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India's tally of COVID-19 cases rose to 1,09,63,394 with 13,193 new infections being reported in a day, while the recoveries have surged to 1,06,67,741, according to Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday. The deaths increased to 1,56,111 with 97 daily new fatalities, the data showed.
As per the Health Ministry, 98,46,523 vaccine doses were given through 2,10,809 sessions till Thursday evening.
Amid a marked resurgence of Covid-19 infections in Maharashtra over the past few weeks, a number of the state's political leaders and ministers, including the health in-charge, Rajesh Tope, have declared that they have tested positive for the disease. Others include Jayant Patil, Raksha Khadse, Eknath Khadse, Bacchu Kadu, and Rajendra Shingne.
On Wednesday, the state reported 4,787 new cases - the highest one-day count in over two months. A few districts in its Vidarbha region, too, have registered a steady rise in the number of cases in recent weeks. Civic authorities in Mumbai today clamped down with fresh safety measures as the numbers kept rising, logging over 5,000 cases on Thursday.
Meanwhile, eight months after a fierce border clash at Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh, China has officially acknowledged casualties and named four officers and soldiers that it said were killed.
Five soldiers, including an officer who was injured, were honoured by the Chinese leadership, reported the PLA Daily, the official newspaper of the Chinese military, on Friday.
Here are the Highlights:
Temperature drop link to COVID-19 surge likely: Maharashtra official
A sudden drop in temperature last week in some parts of Maharashtra may have caused a spike in COVID-19 cases, a senior health official said on Friday.
Temperatures in east Vidarbha started dipping due to moisture coming from the Bay of Bengal and this may have "helped the virus to spread with more speed, increasing the number of COVID-19 cases", he claimed.
However, non adherence to outbreak protocol also played a significant role in the case surge, the official, on condition of anonymity, added. "The IMD, in its a predictions for February, had communicated to the Centre of possible jump in COVID-19 cases if temperatures drop in the same period," he said, adding that drop in the mercury level should not be seen as the sole reason behind the spike in cases.
Joe Biden Tours Pfizer Vaccine Plant, Says On Track To Have Enough Vaccine For Americans By July End Harsh Vardhan launches Intensified Mission Indradhanush 3.0
Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on Friday launched Intensified Mission Indradhanush 3.0 which will be conducted in two rounds starting from February 22 and March 22 across 250 districts/urban areas identified in 29 States/Union Territories.
The Union Minister also launched the IMI 3.0 portal and released the Operational Guidelines for IMI 3.0 and the awareness material/IEC package developed as part of the campaign.
According to a release by the Union Health Ministry, Vardhan expressed his elation at the elaborate preparations to immunise every mother and child: The Intensified Mission Indradhanush 3.0 will have two rounds starting from February 22 and March 22, 2021, and will be conducted in pre-identified 250 districts/urban areas across 29 States/UTs in the country.
Argentina president tells health minister to quit over vaccine line-jumping
Argentina's President Alberto Fernandez asked his health minister to resign Friday after it emerged that friends of his had skipped the line for a Covid-19 vaccination.
So far only health workers have been vaccinated in Argentina and vaccinations for people aged over 70 only began on Wednesday in the province of Buenos Aires.
Local media reported that other people close to the government were also vaccinated at the health ministry.
Joe Biden To Americans: Vaccines Are Safe, Please Take When It's Your Turn Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor e-inaugurates 607 vocational labs, education portal and GIS portal
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday e-inaugurated 607 vocational labs, education portal and GIS Portal developed by Samagra Shiksha in a bid to strengthen the vocational education ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking on the occasion, the Lt Governor observed that important features of New Educational Policy have been initiated in Jammu and Kashmir which will pave a strong foundation for job-oriented education for the youth.
The emphasis on vocational education, as per NEP-2020, is to enable students to be job providers instead of job seekers, he said, according to an official release.
"Comprehensive measures are being taken with an aim to improve the quality of education and secure the future of youth by bridging the gap between schools and industry keeping in mind the skill-set demands of the modern times", said the Lt Governor.
