Coronavirus Highlights: India Records 12,729 New Covid Cases, 221 Deaths

With Fourth Wave Raging, Germany Agrees Booster Shots For All
Germany's COVID-19 situation is entering a very difficult period with rising numbers of intensive care patients, health minister Jens Spahn said, as German state leaders warned the country may need a new lockdown unless it takes urgent action.

Spahn said he had agreed with regional health ministers that in future everyone should be offered a booster shot of COVID-19 vaccine six months after receiving their previous injection.

Alpha Covid Variant Detected In Dogs, Cats: Report
A new study in the Veterinary Record reveals that pets can be infected with the alpha variant of SARS-CoV-2, which was first detected in southeast England and is commonly known as the UK variant or B.1.1.7.

This variant rapidly outcompeted pre-existing variants in England due to its increased transmissibility and infectivity.

The study describes the first identification of the SARS-CoV-2 alpha variant in domestic pets; two cats and one dog were positive on PCR test, while two additional cats and one dog displayed antibodies two to six weeks after they developed signs of cardiac disease. Many owners of these pets had developed respiratory symptoms several weeks before their pets became ill and had also tested positive for COVID-19.

West Bengal's Daily Covid Tally Registers Decline
West Bengal on Friday recorded 763 fresh Covid-19 cases, 155 less than the previous day's figure, while the number of fresh fatalities also dropped marginally from 14 on November 4 to 13, according to a health department bulletin.

The state's Covid-19 death count went up to 19,201 with 13 fatalities while 763 new cases pushed the tally to 15,97,095.

Kolkata accounted for four deaths during the day, while North and South 24 Parganas reported three fatalities each. The remaining deaths were recorded in other districts, the bulletin said.

Delhi Cabinet approves Rs 1,544 crore to tackle COVID-19
The Delhi Cabinet on Friday approved a budget of Rs 1,544 crore under the Emergency COVID-19 Response Package to bolster health systems in order to be prepared for a possible third wave, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said.

Gujarat reports 20 COVID-19 cases

Gujarat recorded 20 new coronavirus infections on Friday which took its caseload to 8,26,700, the state health department said.

With no new fatality being reported, the death toll remained unchanged at 10,090.

Covid cases in Tamil Nadu continue to decline

Tamil Nadu continued to report a decline in COVID-19 cases below the 1,000 mark for the fifth consecutive day, with the state logging 875 infections, pushing the tally to 27,07,368.

Thirteen people succumbed to the virus, taking the toll to 36,204 till date, a health department bulletin said.

Delhi records 32 new Covid cases

Mumbai records 238 new COVID-19 cases, 4 deaths; tests dip below 25,000
Mumbai on Friday reported 238 new coronavirus cases and four fresh fatalities, taking the infection tally to 7,57,272 and the toll to 16,269, a civic official said.

Pfizer Says Its Antiviral Pill Cuts Risk Of Severe Covid By 89%
A trial of Pfizer Inc's experimental antiviral pill for COVID-19 was stopped early after the drug was shown to cut by 89% the chances of hospitalization or death for adults at risk of developing severe disease.

Over 116.50 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses provided to states/UTs: Centre
More than 116.50 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses have been provided to states and Union territories so far through the Centre and direct state procurement category, the Union health ministry said on Friday.

More than 15.54 crore (15,54,54,451) balance and unutilised vaccine doses are still available with the states/UTs to be administered.

Ladakh reports 10 fresh COVID-19 cases

Ladakh recorded 10 fresh COVID-19 cases, taking the infection tally to 21,005 and active cases to 98, officials said on Friday.

The Union territory has registered 208 Covid-related deaths -- 150 in Leh and 58 in Kargil -- since the outbreak of the pandemic last year.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Lauds Uttarakhand Government For Fighting Against Covid: Commendable
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today praised the Uttarakhand government for its attempts at curbing the COVID-19 pandemic and said that the discipline displayed by the State in the fight is commendable.

Coronavirus India Updates: Karnataka withdraws Covid night curfew

Odisha logs 170 new COVID-19 cases, lowest in 7 months

Coronavirus LIVE Updates: 32% of population projected to be fully vaccinated by December 2021

No new Covid cases reported in Arunachal Pradesh in 24 hours
Arunachal Pradesh did not report any new COVID-19 case in the last 24 hours, while 17 more people recuperated from the disease, pushing the total number of recoveries to 54,826, a senior health official said here on Friday.

The COVID-19 tally in the frontier state remained at 55,174, the official said.

Arunachal Pradesh now has 68 active COVID-19 cases, State Surveillance Officer (SSO) Dr Lobsang Jampa said.

The COVID-19 recovery rate now is 99.37 per cent, Jampa said.

The COVID-19 death count in the state remained at 280 as no new fatality was reported in the last 24 hours, the SSO said.