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Ghaziabad admin to use drones to keep tabs on people violating Covid protocol
The administration here has decided to use drones to keep tabs on people violating the coronavirus protocol, an official said on Wednesday.
District Magistrate Ajay Shankar Pandey said 10 drones will be used for it, which will be connected with a centralised control room.
Delhi fatality per million least among 4 metro cities: Satyendar Jain
Amid a spike in coronavirus cases and deaths in the city, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Wednesday claimed the national capital reported the "least fatality" per million population among the four metro cities in the country.
He also asserted that the AAP government will do its best to save every life.
Delhi records 99 Covid deaths, 5246 cases; positivity rate 8.49% - lowest in nearly a month
Delhi recorded 5,246 fresh Covid-19 cases in a day as the positivity rate declined to 8.49 per cent, the lowest since October 28, while 99 more fatalities pushed the city's death toll to 8,720 on Wednesday, authorities said.
It was after five days that the national capital recorded single-day death below 100.
MP records 1,773 new coronavirus cases; 996 recover, 14 die
Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday reported 1,773 fresh Covid-19 cases, taking the count of infections to 1,98,284, health officials said.
With 14 more people succumbing to the viral infection, the state's death toll rose to 3,197, they said.
A total of 996 patients were discharged from hospitals in the last 24 hours, taking MP's overall recovery count to 1,81,345.
Karnataka reports 1,630 fresh Covid-19 cases
Karnataka added 1,630 new cases of coronavirus and 19 deaths taking the total infections to 8,78,055 and the toll to 11,714, the health department said on Wednesday.
The day also saw 1,333 patients getting discharged after recovery, leaving 24,890 active cases. Bengaluru Urban district continued to account for a lion's share of the cases as it reported 916 infections on Wednesday
Haryana reports 42 Covid-19 deaths, 2,197 new cases
Haryana on Wednesday recorded 42 more coronavirus-related deaths, its highest single-day fatality count so far, pushing the toll to 2,291 while 2,197 fresh cases took the state's infection tally to 2,24,489, according to a bulletin.
The new fatalities include six each from Faridabad and Panipat and five each from Rohtak and Bhiwani while three people each died in Gurugram, Hisar and Fatehabad, according to the state health department's daily bulletin.
Maharashtra reports 6,159 new Covid-19 cases, 65 deaths
Maharashtra on Wednesday reported 6,159 fresh Covid-19 cases, taking the count of infections to 17,95,959, the state health department said.
With 65 more people succumbing to the viral infection, the cumulative toll in the state mounted to 46,748, it said.
A total of 4,844 patients were discharged after treatment during the day, taking the tally of recovered people to 16,63,723, a health department official said.
Gujarat BJP MP tests Covid-19 positive after attending conference
BJP MP from Kheda Lok Sabha seat in Gujarat, Devusinh Chauhan, tested coronavirus positive on Wednesday afternoon, soon after attending the inaugural ceremony of Speakers' Conference at the Tent City near Kevadia in Narmada district of the state.
The two-day 80th All India Presiding Officers' Conference was inaugurated by President Ram Nath Kovind.
No new Covid positive case since Tuesday at civil services officers training academy in Mussoorie
No new Covid case has been reported among officer trainees since November 24, the head of the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) at Mussoorie said on Wednesday.
The update comes in the wake of 57 civil services officer trainees testing positive for coronavirus at the premier training academy.
Another Covid-19 death in UP's Muzaffarnagar, 26 more test positive
One more Covid-19 patient succumbed to the infection in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar district on Wednesday, raising the death toll to 88, while 26 fresh cases brought the active case count to 385, officials said.
The 59-year-old coronavirus positive man was admitted to Muzaffarnagar Medical College Begarajpur a day ago, they said.
Niti releases compendium on Covid practices by states/UTs
Government think tank Niti Aayog on Wednesday released a compendium of practices that states and union territories have adopted for containing and managing the outbreak of coronavirus.
The compendium was released by Niti Aayog member V K Paul and Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant. "While there is much to be gained by learning from global practices for tackling the pandemic, it is equally important to take note of practices that are grounded in our realities."
