India has developed two vaccines, which have been given to 71 countries.
India recorded 26,291 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, its highest single-day spike in 85 days, taking the country's infection tally to 1,13,85,339, according to Union health ministry data.
The death count due to the disease increased to 1,58,725 with 118 more fatalities being recorded in a day, the data updated at 8 am showed.
Registering an upward trend for five days in a row, the total active caseload has gone up to 2,19,262 which is 1.93 per cent of the total infections in the country, while the recovery rate has dropped to 96.68 per cent, the data stated.
As many as 26,624 infections were recorded in a span of 24 hours on December 20.
Meanwhile, Delhi recorded 407 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, crossing the 400-mark for the fourth consecutive day, while the positivity rate stood at 0.60 per cent, according to data shared by the health department.The deaths climbed to 10,941 with two more fatalities, as per the latest bulletin issued by the Delhi Health Department.
The city had recorded 419 fresh COVID-19 cases on Saturday, while 431 cases were recorded on Friday, the highest single-day spike in over two months. The count on Thursday was 409.
India is the third-most affected country globally with 11.36 million cases, behind the United States and Brazil.
Here are the highlights:
Brazil's president Jair Bolsonaro changes health minister again, as Brazil's Covid cases surge
Brazil's president Jair Bolsonaro announced Monday that he will appoint cardiologist Marcelo Queiroga as health minister, the fourth to hold the post during the pandemic, as the country's health system staggers amid surging Covid-19 cases.
"It was decided now in the afternoon to appoint physician Marcelo Queiroga to the Ministry of Health," Bolsonaro said in a brief meeting with his supporters at the Alvorada presidential palace. The transition process "should take one or two weeks," he added.
The appointment will be finalized Tuesday.
Latvia suspends use of AstraZeneca vaccine
Latvian health authorities said Monday they were temporarily suspending the use of AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine, following the lead of other countries to have paused rollouts over blood clot fears.
Latvia's "health authorities are asking doctors not to use the opened vials of the AstraZeneca vaccine and not to open new ones," the Baltic state's health agencies said in a joint statement.
They said they were halting the use of the vaccine "as a precautionary measure" based on reports of side effects from other EU countries, while adding that no such cases have been confirmed in Latvia.
Rajasthan to introduce new ''agriculture budget'' for farmers'' welfare: Minister
The Rajasthan government gives priority to the agriculture sector and a new "agriculture budget" will be introduced in the state from next year to fulfill the dreams of farmers, Agriculture Minister Lal Chand Kataria said on Monday.
Efforts are being made to provide all facilities to the farmers online through innovations. Also, the department is working to provide agricultural equipment on rent, Kataria said.
He was replying to the discussion on demand for grants in the state assembly following which the House passed over Rs 37.56 billion for agriculture and Rs 18.29 billion for animal husbandry departments by a voice vote.
Kataria said farmers will have to adopt organic farming and informed the assembly that at present, more than 1.30 lakh farmers of the state were engaged in organic farming.
A new scheme of Rs 23 crore has been chalked out for the protection of camels, he said, adding that a committee has been formed for the animal''s conservation.
He urged farmers to conserve rain water and adopt modern methods in agriculture as it will not only facilitate ease of farming, but also increase income.
Maharashtra warns shutting hotels, cinemas for violating COVID-19 rules
With the surge in COVID-19 cases, the Maharashtra government issued an order on Monday directing cinema halls/hotels/restaurants to follow COVID-related rules, and if found violating will remain closed for a period until the COVID-19 pandemic stays notified as a disaster by Central government.
Mumbai on Monday reported 1712 new cases and 4 deaths. WIth 1063 recoveries, the city's cured tally rises to 3,18,642. Currently, Mumbai has 3,45,659 cases of which 14,582 are active and 11,535 fatalities.
Maharashtra has reported as many as 15,051 fresh COVID-19 cases pushing the total number of cases to 23,29,464, according to the health bulletin.
China Pledges 3,00,000 Coronavirus Vaccine Doses For UN Peacekeepers
China will give United Nations peacekeeping troops 3,00,000 doses of coronavirus vaccine, the Chinese diplomatic mission to the UN said Monday, bolstering the 2,00,000 doses already pledged by India to protect 1,00,000 soldiers and police officers deployed in peace missions.
Read HereMadhya Pradesh: Air passengers from Maharashtra need to carry negative COVID-19 report
Passengers arriving by flight from Maharashtra will have to produce a latest coronavirus negative report on arrival at Indore as well as Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh, local authorities said on Monday.
The rule was announced as new cases upsurged in the neighbouring states in the last few days.
