Coronavirus News Updates: Odisha prohibits New Year celebrations, allows reopening of cinema, theatre halls from 1 Jan

1069 new cases, 14 deaths in Chhattisgarh

With 1,069 new cases, the COVID-19 tally in Chhattisgarh reached 2,78,540 on Wednesday while 14 more deaths took the toll to 3,350, a health official said. The number of recoveries mounted to 2,63,251 after 122 people were discharged from various hospitals while 1,348 patients completed their home isolation stay during the day.

The number of active cases in the state stood at11,939, he informed. Raipur district accounted for 175 new cases, taking its overall caseload to 52,529, including 717 deaths.

Durg district saw 118 new cases, Bilaspur 92,Rajnandgaon 83, and Raigarh 75, he said. “Of the 14 COVID-19 deaths, nine took place onWednesday and five on Tuesday,” the official added.

With 28,831 new tests, the total number of samplestested for coronavirus so far in the state has gone up to34,86,018. Chhattisgarh’s coronavirus figures are as follows:positive cases 2,78,540, new cases 1,069, deaths 3,350,recovered 2,63,251, active cases 11,939, tests today 28,831,tests so far 34,86,018.

Gujarat revises night curfew timings in four cities from 1 Jan

The night curfew currently in force in four cities of Gujarat on account of coronavirus will start at 10 pm instead of 9 pm from 1 January, the Gujarat government said on Wednesday. The decision to curtail curfew hours in Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Vadodara and Surat cities was taken by Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, said an official release. As Gujarat saw a sudden spike in COVID-19 cases after Diwali, night curfew between 9 pm and 6 am was imposed in these four cities towards the end of November.  From 1 to 14 January, the curfew will be in force between 10 pm and 6 am, the release said.

PTI

Full Mumbai train services depend on COVID-19 trend: Rajesh Tope

A decision on allowing general commuters to board suburban trains in Mumbai will be taken after considering the trend of COVID-19 cases in New Year, Maharashtra health Minister RajeshTope said on Wednesday. Currently, only certain categories of commuters, including those providing essential services, and women, can travel by local trains in the Mumbai region after obtaining a special pass in view of the coronavirus pandemic. “If (COVID-19) cases are not spiralling,a decision on resumption of suburban services (for all) will be taken. The government is keeping a close watch on the situation,” he said.“We understand suburban train services are the lifeline of Mumbai and a decision will be taken after considering how the positive cases are rising,” Tope said.

PTI

Punjab decides to ease curbs on social gatherings

The Punjab government has also decided to ease curbs on gatherings from 1 Januray. As per a statement, a spokesperson informed that the ceiling of 100 persons and 250 persons in all the indoor and outdoor social gatherings in the state would applicable upto 31 December 2020.  From 1 Januray, restrictions are further relaxed to 200 persons and 500 persons in all the indoor and outdoor social gatherings respectively, he said.

Punjab decides to lift night curfew from 1 Jan

The Punjab government has decided to lift night curfew in the state from 1 January and advised people to follow COVID- appropriate behaviour.  A government spokesperson said restrictions regarding night curfew from 10 pm to 5 am in all cities/ towns and regarding closing down hotels, restaurants, marriage palaces by 9.30 pm in the state shall continue upto 31 December 2020 but will not apply from 1 January.

The #PunjabGovernment has decided to lift the night curfew from 1 January 2021 and advised the public to follow #Covid appropriate behaviour. https://t.co/eviFmK1C3i

— Government of Punjab (@PunjabGovtIndia) December 30, 2020

Three US companies engaged with domestic cos for mass production of COVID-19 vaccines: Commerce Ministry

Three US-based companies are currently engaged with their Indian counterparts for mass production of COVID-19 vaccines in India, the commerce ministry said on Wednesday.   Without giving more details, the ministry said COVID-19 has led to increased trade and cooperation between India and the US.  “Three USA companies are currently engaged with their Indian counterparts for mass production of COVID-19 vaccines in India,” it said while listing major highlights of the Department of Commerce during 2020.  It also said the proposed free trade agreement between India and Mauritius is near finalisation as negotiations for trade in goods and services have been completed.

No recommendation for approval today, SEC seeks more data from Bharat Biotech, SII

The Subject Expert Committee has concluded and it has not recommended granting emergency use authorisation to the vaccine candidates of Bharat Biotech and AstraZeneca-Oxford with Serum Institute of India, said reports. As per CNBC-TV18 , the SEC has sought more information on both vaccine candidates. As per CNN– News18 , Pfizer, which was has also applied for approval, requested for more time and the next SEC meeting will be held on 1 January.