831 fresh Covid-19 cases reported in Andhra Pradesh
Only 831 new Covid-19 cases were reported in Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday, taking the gross to 8,64,674.
The number of active cases fell below the 13,000 mark to 12,673 after 1,176 patients got cured in 24 hours ending 9 am on Wednesday. Six deaths were reported, the lowest daily count in about five months now.
Late hospital admissions, rising pollution behind surge in Covid-19 deaths in Delhi, say experts
Late hospital admissions leading to Covid-19 cases turning critical, shortage of ICU beds, unfavourable weather and rising pollution are among the factors experts attribute to the spike in Covid-19 deaths in Delhi.
The national capital's Covid-19 fatality rate has increased to 1.89 per cent as against a national average of 1.46 per cent. The city has been reporting the highest number of coronavirus cases and fatalities for the last few days.
US surpasses 2,000 Covid deaths in a day with hospitals already full
Daily US deaths from Covid-19 surpassed 2,000 for the first since May and with hospitals across the country already full, portending a surge in mortalities to come as the coronavirus pandemic casts a shadow over the holiday season.
The death toll reached 2,157 on Tuesday - one person every 40 seconds - with another 170,000 people infected, numbers that experts say could grow with millions of Americans defying official warnings and traveling for Thursday's Thanksgiving holiday.
Puducherry saw no Covid-19 related deaths for the sixth day in a row while 51 more people were infected by the virus taking the overall tally to 36,820.
Telangana has posted 993 fresh coronavirus cases, taking the total infection count to over 2.66 lakh while four fatalities pushed the toll to 1,441.
LA shuts restaurants as coronavirus surges, but Europe eases lockdowns
A restaurant dining ban in Los Angeles was due to come into force Wednesday as officials warned Americans to stay home for the Thanksgiving holiday, while parts of Europe eyed looser coronavirus lockdowns over the festive season.
The three-week order in America's second-biggest city will begin as California faces record Covid-19 cases, and its health secretary urged people to avoid large family gatherings.
Biden to discuss coronavirus response as Thanksgiving holiday nears
US President-elect Joe Biden will give a speech on Wednesday highlighting the challenges facing Americans as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches and the nation faces a surge in coronavirus infections and a wave of unpopular health restrictions.
The address is meant to encourage Americans and focus on the sacrifices they are making during the holiday season, his office said, as officials across the country plead with Americans to stay at home and avoid large gatherings that can spread Covid-19.
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EU says first coronavirus vaccinations possible by Christmas
A top European Union official said Wednesday that the first citizens in the 27 nation bloc could be vaccinated against the coronavirus by Christmas, but she warned that member countries must urgently prepare their logistical chains for the rollout of hundreds of millions of doses of the vaccines.
Claiming that “there's finally light at the end of the tunnel,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told EU lawmakers that “the first European citizens might already be vaccinated before the end of December.”
Iran records highest daily coronavirus infections of 13,843
Iran registered on Wednesday a daily record high of 13,843 new coronavirus cases, the health ministry said, pushing the national tally to 894,385 in the Middle East's worst-hit country.
Ministry's spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari told state TV that the death toll rose by 469 in the past 24 hours to 46,207.
Hospitals full as second wave of coronavirus grips Pakistan
Intensive care units across Pakistan are nearing capacity as a second, deadlier wave of the coronavirus builds momentum and officials struggle to counter public indifference to the pandemic.
Several doctors told AFP on Wednesday that hospitals are having to turn away suspected Covid-19 patients, with the potential for a major health care crisis increasing daily.
Poland reports new daily record of 674 coronavirus-related deaths
Poland on Wednesday reported a new daily record of 674 coronavirus-related deaths, while new daily coronavirus cases surpassed 15,000.
The country reported 15,362 new daily coronavirus cases, amounting to a total of 924,422 confirmed cases and 14,988 deaths.
Kejriwal asks experts to audit Covid-19 death cases, suggest measures to reduce fatalities in Delhi
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday requested experts to audit Covid-19 death cases and suggest measures to reduce fatalities in the national capital, amid a spurt in the infections in the city.
The Chief Minister made the request at a meeting of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), which is chaired by Lt Governor Anil Baijal.
