Coronavirus updates: Press Association asks Centre to prioritise accredited journalists for COVID-19 vaccine

Press Association urges Centre to include accredited journalists on priority basis for COVID-19 vaccination

 The Press Association urged the Centre to include accredited journalists on a priority basis for COVID-19 vaccination, considering that the media played a vital role in fighting the pandemic. “A delegation of office-bearers, executive committee members and members of the Press Association met the Principal Director General of the Press Information Bureau (PIB) and demanded that the government should include the accredited journalists on a priority basis for COVID-19 vaccination,” an official statement issued by the Press Association said.

It said the government has rightly highlighted the vital role of the media in fighting the pandemic like other corona warriors. “Like health professionals, security persons and many others, a number of journalists have also lost their lives on the line of duty. Like all other essential services, media houses also remained open during the whole calamity,” the press body said.

Maharashtra reports 8,998 new cases

Maharashtra reported 8,998new coronavirus cases on Thursday, taking the infection tally to 21,88,183, while the toll reached 52,340 as 60 patients succumbed to the infection, a health official said. The number of single-day cases went down as compared to Wednesday, although the per day fatality count increased. The state had reported 9,855 new COVID-19 cases and 42 fatalities on Wednesday.

A total of 6,135 patients were discharged from hospitals in the last 24 hours, which took the overall recovery count to 20,49,484. The number of active cases is 85,144 at present.

PTI

No new cases in Manipur in past 24 hours

Manipur did not report any fresh COVID-19 case in the last 24 hours, an official told news agency PTI on Thursday. The COVID-19 tally in the state remained at 29,283, he said. The state currently has 32 active COVID-19 cases, while 28,878 have recovered from the disease, the official said. The COVID-19 recovery rate in the state is 98.61 per cent. The coronavirus toll in the state is 373. Meanwhile, 3,286 people were administered the COVID-19 vaccine on Thursday, taking the total number of people vaccinated so far to 60,566, the official added. 

PTI

Jammu and Kashmir records 79 new cases

Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday recorded 79 new COVID-19 cases, taking the tally to 1,26,772, while one fresh death was reported in the past 24 hours, officials said.  Out of the fresh cases, 14 were from the Jammu Division and 65 from the Kashmir Division of the Union Territory, they said. The officials said Srinagar district recorded the highest of 47 cases, followed by 12 in Jammu district. While 10 districts did not report any fresh cases, eight other districts had cases in single digits. The number of active was 883 in the UT, while 1,23,930 patients have recovered so far, the officials said. The toll in the Union Territory due to the pandemic has reached 1,959 as one fresh death was reported from the Kashmir Valley in the past 24 hours, they added. 

PTI

Two of family booked for flouting home quarantine

Two members of a family were booked for violating guidelines against the spread of COVID-19 in Uttar Pradesh’’s Shamli district on Thursday, officials said. Chief Medical Officer Dr Sanjay Aggarwal told PTI that 10-year-old Kajal, daughter of Monu, was found to have contracted coronavirus. Along with Kajal, her father Monu and uncle Pradeep were quarantined in their home for 14 days. However, all three family members were not found at home when a health department team reached their place.

During inquiry, it was found that Monu and his daughter Kajal had gone to the Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir while his brother Pradeep was found working in his shop. On the recommendations of the Shamli CMO, police registered a case against Monu and Pradeep under Sections 269 and 270 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 3 of the Epidemic Diseases Act for violation of the guidelines.

PTI

Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina receives first dose of COVID-19 vaccine

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday received her first dose of coronavirus vaccine, nearly a month after the country launched the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive with the Oxford University-AstraZeneca vaccine.  Prime Minister Hasina, 73, received her first shot of COVID-19 vaccine at her official residence, Ganabhaban, in Dhaka and sister Sheikh Rehana was by her side at the time, bdnews reported. Hasina’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim confirmed that she was vaccinated on Thursday afternoon, but no detail was given about the vaccine she was given.