Puducherry LG, staff take COVID tests after employee found positive

Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi along with her entire team of staff at the Raj Nivas underwent COVID-19 tests on Wednesday after a woman employee reported positive for the virus and was hospitalised. The 26-year old woman employee attached to the social media wing in the Raj Nivas had visited her native Coimbatore and also Karaikal in the last few days, Bedi said. “I and all the staff in my office were tested today… we will be getting the result tomorrow. We will again undergo another screening five days later,” the former IPS officer told PTI when contacted. The woman employee was admitted to premier health institute JIPMER on Wednesday, a Health department spokesman said.

PTI

Punjab to send 5% positive samples per week to check for mutated strain

The Punjab government will send five per cent of the total positive samples per week to premier central units of epidemiology to check the prevalence of the mutated strain of coronavirus, an official said. Medical Education and Research Principal Secretary D K Tiwari said the move was part of a state government master plan to contain the spread of the new strain of the deadly virus in Punjab.

“In order to check the mutation of new mutated strain (N501Y) SARS-CoV-2 virus in Punjab, the state government has decided to send five percent positive samples per week to the Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), Delhi and NCDC, Delhi- Division of Biotechnology, Epidemiology and Central Surveillance Unit,” Tiwari stated. He said Punjab has already sent to NIV Pune random positive samples — 80 from Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL) GMC Patiala, 40 each from VRDL GMC Amritsar and VRDL GGMC Faridkot — to check the emergence of the mutated strain. The officer said that the samples were selected from September to December. 

PTI

Two cases of new COVID-19 strain found in UP

 Traces of a new strain of coronavirus were found in two people who recently returned from the United Kingdom, an Uttar Pradesh official said on Wednesday.     The two cases were found in Meerut and Gautam Buddh Nagar and samples of their contacts are also being taken, Additional Chief Secretary Health Amit Mohan Prasad said. Tests of those returning from the United Kingdom after 9 December are continuing and till now around 2,500 samples have been sent to the labs, he said, adding that so far 10 people who returned from the UK have tested positive. Their gene sequencing is being done to ascertain the kind of virus, he said. As many as 2,112 people have tested negative, Prasad said. 

PTI

West Bengal starts training programme for 20,000 vaccinators

The West Bengal government has started a training programme for around 20,000 vaccinators to impart knowledge of handling COVID-19 vaccines ahead of its

rollout, reports PTI quoting a senior health department official. After training, these vaccinators who have earlier been involved in administering polio and BCG vaccines, will be responsible for giving COVID-19 vaccine to people, he said.

The official said that the trained vaccinator will be assisted by four others to complete the process and such teams are being formed. “All five members in a team will have specific roles. We have started giving them requisite training for end-to-end mobilisation and testing of the Covid-19 vaccination process,” he said.

PTI

Yediyurappa appeals to UK returnees to get themselves tested

Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa called on the UK returnees who have gone untraceable to get necessary health check or tests done aimed at controlling the spread of the new variant of coronavirus that is prevalent in the United Kingdom.  The chief minister said that the Ministry of Health is monitoring the spread of new UK variant of coronavirus in India.  There was a need to remain alert and test those who have come from outside and take necessary action. The returnees who have gone untraceable should get tested for their own benefit and also to control its spread in case of infection, he said.  “As the Chief Minister of the state I appeal to all those who have come in the last two months to come forward and get the health check done and cooperate. See to it that you don’t create trouble for others,” he added.

PTI

Sabarimala opens for Makaravilakku 

Marking the beginning of the second phase of the annual pilgrimage season, the Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala opened this evening for the Makaravilakku festival, even as the chief priest,  VK Jayarajan Potti, quarantined himself on Tuesday after coming into contact with three COVID positive people. Though the portals of the hill shrine were opened at 5.00 pm, devotees would be allowed to enter from Thursday morning only, officials of the Tranvancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which manages the shrine, said. 

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, only 5,000 devotees would be permitted to offer prayers at the shrine per day during the Makaravilakku season, TDB sources said.  As in the first phase of the pilgrimage which ended on 26 December with customary Mandala pooja, a COVID negative certificate, taken within 48 hours of the pilgrimage, is mandatory in the second leg also.

PTI

Andhra Pradesh reports 349 new cases, four deaths

 Andhra Pradesh added 349 new cases to its COVID-19 tally, which now stands at 8,81,948. In 24 hours ending 9 am on Wednesday, 472 patients got
cured and four more succumbed to the pandemic in the state, a health department bulletin said. The number of active cases fell to 3,256 after 8,71,588
recoveries and 7,104 deaths, it said.

After 1.17 crore sample tests, at the rate of 2.20 lakh per million population, the overall infection positivity rate slid to 7.50 percent.

