The UK coronavirus strain has been detected in at least 60 countries, the World Health Organization said Wednesday, 10 more than a week ago.
With the global death count now well past two million, and new variants of the virus causing deep concern, countries across the world are grappling with how to slow infections until vaccines become widely available.
The South African strain, which like the UK one is believed to be more infectious, has now been reported in 23 countries and territories, the WHO also announced in its weekly update.
With 13,823 infections reported in a day, India's COVID-19 caseload rose to 1,05,95,660, while the recoveries surged to 1,02,45,741, the Union health ministry said on Wednesday. The death count due to the disease increased to 1,52,718 in the country as 162 new fatalities were recorded, the ministry data updated at 8 am showed.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court today slammed critics of an expert panel - formed last week to resolve the farmers-centre deadlock over the three contentious agricultural laws - and said the committee has no power to decide on the legislations. "We gave (the committee the) power to hear everyone and submit report to us. Where is the question of bias? (There is) no need to brand people and malign them, and on top of it cast aspersion on (the) court," Chief Justice SA Bobde said today.
The top court also asked the government to respond to a petition seeking reconstitution of its committee. Last week, the top court had paused the implementation of the laws as thousands of farmers continue to camp near Delhi borders, demanding repeal of the legislations.