Indore district magistrate Manish Singh issued guidelines which said passengers coming from Maharashtra must produce negative report of RT-PCR test carried out no more than 48 hours before.
In Bhopal, district authorities issued similar guidelines, saying passengers should produce negative coronavirus report with the test carried out no more than 72 hours before.
Indore authorities also said that those passengers who do not have negative RT-PCR test report will have to undergo the test at their own expense at the airport.
If they test positive, they will have to stay in home quarantine until they are free of the infection.
Oslo tightens up anti-Covid measures as cases rise
The Norwegian capital Oslo on Monday announced tougher measures to stem the spread of coronavirus, closing secondary schools and restricting the number of visitors to homes, as Covid case numbers rise.
Of particular concern to the municipality is the spread of the more contagious British variant of the disease.
A record number of Covid-19 cases, 1,960, were detected last week in Oslo which has a population of 700,000 people.
"We have never before seen such a high level of recorded cases," the capital's mayor Raymond Johansen told a press briefing.
"If the spread of the virus is too high for too long the system collapses and you lose control," he added.
The municipality announced the closing of secondary schools, with students to be taught remotely. This will also be the case for younger children in the worst-hit districts.
Uttarakhand: Ex-Chief Minister Trivendra Rawat not happy with diluting COVID restrictions for Kumbh
Former Uttarakhand chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat Monday expressed disagreement with his successor Tirath Singh Rawat's decision to dilute some COVID-19 restrictions for those attending the ongoing Mahakumbh.
Trivendra Singh Rawat said coronavirus cases are rising once again in the country and all precautions need to be taken again the virus.
His remarks came in the backdrop of Chief Minister Rawat announcement that pilgrims need not produce negative COVID-19 reports 72 hours prior to their arrival in Haridwar for the Mahakumbh.
Trivendra Singh Rawat told the media that his government had issued coronavirus guidelines after careful considerations, but the new Chief Minister has spoken about doing away with the negative report requirement.
The former Chief Minister said the pandemic is not over yet and it needs to be taken seriously.
Spain joins countries halting AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine
Spain will stop using AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine for at least two weeks, the government said on Monday, joining a growing list of European countries putting the brakes on the shot over concerns about possible side effects.
Earlier on Monday France, Germany and Italy joined Denmark, Norway and several others in halting use of the drug after reports of blood clots in some patients who had received the vaccine
"We take this decision today in the interest of caution," Health Minister Carolina Dias told a news conference.
Karnataka Education Minister warns of action against schools for COVID-19 guidelines violationKarnataka Primary and Secondary Education Minister S. Suresh Kumar on Monday called for stringent action against schools that are running offline classes from standard 1 to 5, after a violation of the government''s COVID guidelines.
This comes after the state government had issued a notification that does not grant permission to schools for conducting physical classes for standards 1 to 5 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr Kumar has notified the authorities.
With the permission of the state Covid-19 Technical Advisory Committee of the Department of Health and Family Welfare, the Department of Primary and Secondary Education has been permitted to start classes beyond the 6th standard.
"Welfare Schemes Shouldn't Stop": Sharad Pawar Amid Rising Covid Cases
NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Monday said Maharashtra has to be on alert in view of the rising coronavirus cases, but the implementation of welfare schemes should not stop.
Mr Pawar met ministers from his party, which is part of the Shiv Sena-led MVA government in the state.
"The state has to be alert in view of the rising cases, but welfare schemes of the government should continue," he said.
He also expressed satisfaction about the Budget presented by deputy chief minister and his nephew Ajit Pawar last week.
Ongoing vaccination drive slow, will take years to cover entire population: Parliamentary panel
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs has expressed concern over the slow pace of ongoing vaccination drive in the country and observed that at this rate it will take many years to vaccinate the entire population.
In its report on the Demands for Grants of the Ministry of Home Affairs tabled in Rajya Sabha on Monday, the panel also expressed concern that a large number of people are missing the second dose of the vaccine.
"The committee takes note of the ongoing vaccination process for COVID-19 and observes that, till now, less than 1 per cent of the Indian population has been vaccinated and at this rate, it will take many years to vaccinate the whole population," the report said.
1.50 lakh people administered COVID-19 vaccine in HaryanaAround 1.50 lakh beneficiaries were administered COVID-19 vaccine in Haryana on Monday, Haryana Additional Chief Secretary, Health, Rajeev Arora said.
Taking note of the exceptional response to the vaccination drive, the department has decided to observe every Monday of the week as ''mega vaccination day'', he said in an official statement.
