New Delhi: With 8,635 fresh coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, India recorded the lowest single-day rise in its tally in nearly eight months, the government data this morning showed. In a boost to the fight against the pandemic, the country has been vaccinating its citizens much faster than any other nation in the world, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday in his radio address - "Mann Ki Baat".
The surge in Covid infections in the last 24 hours has been the lowest since June 2 when 8,171 cases were recorded. A total of 1,07,66,245 infections have been logged since January 30 last year when Kerala reported the country's first COVID-19 case - a student who had returned from China's Wuhan where the pandemic is believed to have originated.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization on Monday blasted critics of its investigation into the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic and challenged those claiming to know better to come forward with the smoking gun.
A WHO investigative team is in Wuhan, China -- where the first cases were discovered in December 2019 -- trying to piece together how the virus jumped from animals to humans before going on to kill more than two million people.
Here are the Latest News Highlights:
Feb 03, 2021 03:47 (IST)
Latin America and Caribbean top 600,000 Covid-19 deaths, news agency AFP reported
Feb 02, 2021 23:54 (IST)
9,357 People Get Vaccine Jabs In Delhi
Coronavirus vaccine jabs will to be given six days a week in Delhi from now on instead of the earlier four days, officials said on Tuesday.
A total of 9,357 people were administered vaccine against the coronavirus in Delhi on Tuesday. Seventeen cases of adverse event following immunisation (AEFI) were reported during the day and around 51 per cent of the targeted beneficiaries were inoculated, they said.
Four cases of AEFI each were reported from South Delhi and West Delhi districts. Vaccines were administered at 183 centres, up from 106 on Monday. Each centre has a target of 100 vaccinations per day, a Delhi government official said.
Feb 02, 2021 22:26 (IST)
UK Lockdown Hero "Captain Tom" Dies Of COVID-19 At 100: Family
Coronavirus vaccine jabs will to be given six days a week in Delhi from now on instead of the earlier four days, officials said on Tuesday.
A total of 9,357 people were administered vaccine against the coronavirus in Delhi on Tuesday. Seventeen cases of adverse event following immunisation (AEFI) were reported during the day and around 51 per cent of the targeted beneficiaries were inoculated, they said.
Feb 02, 2021 21:37 (IST)
PM-CARES Fund To Cover Over 80% Cost Of 1st Phase Of Covid Vaccination: Top Official
The PM-CARES fund, which has been set up to provide relief during the coronavirus pandemic, has contributed over ₹ 2,200 crore for the first phase of vaccination drive, which is looking to inoculate frontline healthcare workers, the Expenditure Secretary said on Tuesday.
Set up in March 2020, the exact collections made by the fund through voluntary contribution by individuals and corporates, are not known but the corpus managed by the PMO has been providing relief to pandemic-hit sectors.
With the Budget for the current fiscal, which was presented before the onset of the pandemic, making no separate allocation for vaccination, more than 82 per cent of the cost of the same during January to March is being borne by the PM CARES Fund.
Feb 02, 2021 20:40 (IST)
No Nationwide Anti-Conversion Law Planned, Says Centre In Parliament
A nationwide law to ban religious conversions or interfaith marriages is not being planned since it falls under the dominion of states, the central government said in parliament on Tuesday, amid a renewed drive for such legislation in several BJP-ruled states.
"Public order and police are state subjects as per the seventh schedule to the constitution of India. Hence prevention, detection, registration, investigation and prosecution of offences related to religious conversions are primarily the concerns of the state governments and union territory administrations. Action is taken as per existing laws by the law enforcing agencies whenever instances of violation come to notice," Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy said.
The minister's statement was in response to questions raised by five Congress MPs from Kerala who had asked whether the government believed that forced conversions were taking place because of interfaith marriages and details of any laws planned to curb them.
Feb 02, 2021 20:09 (IST)
Over 2 Crore Farmers Benefitted From MSP in 2019-20: Minister
More than 2 crore farmers benefited from the government's procurement of seven commodities at the minimum support price (MSP) during 2019-20, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar informed Parliament on Tuesday.
Mr Tomar, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha, however added that it is difficult to assess the accurate number of farmers benefitting from MSP as the procurement is done by government agencies under various schemes.
"Besides, the overall market also responds to declaration of MSP and Government's procurement operations which results in private procurement on or above the MSP for various notified crops. Therefore, accurate number of farmers benefiting from MSP declaration is difficult to assess," Mr Tomar said.
Feb 02, 2021 19:24 (IST)
Health Workers Treating COVID Patients To Get Rs 11,000: Trivendra Rawat
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat on Tuesday said each doctor and health care worker attending to coronavirus patients will be given Rs 11,000 as an honour.
Mr Rawat made the announcement while flagging off a fleet of 132 ambulances under the 108 emergency service here. He said all corona warriors of the Health Department will be given certificates.
Mr Rawat said the ambulances equipped with advanced and basic life support systems will prove to be the lifeline for the sick in hilly areas of the state.
Feb 02, 2021 18:03 (IST)
Over 160 Doctors, 107 Nurses Lost Lives Due To COVID-19 In India
COVID-19 has so far claimed the lives of 162 doctors, 107 nurses and 44 ASHA workers in the country, Rajya Sabha was told on Tuesday.
The figures are based on the intimations received from the states till January 22.
This was stated by Minister of State for Health Ashwini Kumar Choubey in the House in response to a question on the number of healthcare staff, including doctors, nurses and ASHA workers who have been affected died due to COVID-19.
Feb 02, 2021 16:24 (IST)
Dubai Shuts Bars Until End Of Month After Coronavirus Surge
Dubai on Monday ordered bars and pubs to close until the end of the month to suppress a spike in coronavirus cases, after tourists flocked to the emirate over the holiday period.
The closures, effective from Tuesday, are among a raft of steps "taken in response to rising violations of preventive measures," authorities said in a statement.
Indoor venues, including cinemas and sports venues, will have their capacity cut by half.
Dubai's vast shopping malls, as well as hotels, swimming pools and private beaches, must operate at 70 percent of capacity.
Feb 02, 2021 16:01 (IST)
Over 56% In Delhi Have Antibodies Against Coronavirus: 5th Sero Survey
More than half of the residents in Delhi have been exposed to the coronavirus and developed antibodies for the infection, the fifth serological survey in the capital has found, the government said on Tuesday. The data suggested that the city is inching towards herd immunity but people not let their guard down, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said.
"In the fifth sero survey done in the national capital of Delhi, antibodies have been detected in 56.13 per cent of the population. This was the largest survey in any state involving around 28,000 samples. Delhi has largely won over COVID-19, though we should continue to practice Covid-appropriate behaviour," Mr Jain said.