Israel agrees to vaccinate 1,00,000 labourers: Palestinians say
The Palestinian Authority said Friday that Israel had agreed to vaccinate 1,00,000 Palestinian labourers working in the Jewish state, whose mass coronavirus inoculation campaign is regarded as the world's fastest.
A statement from the Palestinian health ministry said the agreement came "during a meeting which discussed the coronavirus pandemic", without saying when the vaccinations would take place.
The two sides also agreed on "technical cooperation" to combat the spread of the virus, the ministry added.
Neither the Israeli health ministry nor COGAT, the military unit that coordinates civil affairs with the Palestinians, would immediately confirm to AFP a vaccination a deal.
But Israel's health ministry issued a statement saying a meeting took place in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah, where the PA is based, with Palestinian counterparts to discuss the virus.
California's youth grapple with Covid-19 sporting shutdown
After nearly a year of pandemic-induced sporting lockdown, athletes at schools across California have been given the green light to return to action.
But as youngsters prepare to unleash a year of pent-up frustration on the gridiron field or water polo pool, some say they will be dealing with the fallout from the shutdown for years to come.
Thoughout California, public officials and educators have warned of the damaging long-term impact that the wide-ranging ban on competitive sport has had on the Golden State's student athletes.
Mental health concerns include increases in depression and suicidal thoughts while public prosecutors say the Covid-19 pandemic has increased cases of juvenile crime and delinquency.
Punjab Chief Minister thanks people ''endorsing'' state government policies after civic polls outcome
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh and his council of ministers on Friday thanked people of the state for the "resounding verdict in favour of the Congress" and "validation of the state government's pro-people and pro-farmer policies in the recently concluded civic elections".
Expressing their gratitude to the voters for ensuring peaceful local bodies'' polls, the Chief Minister and his ministerial colleagues passed a resolution at the cabinet meeting to reiterate their commitment to the service of the state and its people.
According to an official release, the Chief Minister also thanked all the ministers for steering the party campaign in their respective districts and constituencies to deliver the spectacular win for the Punjab Congress under the leadership of state Congress chief Sunil Jakhar.
He made special mention of the dedicated hard work of the Congress MLAs, district chiefs, other members and workers that made "unprecedented victory possible for the party".
India has administered over 1.04 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses
The cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered to healthcare and frontline workers crossed over 1.04 crore on Friday in the country, said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).
Briefing the reporters, Mandeep Bhandari, Joint Secretary, Union Health Ministry said, "1,04,49,942 vaccinations of healthcare and frontline workers carried out till today. 70,52,845 healthcare workers have been vaccinated so far out of which the first dose has been given to 62,95,903 healthcare workers. The second dose has been given to 7,56,942 healthcare workers."
While 33,97,097 frontline workers have been vaccinated till 6 pm today, said the Union Health Ministry.
A total of 2,61,935 vaccine doses were given till 6 pm on Friday, the thirty-fifth day of nationwide COVID-19 vaccination.
"A total of 6,58,674 vaccinations were administered on 18th February 2021. This constitutes the highest single-day vaccinations during the on-going COVID-19 vaccination drive," added Bhandari.
Siddharamiah slams PM Modi for hike in petrol, diesel prices
Slamming the Centre for the fuel price hike, Congress leader Siddaramaiah on Friday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is responsible for the surging prices of petrol and diesel.
"Petrol price has touched Rs 100 per litre in India. This spells disaster for poor and middle-class people. The Prime Minister is solely responsible for the increase in petrol prices," he said.
He stated, "Excise duty now on petrol is Rs 32.98 per liter and that on diesel is Rs 31.83. At the end of UPA II, the excise duty on petrol was Rs 9.21 and that on diesel was Rs 3.45".
Siddaramaiah further added, "High duty on petrol and diesel will further affect the growth. At a time when govt had to drive demand, this government is trying to suppress it."