Most of the beneficiaries who were administered the vaccine were above 60 years of age and between 45 to 60 years with co-morbidities, he said.
The department has ensured that the vaccination centres are in close proximity to people''s residences even in the rural areas and they do not have to travel for which the number of vaccination centres has also been enhanced, Mr Arora said.
Congress lends support to bank strike; says Modi govt responsible for inconvenience to publicThe Congress on Monday extended its full support to the two-day strike call given by bank employee unions and said the Modi government is squarely responsible for the inconvenience caused to people.
AICC general secretary and party chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala, in a statement, said the United Forum of Bank Union (UFBU), an umbrella body of nine bank unions, has given a call for a two-day nationwide strike on March 15 and 16 against privatisation of public sector banks and "retrograde banking reforms".
"We stand in solidarity with 10 lakh bank officials and staff participating in the strike against reckless privatisation of public sector banks. The strike called by the United Forum of Bank Union is against the ill-placed priorities of the Modi government. The Modi government is responsible for the inconvenience being faced by the people," he said.
Himachal assembly passes bill enabling government to borrow up to 5 per cent of SGDPThe Himachal Pradesh Assembly on Monday passed a bill that would enable the state government to borrow up to 5 per cent of the gross state domestic product amidst objection by the opposition.
Himachal Pradesh Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (Amendment) Bill, 2021 has been passed by amending the provisions of Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (Amendment) Act, 2005 which enables the state government to borrow up to 2 per cent more than the present limit of fiscal deficit of 3 per cent of Gross State Domestic Product for the year 2019-20.
The leader of opposition Mukesh Agnihotri objected to the bill stating that the state is already facing a huge debt burden of over Rs 60,000 crore and it should not be passed as it would enable the government to take loan up to 5 per cent instead the existing 3 per cent of GDP.
BJD demands MLA's apology for suicide attempt inside AssemblyThe attempt by a BJP MLA to commit suicide inside the Odisha Assembly over alleged mismanagement in paddy procurement echoed in for the third consecutive day on Monday and Speaker SN Patro adjourneed proceedings till the post-lunch session in the wake of noisy protests by ruling BJD members and opposition parties.
As soon as the House assembled for question hour at 10.30 am, pandemonium erupted with lawmakers of the ruling BJD and opposition parties engaging in slogan shouting in the well of the House.
Unable to continue with the proceedings, Mr Patro first adjourned the House till 11.30 am and later till the post lunch session at 4 pm.
The treasury bench members demanded unconditional apology from BJP MLA Subhas Panigrahi for attempting suicide in the House on Friday, while the saffron party members asked
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to express regret for his government's "inability" to ensure smooth procurement of paddy from farmers despite assurances.
Centre trying to convince Jharkand government on commercial coal mining policyThe Centre on Monday said it is trying to "consult and convince" the Jharkhand government about benefits of commercial coal mining policy which is designed to boost domestic production and reduce imports.
Union Coal Minister Pralhad Joshi during the Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha said that it is a "big sin" that India despite having the largest coal reserves is dependent on import of thermal coal used in power generation.
The dependence on imports was due to restriction on allocation of coal blocks, which has been eased out after deep consultation with the state governments, he said.
After consultations with states, the central government has brought a commercial coal mining policy under which coal blocks are opened to private investors through auction for commercial purpose, he added.
Got COVID-19 vaccine shot: North Delhi Mayor
North Delhi Mayor Jai Prakash said he received his first shot of the anti-COVID-19 vaccine on Monday and appealed to people to also get the jab to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
The mayor said well-known film and TV actor Dalip Tahil also accompanied him to the Hindu Rao Hospital and he also got vaccinated.
"I got my first jab of COVID vaccine today. Actor Dalip Tahil accompanied me to send out a message on behalf of the NDMC to eligible people to come out and get vaccinated. He got his jab and returned to Mumbai," he said.
Rs 2,000 notes not printed in last 2 years: Government in Lok SabhaRs 2,000 currency notes have not been printed in the last two years even as the quantum of India's highest denomination currency note has come down, the Lok Sabha was informed Monday.
In a written reply, Minister of State for Finance Anurag Singh Thakur said 3,362 million currency notes of Rs 2000 denomination were in circulation on March 30, 2018, constituting 3.27 per cent and 37.26 per cent of the currency in terms of volume and trade respectively.
As of February 26, 2021, 2,499 million pieces of Rs 2,000 notes were in circulation, constituting 2.01 per cent and 17.78 per cent of banknotes in terms of volume and value, respectively.
