Covid Cases India: The active cases comprise 3.48 per cent of total infections. (File)
India reported 2,64,202 fresh COVID-19 infections in the last 24 hours, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said today. The new cases mark a 6.7 per cent jump from the 2.47 lakh daily cases reported yesterday. A total of 5,753 Omicron cases are amongst all Covid cases reported so far.
The daily positivity rate was recorded at 14.78 per cent -- up from 13.11% yesterday -- while the weekly positivity rate was recorded at 11.83 per cent.
The country also reported 315 new deaths, taking the total fatalities in India to 485,350, while active cases rose to 12,72,073.
The active cases comprise 3.48 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate decreased to 95.2 per cent, the ministry said.
Here are the Highlights on coronavirus cases in India:
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Argentina registers record 1,39,853 new COVID-19 cases over past 24 hours
Argentina has registered 139,853 new COVID-19 cases within the past 24 hours, marking the largest daily increase since the start of the outbreak, the national Ministry of Health said.
The deaths have risen by 96 to 117,901 people within the same period of time, according to the ministry.
The total number of those who tested positive for COVID-19 in Argentina has surpassed 6.9 million.
Prepare strategy to tackle 'imminent' third wave of Covid, Farooq Abdullah tells Jammu and Kashmir administrationNational Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah on Friday urged the Jammu and Kashmir administration to come up with a multi-fold strategy to tackle the "imminent" third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a statement, the Srinagar MP also stressed that vaccination is the only bulwark against the third wave.
"I hope the incumbent administration is ready to tackle the imminent third wave because they have learnt their lessons from the first and second Covid wave, which had battered Jammu and Kashmir. I hope the imminent third wave is not treated casually," Mr Abdullah said.
"There are other measures that the JK administration must immediately tend to besides ensuring inoculation (administration) of booster doses... to protect especially those who have comorbidities, who are immunocompromised and healthcare workers," he added.
Kerala suspends physical school for students up to Class 9
Amid the rise in COVID-19 cases in Kerala, the state government on Friday decided to suspend the physical classes of school students upto standard 9, till January 21.
The decision was made in the high-level meeting held today chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, which said that a review meeting will be held on February 2 to decide whether to continue the restrictions.
The physical classes of standards 10, 11 and 12 will continue as earlier, due to the ongoing vaccination drive of the youth of 15 to 18 years.
The Chief Minister has directed health and education departments to coordinate and make arrangements to vaccinate students in 10,11 and 12 standards at schools.
Kerala reported 16,338 new COVID-19 cases during the last 24 hours, said the state health department on Friday. Covid spread is maximum in Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam districts, it said.
India's COVID-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 155.92 croreIndia's COVID-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 155.92 crore with more than 49 lakh vaccine doses administered on Friday, the health ministry said.
The daily vaccination tally is expected to increase with the compilation of the final reports for the day by late tonight, it said.
In total, 52,25,52,771 first doses have been administered to individuals in the 18-44 age group in the country, and 36,49,61,308 second doses have been given in the same age group since the start of phase-3 of the vaccination drive, according to health ministry data.
Odisha logs 10,273 new COVID cases, 4 deathsOdisha on Friday recorded 10,273 new COVID-19 cases, 214 more than the previous day's count, with the tally rising to 11,11,879, a health department bulletin said.
The death count mounted to 8,476 as four more persons succumbed to the disease, the highest single-day COVID fatalities in more than two months, it said.
Karnataka records 28,723 new Covid cases
Positivity Rate Above 30% In Delhi, 24,383 New Cases, Lower Than YesterdayDelhi reported 24,383 new Covid cases in the last 24 hours, 15.5% lower than yesterday. The positivity rate in the national capital jumped to 30.64%.
Friday's positivity rate in Delhi is the highest since May 1 last year, when it was 31.6%. During that period, India was battling the second wave and hospitals across the country were struggling to arrange beds and medical oxygen for patients.
"Delhi Covid Cases Rising But...": Arvind Kejriwal's "Don't Panic" AdviceCOVID-19 cases are rising fast in the national capital but there is no reason to worry, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Friday emphasising that hospitalisation and death rates are quite low.
He asked people to be responsible and assured them that the government has made all preparations and there are enough hospital beds.
"There is no need to panic. Cases are rising fast and there is no two ways about it. The Omicron variant is quite transmissible and infectious," Mr Kejriwal told reporters on the sidelines of an event.
Gene That Increases Risk of Dying From Covid Now IdentifiedPolish scientists have discovered a gene that they say more than doubles the risk of falling severely ill with, or even dying from Covid-19.
The Health Ministry in Warsaw expects the discovery to help identify people who are most at risk from the disease, which has already killed more than 100,000 people in Poland alone. It also plans to include genetic tests when it screens patients for potential Covid-19 infections as soon as the end of June.