PTI

Danger of coronavirus still not subsided, says Yediyurappa

The danger of coronavirus has still not subsided and there should be no lowering of the guard against the pandemic, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa said on Wednesday, as he ruled out any change in the safety guidelines for now.   “Dear citizens, the danger of corona has still not
subsided. As we enter into the New Year even the slightest ignorance regarding the pandemic is not done,” he said.  “Follow the government’s guidelines and rules and stay safe by taking all the necessary precautionary measures, and cooperate,” Yediyurappa tweeted.

Seven more test positive in Mumbai’s Dharavi

The slum-dominated Dharavi area in Mumbai reported seven new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, reports PTI quoting a civic official. It took the area’s caseload to 3,806. As many as 3,477 persons have recovered from the viral infection in Dharavi so far, and there are only 17 active COVID-19 cases in the area, the official said.

On 25 December, the area had reported zero new cases for the first time since the outbreak of coronavirus.

Wuhan COVID-19 cases may be 10 times higher than reported, claims study by Chinese CDC

The number of coronavirus cases in the Chinese city where the pathogen was first detected may have been 10 times higher than official figures suggest, according to a study by health authorities in Wuhan. About 4.4 percent of the city’s 11 million residents had developed antibodies against the virus causing COVID-19 by April, the report by the Chinese Centre for Disease Control (CDC) said. That correlates to around 4,80,000 infections in Wuhan by April, nearly 10 times the official tally to date of 50,000 cases in the city.

AFP

Sinopharm unit says COVID-19 vaccine 79.3% effective

Chinese drugmaker Sinopharm on Wednesday said its coronavirus vaccine was found to be 79.3percent effective at preventing infection in preliminary data from the final round of testing, reports newa agency AP. The announcement by a unit of state-owned Sinopharm gave the first official data from a Chinese vaccine’s late-stage trial.  The two-sentence statement by the Sinopharm unit that developed the vaccine, the Beijing Biological Products Institute Ltd., gave no additional details. Final proof of its effectiveness will depend on publication of more data.

More than one million health care workers and others in China have received vaccines being developed by Sinopharm and another supplier, Sinovac, under emergency approval while testing was underway.

Bharat Biotech to approach SEC for approval for Covaxin: Report 

Bharat Biotech will make a presentation for emergency approval for its COVID-19 vaccine candidate Covaxin before an independent subject expert committee set up by the Drug Controller General, reports CNN-News18.

Serum Institute welcomes UK approval to Oxford vaccine, says waiting for approval in India

The Serum Institute of India (SII) termed the approval for Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in the UK as encouraging news and said that the company would now wait for the final nod for the medication in India.  Earlier in the day, the UK approved the COVID-19 vaccine developed by scientists at Oxford University and produced by AstraZeneca for human use, the second coronavirus vaccine to be cleared for rollout in Britain after the Pfizer/BioNTech jabs. The Oxford vaccine, which also has a tie-up with the SII, was being evaluated by the British regulator – the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) – after the final cut of data was submitted by the government last week. “This is great and encouraging news. We will wait for the final approval from Indian regulators,” SII CEO Adar Poonawalla said in a statement.

PTI

Former Himachal Pradesh chief minister Shanta Kumar taken to Mohali for treatment

Former Himachal Pradesh chief minister Shanta Kumar, who is suffering from COVID-19, has been taken to Fortis Hospital Mohali for treatment, officials said on Wednesday, a day after his wife died from the virus. They said the 86-year-old leader and his son Vikram Sharma, who also tested positive for COVID-19, have been taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure. A health department official said a team of doctors of a private hospital in Palampur is also accompanying them. Kangra Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Gurdarshan Sharma said Kumar will undergo further treatment at Fortis Hospital Mohali. He said the former chief minister’s health conditions are under control and he has voluntarily shifted to the hospital in Punjab after developing a mild fever in the morning.

PTI

Hotels, bars in Maharashtra to remain open till 11 pm on 31 December

Hotels, restaurants, pubs and bars in Maharashtra will remain open till 11 pm on 31 December, state Home Minister Anil Deshmukh said on Wednesday. Speaking to reporters, he said gathering of five or more people at public places is prohibited, but there are no restrictions on people stepping out for the purpose of buying medicines, and visiting friends and relatives (after 11 pm in view of the night curfew). He said local authorities have been authorised to ensure that the pandemic-related restrictions are enforced in hill stations where New Year revellers gather in large numbers.

PTI

Haryana home minister Anil Vij discharged from hospital

Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij was on Wednesday discharged from Gurgaon’s Medanta Hospital where he had undergone treatment for COVID-19.  Vij (67), a senior BJP leader, will now stay at his Ambala residence on oxygen support, he said in a tweet.

