New Delhi: The World Health Organization has said it is monitoring a new coronavirus variant known as "Mu", which was first identified in Colombia in January.
Mu, known scientifically as B.1.621, has been classified as a "variant of interest", the global health body said Tuesday in its weekly pandemic bulletin.
The WHO said the variant has mutations that indicate a risk of resistance to vaccines and stressed that further studies were needed to better understand it.
Here are the updates on coronavirus (COVID-19) cases:
Sep 02, 2021 03:52 (IST)
Assam Exempts Fully Vaccinated Passengers From Mandatory Tests Upon Arrival
All fully-vaccinated passengers entering Assam with their vaccination certificate have been exempted from mandatory testing upon arrival, as per a notification issued by the state on Wednesday, reported news agency ANI.
"All incoming passengers, who have been vaccinated with two doses of Covid-19 vaccines and possess such certificate, on the production of the same in front of screening authority, shall be exempted from mandatory testing on arrival at airports, railway stations, road border points etc," the notification read.
Sep 01, 2021 15:12 (IST)
Odisha logs 719 new COVID-19 cases, 53 fresh fatalities
Odisha's COVID-19 tally rose to 10,08,469 on Wednesday as 719 more people, including 125 children, tested positive for the infection, a health official said.
An eight-year-old girl from Jharsuguda was among 53 more patients who succumbed to the infection, taking the state''s coronavirus death toll to 8,022, he said.
Sep 01, 2021 14:33 (IST)
32 College Students Test Positive For COVID-19 In Karnataka
As many as 32 students have tested positive for COVID-19 in a college in Karnataka's Kolar KGF College of Dental Sciences and Hospital, said Karnataka Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar on Wednesday.
"32 students are infected with COVID in a college in KGF nursing college. All of them are Kerala returnees. I will visit the college and take action against the college management," said the Minister.
He further said that the COVID-19 has been brought under control to 700-800 cases per day from as high as 50,000 cases per day while adding that the government has worked hard to mitigate the pandemic.
Sep 01, 2021 13:24 (IST)
With COVID-19 norms in place, schools in Telangana reopen
Adhering to COVID-19 protocols, schools in Telangana have reopened for all classes from Wednesday.
In view of the improved COVID-19 situation in the state, the state government has allowed all students to attend physical classes from September 1.
St. Anthony''s High School of Hyderabad has also reopened for classes 8 to 12. Students were seen enthusiastic as well as worried about their health over the resumption of physical classes.
Schools are also ensuring properly sanitisation and regular temperature check-ups of staff and students.
Sep 01, 2021 12:52 (IST)
"Knowledge Gap For A Generation If We Hadn't Reopened Schools": Delhi
Delhi reopens schools from today for classes 9-12 after nearly 1.5 years amid strict safety protocol due to the pandemic. The decision could not be delayed any further, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said today, as "an entire generation would otherwise suffer a knowledge gap". The colleges, universities and coaching institutes are also reopening amid concern over a third Covid wave.
Vaccination of teachers, 50 per cent seating capacity in classrooms, lunch breaks in open area and the adherence to social distancing norms are some of the aspects being focussed as the state government tries to keep students and teachers safe.
Sep 01, 2021 10:47 (IST)
UK records another 32,181 coronavirus cases
Another 32,181 people in Britain have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 6,789,581, according to official figures released Tuesday.
The country also reported another 50 coronavirus-related deaths. The total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain now stands at 132,535. These figures only include the deaths of people who died within 28 days of their first positive test.
The latest data came as experts from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) prepare to make a final decision on a vaccine booster campaign.
Sep 01, 2021 10:15 (IST)
41,965 Fresh COVID-19 Cases In India, 35.6% Higher Than Yesterday
India recorded 41,96 fresh Covid cases in the last 24 hours, 35.6 per cent higher than yesterday (30,941), the government data this morning showed. The country also reported 460 Covid deaths today against yesterday's 350 casualties.
