LIVE Updates | Coronavirus In India: 'Assam fully prepared to deal with Covid-19', says Health Minister

Delhi Covid-19 cases

Delhi logged nine fresh COVID-19 cases on Friday (December 30) with a positivity rate of 0.22 per cent, according to data shared by the city health department. No Covid-related fatality has been reported.

Covid-19 vaccination drive in India

According to the health ministry, 220.10 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide COVID-19 inoculation drive. 
 

Himachal issues Covid-19 advisory as state witnesses increased tourist footfall 

With a surge in Covid cases around the globe, the state health department of Himachal has issued an advisory to observe Covid appropriate behavior to keep check on the increase in cases. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has directed tourism and other departments to follow the slogan of 'Atithi Devo Bhava', facilitate the tourists and make adequate arrangements and proper traffic plan in all districts for the smooth flow of traffic. He has also allowed eateries at tourist places to be opened round the clock.
 

Covid-19 cases in India

India reported 226 fresh Covid cases on Saturday in the last 24 hours, a marginal decline against the 243 infections registered the previous day, the Union Health Ministry said. The active caseload currently stood at 3,653 cases, accounting for 0.01 per cent of the country`s total positive cases. The weekly and daily positivity rates were 0.15 per cent and 0.12 per cent, respectively.
 

Coronavirus In India: 'Assam fully prepared to deal with Covid', says Health Minister

Assam Health Minister Keshab Mahanta on Friday expressed confidence that the state was fully prepared to deal with any public health emergency arising out of the Covid-19 pandemic. "As of now, there is no standard operating procedure in the state with regard to the pandemic but the government was abiding by the guidelines issued by the central government," news agency ANI quoted Mahanta as saying.

Coronavirus In India: Delhi reports 9 new Covid-19 cases

The national capital logged 9 new Covid cases in the last 24 hours, with a case positivity rate of 0.22 per cent, stated a bulletin issued by the Delhi Health Department on Friday. With the fresh infections, the active cases in the city stand at 30. According to the bulletin, 14 Covid patients recovered from the virus in the last 24 hours.

Coronavirus In India: Chhattisgarh reports 2 new Covid-19 cases

Chhattisgarh on Friday reported two COVID-19 cases at a positivity rate of 0.12 per cent, taking the tally to 11,77,754, while the death toll remained unchanged at 14,146, an official said. The recovery count rose by three and touched 11,63,602, leaving the state with six active cases, he said. The cases were reported in Dhamtari and Kanker districts, he added.

Coronavirus In India: 4 Covid cases detected at Maharashtra airports

Four persons have tested positive for coronavirus after samples of 1,926 of the 97,805 passengers who arrived in Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur international airports were examined since December 24, news agency PTI quoted Maharashtra health department official as sa This includes an international flyer from Pune who was detected with the infection in a test conducted at the airport there during the day, he added. The four positive cases detected at these airports comprise two from Pune, one from Navi Mumbai, while one patient is from neighbouring Goa, he said.

Coronavirus in India: Mumbai reports five fresh COVID-19 on Friday

Mumbai on Friday recorded five new coronavirus infections and zero pandemic-related deaths, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said. The tally of COVID-19 cases in the country's financial capital rose to 11,55,122, while death toll remained unchanged at 19,746. On Thursday, Mumbai had recorded nine new COVID-19 cases and no deaths. 

Coronavirus In India: INSACOG to hold meeting on Genome sequencing 

The Indian SARS-CoV-2 Consortium on Genomics (INSACOG) will hold a virtual meeting Friday evening on Genome sequencing which will focus on the genome sequencing results of international travellers who tested Covid-19 positive, news agency ANI reported. It`s expected that INSACOG will be once again releasing a bulletin from next week on updates about the types of variants present in India.

Chinese Embassy condoles PM Modi's mother's death

The Chinese Embassy in India also condoled her death, saying, "Our hearts go out to the grieving family. May her soul rest in peace.""Deep condolences to Prime Minister @narendramodi on the passing of his beloved mother, Smt. Heeraben Modi. Our hearts go out to the grieving family. May her soul rest in peace," tweeted the Chinese Embassy in India.

Deep condolences to the Prime Minister @narendramodi on the passing of his beloved mother, Smt. Heeraben Modi. Our hearts go out to the grieving family. May her soul rest in peace.

— Embassy of The People's Republic of China in India (@China_Amb_India) December 30, 2022

Coronavirus In India: Kerala CM asks people to be cautious over Covid

A meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday to assess the Covid situation in the state concluded by advising all above the age of 60 to take the booster dose of the Covid vaccine. He said that while caution has to be exercised, there is no need to worry. All the frontline Covid workers have also been advised to take the booster dose.