Over the past some days, Vij had been showing steady improvement. He was admitted to Medanta hospital on 15 December. Vij, a BJP MLA from Ambala Cantt, had tested positive for COVID-19 on 5 December . Initially, he was admitted to the Civil Hospital at Ambala and later shifted to the PGIMS, Rohtak, before being hospitalised at Medanta.  

I am discharged from Medanta Hospital today. Will stay at Home on Oxygen support.

— ANIL VIJ MINISTER HARYANA (@anilvijminister) December 30, 2020

10 states, UTs account for 78% of new COVID-19 recoveries

Over 78 percent of the new recovered cases are observed to be concentrated in 10 states and UTs, the Union health ministry said on Wednesday.

Maharashtra has reported the maximum number of single day recoveries with 5,572 newly recovered cases. A total of 5,029 people have recovered in Kerala followed by 1,607 in Chhattisgarh.

Daily recoveries continue to outnumber daily new cases: Health ministry

Daily COVID-19 recoveries in the country have been outnumbering daily new cases from the last 33 days, the Union Health Ministry said on Wednesday.

In a span of 24 hours, 20,549 persons were found to be COVID positive in the country. During the same period, 26,572 new recoveries were registered ensuring a drop in the active caseload, it stated.

“India’s cumulative recoveries stand at 98,34,141 today. This is the highest globally. The recovery rate has also reached nearly 96 per cent,” said the health ministry.

India likely to approve Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine today

India is likely to approve Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday hours after the UK approved the coronavirus jab. A top source at Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation told News18, “India approval of Oxford vaccine expected today in all likelihood.”

Britain on Wednesday became the first nation to approve the Oxford University-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

Kerala relaxes curbs on temple festivities

Traditional stage artistes in Kerala can now heave a sigh of relief as the state government has decided to relax the curbs imposed on temple festivals in the wake of the spread of COVID-19.

State Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran said restrictions in connection with the festivities, would be relaxed in temples managed by the Travancore Devaswom Baord (TDB).

Covishield to be considered for emergency use by SEC today

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation’s Subject Expert Committee (SEC) will be holding a meeting on Wednesday to decide on approving the Covishield vaccine against the novel coronavirus developed by the Serum Institute of India (SII) and AstraZeneca-Oxford University.

The Covishield vaccine is likely to get approval for emergency use in India, said sources. SEC will take the final call on Covishield vaccine on its emergency use authorisation.

Health Ministry asks states to keep vigil on New Year celebration events

The Union Health Ministry has asked all states to keep a strict vigil on New Year celebrations that could be potential COVID-19 super-spreader events and also to curb crowding as a precautionary measure during the winter season.

In a letter to states and Union Territories, Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan stated that the number of active COVID-19 cases has been declining steadily in the country for the last three-and-half months.

Keeping in view the fresh surge of coronavirus cases in Europe and the Americas, there was still a need for maintaining comprehensive precaution and strict surveillance within India, he underlined.

Activities already permitted from time to time will continue, says Maharashtra govt

The Maharashtra government on Wednesday extended COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in the state till 31 January, 2021.

“The state is threatened with the spread of COVID-19 virus. Therefore, to take certain emergency measures to prevent and contain the spread of the virus, the lockdown in the state has been extended till 31 January,” a circular issued by the state government read.

The activities already permitted from time to time will continue, the circular said, adding that the lockdown restrictions in containment zones will be strictly followed.

SII’s application for approval of COVID-19 vaccine candidate to be considered today

Subject Expert Committee (SEC) of Drugs Controller of India is expected to hold a meeting on Wednesday to consider Serum Institute of India’s application for emergency use approval of its COVID19 vaccine candidate, said a government official.

UK approves Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, rollout likely from next week

The United Kingdom government said that it has accepted a recommendation from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) “to authorise Oxford University/AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine for use”. The rollout is expected to begin as early as next week.

AstraZeneca, in a statement, said that first doses of the vaccine are being released so that vaccinations may begin early in the New Year. The company aims to supply millions of doses in the first quarter as part of its deal with the UK government to supply up to 100 million doses in total, it added.

Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine approved for use in UK

The UK authorized a COVID-19 vaccine developed by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca, opening the door for the rollout of millions of doses in a country where infections have surged.

The green light represents the third emergency-use approval of a Western-developed vaccine this month and comes as cases rise sharply in the US and Europe.

A shot by Pfizer Inc and Germany’s BioNTech SE and one by Moderna Inc have both been cleared in the US and are being distributed there.