PTI

Delhi records 261 new cases, one death

Delhi reports one death due to COVID-19, 261 fresh cases and 143 recoveries, taking total cases to 6,40,182, recoveries to 6,27,566 and toll to 10,915. The National Capital now has 1,701 active cases and a case fatality rate (CFR) of 1.70 percent.

Delhi reports 261 new COVID-19 cases, 1 death and 143 recoveries in the last 24 hours, as per Delhi Health Department

Total cases: 6,40,182
Total recoveries: 6,27,566
Death toll: 10,915
Active cases: 1,701 pic.twitter.com/5CueMeObLX

— ANI (@ANI) March 4, 2021

Karnataka records 571 new cases, four fatalities

Karnataka on Thursday registered 571 new coronavirus infections and four deaths while 496 were discharged. The state has so far reported 9,53,136 COVID-19 cases and 12,350 fatalities while the total discharges come up to 9,34,639 according to the bulletin released by the state health department. The state now has 6,128 active cases of which 115 are admitted in the ICU, the department said.

Odisha governor takes first vaccine dose

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal took his first dose of #COVID19Vaccine at Raj Bhavan hospital, today. pic.twitter.com/0E80tl1dvG

— ANI (@ANI) March 4, 2021

UK coronavirus variant can lead to resurgence of cases, says study 

The coronavirus variant that was first reported in the UK is more transmissible than pre-existing variants, and can lead to large resurgence of COVID-19 cases, according to a new modelling study. The research, published in the journal Science, noted that without stringent control measures such as limited closure of educational institutions and a greatly accelerated vaccine roll-out, COVID-19 hospitalisations and deaths across England in 2021 will exceed those in 2020.

Reserachers, including those from London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, estimate that the novel variant has a 43-90 percent higher reproduction number than pre-existing variants of SARS-CoV-2 in England. Reproduction number indicates the average number of people who will contract a contagious disease from one infected person.

After emerging in November last year, evidence began to emerge in December that VOC 202012/01 was rapidly outcompeting pre-existing variants in southeast England, the researchers said. They noted that as of 15 February, the variant comprises roughly 95 percent of new SARS-CoV-2 infections in the UK, and has now been identified in at least 82 countries, including India. After analysing 150,000 sequenced SARS-CoV-2 samples from across the UK, they found that the relative population growth rate of VOC 202012/01 in the first 31 days following its initial observation was higher than that of all 307 other virus variant lineages.

PTI

Nagaland records five fresh cases; over 33,700 vaccinated so far

Nagaland on Thursday reported five fresh COVID-19 cases, pushing the tally to 12,210, a health official said.The state now has 15 active cases, while 11,951

patients have recovered from the disease, Director of Health and Family Welfare Department, Denis Hangsing, said. A total of 91 people have died due to the contagion, including 10 with comorbidities, he said, adding, 153 have migrated to other states.

The state has administered 39,535 doses of vaccines to 33,769 people, State Immunisation Officer Ritu Thurr said. Among healthcare professionals, 5,766 have received the second shots of COVID-19 vaccine, completing the full course of inoculation, said Thurr. 

PTI

EC starts vaccination drive for officials, staff

The Election Commission on Thursday started a COVID-19 vaccination drive for its officers and staff working at the Nirvachan Sadan with former chief election commissioner MS Gill taking the first shot. Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora and Election Commissioners Sushil Chandra and Rajiv Kumar will get vaccinated after all officials and staff of the commission are inoculated, an official statement said.

Arora had recently announced that all staff on poll duty for the upcoming assembly elections have been declared as ‘frontline workers’ and will be vaccinated before assuming their election duties. The vaccination would encourage the poll duty officers to perform their duty without fear of COVID-19, Arora had said.

PTI

Mumbai reports 1,103 new cases, five deaths

Mumbai on Thursday recorded 1,103 new cases, taking total infection in the city so far to 329 843 while the toll rose to 11487 with five deaths, according to the data released by the BMC. A total of 654 patients were Discharged in 24 hours till 6 pm on Thursday, taking the total number of recoveries to 3,07,027, it said. There are 10,452 active patients. The recovery rate of the district stands at 93 percent.

