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This Article is From Jan 11, 2021

Highlights: States Prepare Plan For India's COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout On January 16

Highlights: Delhi became the first state today to announce its schedule for Covid-19 vaccination for health care workers, who will be inoculated in the phase 1 of the vaccination drive.

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India News Posted by
Updated : January 11, 2021 5:57 am IST

Latest News Today: The active COVID-19 caseload in India stands at 2,24,190. (File)

New Delhi:

All the states have started preparing strategy for the inoculation drive ahead of India's coronavirus vaccination drive that will begin January 16. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the news a "landmark step forward in fighting COVID-19". Delhi became the first state today to announce its schedule for Covid-19 vaccination for health care workers, who will be inoculated in the phase 1 of the vaccination drive.

Priority will be given to around one crore healthcare workers and two crore frontline staff, like doctors, community health workers and police, who are directly involved in fighting the pandemic. The vaccine will be free of cost for this group, Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said last week. The next group will be people over 50, followed by those under 50 but with co-morbidities. Around 30 crore people will be vaccinated in the first phase.

India's COVID-19 tally has risen to 1,04,50,284 with 18,645 new cases in a day - marginally higher than yesterday - while 1,00,75,950 people have recuperated so far, according to Union Health Ministry data this morning.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar's visit to a village near Karnal and his meeting with a gathering of farmers got cancelled after a group of farmers protesting against the Centre's agri-sector laws ransacked the venue. The Haryana police had started the crackdown on the protesting farmers, when they tried to enter the Kemla village, using tear gas shells and water cannons. But the farmers had managed to enter the village and reach the venue of the meeting.
Cellphone footage showed many of them on the dais, shouting, throwing down chairs and tearing up posters.

The Chief Minister was scheduled to attend the gathering of farmers at the village and speak on the benefits of the Centre's three farm laws passed in September.

Here are the Highlights:

Jan 11, 2021 05:57 (IST)
Coronavirus live update: Australia's Brisbane lifts virus lockdown after city finds zero cases
Australia's third-largest city lifted stay-at-home orders Monday, after mass testing and tracing across Brisbane found no new coronavirus cases despite fears over a contagious strain entering the community.

More than two million people were ordered into a snap lockdown Friday after a cleaner at a quarantine hotel contracted the UK variant of Covid-19 from a returned traveller.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the lockdown would be lifted at 6pm local time Monday after tens of thousands of tests detected zero cases of transmission.
Jan 11, 2021 05:09 (IST)
Bird Flu updates: No case of bird flu in Odisha till now, 12,369 samples tested
Amid bird flu outbreak in several states, the Odisha government said that a total of 12,369 samples of birds have been collected and no sample has tested positive for Avian Influenza so far.

"During the current migratory season, a total of 12,369 samples of birds have been collected and no sample has tested positive for Avian Influenza so far in Odisha," said Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department.

The Chief District Veterinary Officers have been instructed to intensify surveillance by continuous checking and disinfection of poultry farms, said the state government.
Jan 11, 2021 04:17 (IST)
Bird flu updates: 11 crows found dead in Mumbai
Amid the bird flu scare, as many as 11 crows were found dead in Mumbai's Chembur area on Sunday, said the police. The samples of dead crows have been sent for examination.

The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying has said that the central teams formed for monitoring the spread of bird flu are visiting the affected sites in seven states across the country.

The department has issued advisories to the affected States so as to avoid further spread of disease. So far, the disease has been confirmed in Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh.
Jan 11, 2021 03:12 (IST)
Coronavirus update: "Every minute counts," says France as it detects UK variant
French authorities said they were racing to contain the more infectious variant of COVID-19 first found in Britain, which has now been detected in France's Mediterranean port of Marseille and in the Alps.

Marseille Mayor Benoit Payan said seven to eight people had tested positive for the new variant in the city, while tests were underway on 30 others who may also have been exposed to it.

"Right now, every minute counts in terms of preventing the spread of this English variant," Payan said. The local health authority in the Hautes-Alpes region, home to many ski resorts which attract British visitors, said the variant had also been discovered there.
Jan 11, 2021 02:24 (IST)
Russia Confirms First Case Of New UK Coronavirus Strain
Moscow on Sunday confirmed its first case of the new UK coronavirus strain, despite an earlier decision by officials to suspend flights from Britain to stop the mutation reaching Russia.
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Jan 11, 2021 01:59 (IST)
Bird flu live update: Uttarakhand health department asks district-level teams to remain alert
After thousands of birds died due to avian influenza across the country, the Uttarakhand Health Department has issued an advisory asking all the Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) to keep district-level rapid response teams trained for any emergency situation.

