Coronavirus news highlights: Kerala sees 6,049 fresh Covid cases; Maharashtra reports 3,106

India's Covid-19 tally surged past one crore seventy-five thousand cases with 19,556 new cases today. The active coronavirus caseload dropped below 3-lakh mark and the death toll crossed 1.46 lakh with 301 new fatalities. Recoveries in the country currently stand at 96.36 lakh. Six passengers travelling on Air India's London-Delhi flight tested positive for Covid-19 on arrival in Delhi as several countries around the world banned flights and travellers from Britain. London said the spread of a more-infectious new coronavirus strain was now "out of control."

Thank you for following our coverage on the coronavirus crisis, to stay updated on the latest Covid-19-related news, click here here.

Bharat Biotech, Ocugen to co-develop Covaxin for US market

As per the understanding, Ocugen will have US rights to the vaccine candidate and, in collaboration with Bharat Biotech, will be responsible for clinical development, registration, and commercialisation for the US market.

Read more

44% rural Indians willing to pay for Covid-19 vaccine; 51% consider coronavirus 'Chinese conspiracy': Survey

The survey, conducted by Gaon Connection among 6,040 rural respondents across 60 districts in 16 states and one union territory, found that 36 per cent said they would not want to pay for it. The remaining 20 per cent said they are yet to decide on paying for the vaccine.

Read more

Bharat Biotech readies for ‘uphill’ rollout of Covid-19 vaccine Covaxin

Bharat Biotech has already produced about 10 million doses of its still-in-trials Covaxin shot, ahead of an anticipated roll out by the middle of next year. It has a current annual capacity of 300 million vaccines and expects the first 100 million to be deployed by India, which has partly financed the development.

Read more

Medical fraternity at forefront of Covid crisis, not less than 'superman': Rajnath Singh

"During this crisis, the entire world understood that the real superman is our doctors, nurses and paramedical staff. I am the Defence Minister. And, I urge you to come forward and render your services to the armed forces," Singh said while addressing the foundation day programme of King George's Medical University (KGMU) through video-conferencing.

Read more

With 988 new cases, Gujarat's Covid-19 tally rises to 2,37,247; seven more deaths push toll to 4,248: Health Department

Kerala Covid-19 update:

Maharashtra reported 3,106 new Covid-19 cases, 4,122 discharges, and 75 deaths today, as per State Health Department

A man wearing a Santa Claus costume sanitizes children's hands inside a slum, amidst the spread of the coronavirus disease inMumbai. Credit: Reuters Photo

Delhi reports 939 new Covid-19 cases, 1,434 recoveries and 25 deaths in the last 24 hours, as per Delhi Health Department

Total cases: 6,18,747

Total recoveries:5,99,683

Death toll: 10,329

Active cases: 8,735

Forty plus countries ban travel from UK

More than 40 countries have suspended travel from Britain in a bid to contain a fast-spreading new strain of thecoronavirus.

Scotland had already closed its border with the rest of the United Kingdom.

Here are some of the travel bans announced so far.

France has halted all travel from Britain for 48 hours, including anyone transporting goods by road, air, sea or rail.

Paris and London are in talks over testing at ports to reopen the border, British Home Secretary Priti Patel said.

Germany is extending a ban on all arrivals from the UK and South Africa -- where the new strain has also appeared -- until January 6.

Spain and Portugal are suspending flights, with Madrid only allowing its nationals or residents to enter from Britain.

Indiahas suspended all flights until December 31, with anyone arriving from Britain on transit flights to be tested.

Its financial capital Mumbai is being put under curfew over fears of the British strain.

AFP

In the wake of increasing Covid cases, bars, hotels, and other public places won't be permitted to hold programmes, parties, and public gatherings on the occasion of Christmas, new year's eve, and 01.01.2021: Uttarakhand Government

As of now, it has no impact on the potential of the emerging vaccines being developed in our country and are available in other countries: Dr VK Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog on the new strain of Covid-19 in the UK

Bharat Biotech completes recruitment of 13,000 volunteers for Phase III trials of Covaxin

Bharat Biotech on Tuesday announced the recruitment of 13,000 volunteers and continued progress towards achieving the goal of 26,000 participants for the Phase III clinical trials of its Covid-19 vaccine 'Covaxin' across multiple sites in India.

Covaxinhas been evaluated in approximately 1,000 subjects in Phase I and Phase II clinical trials, with promising safety and immunogenicity results, Bharat Biotech said in a statement.

The indigenously developed Covid-19 vaccine has been developed in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) - National Institute of Virology (NIV), it added.

PTI

Bollywood actress Rakul Preet Singh says she has tested positive for Covid-19

Those international travellers from UK who arrived in India from 25th November to 8th December 2020 (1st & 2nd week from 25th November) will be contacted by District Surveillance Officers & advised to self-monitor their health: Union Health Ministry

BioNTech says can make coronavirus mutation-beating vaccine in 6 weeks

The co-founder of BioNTech said on Tuesday that it was "highly likely" that its vaccine against the coronavirus works against the mutated strain detected in Britain, but it could also adapt the vaccine if necessary in six weeks.

