India biggest buyer of Covid-19 vaccine with 1.6 billion doses, experts say this could cover 60% population
India is the largest buyer of Covid-19 vaccines in the world with 1.6 billion doses, according to a global analysis, a number some scientists say could cover 800 million people, or 60 per cent of its population, and will be enough to develop ‘herd immunity’.
Congress slams Modi govt over Covid-19 vaccine distribution plans
The Congress on Friday raised with the government issues concerning the availability of a prospective Covid vaccine at the grassroots level in the country with party leader Rahul Gandhi asking Prime Minister Narendra Modi to clarify when every Indian will get it.
West Bengal's Covid-19 toll mounts to 8,268, tally at 4,96,522
West Bengal's Covid-19 death toll climbed to 8,268 after 52 more patients succumbed to the virus on Friday, the health department said in a bulletin. A total of 3,206 fresh cases pushed the tally to 4,96,522, it said.
The discharge rate improved to 93.42 per cent as 3,215 people recovered since Thursday.
With 803 new positive cases reported today, the total number of Covid-19 cases in Himachal Pradesh rises to 43,500.
Total active cases: 8,300
Total recovered cases: 34,458
Death toll: 698
Nagaland records its highest single-day recovery of 239 Covid-19 patients, 22 fresh cases bring infection tally to 11,305, another death pushes toll to 68; number of active cases now 478.
UP's Gautam Buddh Nagar records 75 new Covid-19 cases, pushing tally to 23,170, patients' recovery rate in district reaches 95.12 per cent and mortality rate stays at 0.35 per cent.
Tripura's Covid-19 tally climbs to 32,836 as 33 more test positive; number of active cases stands at 520.
Kerala logs 5,718 new Covid-19 cases, 5,496 recoveries
Kerala recorded 5,718 fresh Covid-19 cases and 5,496 recoveries on Friday, as the toll mounted to 2,358 with 29 additional fatalities, Health minister K K Shailaja said.
A policeman directs crowd at a railway station amidst the spread of the coronavirus disease in Mumbai, India. Credit: Reuters Photo
With 1,510 new cases of coronavirus, Gujarat's tally rises to 2,15,819, while 18 fatalities take death toll to 4,049.
Karnataka reports 1247 new Covid-19 cases, 877 discharges, and 13 deaths today.
Total cases 8,90,360
Total discharges 8,53,461
Death toll 11,834
Active cases 25,046
Andhra Pradesh reports 599 new Covid-19 cases, 6 deaths, and 913 recoveries in the last 24 hours.
Total cases 8,70,675
Total recoveries 8,57,233
Death toll 7020
Active cases 6422
UP's Muzaffarnagar records 34 new Covid-19 cases, tally rises to 7,136; active case count 508.
Madhya Pradesh reports 1,324 new Covid-19 cases, 1,556 discharges, and 14 deaths.
Total cases: 2,11,698
Total recoveries: 1,94,743
Active cases: 13,641
Death toll: 3,314
Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly has adopted a resolution stating that the present Covid-19 situation is not conducive for the conduct of elections in February 2021: Chief Minister's Office
Haryana recorded 1,602 new coronavirus cases, 2,770 recoveries, and 19 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Total cases: 2,40,841
Total recoveries: 2,23,973
Active cases: 14,329
Death toll: 2,539
Tamil Nadu reported 1,391 new Covid-19 cases, 1,426 discharges, and 15 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Total cases: 7,87,554
Total discharges: 7,64,854
Death toll: 11,762
Active cases: 10,988
Punjab reported 726 new Covid-19 cases, 643 discharges, and 20 deaths today.
Total cases in the State rise to 1,54,788, including 1,42,121 recoveries and 4,882 deaths. Active cases stand at 7,785
111 new Covid-19 cases reported in Chandigarh today; total cases rise to 17,828. The death toll is at 287.
Maharashtra reports 5,229 new Covid-19 cases, 6,776 discharges and 127 deaths today.