Eknath Khadse, Bacchu Kadu test positive for coronavirus
NCP leader Eknath Khadse and Maharashtra Minister Bacchu Kadu claimed separately on Friday to have contracted coronavirus infection for a second time. Mr Khadse, a former minister who is admitted to Bombay
Hospital, announced the result of his COVID-19 test.
"I was admitted in November last year for the sam infection. I have tested positive again. I am feeling fine," he said.
Minister of State for Water Resources Bacchu Kadu also made a similar announcement. He had tested positive for the infection in September.
"I have tested COVID-19 positive for a second time. I am currently in isolation. Those who have come in contact with me, plese get tested," he tweeted.
People will vote against ''Bua-Bhatija'' government in Bengal: Dharmendra Pradhan
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday hit out at West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) said people will vote against the ''Bua-Bhatija'' (aunt-nephew) government in the state.
"TMC workers are joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). There is a wave of change in West Bengal. People have been fooled for 10 years. They will vote against the ''Bua-Bhatija'' government this time. BJP will make Bengal ''Sonar Bangla''," Mr Pradhan told ANI.
We Will Come To Power In Karnataka In 2023, 100%: SiddaramaiahSenior Karnataka Congress leader Siddaramaiah on Friday said he was "100 per cent" confident of his party coming back to power in the 2023 assembly polls in Karnataka.
Top Gurdwara Body SGPC Chief Asks PM, Amit Shah To Allow Sikhs Visit Nankana Sahib In PakThe Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) chief Bibi Jagir Kaur on Friday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, urging them to allow Sikh pilgrims visit the Nankana Sahib gurdwara in Pakistan.
Madhya Pradesh Congress Leader Calls Kangana Ranaut Naachne-Gaane WaliA former Madhya Pradesh minister and Congress leader Sukhdeo Panse is seen derisively calling actor Kangana Ranaut a "naachne-gaane wali" - a Hindi taunt widely seen as misogynistic - in a video shared multiple times on social media.
Advanced Explosives May Have Been Used In Attack On Bengal Minister: PoliceAn improvised explosive device (IED) might have been used in the attack on West Bengal Minister Jakir Hossain, a senior official of the Criminal Investigation Department said on Friday.
80 Exotic Animals Seized From India-Myanmar Border, New Route SuspectedMizoram may have turned into a major transit point for exotic animal smuggling after 80 such animals were found while being transported from Myanmar into the country on Thursday.
Bengal Assembly Elections: Poll Body To Deploy 125 Companies Of Central Forces In StateThe Election Commission of India (ECI) has decided to deploy 125 companies of central forces in West Bengal by February 25 for the upcoming assembly elections, a senior official said on Friday.
Madhya Pradesh Official Suspended As Mosquitoes Keep Shivraj Chouhan UpAn official of the Madhya Pradesh Public Works Department has been suspended for dereliction of duty after a "special guest" staying at the circuit house in the state's Sidhi district complained of mosquitoes and an overflowing tank this week. It just so happened that the special guest staying at the facility on Wednesday was Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
3 Arrested For Attack On Restaurant Owner's Son In Srinagar: Kashmir CopsThree men have been arrested for their alleged involvement in an attack on a restaurant owner's son in Srinagar two days ago, when a 24-member delegation of foreign envoys arrived on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, a senior police officer said on Friday.
India's Next Mars Mission Likely To Be An OrbiterAs NASA's Perseverance rover landed on Mars in the early hours of Friday to look for signs of past life, ISRO's next mission to the Red Planet is likely to be an orbiter.
Indonesia: Dozens Of Whales Die Stranded On Beach, Only 3 SurviveForty-six small whales stranded on a beach in Indonesia have died, after rescue efforts succeeded in saving three others, local officials said Friday.
Air Quality Stays "Very Poor" In Ghaziabad, Noida For Fifth DayThe average air quality in Ghaziabad, Noida, Greater Noida and Gurgaon was recorded "very poor", while it was "poor" in Faridabad, according to data issued by a government agency on Friday.