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Indonesia reports record daily rise in coronavirus infections
Indonesia reported on Wednesday a record daily rise in coronavirus infections with 5,534 new cases, bringing the total to 511,836, according to its Covid-19 task force.
The task force's data also showed 114 new Covid-19 deaths, bringing total fatalities to 16,225
Russia sees record number of coronavirus deaths again
Russian authorities have registered a record number of coronavirus deaths for a second straight day.
The government coronavirus task force reported 507 new deaths on Wednesday, the country's highest daily toll.
The previous record of 491 deaths was reported on Tuesday. A total of 37,538 people have died from the coronavirus in Russia, according to the task force.
Sabarimala pilgrims get medicinal drinking water in bottles amid Covid-19
The sought-after medicinal drinking water, distributed among pilgrims at the famed Lord Ayyappa temple here while trekking, is now available in bottles, thanks to the Covid-19 vigil.
Bihar reported 763 new Covdi-19 infections on November 24, taking total active cases in the state to 5,779.
India's cumulative Covid-19 positivity rate falls as testing increases
With the total number of tests conducted for the detection of Covid-19 nearing 13.5 crore in the country, the health ministry on Wednesday said comprehensive and widespread testing on a sustained basis has resulted in bringing down the positivity rate.
Delhi Covid-19 hospitals get 1,300 ICU beds, 2,000 normal ones in two weeks
Amid a surge in coronavirus cases and deaths, as many as 2,000 normal and 1,300 ICU beds have been added in hospitals of Delhi in the past two weeks for Covid-19 patients, an official said on Wednesday.
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh orders night curfew in all towns and cities from 10 pm to 5 am and doubles fine for flouting Covid-19 appropriate behaviour to Rs 1000, with effect from December 1.
Passengers wearing face masks as a preventive measure against the coronavirus walk to their train at Wuhan railway station. Credit: AFP Photo
Covid-19 case tally goes past 8,000 in Ladakh; death toll at 105
Four more Covid-related fatalities pushed the death toll due to the disease to 105 in Ladakh, while the virus caseload crossed the 8,000-mark in the Union Territory after 83 new cases were detected in the last 24 hours, officials said on Wednesday.
New evidence suggests an early mutation made Covid-19 pandemic harder to stop
As the coronavirus swept across the world, it picked up random alterations to its genetic sequence. Like meaningless typos in a script, most of those mutations made no difference in how the virus behaved.
Covid-19 could be stopped if at least 70% public wore face masks consistently: Study
The Covid-19 pandemic could be stopped if at least 70 per cent of the public wore face masks consistently, according to a review of studies which suggests that the type of material used and the duration of mask use play key roles in their effectiveness.
Covid-19 survives on surfaces within thin films: Researchers
The Covid-19 virus survives on surfaces by clinging to thin liquid films, according to a study by researchers at IIT Bombay which provides insights into how the novel coronavirus sustains for hours or days on solid surfaces under ambient conditions.
No fresh Covid-19 fatality reported for sixth day in Puducherry
Puducherry saw no Covid-19 related deaths for the sixth day in a row on Wednesday while 51 more people were infected by the virus taking the overall tally to 36,820.
Chinese vaccine maker applies for public use of Covid-19 shot
A leading Chinese vaccine developer has applied for authorisation to bring its Covid-19 shot to the market, seeking to get a jump on Western rivals as the race for a working inoculation against the virus enters the final stretch.
Why is China claiming coronavirus in its frozen food?
China has stirred controversy with claims it has detected the coronavirus on packages of imported frozen food.
After raming up of infrastructure to combat Covid-19, at present, there are over 9,000 regular beds and more than 1000 ICU beds in the national capital: Delhi Government.
Odisha reported 730 new positive cases on November 24, taking the total cases in the state to 3,16,001 including 3,07,374 recoveries, 6,887 active cases and 1,687 deaths.
In relief camps, we need to ensure Covid-19 protocols are followed & masks, sanitisers are available. There's an inventory of 27 items per person which we keep ready, this also includes dignity kit for women: Atulya Misra, Additional Chief Secretary, Tamil Nadu Govt.