"Printing of banknotes of a particular denomination is decided by the government in consultation with RBI to maintain desired denomination mix for facilitating transactional demand of the public.
Bill to amend Mines and Mineral Development Act introduced in Lok SabhaMines Minister Pralhad Joshi on Monday introduced a bill in the Lok Sabha to amend the Mines and Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
The amendments proposed in the Bill are aimed at bringing mega reforms in the mines sector with resolution of legacy issues, and making a large number of mines available for auctions. It will help strengthen the auction-only regime and boost transparency in the system.
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor opposed the introduction of the bill, saying he has three objections to the bill.
The bill fails to acknowledge the adverse impact on environment and bio-diversity, it is a threat on lives of people residing close to the mines, and also impinges on the federal structure of the states, Mr Tharoor said.
Mr Joshi said the regulation of mines, mineral development is under the control of central government as per the Constitution.
COVID-19 Positivity Rate In Delhi Is At 0.6 Per Cent: Satyendra Jain
Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain on Monday said that the COVID-19 positivity rate is at 0.6 per cent in the national capital. "There were 407 cases in Delhi yesterday, today there are less than 400 cases. However, cases are repeatedly increasing and decreasing in Delhi. There was a time when the positivity rate was 15 per cent. According to WHO, this rate should positivity rate should be been less than five per cent and it is less than one per cent for the last two months," Jain told reporters
Covid Vaccine Safe, No Evidence Of Increased Risks: Drug Major AstraZeneca
Drug major AstraZeneca has termed its COVID-19 vaccine safe amid various nations suspending its rollout due to the cases of blood clots in certain people who received the jab. Countries like Denmark, Norway and Iceland have temporarily suspended the rollout of the company's vaccine in their respective geographies.
Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who hit the campaign trail yesterday in a wheelchair, made a 300-odd km journey to Purulia today, where she declared, "People's pain is greater than my pain". Referring to her injury, sustained last week in Nandigram, she said, "I was injured in an incident and it's my good luck that I survived. I have a plaster and I cannot walk. Some thought I wouldn't be able to step out with this broken leg".
Key Services Hit As 2-Day Nationwide Bank Strike Begins
Key banking operations across the country were impacted today as nine unions called for a two-day nationwide strike against the proposed privatisation of Public Sector Banks and "retrograde banking reforms".
Read Here Anthony Fauci Urges Trump To Tell His Supporters To Get Vaccinated Against COVID-19
The US top infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci warned on Sunday that a new wave of COVID-19 infections could be on the way while urging former President Donald Trump to tell his supporters to be vaccinated.
We are taking preventive measures to avoid COVID-19, but the leaders of this country, Modi ji and Amit ji, are holding large gatherings in West Bengal. This reflects their alertness for the situation: Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress Leader.
Second phase of vaccination drive for COVID-19 underway at a centre in Nagpur.
Covid Protocol Violation: Mumbai Corporation Files FIR Against Bollywood Actor
The Mumbai municipal body today said it had filed a police case against a Bollywood actor for not complying with the COVID-19 protocol on testing positive.
Read Here 1 New Case Takes Mizoram's COVID-19 Tally To 4,437
Mizoram on Monday reported just one new COVID-19 case, which took the state's tally to 4,437, an official said. A 35-year-old pregnant woman from Siaha was diagnosed with the disease, and efforts are being made to trace her contacts.
Coronavirus: Puducherry Adds 14 Fresh COVID-19 Cases
The union territory of Puducherry logged 14 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours taking the overall tally to 40,044, a senior official of the Department of Health and Family Welfare said on Monday. The fresh infections were detected at the end of the examination of 603 samples during the last 24 hours ending 10 AM, Director of the Health and Family Welfare S Mohan Kumar said in a release.
Police personnel deployed across Nagpur, as the week-long complete lockdown in the city begins.
We had decided to withdraw cases registered in connection with COVID-19 rules violation during lockdown against over 4,500 individuals, who were distributing food or helping people. I have ordered to withdraw these cases in a day or two: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat.
India Records 26,291 New Infections, 118 Deaths In 24 Hours
India's total tally of COVID-19 cases surged to 1,13,85,339 with 26,291 new infections, while the recoveries have surged to 1,10,07,352, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Monday. The death count increased to 1,58,725 with 118 new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.
I have instructed the team to discuss night curfew and other things. Relevant departments will prepare for a meeting which will be held tomorrow. We have issued some instruction and will take few more steps, if needed: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on COVID-19 situation.