Coronavirus In India: Woman from US tests Covid positive in MP's Jabalpur

A woman who had come from the United States of America to Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh has tested positive for COVID-19, news agency PTI quoted a senior official as saying on Friday. The 38-year-old woman, her husband and daughter had arrived in India to meet kin on December 23 and came to Jabalpur via New Delhi and Agra, Joint Director of Health Services Dr Sanjay Mishra told PTI.

Coronavirus in India: 'UP fully prepared for Covid-19 BF.7 variant': DY CM

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak has claimed that the state`s health department was fully prepared to deal with the new variant of Covid-19. He said the system was efficient and that mock drills were conducted in all the hospitals. "The Deputy CM said that the UP government had become vigilant in view of the rising threat of the infectious disease in some countries, including China," news agency IANS quoted Keshav Maurya as saying.

Covid-19 LIVE Updates: Ministry of Civil Aviation issues revised guidelines for int'l passengers from THESE six countries

The Ministry of Civil Aviation today issued revised Covid guidelines for passengers arriving in international flights, ahead of RT-PCR negative test report being made compulsory for travellers from six countries, including China and Thailand.

From January 1, 2023, a pre-departure RT-PCR negative test report will be mandatory for passengers coming in all international flights from China, Singapore, Hong Kong, the Republic of Korea, Thailand and Japan.

Airlines are directed to modify their check-in functionalities to incorporate the changes and issue boarding passes only to those international passengers travelling from the six countries who have submitted self-declaration forms on the Air Suvidha portal, the ministry said in a communication.

India's Covid-19 LIVE Updates: 

The Nationwide Vaccination Drive the Centre has administered a total of 220.09 crore Vaccine doses, of which 95.13 crore were Second Doses and 22.39 crore were Precaution Dose. 81,097 vaccine doses were administered in the last 24 hours. As per the Health Ministry, India`s daily positivity rate and Weekly positivity rate stand at 0.11 percent and 0.16 percent. 

Covid-19 LIVE Updates in India: 

India recorded 243 new coronavirus infections, raising the tally to 4.46 crore, while the active cases have increased to 3,609, according to Union health ministry data updated on Friday.

Covid-19 LIVE Updates in India: UP doubles Covid sampling as 5 fresh cases emerge

As Covid-19 cases surge around the world, Covid sampling has almost been doubled in Uttar Pradesh. While genome sequencing is being ensured for all those testing positive for the infection, the test positivity rate (TPR) remains low. The sample of each patient testing positive for Covid is sent for genome sequencing. At present, there are 20 samples for genome sequencing in the state.

Coronavirus In India: 'We must be alert as coming 40 days are crucial': IMA Gorakhpur chief

The president of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Gorakhpur, Dr Shivshankar Shahi on Thursday urged the citizens of the nation to be alert as the coming 40 days were very crucial with regard to the spread of the new Covid variant. "We underestimated the virus when it was reported in China during the first wave. We must be alert as the coming 40 days are crucial," news agency ANI quoted him as saying. He urged the citizens to follow all the Covid-19 protocols religiously.

Coronavirus in India: Chhattisgarh reports three COVID-19 cases

Chhattisgarh on Thursday reported three COVID-19 cases at a positivity rate of 0.17 per cent, taking the tally to 11,77,752, while the death toll remained unchanged at 14,146, an official said. The recovery count stood at 11,63,599 after two people were discharged during the day, leaving the state with seven active cases, he said.

Coronavirus in India: Mumbai records nine fresh COVID-19 cases, active tally now 50

Mumbai on Thursday reported nine COVID-19 cases, which took the tally here to 11,55,117, while the death toll remained unchanged at 19,746, news agency PTI quoted a civic official as saying. The addition to the tally was a rise from the four cases detected on Wednesday, he pointed out. The recovery count increased by three to reach 11,35,321, leaving the city with an active caseload of 50, he said.

Coronavirus in India: IATA calls India's decision to re-introduce Covid testing for intl passengers 'disappointing'

Global airlines' grouping IATA on Thursday said India's decision to re-introduce coronavirus testing for international passengers is "disappointing and a step backwards" as the current situation is different from when the pandemic started around three years ago. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is a grouping of nearly 290 airlines, including various Indian carriers.

India on Thursday decided to make a negative Covid report must for passengers arriving from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand from January 1.

Coronavirus in India: Delhi reports 11 new Covid-19 cases in 24 hours

Delhi recorded 11 new Covid cases in the last 24 hours, with a case positivity rate of 0.29 per cent, stated a bulletin issued by the Delhi Health Department on Thursday. According to the bulletin, 11 Covid patients recovered from the virus in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of recoveries to 1,98,0643. However, no death from Covid was reported over the last 24 hours

Coronavirus in India: Mizoram to not impose Covid-19 restrictions

Mizoram has decided not to impose COVID-19 curbs as of now as the state has not reported any fresh case in the last 17 days. During Chief Secretary Renu Sharma's meeting with health officials, it was observed that there was no necessity to impose restrictions as of now as the state has neither reported any COVID case for 17 days from December 13 nor has any Omicron BF.7 variant infection been detected

Coronavirus in India: Maharashtra reports 27 fresh cases, 1 fatality

Maharashtra on Thursday reported 27 new coronavirus infections which took the tally of cases in the state to 81,36,615, the health department said in a release. With one death being reported since previous evening, the death toll due to the pandemic rose to 1,48,417. The state had reported 26 new COVID-19 cases and one death on Wednesday.