Centre Aims To Make India An Economic Superpower: Union Minister Anurag Singh ThakurVarious reforms being implemented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government will make the country an economic superpower, Union Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs Anurag Singh Thakur said today.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar Warns Of Strict Action Against Those Without Masks In PublicMaharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar today said he has instructed district administrations in the state to take strict action against people who are found without masks in public areas amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Akhilesh Yadav Blames Cops, Slams UP Government Over Unnao Girls' DeathSamajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Friday hit out at the Uttar Pradesh government over the alleged poor law and order situation, claiming that a "free hand" given to police is responsible for it.
Air India Express Sharjah-Calicut Flight Diverted To Thiruvananthapuram Due To Technical GlitchAir India Express Sharjah-Calicut flight has been diverted to Thiruvananthapuram airport on Friday due to technical glitch, said the airline spokesperson.
Delhi High Court Seeks AAP Government, Police Stand Over JNU Students' Bail PleasThe Delhi High Court Friday sought response of the AAP government and police on appeals by JNU students Natasha Narwal and Devangana Kalita against the dismissal of their bail pleas by a trial court in a UAPA case related to the north-east Delhi riots last year.
Ambitious US Citizenship Act Of 2021 Introduced In CongressA bicameral US Citizenship Act of 2021 proposing a pathway to citizenship to 11 million undocumented workers, elimination of per country quota for employment-based green cards and work authorisation for dependents of H-1B foreign workers, was introduced in the Congress.
India took 34 days to achieve one crore Covid vaccinations: Centre
India took 34 days to achieve the landmark feat of one crore COVID-19 vaccinations, the second fastest in the world, the health ministry said on Friday.
The US took 31 days, while the UK took 56 days to surpass the one-crore vaccination mark.
Till 8 am on Friday, the cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered to healthcare workers (HCWs) and frontline workers (FLWs) in the country was 1,01,88,007.
"A total of 1,01,88,007 vaccine doses have been administered through 2,11,462 sessions, as per the provisional report till 8 am. These include 62,60,242 HCWs (1st dose), 6,10,899 HCWs (2nd dose) and 33,16,866 FLWs (1st dose)," the ministry said.
Japan Finds New Strain As Virus Cluster Emerges At Immigration Centre
Japan confirmed a new variant of COVID-19, and an infection cluster emerged at a Tokyo immigration facility, presenting new challenges as the country tries to overcome a third wave of the pandemic.
The new variant has been found in 91 cases in the Kanto area of eastern Japan and in 2 cases at airports, Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato told reporters on Friday. The government is raising surveillance against mutant varieties as they may be more resistant to vaccines, which Japan started to distribute this week.
Japan confirmed a new variant of COVID-19, and an infection cluster emerged at a Tokyo immigration facility, presenting new challenges as the country tries to overcome a third wave of the pandemic.
The new variant has been found in 91 cases in the Kanto area of eastern Japan and in 2 cases at airports, Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato told reporters on Friday. The government is raising surveillance against mutant varieties as they may be more resistant to vaccines, which Japan started to distribute this week.
Disha Ravi Case: High Court Caution For Delhi Police, Media Over Probe
A day after three news channels got notice over activist Disha Ravi's petition - linked to the coverage of her arrest in a case filed related to the farmers' protest toolkit shared by Swedish teen climate crusader Greta Thunberg earlier this month - the Delhi High Court today made observations about "sensationalism" in reporting.
The High Court asked Delhi Police to stick to the stand that it hasn't leaked details while the reporters were asked to ensure the "probe is not hampered". At the same time, Ms Ravi, 22, has been "directed to ensure that there is no indulgence to malign the police and other authorities".
Several Maharashtra Ministers, Leaders Test Positive Amid Surge In Cases
On Wednesday, the state reported 4,787 new cases - the highest one-day count in over two months. A few districts in its Vidarbha region, too, have registered a steady rise in the number of cases in recent weeks. Civic authorities in Mumbai today clamped down with fresh safety measures as the numbers kept rising, logging over 5,000 cases on Thursday.
