Coronavirus Highlights: India Logs 1,109 New Covid Cases, 7.3% Higher Than Yesterday

Covishield Booster At Rs 600 Plus Tax: Adar Poonawalla To NDTV
Mr Poonawala told NDTV that Covishield will cost Rs 600 plus taxes (same as before) and Covovax, once approved as a booster, will be available for Rs. 900 plus taxes. Learn more here.

Centre Warns Kerala, Delhi, Maharashtra, Haryana, Mizoram Over Rising Covid Cases
Amid a resurgence of Covid cases in China and US, the government today warned five states to not let their guard down. Read more here.

New UK study confirms reduced severity of Omicron variant
Researchers in the UK on Friday reported that the Omicron variant of SARS-COV-2 (COVID-19) has a lower risk of hospitalisation and a shorter duration in the vaccinated population than previous variants, including Delta.

King's College London and ZOE COVID Study scientists studied the symptoms of 62,002 vaccinated individuals to conclude that those infected with Omicron are more likely to have a sore throat and less likely to experience loss of smell compared to Delta.

The findings, published in 'The Lancet' this week, show the duration of symptoms were also significantly shorter for Omicron compared to the Delta variant - 6.87 days versus 8.89 days respectively - and participants were less likely to be hospitalised.

Over 185.53 crore Covid vaccine doses administered in India so far, says Centre
The cumulative COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country surpassed 185.53 crore on Friday, the Union Health Ministry said.

More than 2.16 crore (2,16,25,438) vaccine doses have been administered in the 12-14 years age group so far, it said.

"Adding extra layer of safety": Mansukh Mandaviya on extension of Covid booster to all adults
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday termed the extension of the COVID-19 vaccination drive of precaution dose to all above 18 years of age as an "extra layer of safety".

The Centre on Friday announced that precaution dose will now be available to all ages above 18 years from April 10 at private vaccination centers.

"Adding an extra layer of safety! Precaution Dose to be available to 18+ age group from 10th April, 2022, at Private Vaccination Centres. All 18+ who have completed 9 months after administration of 2nd dose, would be eligible for Precaution Dose," Mandaviya tweeted.

Japan Recognises Covaxin Covid Vaccine, A Move To Facilitate Travel April 10 Onwards
Japan has included Bharat Biotech's Covaxin in the list of recognised vaccines, a move aimed at facilitating travel between the two countries. Read here.

Paid Booster Shots For All Adults From Sunday
Those above 18 years of age will have to pay for their Covid booster shot unless they are above 60, healthcare workers or frontline staff. Read more here.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Mizoram Reports 123 New Covid Cases
At least 123 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Mizoram in the last 24 hours, taking the tally to 2,25,336, a health department official said on Friday.

The COVID-19 death count remained at 687 as the state had not reported any new fatality since Monday.

The single-day positivity rate increased to 17 per cent from 13.69 per cent the previous day, he said, adding that the state had reported 101 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday.

COVID-19 "Don't Sleep Together, Hugs And Kisses Not Allowed": Residents Of Locked-Down Shanghai Warned
Shanghai, China's financial hub, has fallen largely silent after the city imposed harsh movement restrictions to stem the spread of COVID.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates: No Fresh Infections In Puducherry For 9th Consecutive Day
The union territory of Puducherry continued to remain coronavirus-free for a ninth straight day as no fresh infections were reported in the last 24 hours and the active cases stood at nil, a senior Health department official said on Friday.

As many as 278 samples were tested in the last 24 hours ending 10 AM Friday and no new cases were detected, Director of Health G Sriramulu said in a release.

Shanghai Increases Covid Testing Amid Massive Covid Spike
Shanghai on Friday announced a record 21,000 new cases and a third consecutive day of COVID testing as a lockdown of its 26 million people showed no sign of easing and Chinese cities tightened curbs - even in places with no recent infections.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Arunachal Logs 2 New COVID-19 Cases
Arunachal Pradesh's COVID-19 tally rose to 64,489 after two more persons tested positive for the infection on Friday.

The new cases were detected in West Kameng district. The COVID-19 death count in the frontier state remained at 296 as no fresh fatality was registered in the past 24 hours. As many as 64,189 people have recuperated from the disease so far in the state, including one on Thursday.

Over 2/3rd Africans May Have Had Covid, 97 Times More Than Reported
More than two-thirds of Africans may have contracted Covid-19 over the past two years, around 97 times more than reported infections, a World Health Organization report suggested on Thursday.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates: 5 New COVID-19 Cases In Thane
Thane district of Maharashtra reported five new coronavirus positive cases, which raised its overall infection count to 7,08,827, an official said on Friday.

These cases were reported on Thursday.

As nobody succumbed to the infection during the day, the death toll in the district remained unchanged at 11,883. Thane's COVID-19 mortality rate is 1.67 per cent, he said.

Just IN: India Logs 1,109 New COVID-19 Cases In 24 Hours
India recorded 1,109 fresh Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours, 7.3 per cent lower than yesterday's number (1,033).

Omicron Varaint Of Covid Lasts 3 Days Less Than Delta For Boosted: Study
People who are vaccinated and have had a booster shot against Covid-19 recover from symptoms from the Omicron variant more than three days earlier than those with the Delta variant, a study said Friday.