Coronavirus In India: NDMC steps up efforts amid surge in Covid-19 cases globally

In view of the surge in COVID-19 cases in some countries, including in India, the New Delhi Municipal Council has leapt into action by organising mock drills, holding preparatory meetings and educating people on the pandemic, news agency PTI reported.

Coronavirus In India: Govt asks pharma companies to ensure adequate stocks for Covid-19 medicines

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday asked pharma companies to ensure adequate stocks and availability of all drugs, including those for Covid management, in the supply chain up to the retail level amid rise in coronavirus cases in some countries. He reviewed the status, and adequacy of COVID-19 management drugs and production capacities with representatives of pharma companies through a virtual conference here so that India is equipped to effectively handle any situation. This review meeting was taken in view of the spike in COVID-19 cases in some countries including China, an official statement said.

Coronavirus Outbreak: Next 40 days difficult for India

The Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has said that Corona cases may increase in India in the middle of January. After analyzing the past trends, it is believed that the next 40 days will be difficult for the country. According to sources, another wave of corona may come into the country. In such a situation, health facilities are being reviewed in all the states and union territories. In fact, it has been observed that the new wave reached India only 30 to 35 days after affecting East Asia. This has been a trend, on the basis of which this claim is being made.

Coronavirus In India: Booster dose of COVID-19 is completely safe- Reports

According to a report published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, the booster dose of Covid-19 is completely safe. Researchers at Israel's Tel Aviv University fitted nearly 5,000 Israelis with smartwatches and monitored their bodies for two years. Of these, 2,038 were given a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Apart from this, the team checked the safety of doses by studying the medical files of 2 lakh 50 thousand members of Maccabi Health Services. Dan Yamin, a professor at Tel Aviv University, said the smartwatch was used to monitor heart beat, differences in heart activity, sleep, steps taken and other activities.

Coronavirus In India: 10-fold increase in cases in Bihar; Check 5 major updates of COVID-19

Amid increasing cases of corona in India, there is a plan to increase strictness on passengers coming from 6 countries including China from next week. Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has said that negative RT-PCR test report has been made mandatory from January 1, 2023 for passengers coming from China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Thailand and Singapore.

Updates of Corona in the country so far:

• The Serum Institute of India (SII) has announced to give two crore doses of Covishield free of cost to the Central Government.
• Air India has made masks and social distancing mandatory for passengers arriving from the UAE.
• According to the Health Ministry, the figure of corona vaccination in the country has crossed 220 crore doses.
• There has been a 10-fold increase in corona cases in Bihar. According to the State Health Ministry, now the number of cases here is 14. Of these, 12 are in Gaya alone.
• The Uttarakhand government has made it mandatory to wear masks in government and private schools of the state. Everyone will have to use sanitizer-thermal screening.

Coronavirus In India: One COVID hospital in each districts of Bengal

If Corona increases, the affected people can be admitted to 3 hospitals in Kolkata. 3 hospitals that have been identified by the West Bengal Health Department are Beleghata ID, MR Bangur, Sambhunath Pandit Hospital. Apart from this, it was decided in a meeting with government hospitals that one COVID hospital would be kept in each district. District Chief Health Officers are also directed to identify hospitals. 

Coronavirus In India: Bengal govt issues 6 major guidelines for hospitals  

Corona is destroying China. In this situation, Omicron 's new sub variant BF.7 is raising concerns in India. Central government experts say that we should be careful for the next 40 days. In this situation, Bengal Chief Secretary Harikrishna Dwivedi held a high-level meeting at Navanna. Several instructions were given to the hospitals in this meeting. 

• 3 thousand 718 beds are being kept ready for corona across the state.
• Special monitoring should be done on corona patients. 
• Those who have respiratory problems should be taken care of separately.
• Hospitals have been asked to have oxygen concentrators. 
• Strict instructions were given regarding all types of kits stocked properly.
• A detailed report of the condition of equipment should be submitted to the Health Bhaban.

Coronavirus In India: Mamata Banerjee's govt takes significant STEP to fight COVID-19 in Bengal

The Chief Secretary held a high-level meeting in Nabanna amidst the anxiety over Corona. Sources claim that 3 thousand 718 beds are being prepared for Corona across the state. Apart from this, the hospitals have been asked to check whether the equipment is in order and report to the State Health Bhaban.