A total of 22,74,07,413 samples tested for COVID-19 up to March 14. Of these, a total of 7,03,772 samples were tested yesterday: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
Netherlands Suspends Use Of AstraZeneca Coronavirus Vaccine
Dutch health officials said they had suspended the use of AstraZeneca's coronavirus vaccine on Sunday for two weeks after "possible side effects" were reported in Denmark and Norway. "Based on new information, the Dutch Medicines Authority has advised, as a precautionary measure and pending further investigation, to suspend the administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine," the Health Ministry said in a statement.
Amid the continuous surge in COVID-19 cases in the country, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday urged people to wear masks and follow all precautions. "As warned earlier, COVID-19 continues to be a big threat. Please keep the guards up- wear masks and follow all precautions," he tweeted while sharing a media report claiming 33 per cent increase in weekly COVID-19 cases.
Maharashtra Records 16,620 Covid Cases, Highest Single-Day Rise
Maharashtra recorded this year's highest one-day spike of 16,620 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, which pushed its overall caseload to 23,14,413, while 50 deaths pushed the toll to 52,861, the health department said. In the last two days, the daily case count of the state was above 15,000, which crossed the 16,000-mark on Sunday.
Maharashtra: Roads across Nagpur wear a deserted look as the city enters a week-long lockdown today.
A huge crowd is seen at Dadar Market in Mumbai this morning. In the last 24 hours, Mumbai reported 1962 new COVID-19 cases.
7 States Account For 87.73% Of New COVID-19 Cases Reported In A Day
States like Maharashtra, Kerala, Punjab, Karnataka, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh are showing a steep rise in the daily new COVID-19 cases and have accounted for 87.73 per cent of the new instances of the disease reported in a day, the Union Health Ministry said on Sunday.
Maharashtra registered the highest daily new cases at 15,602, followed by Kerala with 2,035 and Punjab 1,510 new cases.
India's total COVID-19 active caseload has reached 2.10 lakh, the ministry said adding Maharashtra, Kerala and Punjab account for 76.93 per cent of India's total active cases.
Haryana to hold massive vaccination drive today
To ensure substantial reach of the COVID-19 vaccine, the health department of Haryana has decided to hold a massive vaccination drive on Monday.
As per the state government''s statement, the health department has coordinated with the ASHA workers and Aanganwadi workers, other than officers of the department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Urban Local Bodies (ULB) and Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) for the drive so as to motivate the beneficiaries above 60 years and those with co-morbidities falling within the age group of 45 years to 60 years.
" The main objective of the Department is to ensure maximum reach of the Covi-19 vaccine as it will contain the further spread of the highly contagious COVID-19 virus," said Rajeev Arora, Additional Chief Secretary Health, Haryana.
Irish, Dutch halt AstraZeneca jabs as Italy gets set for curbs
Ireland and the Netherlands on Sunday became the latest countries to suspend their rollouts of AstraZeneca jabs over concerns about post-jab blood clots despite the firm insisting there was no risk, as most Italians were bracing for a new round of restrictions.
Vaccinations are a key tool to end the worst of a pandemic that has killed more than 2.6 million people since it emerged in China in late 2019.
So far more than 350 million doses have been doled out across the world, but countries including Denmark, Norway and Bulgaria suspended the rollout of jabs from the Anglo/Swedish pharma giant this week after reports of blood clots developing in patients who had received the shot.
The World Health Organization, Europe's medicines watchdog, governments and experts have stressed that no causal link has been established between the vaccine and blood clotting and insisted that the shot is safe.
An AstraZeneca spokesman said it had found no evidence of increased risk of blood clot conditions after analysing reported cases from more than 17 million doses.
Amit Shah to kick-start yatra from Jhargram on Monday
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will launch the Bhagwan Birsa Munda Sido-Kanhu Samman Yatra on Monday from Jhargram in honour of their contributions in the fight against British colonial rule, a party leader said.
The objective of the yatra is to celebrate the contributions of these great freedom fighters and to take their message to the people of Bengal, the BJP spokesperson said. "This yatra will be launched by Amit Shah in a massive public meeting in Jhargram," he said.
71 new COVID-19 cases in Odisha, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik sets ''zero infection'' target
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday set a target of "zero infection" even as the COVID-19 tally in the state mounted to 3,38,192 with 71 fresh cases.
In a video message, Mr Patnaik appealed to the people to follow health safety protocols so that the state can achieve the goal and requested them not to be complacent with the daily number of new coronavirus cases remaining below 100.
"With your support, the COVID situation is currently under control in Odisha. The World Health Organization (WHO) has praised our initiatives to fight against the coronavirus pandemic. Although the single-day spike in coronavirus cases is below 100, zero infection is our target," he said.