A meeting of Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) is scheduled for 12 noon today, via video conference; Covid-19 situation, vaccine delivery and administration, implementation of Covid-19 management strategy following MHA meeting with Delhi on the agenda for the meeting.
Singapore nearly coronavirus free after local cases and clusters cease
Having once had the highest Covid-19 rate in Southeast Asia, Singapore has all but eradicated the virus after reporting 14 days without any new local cases on Tuesday, and saying it had snuffed out the last cluster of infection at a worker dormitory.
The active caseload shot up to 4,44,746, an increase of 6,079 cases from Tuesday, even though it remained below five lakh for the 15th consecutive day, accounting for 4.82 per cent of the total cases
Mizoram's Covid-19 tally rose to 3,745 on Wednesday as 35 more people, including 12 security personnel, tested positive for the infection, a health official said.
The active caseload shot up to 4,44,746, an increase of 6,079 cases from Tuesday, even though it remained below five lakh for the 15th consecutive day, accounting for 4.82 per cent of the total cases.
Australian Open most likely to be delayed, says Victoria sports minister Martin Pakula
The sports minister for Victoria state says the 2021 Australian Open in Melbourne will “most likely” be delayed by a week or two from its scheduled start of January 18.
Victoria was hard-hit by the second wave of Covid-19, forcing the city of Melbourne into a lengthy lockdown, a night curfew and travel and other restrictions in the state. But it no longer has any active cases and its last deaths from the virus in the state were on October 28.
With 37,816 recoveries in the last 24 hours, India's recovery tally stands at 86,42,771.
India's Covid-19 death toll stands at 1,34,699 with 581 new fatalities.
India reports 44,376 new Covid-19 cases; tally reaches 92,22,216.
Telangana reported 993 new Covid-19 cases, 4 deaths and 1,150 recoveries on November 24.
Total cases in the state rise to 2,66,042 including 1,441 deaths and 2,53,715 recoveries. Active cases stand at 10,886.
France's Emmanuel Macron eases some Covid-19 lockdown rules amid 'glimmer of hope'
France will start easing its Covid-19 lockdown this weekend so that by Christmas, shops, theatres and cinemas will reopen and people will be able to spend the holiday with their family, President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday.
French President Emmanuel Macron wants to start Covid-19 vaccination by year-end
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday a vaccine to prevent Covid-19, the illness caused by the novel coronavirus, could start being administered by year-end in France if approved by regulators.
US will distribute 6.4 million Covid-19 vaccine doses in first tranche
The US plans to distribute 6.4 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in the first week after it is cleared for emergency use, which is likely next month, officials said Tuesday.
A man wearing face masks points to something in front of a mural on novel coronavirus and protective measures, in New Delhi. Credit: PTI Photo
As coronavirus cases spike, financial outlook for world's airlines dim
With coronavirus cases spiking in the US and Europe, the financial outlook of the world's airlines is getting worse.
Karnataka CM B S Yediyurappa-led panel to monitor Covid vaccination process in state
A state-level steering committee headed by Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa will be formed to monitor Covid-19 vaccination in Karnataka even as the government has identified 29,451 vaccination sites.
Covid-19 models show how to avoid future lockdowns
As cases of Covid-19 surge to record levels across the United States, national public health advisors Anthony Fauci and Deborah Birx have pushed for an approach that emphasizes intensive social distancing and widespread mask use, and many states are striving to slow the virus’s spread without resorting to complete lockdowns. That strategy helped some states mitigate their outbreaks through the summer. But with winter and major holidays coming, will such measures be enough?
As India readies vaccine strategy, PM Modi warns of possible side-effects
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned on Tuesday that any Covid-19 vaccine could lead to side-effects in some people, as even popular medicines do, and that the government would only go by science in finalising one for the country.
Pollution played key role in severity of third wave of Covid-19 in Delhi: Kejriwal to PM
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that pollution was an important factor for the severity of the third wave of Covid-19 in the national capital.
New evidence suggests an early mutation made the Covid-19 pandemic harder to stop
As the coronavirus swept across the world, it picked up random alterations to its genetic sequence. Like meaningless typos in a script, most of those mutations made no difference in how the virus behaved.