Coronavirus In India: RT-PCR test MANDATORY for travellers of THESE 6 countries from January 1

Amid increasing cases of corona in India, there is a plan to increase strictness on passengers coming from 6 countries including China from next week. Health Minister Mandaviya has said that RT-PCR test has been made mandatory from January 1, 2023 for passengers coming from China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Thailand and Singapore. These passengers will have to upload their reports on the Air Suvidha portal before travel.

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1 जनवरी 2023 से चीन, हांगकांग, जापान, साउथ कोरिया, सिंगापुर और थाईलैंड से आने वाले यात्रियों के लिए RTPCR टेस्ट अनिवार्य कर दिया गया है। यात्रा से पहले उन्हें अपनी रिपोर्ट एयर सुविधा पोर्टल पर अपलोड करनी होगी।

— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) December 29, 2022

Price Cap on Covid Test in Lucknow following reports of arbitrary charging

The Uttar Pradesh government has put a price cap on Covid test done by private labs. The government has said that private labs can't charge more than Rs 900 for RT-PCR for home collection and Rs 700 if a person visit the lab, Rs 250 for antigen test and Rs 1,250 for TrueNat test. If the lab collects samples from home, then Rs 200 will be charged for that. The government also said that charges for 16 to 64 slides CT scan would be Rs 2,250 and for more than 64 slides would be Rs 2,500.

Coronavirus In India: Singapore passenger found Covid positive at Pune airport

In the test conducted at Pune airport, a patient from Singapore was found to be Covid positive. The Health Department of Pune Municipal Corporation has sent his sample for genome sequencing. At present, the number of active patients in Pune is 27. Pune Municipal Corporation has started screening passengers coming from abroad at the airport.

Coronavirus In India: Just 8 drops of needle-free booster dose can save you from twin fear of injection and infection!

Many people are afraid to take the vaccine against the COVID virus. Meanwhile, Omicron's fear is increasing day by day. According to media sources, a large number of people in China are already infected with Omicron. In this situation it is very important to follow the Covid restrictions. Prevention of omicron should include regular wearing of masks and social distancing. Taking timely vaccinations is also essential. Many do not want to get vaccinated for the twin fear of injection and infection. However, a few drops of nasal COVID vaccine can save you from both Needle phobia and infection fear!

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Covid-19 BF.7 Scare: These States made masks compulsory at public places, pubs, temples

Amid the fresh scare of Covid-19 cases in India, many states have ramped up surveillance and testing for curbing the spread of coronavirus. Many states have made masks mandatory for selected places and some are even working on implementing fines in case the cases shoot up and the advisory-guidelines are not followed. Since the new year is around the corner, many of you must have planned holiday trips to some other states. Before you embark on your holiday journey, you should be aware of new rules related to masking and covid safety so that you don't face any problems. Indian Medical Association has already issued an advisory and appealed to the public to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour with immediate effect. If you are visiting a place where masking is mandatory, keep in mind that you won't be allowed without masks. Click Here to Read More

Coronavirus In India: 3 foreigners test COVID positive at bengaluru airport

Three foreign passengers have been found corona positive at Bengaluru airport. These three include passengers from Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong and Dubai. All have been shifted to Bowring Hospital in Bangalore. Also, samples of all three have been sent for genome sequencing. 

Coronavirus Outbreak: India reports 268 new cases of COVID in last 24 hours

In the last 24 hours, 268 cases of corona have been reported in the country. The total number of active cases has increased to 3,552. The recovery rate is 98.8 percent. A total of 188 people have defeated Corona in the last 24 hours. Under the vaccination campaign, 220.08 crore total vaccine doses have been given so far. 

Argentine tourist, who visited Taj Mahal, goes missing after Covid positive test report

An Argentine tourist who recently visited Taj Mahal has tested positive for Covid-19. The tourist visited Taj Mahal on December 26 and was choosen for random testing. His RT-PCR test report came yesterday and it was positive. The authorities then informed him about the test result and thereafter he went missing, said the health department officials of Uttar Pradesh.

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Coronavirus In India: Serum Institute offers 2 crore Covishield doses free of cost to govt

Amid rising cases of Covid-19 in some countries, the Serum Institute of India has offered two crore doses of Covishield vaccine to the central government free of cost. Official sources gave this information today. The Press Trust of India reported that according to an official source, Prakash Kumar Singh, director of government and regulatory affairs at the Serum Institute, has written to the health ministry offering free doses of 410 crore.

Coronavirus In India: Wearing mask is mandatory in all schools of Uttarakhand, education department issues order

In view of the increasing threat of Corona, the Uttarakhand government has made it mandatory to wear masks in all private and government schools. Guidelines in this regard have been issued by the Education Department. According to the advisory issued, it will be mandatory for students, teachers and all other employees to come to school wearing masks.

