for 51 of the 52 local cases reported by the National Health Commission on Thursday
73 people have tested positive for the new UK strain in India
India added 18,088 coronavirus cases on Wednesday, placing its overall number at 1.03 crore cases, the Health Ministry's data showed. The number of fresh infections reported on Wednesday were 10 per cent higher than on Tuesday. In this period, India reported 264 deaths linked to the virus, taking the total number of fatalities to 1,50,114.
The total number of people who have tested positive for the new UK strain of the coronavirus in the country now stands at 73, the Health Ministry said on Wednesday.