#CoronavirusUpdates
4-Mar, 6:00pm#NaToCorona pic.twitter.com/51skXFRR5v

— माझी Mumbai, आपली BMC (@mybmc) March 4, 2021

Andhra Pradesh registers 102 new cases

Andhra Pradesh reported 102 new cases of coronavirus in the 24 hours ending 9 am on Thursday, taking the caseload to 8,90,317, while recoveries mounted to 8,82,275 with 56 people getting cured. More than 45,000 tests were conducted during the period and one more person succumbed to the disease, pushing the toll to 7,171.  The active caseload increased to 871, the bulletin said.

Chittoor continued to report the highest number of fresh cases, 25 in a day, followed by Visakhapatnam 22 and East Godavari 13. The remaining 10 districts reported less than eight new cases each.

Day after taking COVID-19 vaccine, 60-yr-old dies in Rajasthan’s Kota

 A 60-year-old man died in Kota on Thursday, a day after taking his first anti-Covid vaccination shot at a government primary health centre with authorities saying his post mortem has been conducted to find out the exact cause of his death. The autopsy was conducted by a medical board on the demand of his family members suspecting complications arising out of vaccination, Deoli-Manji police station’s SHO Ramavatar Sharma. He added that following the man’s death, a case has been registered under section 174 of CrPC to find out the exact cause of the unnatural death.
 

A resident of Garmodi village in Kota district, Bahadur Singh Rajput had got his first dose of the anti-Covid vaccination at a government primary health centre in Baluheda area under the Deoli-Manji police station on Wednesday afternoon, the SHO said.  He added that the man was sent back home after 30 minutes of observation of his condition after the vaccination at the PHC. Singh’s family members told police that Singh felt dizziness and collapsed while taking his tea on Thursday morning following which they rushed him to the government community health centre at Kaithun town where the doctors declared him brought dead, the SHO said. Dr Devender Jhalani, the Kota’s Reproductive Child Health Officer and in-charge of the anti-Covid vaccination in the district, ruled out any complication out of the vaccination as the possible cause of death.

PTI

Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker, MLAs get vaccinated

Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker Vipin Singh Parmar and several MLAs took their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine at the state Assembly complex on Thursday The Himachal Pradesh Assembly’s budget session is underway. All the beneficiaries were administered the Covishield vaccine, an official spokesperson said.

Chiem Minister Jai Ram Thakur, who was also vaccinated, said the first phase of vaccination for COVID-19 was completed successfully with active participation of health and frontline workers. He lauded them for their services to combat the situation. The chief minister also urged all eligible people to come forward and take the vaccine shot to make the society COVID-19-free.

PTI

Germany’s panel approves Astrazenca vaccine for people above 65 years

Germany’s health minister says the country’s independent vaccine committee has formally approved giving the AstraZeneca shot to people aged 65 and over. Minister Jens Spahn said on Thursday that the decision was “good news for older people who are waiting for a vaccination. They will get vaccinated faster.”

The vaccine made by British-Swedish company AstraZeneca is one of three authorized for use in the 27-nation European Union. But several countries, including Germany, initially restricted it to people aged under 65, or in some cases under 55, citing a lack of data on its effectiveness in older people.

AP

Indian scientists reveal new mutations, proteins of novel coronavirus

A study from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has identified multiple mutations and unique proteins in isolates of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, reports PTI.

The recent study, published in the ‘Journal of Proteome Research’, has also shown that the host produces several proteins of their own as their body launches an immunological defence in response to the viral attack, the Bengaluru-based IISc said in a statement on Thursday.

To better understand how the virus is mutating and its protein biology (proteins are made using genetic information), an IISc team led by Utpal Tatu, Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, has carried out a comprehensive proteo-genomic investigation a series of analyses of SARS-CoV-2 isolates.

EU regulator starts a review of Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine

The European Medicines Agency said it has started a rolling review of Sputnik V, many months after the vaccine was first approved for use in Russia and after dozens of countries around the world have authorized it, reports AP.