Tourist from Argentina, who visited Taj Mahal, goes missing as report confirms Covid positive test

A tourist from Argentina, who visited the Taj Mahal on December 26, has tested positive for Covid-19. His samples were collected during screening at the monument`s Western gate to test for the virus as a precautionary measure. The RT-PCR report, which came out on Wednesday, confirmed that the man was Covid-19 positive. However, he went missing soon after he was informed about it by the authorities, said the health department officials.

Covid-19 booster increases durability of antibody response: Research

The advantages of a Covid-19 booster vaccine dose have been discussed in recent research from the University of Virginia School of Medicine.The latest research clarifies how mRNA boosters from Pfizer and Moderna influence the persistence of our Covid-19 antibodies. The researchers claim that a booster resulted in more durable antibodies for all individuals, including those who have recovered from a Covid-19 infection.The researchers have published their latest findings in the scientific journal Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. "These results fit with other recent reports and indicate that booster shots enhance the durability of vaccine-elicited antibodies," said senior researcher Jeffrey Wilson, MD, PhD, of UVA Health`s Division of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology. Tracking Covid-19 antibodies: Wilson and his collaborators looked at antibody levels following a booster in 117 UVA employee volunteers and compared those results with the levels seen in 228 volunteers after their primary vaccination series. Antibody levels one week to 31 days after the primary series and booster were similar, but the boosted antibodies stuck around longer regardless of whether the person had had Covid-19."Our initial thought was that that booster would lead to higher antibody levels than the primary vaccine series, but that was not what we found," said researcher Samuel Ailsworth, the first author of a new scientific paper outlining the findings.

Karnataka govt makes face mask mandatory in schools and colleges

The Karnataka government on Wednesday made masks mandatory in schools and colleges, in the wake of a surge in Covid cases in several countries. The teachers at the school have been instructing students to wear masks in school. A student said that wearing masks is important since it is for the safety of the students.

West Bengal Covid Live Update: Mamata Banerjee govt to write to Centre for more COVID vaccines, testing kits

The West Bengal government on Wednesday decided to write to the Centre to request for more COVID vaccines and testing kits, a senior official said. Along with five lakh doses of nasal vaccines, the state government has decided to request the Union government to send one lakh doses of Covaxin and 15 lakh doses of Covishield, he said.

13 new Covid cases in Delhi; positivity rate of 0.33 percent

Delhi logged 13 fresh COVID-19 cases on Wednesday with a positivity rate of 0.33 per cent, according to data shared by the city health department here.
No Covid-related death was reported, it said. The national capital had reported 16 fresh COVID-19 cases on Tuesday with a positivity rate of 0.44 per cent.

Coronavirus in India: Negative RT-PCR mandatory for passengers of these 5 countries

The government is likely to make it mandatory for passengers arriving from China and five other places to have negative RT-PCR reports from next week. The sources said filling up of 'air suvidha' forms and 72-hour prior RT-PCR testing may be made mandatory from next week for international passengers coming from China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Thailand and Singapore, news agency PTI reported.

Coronavirus in India: Mumbai reports 6 new Covid-19 cases

Mumbai on Wednesday reported four new COVID-19 cases and zero fatalities. The overall infection tally rose to 11,55,108, while the fatality count remained unchanged at 19,746. On Tuesday, Mumbai had witnessed six new COVID-19 cases and no fatality.

Coronavirus in India: China's BF.7 variant may be evolving to attack brain 

Covid-19 Omicron subvariant BF.7 surging in China may be evolving to attack the brain, feel researchers, according to a media report. The study challenges previous assumptions that viruses usually evolve to become less dangerous, South China Morning Post reported. New research on the Omicron subvariant of the coronavirus has suggested the pathogen could be changing how it attacks the human body - shifting from infecting respiratory systems to increasingly targeting the brain, news agency IANS reported.

Coronavirus in India: Bengal govt reserves 3,718 beds for Covid-19 patients

The West Bengal government on Wednesday decided to immediately keep 3,718 beds reserved and dedicated for Covid-19 patients in the different state-run hospitals. However, the Covid-related protocols would not be put in force in the state right at this moment.

Coronavirus in India: Maharashtra reports 36 fresh Covid-19 cases

Maharashtra reported 36 new coronavirus positive cases on Wednesday taking the overall infection tally to 81,36,588, the health department said. The death toll rose to 1,48,416 with one fatality in the last 24 hours. Maharashtra had reported 26 new COVID-19 cases and zero fresh fatality on Tuesday. 

Corovirus in India: 2 passengers found Covid positive at Mumbai Aiport

Two international passengers were found Covid positive during random sampling at the Mumbai International airport, the Maharashtra Health department informed on Wednesday. Further, according to the Health department, both samples have been sent for whole genome sequencing. 