The Chief Medical Officers have been instructed to be fully alert about the bird flu. They have also been asked to ensure the availability of the antiviral drug oseltamivir.
Jan 11, 2021 01:22 (IST)
Farmers' protest update: Four trains diverted, says western railways
Jan 11, 2021 00:37 (IST)
Coronavirus update: Assam reports 25 new COVID-19 cases, one more death
Assam reported one more death due to COVID-19, pushing the death count to 1,061, while the tally mounted to 2,16,590 with 25 new cases, the National Health Mission (NHM) said.

The positivity rate stood at 3.51 per cent against total testing of 61,79,337 samples so far, it said. During the day, the state reported more recoveries, 29, than the number of new infections, NHM said in its daily bulletin.

Assam now has 3,014 active cases, while 2,12,512 COVID-19 patients have so far recovered.
Jan 11, 2021 00:14 (IST)
Coronavirus Live Update: Rajasthan records 475 new COVID-19 cases
Rajasthan reported 475 new COVID-19 cases, taking the count of people infected with the virus to 3,12,996, according to the state health department. The total number of cases include 6,726 active cases. With 476 new recoveries in the state, the cumulative recoveries stand at 3,03,536.

The death count has mounted to 2,734 as 3 more people  each in Ajmer, Jodhpur and Jaipur died due to the virus.
Jan 10, 2021 23:52 (IST)
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Russia Confirms First Case Of New UK Covid Strain
Moscow on Sunday confirmed its first case of the new UK coronavirus strain, despite an earlier decision by officials to suspend flights from Britain to stop the mutation reaching Russia. 

One person returning to Russia from the UK was found to have been infected with the new strain, the head of Russia's health regulator Rospotrebnadzor told state-run television.

Watchdog head Anna Popova did not specify when the individual tested positive for coronavirus or any other circumstances surrounding the discovery.

The B117 coronavirus strain is thought to have first emerged in southeastern England late last year, and has since been detected in dozens of countries around the world.

Officials in Moscow temporarily suspended flights to and from the UK in December, following a similar move by dozens of other countries in the wake of the emergence of the new strain.

Russia has one of the highest infection rates in the world and officials on Sunday confirmed a total of nearly 3.5 million cases.

Health officials last month admitted the country's virus toll was much higher than previously reported, making Russia the third-worst hit globally.

The Kremlin has placed its hope on the homegrown Sputnik V vaccine to counter the pandemic instead of the return to lockdown measures being imposed in many other European countries.
Jan 10, 2021 23:30 (IST)
Farmers' Protest Latest News: Senior Delhi Police Officers Meet Farmer Leaders
Senior Delhi Police officers including Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northwest) Vijayanta Arya on Sunday met representatives of farmer unions protesting against the Centre's agricultural reforms.

The meeting came days ahead of Republic Day when the farm unions plan to take out a "Kisan Parade" to the national capital from different parts of Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh to press their demand for repeal of the three farm laws.

The officers said they frequently hold meetings with farmer leaders and the meeting on Sunday was also a routine meeting.

Thousands of farmers, mainly from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, have been camping at various border points of Delhi for over a month now, braving the cold weather and rains, to demand the repeal of the three laws.

Enacted in September 2020, the government has presented these laws as major farm reforms aimed at increasing farmers' income, but the protesting farmers have raised concerns that these legislations would weaken the minimum support price (MSP) and "mandi" (wholesale market) systems, leaving them at the mercy of big corporations.

On January 7, the protesting farmers took out tractor rallies which they said were a rehearsal for the "Kisan Parade".

The tractor rallies started from four different points -- Singhu to Tikri Border, Tikri to Kundli, Ghazipur to Palwal and Rewasan to Palwal.
Jan 10, 2021 23:06 (IST)
Bird Flu Latest Updates: Mathura Varsity Issues Advisory, Stressed On Biosecurity
Biosecurity may help prevent the spread of bird flu in poultry farms, said a Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Veterinary University official while issuing an advisory here on Sunday.