In a statement Thursday, the European regulator said the review is based on results from lab studies and research in adults, which suggests the vaccine may help protect against coronavirus.

Zimbabwe approves Covaxin

Zimbabwe has become the first African country to authorise the use of Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin, said the Indian Embassy in Harare. This comes a day after the Hyderabad-based drug maker said phase 3 trial interim data showed that their indigenously developed vaccine demonstrated an efficacy of 81 percent

Zimbabwe has authorized use of COVAXIN, India's indigenous COVID-19 vaccine, becoming the first country in Africa to do so. Trying to get it to Zimbabwe at an early date. #VaccineMaitri @PMOIndia @MEAIndia @BharatBiotech

— IndiainZimbabwe (@IndiainZimbabwe) March 4, 2021

Fire near COVID Care Centre in Maha’s Beed district, none hurt

 A fire erupted close to a  COVID Care Centre in Ambejogai tehsil of Maharashtra’s Beed district on Thursday, although it did not affect the facility and the patients undergoing treatment there, an official said. The incident occurred around 11 am in Lokhandi Sawargaon, he said. “Dry leaves and grass accumulated near the COVID Care Centre caught fire due to sparks in electricity lines passing nearby. The blaze continued for about 20 minutes and some trees also got damaged due to it. It was brought under control by a team called from Ambejogai city,” an official from the state health department told PTI.

African, Caribbean nations support India at WTO on COVID vaccine supplies

A group of African, Caribbean, and Pacific countries have supported India for supplying COVID-19 vaccines to different developing and least developed nations. During a discussion at the WTO (World Trade Organisation), a group of Latin American member states including Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama and Paraguay have also expressed their concerns on the export restrictions imposed by European Union on COVID-19 vaccines and their trade distorting impact. St. Lucia, on behalf of CARICOM group of countries expressed appreciation and thanked India and South Africa for vaccine supplies to them. CARICOM is a grouping of Caribbean countries that includes Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, Haiti, and Saint Lucia.

PTI

COVID-19 cases rising again in Europe, warns WHO

The number of new coronavirus cases has risen in Europe after six weeks of decline, the World Health Organization said on Thursday. “Last week, new cases of COVID19 in Europe grew nine percent to touch a little over one million. This ends a promising six-week decline in new cases with over half our region showing an increase in new infections,” WHO Europe’s regional director Hans Kluge told a news conference.

AFP

IISc study reveals new mutations, proteins of novel coronavirus

A study from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has identified multiple mutations and unique proteins in isolates of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The recent study, published in the ‘Journal of Proteome Research’, has also shown that the host produces several proteins of their own as their body launches an immunological defence in response to the viral attack, the Bengaluru-based IISc said in a statement on Thursday. An IISc team led by Utpal Tatu, Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, has carried out a comprehensive proteo-genomic investigation a series of analyses of SARS-CoV-2 isolates. Analysis suggests that the virus is now mutating faster than before  the three Bengaluru isolates had 27 mutations in their genomes with over 11 mutations per sample, more than both the national average (8.4) and global average (7.3).

PTI

EU regulator starts review of Sputnik V

The European Medicines Agency said it has started a rolling review of Sputnik V, many months after the vaccine was first approved for use in Russia and after dozens of countries around the world have authorized it.In a statement on Thursday, the European regulator said the review is based on results from lab studies and research in adults, which suggests the vaccine may help protect against coronavirus.

Despite skepticism about Russia’s hasty introduction of the vaccine, which was rolled out before it had completed late-stage trials, the vaccine appears to be safe and effective. According to a study published in the journal Lancet, Sputnik V was about 91% effective in preventing people from becoming severely ill with COVID-19.

AP

Shivraj Singh Chouhan takes first vaccine dose

Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivaj Singh Chouhan said he took the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. He thanked and congratulated doctors, scientists and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and urged those eligible to get themselves vaccinated to speed up efforts to make the state and country coronavirus free.