Coronavirus in India: Omicron BF.7 variant two times more infectious than other variants

Amid the spike in Omicron sub-variant BF.7 cases globally, AIIMS Epidemiologist Sanjay K. Rai has said that the infection rate of the new Covid is high and an infected person can infect 10-18 people.

"The earlier variant could infect 5-6 people. Those who have had Covid earlier or have been vaccinated may also get Covid again. WHO has issued guidelines regarding this and the Government of India has also issued guidelines. The government is working at its own level and a mock drill has also taken place in this regard, but now the public should cooperate with the government. A good sign that herd immunity has been created in India," news agency ANi quoted Epidemiologist Sanjay K. Rai as saying.

Coronavirus in India: Does India need second booster shot ?

As Covid gets back on the radar with a surge in China and people worry about another wave in India and whether the government should now allow a second booster shot to add to the two-jab protection, some scientists have called for a reality check. A fourth shot of a Covid preventive is unwarranted at the moment as most people in the country are yet to receive a third dose and there is no data available on the utility of a second booster for the currently used vaccines, they said.

Coronavirus in India: Serum Institute of India offers 2 crore doses to govt

In view of the global surge in Covid-19 cases the Serum Institute of India (SII) has offered two crore doses of Covishield vaccine to the central government free of cost. The Serum Institute, has written to the Health Ministry offering the doses worth Rs 410 crore free of cost. SII has so far provided more than 170 crore doses of Covishield to the government for the national immunisation programme.

Coronavirus in India: Air India issues guidelines for UAE passengers

Worry about the new corona is increasing. Air India issued guidelines for passengers arriving from the United Arab Emirates. It has been informed that the flight can be boarded only if the rules of complete vaccination are in place in the respective countries.

Coronavirus in India: Covid-19 cases surge in Bihar

Corona infection is increasing in Bihar. According to state health department statistics, there was not a single corona patient till Sunday. But currently 14 people are affected. Out of these, 12 patients are in Gaya.

Coronavirus in India: Free Covid-19 booster dose

Free Covid-19 booster dose for citizens above 60 years of age is out of stock in every government hospital in Delhi. Meanwhile, the vaccine is being given to all citizens in private hospitals for Rs 386.25. The scarcity of booster doses in the national capital amid the global surge in Covid-19 cases is a huge cause of concern.

Coronavirus in India: Mismatch of covid vaccine in several centers in Ahmedabad 

Shortages of Covid vaccine have been reported in several health centers in Ahmedabad. This situation is believed to be primarily due to increased demand for booster shots. It is unlikely that the demand for the vaccine will be met before January 1, as the demand for the vaccine has increased almost 17 times in less than a week, the health department said.

Coronavirus in India: 39 international passengers test Covid-19 positive in 2 days

Out of the total 6000 tests, 39 international passengers have tested positive for Covid-19 in 2 days. Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will visit Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport on Thursday, news agency PTI reported.

Coronavirus in India: Himachal CM gears up for Covid-19 challenge

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday chaired a meeting of health officers to review Covid-19 situation in the state. He said strengthening of genome sequencing of positive case samples must be ensured. Special vigil must be kept to persuade the visitors to adopt Covid-19 appropriate behaviour during their stay in the state.

Coronavirus in India: Next 40 days crucial 

"In view of the previous trends, India may record a surge in Covid cases in Januray 2023 and next 40 days going to be crucial for the country,"  news agency PTI quoted official sources as saying.

Coronavirus Updates: Corona test mandatory for all

In isolation at the Safdarjung Hospital earlier this week after one of them tested positive for Covid at the IGI Airport, eleven tourists from Myanmar are now being released, according to officials on Wednesday.

Coronavirus in India: BIG UPDATE! 11 tourists from Myanmar isolated at Safdarjung Hospital

In isolation at the Safdarjung Hospital earlier this week after one of them tested positive for Covid at the IGI Airport, eleven tourists from Myanmar are now being released, according to officials on Wednesday.

Coronavirus in India: Covid infected passengers at Chennai airport

Two travellers arriving from Dubai tested positively for the coronavirus on Wednesday at Chennai International Airport, according to the Tamil Nadu Health Department. The state Health Department reported that the test samples had been sent to the State Public Health Laboratory. According to the statistics, since the Indian government began randomly testing foreign travellers arriving at airports for the coronavirus on December 24th, at least 39 international travellers have tested positive for the infection in the last three days.

Coronavirus Outbreak: Hong Kong to scrap Covid-19 test for international travellers

Hong Kong stated on Wednesday that it will no longer need international travellers to take the Covid-19 test.

Covid-19 in India: China to resume issuing passports, visas amid surge in Covid cases

A potential influx of millions of Chinese travelling abroad for the Lunar New Year holiday next month is made possible by China's announcement that it will resume issuing regular visas and passports, marking yet another significant departure from the anti-virus controls that kept the nation isolated for almost three years.