The research from the Medical University of Bialystok estimates that the gene could be present in about 14% of the Polish population, compared with around 9% in Europe and 27% in India. It's the fourth most important factor determining the severity of the illness after age, weight and gender, it said.
Andhra Pradesh Registers 4,528 More Covid-19 CasesAndhra Pradesh reported 4,528 fresh cases of Covid-19, 418 recoveries and one death in 24 hours ending 9 AM on Friday.
The latest bulletin said the number of active cases went up to 18,313.
There were a total of 20,96,755 positive cases, 20,63,934 recoveries and 14,508 deaths so far.
For the first time in about four months, a district registered more than 1,000 fresh cases in a day. Chittoor added 1,027 to the tally.
No COvid Vaccine Shortage In Maharashtra, Clarifies Health MinistryThe Union Health Ministry on Friday issued a clarification that there is no COVID-19 vaccine shortage in Maharashtra as it has over 24 lakh unutilized doses of Covaxin available with it and an additional 6.35 lakh doses have been received today, reported ANI.
According to the press release issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MHFW), there have been some media reports alleging vaccine shortage in Maharashtra stating that due to lack of vaccines the state government is unable to increase the pace of vaccination in the state. Such reports are ill-informed and incorrect.
"It is clarified that, as per the reports available today, Maharashtra has over 24 lakh unutilized doses of Covaxin available with it and an additional 6.35 lakh doses have been received on Friday," the Ministry said.
Over 75% Delhi Covid Deaths In This Wave Were Of Unvaccinated: MinisterMore than 75 per cent of those who succumbed to the novel coronavirus infection in the current wave in Delhi were unvaccinated, Health Minister Satyendra Jain said on Friday.
He also said that the city is expected to record less than 25,000 coronavirus cases on Friday.
Delhi had on Thursday reported 28,867 COVID-19 cases, the sharpest single-day spike since the pandemic began, and 31 deaths, while the positivity rate surged to 29.21 per cent, according to the health department data.
Uttar Pradesh Not Ready For Covid Waste Management, Says Green CourtThe National Green Tribunal has said that the Uttar Pradesh health department and the state pollution control board (SPCB) are not properly geared up for management of biomedical waste of COVID-19 patients.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel noted that there is only one vehicle for COVID-19 waste collection from 876 Health Care Facilities in five districts of the state -- Bareilly, Shahjahanpur, Badaun, Pilibhit and Rampur.
"Their monitoring mechanism is inadequate. The maintenance of record is not as per norms. The collection and treatment of Bio-medical waste is deficient.
"There are no adequate safeguards for the workers involved in collection and treatment of the waste," the bench said.
Coronavirus Restrictions: Hong Kong Bans Transit Flights From 153 Countries Over Covid ConcernsPassengers from more than 150 nations will be banned from transiting through Hong Kong, its airport said Friday, in the latest tightening of the city's strict anti-virus travel measures.
The move deepens Hong Kong's global isolation as the city pursues a staunch zero-Covid policy, and creates new headaches for airlines -- some of which have begun avoiding the Chinese territory because of its strict quarantine rules.
Hong Kong ranks territories into categories based on how widespread their Covid-19 infections are, with 153 countries currently classified as Group A -- from which arrivals must spend 21 days in quarantine.
On Friday, Hong Kong's airport tightened those measures.
Delhi Likely To Record Less Than 25,000 Cases Today, Says Health MinisterDelhi is expected to record fewer than 25,000 Covid cases today, Health Minister Satyendra Jain said Friday morning, news agency PTI reported.
Mr Jain said over 13,000 hospital beds, or 88 per cent of available capacity, were vacant.
On Thursday the national capital reported a record 28,867 cases in 24 hours - the most in a day since the pandemic began in December 2019.
Coronavirus News Updates: Odisha activates telemedicine service for non-COVID patientsKeeping in view the risk to non-COVID patients in accessing medical facilities in hospitals amid a surge in coronavirus cases, the Odisha government has allowed the activation of telemedicine service for them.
The state government on Thursday issued an order asking telemedicine platforms to provide distance medical assistance to the needy.
"The present COVID-19 situation has raised a big challenge to the accessibility of patients to hospitals for general healthcare. Taking the situation into account, it has been decided to use telemedicine centres effectively and proactively established in medical colleges and other hospitals," the notification said.
Makar Sankranti 2022: Lakhs Congregate In Bengal For Gangasagar Mela As Covid Cases SurgeAs Makar Sankranti celebrations commence, lakhs of devotees are seen taking part in the Gangasagar Mela in West Bengal's Sagar Island, even as Covid cases surge in the northeastern state amid the country's third Omicron-driven wave.