जो वैक्सीन लगवाने की श्रेणी में हैं, मैं उन सभी लोगों से आग्रह करता हूं कि वैक्सीन लगवायें और प्रदेश एवं देश को #COVID19 से मुक्ति के प्रयास को गति दें।

हम सबके प्रयास से ही इस महाप्रयास को सफल बनाया जा सकेगा। आइये, कदम बढ़ायें, स्वस्थ प्रदेश एवं देश बनायें।

— Shivraj Singh Chouhan (@ChouhanShivraj) March 4, 2021

UK, four other countries to fast-track modified COVID-19 vaccines

Regulators in the UK and four other countries plan to fast-track the development of modified COVID-19 vaccines to ensure that drugmakers are able to move swiftly in targeting emerging variants of the disease. Previously authorized vaccines that are modified to target new variants “will not need a brand new approval or ‘lengthy’ clinical studies,” Britain’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency said in a statement.

The new guidance was issued jointly by regulators in the UK, Australia, Canada, Singapore and Switzerland. The guidelines build on the model already used to modify the flu vaccine in response to continual changes in that virus. Under the new rules, developers will be required to provide “robust evidence” that modified COVID-19 vaccines produce a strong immune response to the variant, as well as data showing they are safe and meet quality standards.

AP

Sri Lanka approves Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine

Sri Lanka’s drug regulatory body has approved the Russian Sputnik V vaccine as the second available for use in the Indian Ocean island nation, reports news agency The Associated Press. The state minister overseeing pharmaceutical products, Channa Jayasumana, said Sri Lanka has requested doses from Russia’s Gamaleya Research Institute and was awaiting confirmation of the amount it would get.

Sri Lanka already is administering the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute in India. It has received one million doses, half donated and half purchased from the institute.

Aurangabad reports 371 new cases

Two doctors who had taken the second dose of the coronavirus vaccine in Maharashtra’s Auranagabad district, tested positive for the infection on Wednesday, a civic health official told PTI. “The doctors had taken the second dose of the vaccine three to four days ago. They are asymptomatic and are under treatment,” municipal health official Dr Neeta Padalkar said.

With the addition of 371 new case, the count of infections in the district reached 51,287. Apart from the latest cases reported on Wednesday, the  district also recorded seven more casualties that took the toll to 1,278, the official said.

Delhi HC moots vaccination centres in court complexes

The Delhi High Court asked the Delhi government to carry out inspection of medical facilities available in court complexes in the National Capital and to report if COVID-19 vaccination centres could be set up there. The high court also asked the Centre to explain in affidavit the rationale behind keeping strict control over class of persons who can be vaccinated against COVID-19 currently as under the present system those above the age of 60 years or between 45 to 60 years with comorbidities can receive vaccination.

The high court was hearing a PIL initiated by it to examine the demand of the Bar Council of Delhi to declare all people associated with the judicial functioning, including judges, court staff and lawyers as frontline workers so that they could receive COVID-19 vaccination on priority and without limitations of their age or physical condition. 

PTI

Delhi HC asks SII, Bharat Biotech to disclose COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing capacity

 The Delhi High Court Thursday directed Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech to disclose their capacities to manufacture Covaxin, Covishield vaccines.

 A bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli said the two companies — Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech — have more capacity to provide the vaccines but it seems that they are not exploiting it fully. “We are not utilising it fully. We are either donating it to foreign countries or selling it to foreign countries and are not vaccinating our own people. So there has to be that sense of responsibility and urgency,” the bench said.

PTI

Union tourism minister gets vaccinated

Delhi: Union Tourism Minister Prahlad Singh Patel received his first dose of the COVID19 vaccine today pic.twitter.com/vHTzQ6FTIK

— ANI (@ANI) March 4, 2021

Jairam Thakur receives first vaccine dose

Himachal Pradesh: Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur took his first dose of the #COVID19 vaccine in Shimla, today. pic.twitter.com/3ibUkGc8bo

— ANI (@ANI) March 4, 2021

Maharashtra board exams to be held as scheduled, says Varsha Gaikwad

Board examinations for classes 10th and 12th will be held as per the schedule declared. While the health of students is our primary concern, we also want to make sure that their academic year does not go to waste: Maharashtra Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad pic.twitter.com/qi97qn6Lgg