Coronavirus in India: Anti-inflammatory patterns explain fatigue in long Covid patients

According to media reports, Researchers have found an anti-inflammatory pattern in patients with long-term Covid, which helps them better understand what causes fatigue in patients with chronic illness symptoms. New data about the causes of fatigue after SARS-COV-2 infection has been given by researchers at the University of Vienna in Austria.

Covid-19 in India: Hong Kong to scrap Covid tests for arrivals

The mandatory PCR COVID-19 test for visitors from outside of Hong Kong will no longer be required, local broadcaster TVB said on Wednesday, citing sources. The city's mandatory vaccination permit for entry into most venues will also be eliminated.

Coronavirus in India: Foreign investors worried as Covid-19 outbreak further hampers China's supply chain

According to the media reports, a recent Covid outbreak has further impeded China's supply chain, alarmed international investors, and reduced the nation's competitiveness.

Coronavirus Cases in India: Mother-child duo, returning from China, test positive for COVID-19 in TN

According to a senior health official, a mother and her six-year-old daughter who travelled back from China via Colombo tested positive for COVID-19 at the Madurai airport in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday.The mother and daughter from Virudhunagar, a town close to Madurai, underwent an RT-PCR test when they arrived at the airport on Tuesday, and the results showed coronavirus, the official said. Both people in Virudhunagar are being kept at home alone. The state lab would receive their samples and do whole genome sequencing on them.

Coronavirus in India: Daily covid rate

According to the ministry, the weekly positivity rate was 0.18 percent and the daily positivity rate was 0.14 percent. In the previous 24 hours, 1,34,995 tests for the presence of Covid, according to the report.

Coronavirus In India: Tamil Nadu Woman, 6-Year-Old Daughter Test Positive After China Return

A woman and her six-year-old daughter, who returned from China via Colombo, tested positive for COVID-19 at the Madurai airport in Tamil Nadu, a senior health official said today.

Covid-19 BF.7 variant update: Authorities on HIGH ALERT

Due to an increase in cases in China and elsewhere, authorities are currently on high alert. On Tuesday, hospitals throughout the nation practised handling a sudden increase in cases to gauge their readiness.

Coronavirus Updates: India reports new active covid cases

In the past 24 hours, India reported 188 new coronavirus infections, according to government statistics released on Wednesday. The death toll was 5,30,696 and no fresh deaths were reported.

Coronavirus in India: New covid cases in India

India logged 188 new coronavirus infections, while the active cases increased to 3,468, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday.

Coronavirus in India: Nasal Vaccine price

The nasal Covid-19 vaccine iNCOVACC from Bharat Biotech, which will be administered as a booster dosage for individuals over 18, would cost Rs 800 for private institutions and Rs 325 for public ones, according to a decision made by the Centre on Tuesday. The fourth week of January will see the introduction of the iNCOVACC® vaccine.

Coronavirus in India: 13 international flyers taken to hospital from IGI after screening

13 travellers believed to have coronavirus infections were taken from IGI airport to Safdarjung Hospital on a day when pandemic preparedness drills were taking place. Following thermal screening, they were segregated, and their samples had been sent for analysis. According to sources, each flier was from a different country.

Covid-19 variant in India: Air India guidelines

According to the revised COVID-19 instructions released by the airline, travellers taking the Air India Express from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to India must finish their COVID 19 immunisation doses and take other precautions including donning masks and keeping a physical distance.

Coronavirus in India: As cases in China increase, the US considers further preventative measures

In response to worries about the "lack of open data" emanating from Beijing, the US government may impose new Covid-19 checks on visitors from China, the officials said on Tuesday.

Covid-19 Live Updates: West Bengal reports 8 new COVID cases

West Bengal reported eight new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, the Health Department said.The state's COVID-19 tally rose to 21,18,597 with the detection of the new cases, while the toll remained at 21,532, it said. There are 53 active cases in the state at present, and only eight of these patients are undergoing treatment in hospital. The new cases were detected after testing 4,398 samples.

Covid-19 LIVE Updates: Manish Sisodia reviews preparedness against Covid in mock drill at LNJP hospital

Deputy CM of Delhi Manish Sisodia took stock of the availability of hospital beds, condition of ICU beds, availability of medical oxygen, necessary training of doctors and other medical and paramedical staff and directed the hospital administration to remain vigilant about the cases and management of Covid situation.

Out of total 2000 beds in the LNJP hospital, 450 beds have been reserved for Covid patients. During the previous waves, more than 25,000 Covid infected were treated in this hospital.

Covid-19 Live Updates

Maharashtra on Tuesday recorded 26 new cases of coronavirus that raised the tally of infections to 81,36,552, an official from the state health department said. The toll remained unchanged at 1,48,415 and the count of recoveries reached 79,87,972 after 15 patients recovered from the infection during the day, he said. With 9,681 swab samples tested in the last 24 hours, the total number of tests conducted in the state so far rose to 8,58,76,790, the official said.

