New Delhi: India saw a record single-day surge in coronavirus cases and the fatalities linked to the highly infectious disease with 96,551 new infections and 1,209 deaths registered in the last 24 hours, taking the tally past 45 lakh, the government data showed this morning.
The latest surge comes a day after the country reported a record spike of 95,735 new infections. While the country's tally surged to 45,62,414 this morning, about 35.42 lakh Covid patients have recovered so far. Over 76,000 patients have died.
India is the second worst-hit nation by the pandemic, which has affected over 2.8 crore people worldwide.
Meanwhile, the first national sero-survey conducted by top medical body ICMR indicates that India may have had 6.4 million coronavirus cases by May. The survey, published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research, suggests that 0.73 per cent adults in the country were exposed to Covid-19.
The survey, carried out from May 11 to June 4, tested blood samples from 28,000 people across 21 states.
Sero-positivity was the highest in the age group of 18 to 45 years (43.3 per cent), followed by those between 46 and 60 years (39.5 per cent); it was the lowest among those above 60 (17.2 per cent).
Here are the Updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Cases:
Sep 12, 2020 04:56 (IST)
COVID-19: With 504 new cases, Puducherry reports total 19,026 cases
Puducherry reported 504 new COVID-19 cases, 394 discharges and 12 deaths on Friday, taking the total cases to 19,026, said Puducherry Health Department.
The total number of cases includes 13,783 discharges, 365 deaths and 4,878 active cases, according to the Puducherry Health Department.
Meanwhile, India's tally of active COVID-19 cases has reached 9,43,480 cases.
Sep 12, 2020 04:31 (IST)
Coronavirus news: UNGA adopts resolution recognising COVID-19 as one of greatest challenges in its history
The UN General Assembly said in a new resolution the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic represents one of the greatest challenges since the establishment of the United Nations.
"The General Assembly [recognizes] that the COVID-19 pandemic is one of the greatest global challenges in the history of the United Nations," the text of the resolution adopted on Friday said.
The resolution notes with concern the impact of the pandemic on health, the loss of life, well-being, humanitarian needs, human rights, livelihoods, food security, education, poverty and the global economy.
According to the resolution, the pandemic is reversing gains that had been reached globally in the framework of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Sep 12, 2020 04:21 (IST)
Coronavirus: AAP indulging in ''petty politics'' over COVID-19, alleges Punjab Chief Minister
Pointing at the COVID-19 situation in the national capital, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Friday accused the Aam Aadmi Party of indulging in "petty politics" over the pandemic.
The Punjab Chief Minister alleged that the party was involved in a "negative propaganda" against his government, which was "irresponsible".
Comparing Punjab's coronavirus situation with Delhi, where AAP is at the helm, Amarinder Singh said contrary to what the party was projecting, the situation in the national capital was much worse.
With around 2.90 crore population, Punjab has 18,000 active cases while Delhi with 1.80 crore population has 25,000 plus active patients, he said in a statement.
Even Haryana has lesser population than Punjab but an equal number of active cases, he said during a virtual meeting with Congress MLAs to discuss the coronavirus crisis in the state.
Amarinder Singh said India is facing a war-like situation just like the world and a united fight alone can tackle the problem, he said.
Sep 12, 2020 03:53 (IST)
COVID-19: Serum Institute Ordered To Suspend Recruitment For Vaccine Trials
Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has directed Serum Institute of India to suspend till further orders new recruitment in phase 2 and 3 clinical trials of the Oxford COVID-19 vaccine candidate in the backdrop of pharma giant AstraZeneca pausing the trials in other countries.
In an order, a copy of which has been accessed by PTI, DCGI Dr VG Somani on Friday also directed Serum Institute of India (SII) to increase the safety monitoring of the subjects already vaccinated as part of the trial, and submit the plan and report.
Mr Somani also asked the firm to submit clearance from Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) in the UK as well as in India to obtain clearance from his office (DCGI) prior to resumption of future recruitment in the trial.
The central drug regulator DCGI had issued a show-cause notice to SII on September 9 for not informing it about AstraZeneca pausing clinical trials of the vaccine candidate in other countries and also for not submitting casualty analysis of the "reported serious adverse events".
Sep 12, 2020 02:24 (IST)
NII's Potential COVID-19 Vaccine Shows Encouraging Results On Mice
An immunogenicity study conducted on mice for the coronavirus vaccine candidate being developed by the National Institute of Immunology has shown encouraging results, NII director Amulya Panda said on Friday.
The NII, an institute under the Department of Biotechnology, has started the process of developing protein-based vaccine candidates against the coronavirus.
"The preliminary results of the immunogenicity study trials done on mice have shown positive results. We found it to be highly immunogenic, neutralising and it produced antibodies," Mr Panda said.
The NII's vaccine candidate is one of the many being developed indigenously.
The immunogenicity study trial on mice was conducted in July.
Sep 12, 2020 01:58 (IST)
COVID-19: 130 deaths, 9,464 new cases reported in Karnataka
A total 9,464 new COVID-19 cases and 130 deaths were reported from Karnataka on Friday, state Health Department said.
Karnataka's COVID-19 count stands at 4,40,411, including 98,326 active cases, 3,34,999 discharges and 7,067 deaths.
With the highest single-day spike of 96,551 new cases and 1,209 deaths reported in the last 24 hours, India's COVID-19 count crossed the 45-lakh mark on Friday.
Sep 12, 2020 00:28 (IST)
COVID-19: Haryana reports 2,388 new cases, 25 deaths
As many as 2,388 new COVID-19 cases and 25 deaths were reported in Haryana on Friday, taking the state's count of coronavirus cases to 88,332.
There are 18,875 active cases in the state and 932 fatalities.
"Haryana reports 2,388 new COVID-19 cases and 25 deaths today, taking the total number of cases to 88,332 including 932 deaths. There are 18,875 active cases," said the State Health Department.
India's count of active COVID-19 has reached 9,43,480 cases.