Amid a marked resurgence of Covid-19 infections in Maharashtra over the past few weeks, a number of political leaders and ministers of the state, including the health in-charge, Rajesh Tope, have declared that they have tested positive for the disease. Others include Jayant Patil, Raksha Khadse, and Eknath Khadse.
Why Are Maharashtra Cases Climbing? An Expert's Warning
Dr TP Lahane, the Director of Medical Education and Research, Maharashtra, told NDTV that it is early days yet and more sequencing and study needs to be carried out to know about the "infectiveness" of the mutant variety.
Several cases of coronavirus mutation have been observed in Maharashtra, a senior scientist told NDTV today, underscoring that they are yet to observe behaviour - including how fast or slow it infects people -- and pointed out that it is "too early to call it a strain".
India, China Disengagement At Both Banks Of Pangong Completed: Sources
Disengagement on both banks of the Pangong Lake has been completed, sources said today.
India and China will discuss disengagement in Depsang, Hot Springs and Gogra tomorrow in the 10th round of senior commander level talks, the sources added.
Both sides pulled back troops, tanks and other equipment from the banks of Pangong Tso, which became a flashpoint in the prolonged border dispute.
Satellite imagery of some areas on the northern bank of Pangong Tso supplied by Maxar Technologies showed multiple Chinese military camps seen in late January now removed.
Disengagement on both banks of the Pangong Lake has been completed, sources said today.
India and China will discuss disengagement in Depsang, Hot Springs and Gogra tomorrow in the 10th round of senior commander level talks, the sources added.
Both sides pulled back troops, tanks and other equipment from the banks of Pangong Tso, which became a flashpoint in the prolonged border dispute.
Satellite imagery of some areas on the northern bank of Pangong Tso supplied by Maxar Technologies showed multiple Chinese military camps seen in late January now removed.
Just In | Indian, Chinese troops' disengagement at both banks of Pangong Lake completed, say sources
Pfizer Vaccine 85% Effective After First Shot, Finds Israeli Study
The first dose of Pfizer Inc's COVID-19 vaccine is 85 per cent effective, a study of healthcare workers at an Israeli hospital has found, potentially fuelling a debate over the recommended two-dose schedule as governments try to stretch out supplies.
The Sheba Medical Center's findings compare with overall efficacy of around 95% in a two dose regimen 21 days apart for the shot developed with Germany's BioNTech.
The Sheba study, to be published in The Lancet medical journal, comes a day after Canadian researchers suggested that the second Pfizer dose be delayed given the high level of protection from the first shot in order to increase the number of people getting vaccinated.
Their research showed efficacy of 92.6 per cent after the first dose, based on an analysis of the documents submitted by the drugmaker from its late-stage human trials to the US Food and Drug Administration in December.
The first dose of Pfizer Inc's COVID-19 vaccine is 85 per cent effective, a study of healthcare workers at an Israeli hospital has found, potentially fuelling a debate over the recommended two-dose schedule as governments try to stretch out supplies.
The Sheba Medical Center's findings compare with overall efficacy of around 95% in a two dose regimen 21 days apart for the shot developed with Germany's BioNTech.
The Sheba study, to be published in The Lancet medical journal, comes a day after Canadian researchers suggested that the second Pfizer dose be delayed given the high level of protection from the first shot in order to increase the number of people getting vaccinated.
Their research showed efficacy of 92.6 per cent after the first dose, based on an analysis of the documents submitted by the drugmaker from its late-stage human trials to the US Food and Drug Administration in December.
Covid Mutations Found In Maharashtra, More Tests Needed, Scientist Tells NDTV
Dr TP Lahane, the Director of Medical Education and Research, Maharashtra, told NDTV that it is early days yet and more sequencing and study needs to be carried out to know about the "infectiveness" of the mutant variety.
The scientists, he said, are doing gene sequencing for this and the results will be available in 10 to 15 days. A detailed study has to be conducted, he said.