Covid-19 live updates: 39 international travellers test Covid-19 positive in last three days in India

The government of India has started randomly testing international passengers arriving at the airports for Coronavirus from 24 December onwards."The total number of international flights screened in the last three days ie Dec 24, Dec 25 and Dec 26 is 498. The no of samples collected for Covid19 testing is 1,780. The cumulative number of samples collected is 3,994. The cumulative number of samples testing positive is 39 and the cumulative number of samples sent for whole genome sequencing is 39. 

Covid-19 LIVE Updates: No Covid-19 case, fatality in Chhattisgarh; active tally 8

No Covid-19 case or fatality was reported in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday, an official said. This was the 22nd occasion that the state had a clean slate on the number of infections and fatalities. The overall tally of cases, recoveries and the death toll remained unchanged at 11,77,749, 11,63,595 and 14,146, respectively, the official added. The state is left with eight active cases.

Covid-19 Live Updates:

Delhi logs 16 fresh Covid cases, positivity rate 0.44 percent. With the fresh cases, the national capital's COVID-19 tally has risen to 2,007,175. The death toll remained unchanged at 26,521, the data showed.

Covid Live: Mock Drills held at Government hospitals in Rajasthan

Health authorities conducted mock drills at government hospitals across Rajasthan on Tuesday to check the state's preparedness to deal with any rise in Covid cases.

Covid-19 Live Updates: Indian Medical Association demands a fourth booster shot for Covid 19

Indian Medical Association wants the government to consider allowing a fourth booster shot for doctors and other frontline health workers to protect them from any impending Covid surge in the country.

Covid Outbreak Live Updates: A mother and daughter arriving from China via Sri Lanka to Madurai test positive for Covid 19

A six-year-old daughter and her mother who arrived in Madurai from China via Sri Lanka have been confirmed to COVID positive. "We have isolated both of them. Their COVID sample has been sent to the lab for further testing," stated Madurai District Collector.

Covid-19 Live Updates: At least one lakh beds and 15,000 ICU units ready for Covid patients in Gujarat

A minimum of one lakh beds and 15,000 ICU units with ventilators are kept ready to be put into use for Covid patients as and when needed, in the state of Gujarat. The state reviews the operational preparedness through a mock drill on Tuesday that was conducted across multiple health facilities. 

Covid-19 Live Updates

The vaccine stock of Gautam Budh Nagar district health department diminished to zero on Monday, two days after the department had written to the Uttar Pradesh government for more vaccines. 

Covid-19 Live Updates: China Covid outbreak

One of the pictures being widely shared on social media shows an overwhelmed hospital ICU ward where patients are being treated on the floor. The image shows a patient with wires attached to his body lying on the floor, assumedly because of low availability of beds and two doctors treated a patient on floor.

Picture Credit: AFP

Covid-19 Live Updates: Haryana HM Anil Vij reviews COVID preparedness situation in Panchkula

We've made all the preparations, there is no shortage of anything. We have RT-PCR machines for testing in every district, PSA plants have been installed in hospitals with more than 50 beds & we have around 6,000 oxygen concentrators and 60,000 isolated beds: Haryana HM Anil Vij

Covid-19 Live Updates: Health Minister Mandaviya visits Safdarjung Hospital, reviews Covid mock drill

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya Tuesday reviewed the Covid response mock drill at the Centre-run Safdarjung Hospital here, conducted as part of a nationwide exercise, to check its preparedness to deal with any surge in cases.

Covid-19 Live Updates: AP CM holds review meeting to check preparedness of village clinics

Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Monday held a review meeting on the prevailing Covid situation and decided to write a letter to the Centre seeking to reduce the gap for administering a 'precautionary dose' from the existing nine months to six months, Chief Minister's Office said in a statement.

Coronavirus In India: How risky is BF.7 variant for senior citizens and children? Karnataka Health Minister says THIS

Karnataka Health Minister K. Sudhakar said on Tuesday that the BF.7 sub-variant of Covid-19 is spreading, but less serious impact has been seen. Along with this, he emphasized that senior citizens, children and pregnant women need to be vigilant. He said that the rehearsal of the preparedness to deal with Covid-19 is being done in every district and taluka of the state, so that the preparations for their treatment can be tested in case of sudden increase in the number of patients due to infection.

Covid Outbreak Live Updates: Sikkim govt issues advisory to check Covid-19 cases

The Sikkim government on Tuesday issued an advisory asking people to take precautionary measures to prevent the outbreak of Covid-19 disease again in the state.

Covid-19 Live: Gauhati Medical College and Hospital conducts mock drill in Assam

Mock drill is being conducted at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital in Assam's Guwahati to check Covid preparedness.