— ANI (@ANI) March 4, 2021

No deaths reported from 23 states, UTs in last 24 hours

Six states account for 88.76 percent of the new deaths, according to the Union health ministry. Maharashtra saw the maximum casualties (42). Kerala follows with 15 daily deaths and Punjab reported 12 deaths in the last 24 hours. Twenty-three states and UTs have not reported any COVID-19 deaths in the last 24 hours. These are Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Goa, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Puducherry, Assam, Lakshadweep, Nagaland, Sikkim, Ladakh, Tripura, Andaman Nicobar Islands, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Arunachal Pradesh. 

PTI

J&K L-G gets vaccine jab

 Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at the Government Medical College hospital (GMC) in Srinagar on Thursday, officials said.  “I have taken the vaccine. The process was smooth. I urge all the eligible people to come forward and get vaccinated. The vaccines are safe and I congratulate all the scientists for producing the vaccines,” the LG told reporters after taking the first dose of the vaccine.

He also appealed to people not to lower their guard against the viral disease and to follow all COVID-related SoPs even after getting inoculated. The world has acknowledged the ingenuity of the Indian scientists, Sinha said and expressed his gratitude to all the frontline workers, doctors and healthcare staff, who led the country’s battle against COVID-19. 

PTI

Manmohan Singh, his wife receive vaccine dose

Former prime minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur,  took their first dose of COVID-19 vaccination at AIIMS Delhi, reports news agency PTI. They were administered Covaxin, India’s first indigenously developed vaccine by Bharat Biotech.

The 88-year-old Congress leader remained in the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) for around half an hour after being administered the vaccine. Sources close to him told the news agency that he was fine and returned home thereafter.

Over 1.66  crore vaccine doses administered till 7 am today

More than 1.66 crore vaccine doses have been administered through3,23,064 sessions,as per the provisional report till Thursday 7 am.  These include67,90,808 health care workers (HCWs 1st dose), 28,72,725 HCWs (2nd dose),58,03,856 front line workers (FLWs 1stdose) and 4,202 FLWs (2nd Dose), 1,43,759 beneficiaries aged more than 45 years with specific co-morbidities (1st dose) and 10,00,698 beneficiaries aged more than 60 years.

As on day-47 of the vaccination drive (3 March), nearly 10 lakh vaccine doses were given. Of these, 8,31,590 beneficiaries were vaccinated across 10,849 sessions for 1st dose (HCWs and FLWs) and 1,62,862 HCWs and FLWs received 2nd dose of vaccine.

MP, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab show rise in active cases

India’s total COVID-19 active caseload has reached 1,73,413 comprising1.55 percent of India’s total cases. “Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab and Madhya Pradesh are showing a rise in active cases,” said the Union health ministry. Showcasing the change in active cases for states and UTs in a span of 24 hours, the ministry said Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar and Assam witnessed a reduction in the active cases in 24 hours.

PTI

Nirmala Sitharaman gets first dose of vaccine

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman received the first dose of a vaccine against COVID-19. “Fortunate to be in India, where development and dissemination has been prompt and affordable,” she said.

Got my first dose of the vaccination against COVID-19 this morning. Thanking sister Ramya PC, for her care and professionalism. Fortunate to be in India, where development and dissemination has been prompt and affordable. #vaccinated pic.twitter.com/4ejylZdv1U

— Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) March 4, 2021

Anil Baijal gets dose of COVID-19 vaccine

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine at Tirath Ram Shah Hospital on Thursday, ANI reported.

242 cases of COVID-19 variants in India: Centre

The total number of cases with UK, South Africa and Brazil variants of COVID-19 virus in the country now at 242, reported ANI on Thursday.

Telangana logs 152 new COVID-19 cases

Telangana recorded 152 new COVID-19 cases, pushing the tally to 2,99,406, while the toll rose to 1,637 with two more fatalities, the state government said on Thursday.