"Biosecurity of newly purchased birds virtually acts as preventive medicine for poultry farms since vital source of virus for poultry is other infected birds," university Dean Pankaj Kumar Shukla told reporters prior to the release of the advisory for farmers and poultry farm owners.

Biosecurity refers to measures aimed at preventing the spread of harmful viruses to animals and birds.

He said since the infection spreads through used food, urine, reuse of pots of infected birds, clothes and shoes of employees, avoiding such things may prove productive.

Mr Shukla said in chickens, the symptoms include coughing, sneezing and abnormal respiratory sounds.

Birds may show nervous system disorders such as the inability to stand, twisting of the neck, abnormal positions of head and legs, huddling, ruffled feathers, decreased activity and at times diarrhea, he said.

Mr Shukla advised bird keepers to consult veterinary doctors or poultry consultants immediately after the symptoms are detected since there is no set treatment for the disease.

To prevent infection, keep wild birds away since they are a reservoir of influenza viruses, he said stating the advisory.
Jan 10, 2021 22:43 (IST)
Farmers' Protest Latest Updates: Supreme Court Has No Role In Resolving "Political Deadlock" Over Farm Laws, Says Farmer Union
The government should resolve the "political deadlock" over new farm laws without the involvement of the Supreme Court, the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) said on Sunday and warned that the protesting farmers "will soon close down all borders" of Delhi if their demand for repeal of the legislations is not met.

A day before the apex court hears a clutch of pleas challenging the new farm laws as well as the ones raising issues related to the ongoing agitation, the outfit said the Supreme Court "does not and cannot have any role in resolving a political deadlock" over the legislations enacted by the government "under pressure from corporates".

It said there is "no role for the Supreme Court" and the matter "should be left to political leadership".

It also accused the BJP-led government at the Centre of "shirking political responsibility" of resolving the crisis. The government is using the Supreme Court "as political shield", the AIKSCC alleged.

"Farmers continue to surround Delhi from all sides and will soon close down all borders. They are here to tell the BJP-led government and the Parliament that it has passed wrong laws," the outfit said in a statement.

It said the farm laws will uproot farmers, change farming pattern, decrease food security and "will lead to more suicides and hunger deaths and will destroy water, forest and ecological balance".
Jan 10, 2021 22:16 (IST)
Farmers' Protest Latest News: Farmers Try To Disrupt Event At Jalandhar
A group of farmers protesting against the Centre's farm laws on Sunday tried to disrupt a BJP programme in Punjab's Jalandhar district.

They shouted slogans against the Centre and the Punjab BJP leadership over the farm laws.

Heavy police security arrangements were made by the Punjab Police to maintain law and order, said officials.

Barricades were put up, a water cannon and an earthmoving machine were deployed to prevent protesters from disrupting the BJP's programme at Company Bagh in Jalandhar.

The farmers, carrying black flags, tried to break the barricade to reach the venue where the state BJP leaders were holding their agitation against the state Congress government.

Some of the farmers managed to reach near the venue but police caught them and took them away.

Punjab BJP chief Ashwani Sharma was in Jalandhar to participate in a protest against the Congress-led dispensation organised by the state party unit.
Jan 10, 2021 21:21 (IST)
Bird Flu Latest Updates: Delhi's Sanjay Lake Declared "Alert Zone" After 17 More Ducks Found Dead
Amid a bird flu scare in different parts of the country, 17 more ducks were found dead at Sanjay Lake here on Sunday, prompting authorities to declare it an "alert zone", officials said.

This comes a day after the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) closed the famous water body-cum-park following the death of 10 ducks on the premises. The samples from the dead ducks have been sent for testing to ascertain whether bird flu was the cause of death.

Besides, the officials said, 91 crows have been found dead in 14 DDA parks in the last few days.

"Deaths of 17 more ducks were reported today at Sanjay Lake. A total of 27 ducks have died now. The park has been declared an alert zone by the rapid response team as per the directions of the animal husbandry department of the Delhi government," a senior DDA official said.

"The rapid response team had visited the lake site on January 9 and 10, and samples were collected for suitable action. Meanwhile... requisite preventive measures are being taken," he said.

Reports of the samples are awaited, he added.