Several cases of coronavirus mutation have been observed in Maharashtra, a senior scientist told NDTV today, underscoring that they are yet to observe behaviour - including how fast or slow it infects people -- and pointed out that it is "too early to call it a strain".
The scientists, he said, are doing gene sequencing for this and the results will be available in 10 to 15 days. A detailed study has to be conducted, he said.
13,193 fresh COVID-19 cases in India, 2.4 per cent higher than yesterday; 1.09 crore total cases, 1,56,111 lakh deaths
China Admits 5 Officers, Soldiers Killed In Galwan Clash With India
Five Chinese military officers and soldiers were killed in last year's Galwan Valley clash in eastern Ladakh with the Indian Army, China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) officially acknowledged for the first time on Friday.
Five Chinese frontier officers and soldiers stationed in the Karakoram Mountains have been recognised by the Central Military Commission of China (CMC) for their sacrifice in the border confrontation with India, which occurred in the Galwan Valley in June 2020, the PLA Daily, the official newspaper of the Chinese military reported on Friday.
Technological innovations, digitisation became mainstay of judicial proceedings in lockdown: Law Secretary
Union Law Secretary Anoop Mendiratta on Thursday said digitisation and technological innovations became the mainstay of judicial proceedings in India during the coronavirus-triggered lockdown.
Representing India in Commonwealth High Level Law Ministers Meeting on the legal aspects of COVID-19, he said that in April last year, the Supreme Court gave legal sanctity and validity to court hearings held through video conferencing, which came as a big boost for timely disposal of litigations.
He was addressing the meet on behalf of Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, an official statement said.
COVID-19: RT-PCR test mandatory for passenger coming to Pune from Kerala
Amid a surge in COVID-19 cases, the Pune Municipal Corporation has issued an order making it mandatory for passengers arriving from Kerala to undergo RT-PCR test on arrival.
Pune Mayor Murlidhar Mohol on Thursday said that the number of coronavirus patients in the last 8-10 days has been increasing.
"In last 8-10 days, the number of patients has been increasing but the situation is not worrisome. We are on alert. We have decided to increase COVID-19 testing. We may bring strict COVID-19 rules if the number of cases rises," Mohol said.
The Union Health Ministry on Thursday informed Kerala and Maharashtra alone account for 75 per cent of new cases, 72 per cent of new recovered cases and 55 per cent of new deaths.
Israel extends coronavirus border closure to March 6
Israel said Thursday it will extend the closure of its airports and land borders for 14 more days in a bid to stem the coronavirus pandemic.
A joint statement from the prime minister's office and the health minister said the country's borders will remain closed until March 6, except for urgent reasons.
Israel had suspended international flights on January 24, before also closing the border crossings with Jordan and Egypt.
However, the immigration ministry said Thursday that six special flights were still authorised to land, carrying some 900 immigrants from Ethiopia, France, Russia, Ukraine and South America.
The new arrivals will be subject to quarantine upon arrival, the ministry said in a statement.
Offices, colleges, cinema halls, parks to reopen in Jharkhand on March 1
Government offices, colleges, coaching centres, cinema halls and parks across Jharkhand will reopen on March 1 after being closed for almost a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Chief Minister Hemant Soren said on Thursday.
The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Mr Soren during the day. He said hundred per cent attendance will be mandatory for government employees.
Schools will reopen on that date for students of Class 8 and above. Colleges are also set to reopen, the Chief Minister told newsmen after a meeting of the Jharkhand State Disaster Manangement Authority.
Brazil passes 10 million coronavirus infections
Brazil, the country with the second-highest coronavirus deaths, passed the 10-million mark for reported infections Thursday, amid a deadly second wave and problems with its vaccination campaign.
The country became the third to reach the grim mark -- after the United States and India -- with more than 51,900 new infections in 24 hours, according to official data.
Over the same one-day period, 1,367 people died, bringing the total to over 243,400.
Brazil's figure of 10,030,626 came amid mounting criticism of how President Jair Bolsonaro's government has handled the epidemic and a vaccination response.
So far, three percent of the population of 212 million have received one of two required vaccine doses.