Visuals depict hundreds of thousands taking a holy dip at the confluence of the Ganges and the Bay of Bengal, as well as playing festive music on the banks of the river, as lakhs of devotees from across the country arrived in the South 24 Parganas district to participate in the Hindu pilgrimage.
India records 2.64 lakh fresh Covid cases in 24 hoursIndia witnessed a 6.7 per cent jump in new Covid cases as it added 2.64 lakh new infections over the last 24 hours, up from the 2.47 lakh new daily cases reported yesterday.
The active cases comprise 3.48 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has decreased to 95.20 per cent.
The daily positivity rate was recorded at 14.78 per cent while the weekly positivity rate was recorded at 11.83 per cent.
US Supreme Court Blocks Joe Biden's Covid Vaccine-Or-Test Mandate For BusinessesThe US Supreme Court delivered a blow to President Joe Biden on Thursday, blocking his Covid vaccination-or-testing mandate for employees of large businesses.
At the same time, the nation's highest court allowed a vaccination mandate for health care workers at facilities receiving federal funding.
Biden said he was "disappointed" in the court's decision striking down his mandate for businesses with 100 employees or more to vaccinate or test their workers for Covid-19.
"I am disappointed that the Supreme Court has chosen to block common-sense life-saving requirements for employees at large businesses that were grounded squarely in both science and the law," Biden said in a statement.
WHO Approves Two New Treatments For Coronavirus, Including Arthritis DrugThe World Health Organization approved two new Covid-19 treatments on Friday, growing the arsenal of tools along with vaccines to stave off severe illness and death from the virus.
The news comes as Omicron cases fill hospitals around the world with the WHO predicting half of Europe will be infected by March.
In their recommendation in British medical Journal the BMJ, WHO experts said arthritis drug baricitinib used with corticosteroids to treat severe or critical Covid patients led to better survival rates and reduced need for ventilators.
Coronavirus News: With 28,867 New Cases, Delhi Sees Highest 1-Day Rise, Positivity Rate 29%Delhi saw the biggest-ever daily spike in Covid infections today with 28,867 new Covid cases as the positivity rate surged to 29 per cent, indicating that for every three tests conducted, one person is testing positive.
On Thursday morning, the country recorded 2.47 lakh fresh cases- the unprecedented surge is driven by Omicron, the new variant that has brought a fresh wave of infections across the world.
Containment zones in Delhi go up from less than 1,000 to nearly 24,000 in past fortnight
Amid the soaring COVID-19 cases in Delhi, the number of containment zones have gone up from less than 1,000 to nearly 24,000 within the past fortnight, officials said on Thursday.
There were 800 containment zones in the national capital on December 30, 2020. According to the latest official figures, the number rose to 23,997 by mid-January.
South Delhi topped the list of 11 districts in the city with 8,383 containment zones. The districts with higher number of containment zones included West Delhi at 4,109, Central Delhi at 3,493, and New Delhi at 2,354.
The lowest number of containment zones were in East Delhi at 151, North East Delhi at 279, North West at 547 and South West Delhi at 851.
A residential area or an apartment is contained usually if three coronavirus-infected people live there. However, district authorities have discretionary powers to declare a residential area a containment zone if even one person is found infected.
Most of the containment zones in Delhi are micron ones with less than three patients. Currently, an infected person with mild symptoms or without any symptom has to undergo seven days' home isolation.
Assam reports 3,238 COVID-19 cases, three more deaths
Assam reported 3,238 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, 36 less than the previous day, as the overall caseload in the state increased to 6,38,288, a National Health Mission (NHM) bulletin said.
Currently, there are 13,785 active coronavirus cases, 1,933 more than Wednesday, while the number of patients who recovered from the disease during the day was 1,242, an increase of 511 compared to the previous day.
Three persons have died due to the infection on Thursday, one less than the day before, pushing the toll to 6,192.
The number of coronavirus patients dying of other causes remained at 1,347.
The fresh fatalities were reported from Cachar, Charaideo, and Kamrup (Rural). The new cases were detected after testing 41,165 samples during the day.
India's Cumulative COVID-19 vaccination coverage exceeds 155.28 crore doses
India's cumulative COVID-19 vaccination coverage crossed 155.28 crore doses on Thursday, informed the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Thursday.
More than 63 lakh vaccine doses have been administered till 7 pm on Thursday, the ministry added.
"India's COVID-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 155.28 Crore (1,55,28,76,434) today. More than 63 lakh (63,92,572) Vaccine Doses have been administered till 7 pm today. More than 33 lakh (33,12,573) Precaution Doses for the identified categories of beneficiaries for COVID vaccination have been administered so far," read a press statement from the Ministry.
The daily vaccination tally is expected to increase with the compilation of the final reports for the day by late tonight.