Three other recreational parks in Delhi -- Hauz Khas Park, Dwarka Sector 9 Park, Hastsal Park -- were also closed on Saturday.
Jan 10, 2021 20:53 (IST)
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Philippines Secure 30 Million Novavax Vaccine Doses
The Philippines has secured 30 million doses of a Covid-19 vaccine developed by US drug maker Novavax, officials said Sunday, as the country braces for a surge in infections after a huge religious event.

This is only the second vaccine deal signed by the national government, which has faced growing criticism for its slowness in procuring jabs for the archipelago where nearly half a million infections have been recorded.

It hopes to secure 148 million doses this year from seven companies -- enough for around 70 percent of its population. But the government has warned it will depend on global supply. 

In an agreement with the Serum Institute of India, the world's largest vaccine maker, the Philippines will buy 30 million doses of the jab developed by Novavax, the government's vaccine task force said in a statement. 

The price has not been finalised but the vaccine will be available from the third quarter.
Jan 10, 2021 20:25 (IST)
Farmers' Protest Latest News: Supreme Court To Hear Pleas On Farm Laws, Ongoing Farmers' Agitation At Delhi Borders Tomorrow
Amid a deadlock in the government's negotiations with protesting farmer unions, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Monday a clutch of pleas challenging the new farm laws as well as the ones raising issues related to the ongoing agitation at Delhi borders.

The eighth round of talks between the Centre and the farmer unions on January 7 appeared heading nowhere as the Centre ruled out repealing the contentious laws while the farmer leaders said they are ready to fight till death and their "ghar waapsi" will happen only after "law waapsi".

The Monday hearing on the pleas by a bench headed by Chief Justice SA Bobde assumes significance as the Centre and the farmer leaders are scheduled to hold their next meeting on January 15.

The top court, which had observed that there is no improvement on the ground regarding farmers' protests, was told by the Centre on the last date of hearing that "healthy discussions" were going on between the government and the unions over all the issues and there was good chance that both sides may come to a conclusion in the near future.

The court had then assured the government of an adjournment on January 11 provided it urges so saying that the settlement through talks was a possibility.
Jan 10, 2021 20:07 (IST)
Bird Flu Latest News: Over 200 Migratory Birds Found Dead In Himachal Pradesh
Sanctuary in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district on Sunday, taking the total number of such birds suspected to have died of avian influenza to 4,235, officials said.

Each day, hundreds of migratory birds were found dead in the lake area since December 29. Last Monday, the samples tested positive for H5N1, they said.

Also, for the fourth day in a row, a large number of dead poultry birds were found dumped by the side of the Chandigarh-Shimla highway in Solan district. The remains of the birds were buried according to safety protocol and their samples sent to a disease diagnostic laboratory in Jalandhar.

Earlier, dead chickens were found dumped twice near Chakki Mor and once at Barog bypass near the district headquarters.

A joint team of animal husbandry officials from the Centre and the state visited Siyal in Dhameta wildlife range and Guglara in Nagrota Surian range of the sanctuary on Sunday to assess the situation, Chief wildlife warden Archana Sharma said. 
Jan 10, 2021 19:27 (IST)
Farmers' Protest Latest News: Withdraw New Agriculture laws, Sachin Pilot To Centre
Former Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot on Sunday demanded from the Union government to withdraw the new farm laws, saying neither farmers nor state governments were consulted over it.

Addressing farmers in Tonk, Mr Pilot said there is not even a single representative of farmers in the Union government and no one is bothered about their plight.

"The economy is collapsing, petrol-diesel prices are skyrocketing, cylinder prices are rising, inflation is rising, unemployment is increasing and in such a situation, the government is hitting the farmers with such a move," he said, demanding the withdrawal of the laws.

"This is the first time that different opposition parties are unitedly demanding that the government should withdraw the laws. The government did not discuss the laws with farmers or any state government before enacting these," he said.

Under the party's "Kisan Bachao, Desh Bachao" campaign, Mr Pilot also interacted with farmers in Bamor, Sonva, Harchandeda and Arniyamal gram panchayats. He reached Kabra village riding a bullock cart.
Jan 10, 2021 19:01 (IST)
Maharashtra's COVID-19 tally rises to 19,69,114 with addition of 3,558 new cases; 34 deaths push count to 50,061, reported news agency PTI quoting State Health Department



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