The Covid vaccine from Cambridge drugs firm AstraZeneca and Oxford University has been approved

🚚 The first doses are being released today

📆 They'll be given early next year

👍 Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, says it's a brilliant end to 2020https://t.co/Mo7u3wK0LY

— BBC Radio Cambridgeshire (@BBCCambs) December 30, 2020

Seven more UK returnees test positive with new COVID-19 strain in Karnataka

Seven people who returned to Karnataka from the UK, were found to be infected with the mutated strain of coronavirus, state Health Minister K Sudhakar said on Wednesday.

The swab samples of 26 people who tested positive for COVID-19 were sent to NIMHANS to ascertain whether it is the new strain and seven of them were found to have contracted the UK variant.

“Of the seven people, three are in Bengaluru and four in Shivamogga. All of them have been admitted to designated hospitals,” said Sudhakar.

Maharashtra govt extends lockdown till 31 Jan

In a bid to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus, the Maharashtra government on Wednesday extended lockdown restrictions in the entire state till 31 January, 2021.

“The activities already allowed and permitted from time to time shall be continued and all earlier orders shall be aligned with this order and shall remain in force up to 31 January, 2021,” said the state government.

Kamala Harris receives first dose of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine

US Vice President-elect Kamala Harris has received the first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine live on television as part of efforts to build public trust in the inoculation and urged Americans to get vaccinated for the virus.

Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff were administered the vaccine at United Medical Center in Washington, DC.

“Let’s do it,” Harris said before she received her shot on Tuesday. She took the vaccine one week after President-elect Joe Biden received his.

Describing the process as ‘relatively painless’, Harris urged all Americans to get vaccinated.

Bengal reports first case of new COVID strain

West Bengal has reported its first case of a mutant coronavirus strain that surfaced in the United Kingdom, a senior health official said on Wednesday.

The patient, the son of a senior official of the Calcutta Medical College and Hospital, tested positive for the mutant strain VUI-202012/01 after returning from London, the official said.

“The youth is undergoing treatment at the state-run hospital’s super-specialty section. He is under observation. We have advised all those who have come in contact with him to isolate themselves,” the official told PTI, adding that the new strain is believed to be significantly more transmissible.

Centre extends ban on flights to and from UK till 7 Jan

Passenger flights between the UK and India would remain suspended till 7 January and they will resume in a “strictly regulated” manner thereafter, Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Wednesday.

Puri said on Twitter: “Decision has been taken to extend the temporary suspension of flights to and from the UK till 7 January 2021.”

The Civil Aviation Ministry had last week suspended all flights between the European country and India from 23 December to 31 December as a mutated variant of the coronavirus was detected there.

Over 17.09 cr COVID-19 samples tested so far: ICMR

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), 17,09,22,030 COVID-19 samples have been tested up to 29 December. At least 11,20,281 samples were tested on Tuesday alone.

India’s COVID-19 active cases below 3 lakh for ninth day

The COVID-19 active caseload in India remained below 3 lakh for the ninth consecutive day. There are 2,62,272 active coronavirus infections in the country which comprise 2.56 percent of the total caseload.

India’s COVID-19 recovery rate nears 96%

The number of people who have recuperated from the novel coronavirus surged to 98.34 lakh pushing the national recovery rate to 95.99 percent, according to the Union health ministry.

India reports 20,549 new infections

India’s COVID-19 caseload increased to 1,02,44,852 on Wednesday after 20,549 new infections were reported in a day. The toll increased to 1,48,439 with 286 new fatalities, said the health ministry.

Biden criticises Trump over slow COVID-19 vaccine rollout

President-elect Joe Biden on Tuesday criticized President Donald Trump’s promised swift coronavirus vaccine rollout, saying it has fallen behind expectations, and warned it could take years before the bulk of Americans receive the necessary shots.

Biden, speaking in Wilmington, Delaware, said some 2 million people have been vaccinated, well short of the 20 million Republican Trump had promised by the end of the year.

At the current rate, “it’s going to take years, not months, to vaccinate the American people,” Biden said.

Total 20 UK returnees test positive for new COVID variant: Health ministry

Twenty people who returned to India from the United Kingdom have tested positive for the new UK variant genome of SARS-CoV-2 so far, the Union Health Ministry said on Wednesday.

The tally includes six people who were found positive for the new virus strain on Tuesday.

Six security personnel test COVID-19 positive in Mizoram 

Mizoram’s COVID-19 tally rose to 4,199 on Wednesday as nine more people, including six security personnel, tested positive for the infection, a health official said.

Four fresh infections were detected in Lunglei district, two each in Aizawl and Serchhip and one in Hnahthial, he said.