Read more

Experts say new UK coronavirus strain not yet found in India: Report

India on December 22 suspended all flights to and from the United Kingdom over the new rapid-spreading strain of coronavirus detected in parts of England. Senior government health officials reportedly termed the curbs as "only a precautionary measure" with experts noting that India has only seen "minor mutations in the virus which is not of much consequence."

Read more

Turkey has identified and quarantined 4,603 airline passengers who arrived from the United Kingdom on and after December 14, Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said Tuesday.

Flights from the UK, South Africa, Denmark and the Netherlands were suspended on Sunday evening in response to a new strain of coronavirus said to be circulating there.

(PTI)

Odisha reports 319 new Covid-19 cases, 4 fresh fatalities

Odisha's Covid-19 tally rose to 3,26,915 on Tuesday as 319 more people tested positive for the infection, while four fresh fatalities pushed the state's coronavirus death toll to 1,843, a health official said.

As many as 184 new cases were reported in quarantine centres, while the remaining fresh infections were detected during contact tracing, he said.

(PTI)

One more person died due to coronavirus in Ladakh, while seven fresh cases were reported on Tuesday. The union territory's Covid-19 tally has reached 9,286 and the death toll mounted to 125, officials said.

(PTI)

No specific date has been given for vaccine re-distribution. If you look at whatever is the govt line, sometimes in January 2021, Covid-19 vaccine should be available for redistribution: Delhi International Airport (DIAL) CEO Videh Jaipuriar on redistribution of Covid-19 vaccines

(ANI)

Embracing new normal, corporates to step up hiring, appraisals in 2021

Adapting to the new hybrid normal of remote and office work, cautiously optimistic corporates are looking to hire more people and provide better appraisals in the new year as they step out of the pandemic-ravaged 2020.

Read more

Karnataka begins testing passengers from UK for new coronavirus strain

The state government has started testing international airline arrivals from the United Kingdom in a bid to stop the possible transmission of a new mutated strain of the Sars-CoV-2 virus which causes Covid-19.

Read more

Russia reported 28,776 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, including 7,237 in Moscow, pushing the national tally to 2,906,503 since the pandemic began.

Authorities also confirmed 561 deaths, taking the official death toll to 51,912.

(Reuters)

Passengers protest at Amritsar airport over delay in virus testing

Passengers who arrived at Amritsar’s Sri Guru Ramdas Jee International Airport from the UK protested against the authorities over the alleged delay in carrying out their coronavirus tests.

Their family members on Tuesday claimed that they have been made to wait for hours.

The authorities, however, said the clearance may take some more time as every passenger and crew member will have to be tested for coronavirus.

(PTI)

A vendor wearing a protective face shield and mask waits for customers amid the coronavirus disease. Credit: Reuters Photo

Arunachal Pradesh reports 22 new Covid-19 cases, one more fatality. Infection tally rises to 16,652, death toll 56. The state now has 227 active cases of the disease.

Covid-19 vaccine injury claims could face bureaucratic 'black hole'

Lost in the US launch of the coronavirus vaccine is a fact most don't know when they roll up their sleeves: In rare cases of serious illness from the shots, the injured are blocked from suing and steered instead to an obscure federal bureaucracy with a record of seldom paying claims.

Read more

Two passengers, who arrived from UK, tested positive for Covid-19 at Kolkata airport on Sunday: Kolkata airport official

No need to impose night curfew in Karnataka: CM BS Yediyurappa

I came to know about a person who tested positive after arriving from UK. We are following all guidelines. Whoever will come from UK will be tested at the airport... There is no need to impose night curfew in Karnataka: CM BS Yediyurappa

(ANI)

Incorrect to presume passenger was infected with UK strain, says Tamil Nadu Health Secretary

We are testing for Covid-19 passengers of flights originating or halting in UK. One such passenger tested positive yesterday. It's incorrect to presume that he is infected with UK variant of Covid. We'll send his samples to NIV, Pune: Tamil Nadu Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan

(ANI)

34 arrested from club in Mumbai for flouting Covid-19 norms

Police conducted a raid on a club near Mumbai airport in the early hours of Tuesday and arrested 34 people for allegedly violating the Covid-19 prevention norms, an official said.

Read more

WHO chief scientist says new UK coronavirus strain may be present in many nations: Report

Amid the raging global coronavirus outbreak, a new strain of the virus has been found in the United Kingdom, sending experts scurrying for new detailed analysis. And a revelation that could raise the eyebrows further, Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Chief Scientist at the World Health Organisation, told NDTV that the new strain of Covid-19 may already be present in many countries.

Read more

Vatican says it is ‘morally acceptable’ to get a vaccine tied to foetal tissue

The Vatican said Monday that it was “morally acceptable” to receive Covid-19 vaccines tied to research involving foetal tissue derived from abortions, as long as there was no alternative.

