India reported 35,662 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, marginally higher than yesterday's 34,403 new cases. Besides, with 281 new fatalities, the total death count has increased to 4,44,529, the health ministry said. The active caseload stands at 3,40,639, which saccount for 1.02% of the total cases. With 33,798 recoveries in the last 24 hours, the total recoveries increased to 3,26,32,222. The recovery rate is currently at 97.65%.
Meanwhile, India administered its highest ever single day vaccinations on Friday, with over 2.5 crore doses given in the last 24 hours, as the government raced to deliver a record on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday. The Centre had set out with a target of 2.5 crore vaccinations and crossed the mark by 10,390.
Here are the updates on coronavirus (COVID-19) cases:
Sep 18, 2021 23:50 (IST)
Punjab sees 31 more cases
Punjab on Saturday reported one more Covid-related death and 31 fresh cases, taking the count to 16,467 and infection tally to 6,01,236.
According to the state's Health Department bulletin, one death case was removed from the toll figure after reconciling data.
Among new COVID-19 cases, Muktsar reported six cases, followed by five in Jalandhar and four in Pathankot.
The number of active cases was 316.
Thirty-three people recovered from the infection, taking the number of cured Covid patients to 5,84,453, the bulletin said.
Sep 18, 2021 23:28 (IST)
Bengal reaches milestone of vaccinating over 5 crore people since January: Official
West Bengal on Saturday touched the milestone of vaccinating over 5 crore people in the state against COVID-19 with at least one dose, after 12.17 lakh more beneficiaries were jabbed, a senior health department official said.
He is also hopeful that the state will cross the 13-lakh mark of single-day inoculation soon.
"Till 6pm today, we vaccinated around 12.17 lakh people. Since January 16, we have inoculated 5,01,02,442 people," the official said.
Sep 18, 2021 22:59 (IST)
UK To Roll Out Life-Saving Covid Drug Given To Donald Trump
Thousands of vulnerable health service patients in the UK hospitals due to COVID-19 are set to benefit from a life-saving new antibody treatment called Ronapreve, which was given to former US president Donald Trump.
A combination of two monoclonal antibodies, Ronapreve, will be targeted initially at those in hospital who have not mounted an antibody response against the coronavirus.
The treatment was used as part of the suite of experimental medicines given to Trump when he tested positive for COVID-19 last year.
Sep 18, 2021 22:17 (IST)
Vietnam Approves Cuba's Abdala Vaccine Amid Its Worst Covid Outbreak
Vietnam has approved Cuba's Abdala vaccine for use against the new coronavirus, the government said on Saturday, as the Southeast Asian country is battling its worst outbreak.
Abdala becomes the eighth COVID-19 vaccine approved for use in Vietnam, which has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the region, with only 6.3% of its 98 million people having received at least two shots.
The announcement came hours after President Nguyen Xuan Phuc left Hanoi for an official visit to Havana.
Sep 18, 2021 20:12 (IST)
Over 30 lakh vaccinations on PM's birthday in Bihar
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday congratulated the residents of Bihar for the inoculation of over 30.67 lakh people in the state on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 71st birthday on the previous day.
He said that Bihar has written a golden chapter in history by vaccinating the highest number of people among states and Union territories on the occasion.
Sep 18, 2021 19:51 (IST)
UK to roll out life-saving COVID-19 treatment which was given to Donald Trump
Thousands of vulnerable health service patients in the UK hospitals due to COVID-19 are set to benefit from a life-saving new antibody treatment called Ronapreve, which was given to former US president Donald Trump.
A combination of two monoclonal antibodies, Ronapreve, will be targeted initially at those in hospital who have not mounted an antibody response against the coronavirus.
Sep 18, 2021 18:13 (IST)
Over 2.90 Lakh Challans Issued For Covid Norm Violations Between April-September
The Delhi Police has issued over 2.90 lakh challans so far between April 19 and September 17 this year for violation of various COVID-19-related guidelines, of which the maximum were issued to those found not wearing masks, officials said on Saturday.
According to the data shared by Additional Delhi Police PRO Anil Mittal, 2,91,423 challans have been issued for various Covid-related violations in the national capital.
Sep 18, 2021 16:37 (IST)
Vietnam Approves Cuba's Abdala Vaccine Amid Its Worst Covid Outbreak
Vietnam has approved Cuba's Abdala vaccine for use against the new coronavirus, the government said on Saturday, as the Southeast Asian country is battling its worst outbreak.
Abdala becomes the eighth COVID-19 vaccine approved for use in Vietnam, which has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the region, with only 6.3% of its 98 million people having received at least two shots.
The announcement came hours after President Nguyen Xuan Phuc left Hanoi for an official visit to Havana.