The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) accounted for the most number of cases with 25, followed by Medchal Malkajgiri and Rangareddy districts with 11 and 10 respectively, it said in a bulletin, providing details as of 8
pm on 3 March.

Manipur to reopen school for Class 6 to 8 from 8 March

The Manipur government has approved re-opening of schools for students of Class 6 to 8 from 8 March, officials said on Wednesday. Schools have reopened for students of class 9 to 12 from 27 January, they said.

Schools are also allowed to come up with their own system of evaluation for students of Class 6 to 9 in lieu of the annual examination for promotion to the next higher class, the officials said.

Maharashtra among six states to account for 85.51% of new COVID-19 cases

Six states – Maharashtra, Kerala, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Karnataka – account for 85.51 percent of the fresh COVID-19 infections registered in the past 24 hours, said the Union health ministry on Thursday.

Arunachal Pradesh records no new COVID-19 cases

Arunachal Pradesh did not report any fresh COVID-19 case in the past 24 hours, a senior health department official said on Thursday.

The total caseload in the Northeastern state remained at 16,838, while 16,780 persons have recovered from the disease, State Surveillance Officer Dr Lobsang Jampa said.

Arunachal Pradesh currently has two active cases, both in the Tirap district, he said.

Kejriwal gets COVID-19 vaccine shot

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and his parents received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at LNJP hospital on Thursday.

Over 21.91 cr COVID-19 samples tested so  far: ICMR

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) 21,91,78,908 COVID-19 samples have been tested up to 3 March. Of the total, 7,75,631 samples were tested on Wednesday alone.

89 new COVID-19 deaths in India, toll increases to 1,57,435

With 89 new COVID-19 fatalities, the toll in the country increased to 1,57,435 on Thursday, said the Union health ministry. The 89 new fatalities include 42 from Maharashtra, 15 from Kerala and 12 from Punjab.

A total of 1,57,435 deaths have been reported so far in the country including 52,280 from Maharashtra followed by 12,504 from Tamil Nadu, 12,346 from Karnataka, 10,914 from Delhi, 10,272 from West Bengal, 8,728 from Uttar Pradesh and 7,170 from Andhra Pradesh.

Over 1.73 lakh active coronavirus cases

Of the total 1.11 crore COVID-19 infections, there are as many as 1.73 lakh active cases, said the health ministry on Thursday. The total active caseload accounts for 1.56 percent.

Closure of 15 lakh schools in India impacted 24.7 cr children, finds UNICEF study

Closure of 15 lakh schools due to the coronavirus pandemic and the resultant lockdowns in 2020 impacted 24.7 crore children enrolled in elementary and secondary schools in India, a UNICEF report has found.

Globally, schools for more than 16.8 crore children have been completely closed for almost a full year, it said.

The report stated that online education is not an option for all as only one in four children has access to digital devices and internet connectivity.

Pre-COVID, only a quarter of households (24 percent) in India had access to the internet and there is a large rural-urban and gender divide.

India’s COVID-19 recovery rate at 97.2%

As many as 1,08,26,075 COVID-19 patients have been cured and discharged so far, the Union health ministry said in its latest update on Thursday. With this, the national recovery rate has increased to 97.2 percent.

India logs in 17,407 new infections

India registered 17,407 fresh cases of coronavirus infection, taking the overall count to 1,11,39,516, said the Union health ministry on Thursday. With 89 new fatalities, the COVID-19 toll in the country increased to 1,57,435.

Thane reports 818 new COVID-19 cases

Thane has added 818 new cases of coronavirus, taking the infection count in the Maharashtra district to 2,66,910, an official said on Thursday.
Besides these new cases reported on Wednesday, six more people also succumbed to the viral infection, raising the toll in the district to 6,286, he said.

More than 25,000 people vaccinated on day 3 of inoculation drive

 Over 25,000 beneficiaries, including 13,794 senior citizens, received shots of the COVID-19 vaccine in the national capital on Wednesday, according to data shared by officials.

In the 45-59 years age group, 1,625 beneficiaries received the jabs, a senior official said.