Read more

5 UK passengers who landed in Delhi test positive

Five out of 266 passengers & crew members of a flight which arrived at Delhi airport from London last night have tested positive for Covid-19. Their samples have been sent to NCDC for research & they have been sent to care centre: Nodal officer for Covid-19

Amid new virus strain scare, passenger from UK tests Covid-19 positive in Chennai

A passenger, who returned to Chennai from Britain via New Delhi, has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, amid concerns that a new strain of the Covid-19 virus is spreading more quickly in that country.

Read more

State-wise total number of confirmed cases, deaths on December 22

According to DH tally, the total number of confirmed positive cases in India reached1,00,76,080; death toll stands at 1,46,111 as of December 22.

Read more

Covid-19 norms go for a toss at BJP MLA's wedding in Maharashtra

Social distancing norms were flouted at a BJP MLA's wedding here, with hundreds of people attending it and many of them, including senior party leaders, not bothering to wear masks.

Read more

With 301 deaths in the last 24 hours, India's death toll stands at 1,46,111.

A total of 16,31,70,557 samples tested for Covid-19 up to December 21. Of these, 10,72,228 samples were tested yesterday: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)

A total of 30,376 people recovered from the disease in the last 24 hours, taking the recovery tally to 96,36,487.

India's active cases dropped below 3 lakh with a 95.53% recovery rate.

With 19,556 new Covid-19 cases, India's single-day spike drops below 20,000 after 5 months.

US House passes $900 billion Covid-19 relief

The House easily passed a $ 900 billion pandemic relief package Monday night that would finally deliver long-sought cash to businesses and individuals and resources to vaccinate a nation confronting a frightening surge in Covid-19 cases and deaths.

Read more

15 countries with the highest number of cases, deaths due to the Covid-19 pandemic

Click here

A total of 242 passengers have arrived on board this special flight. They need to undergo RT-PCT test which may take 6-8 hours and for that, passenger need to stay at the airport: Deepak Bhatia, SDM, Ajnala, Amritsar

(ANI)

UK working 'as fast as possible' to resolve border closures: Boris Johnson

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday sought to sound a note of calm saying he was working "as fast as possible" to unblock trade across the Channel after France shut its borders to UK hauliers in a bid to contain a new variant of the coronavirus.

Read more

Nothing to worry about: Joe Biden receives Covid-19 vaccine live on TV

US President-elect Joe Biden received a Covid-19 vaccine live on television Monday in a campaign to boost Americans' confidence in the jabs.

Read more

It is time organisations prioritised mental health

The pandemic brought into focus one of the neglected areas of our culture — mental health in the workplace. Multiple studies have shown that disruptions in the workplace had a direct impact on employees’ mental and physical health. A recent survey by an HR firm in India found that 50% of their respondents were worried about their uncertain future, particularly their finances and career growth.

Read more

Centre should make it clear that it would provide Covid-19 vaccine free of cost to everyone in country: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot

Policemen prepare to tie a mask on the face of a motorbike rider as they distribute facemasks to commuters during an awareness campaign for Covid-19 in Amritsar. Credit: AFP Photo

Indian students, families caught up in UK flight suspension due to new coronavirus strain

Many Indian students booked to travel back home to be with their friends and family in India over the Christmas and New Year period are among those caught up in Monday’s suspension of all flights to and from the UK as the world reacts to a new rapid-spreading strain of coronavirus detected in parts of England.

Read more

No need for major alarm: WHO on new coronavirus strain

The World Health Organization cautioned against major alarm over a new, highly infectious variant of the coronavirus that has emerged in Britain, saying this was a normal part of a pandemic's evolution.

Read more

EU greenlights Pfizer-BioNtech Covid-19 vaccine after agency gives safety nod

The European Union on Monday gave official approval for the coronavirus vaccine developed by BioNTech and Pfizer to be used across the 27-nation bloc, raising hopes that countries can begin administering the first shots to their citizens shortly after Christmas.

Read more

UK coronavirus strain could more easily infect children

A new variant of the coronavirus spreading rapidly in Britain carries mutations that could mean children are as susceptible to becoming infected with it as adults - unlike previous strains, scientists said on Monday.

Read more

Covid-19: Karnataka to trace 138 UK arrivals

The Karnataka government has decided to trace 138 passengers who arrived in the state from the United Kingdom with no negative Covid-19 certificate. They will be subjected to an RT-PCR test and if their samples test positive, genetic sequencing of the sample will be done at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (Nimhans) lab, Health and Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar told reporters here on Monday.

Read more

Monday meltdown: Covid-19 scare cracks equities

Indian benchmark equity indices -- Sensex and Nifty -- tumbled on Monday by over 3% each as panic selling gripped stock markets across the globe on fears of new deadly strain of the Coronavirus found in the United Kingdom.

Read more

Mainland China recorded 15 new Covid-19 cases on December21, compared with 23 the previous day, and will look to strengthen measures to prevent the arrival of a new strain of the coronavirus, the country's health authority said.

(Reuters)