Total cases 18,42,587
Total recoveries 17,10,050
Death toll 47,599
Active cases 83,859
Rajasthan reports 1,934 new Covid-19 cases, 19 deaths and 3,141 recoveries/discharges today.
Total cases 2,76,420
Total recoveries/discharges 2,49,713
Death toll 2,389
Active cases 24,318
People must continue to take all precautions against Covid-19, says UP CM Adityanath
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday said though the state and central governments are making efforts to check the spread of Covid-19, people must continue to take all precautions against the disease.
Only one new coronavirus case reported in Dharavi
The count of Covid-19 cases in the slum-dominated Dharavi area of Mumbai rose to 3,716 with only one new case coming to light on Friday, a civic official said.
Manipur reports 155 new Covid-19 cases and 273 recoveries today, taking total cases to 25,691 including 22,445 recoveries, 295 deaths and 2,948 active cases.
Uttarakhand reported 618 new Covid-19 cases, 560 recoveries, and 10 deaths today, says State Health Department
Total cases: 76,893
Total recoveries: 69,831
Active cases: 4,994
Death toll: 1,273
Kerala reports 5,718 fresh Covid-19 cases and 5,496 recoveries today.
The total numbers of active cases and recovered cases are 61,401 and 5,61,874 respectively
4,067 new Covid-19 cases in Delhi, tally rises to over 5.86 lakh; toll 9,497 with 73 more deaths.
Doctor's prescription no longer necessary for Covid-19 test in Gujarat: State govt
UP's Covid-19 tally climbs to 5,51,179 with 1,985 new cases, death toll mounts to 7,877 as 29 more succumb to infection; active case count 22,665.
Former PM H D Deve Gowda suggests cost of Covid-19 vaccine be kept affordable and that govt even consider offering it free of cost for economically vulnerable sections.
Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra found unfit for Bharat Biotech's Coronavirus vaccine trial as his immediate family members had earlier tested positive for infection: Doctor
Important to have large basket of Covid-19 vaccines as it is really difficult to know which one is going to be the best among the lot: Department of Biotechnology Secretary Renu Swarup
Wrestler Narsingh Yadav clears Covid-19 test, set for World Cup in Serbia
Wrestler Narsingh Yadav's participation in the upcoming World Cup in Serbia was confirmed on Friday after he returned a negative test for dreaded coronavirus.
Covid-19 vaccines trigger 'strong immune responses' in early trial: China's Clover
Two coronavirus vaccine candidates developed by China's Clover Biopharmaceuticals triggered strong immune responses in an early-stage human trial and appeared to be safe, the company said on Friday.
When will every Indian get free Covid-19 vaccine? Rahul Gandhi asks Modi
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday hoped that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will clarify at the all-party meeting by when will every Indian get free Covid-19 vaccine.
The first SA vs ENG ODI postponed after a South Africa player tested positive for Covid-19: ICC
Petition filed before Supreme Court seeking directions for immediate removal of agitating farmers from border areas of Delhi-NCR keeping in view the fact that they may pose a risk to spread of Covid-19: Om Prakash Parihar, the Advocate on Record (AOR), for the petitioner, to ANI
Scientists, policy makers, political leaders must work together on Covid vaccine prioritisation, distribution: Cong leader Ghulam Nabi Azad
Covid-like pandemics can pose threat to country's internal security; policy makers must address challenge: Ghulam Nabi Azad at all-party meet
At all-party meet, Cong's Ghulam Nabi Azad calls for safety mechanism to monitor long-term adverse effects of any Covid vaccine.
Delhi govt begins process of enrolment of healthcare workers of different hospitals, nursing homes, other facilities for Covid-19 vaccination.
Japan PM Suga: Making utmost preparation for coronavirus vaccine
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said on Friday he would do his utmost to quickly prepare a coronavirus vaccine that can be provided to people in need.
Suga also told a news conference he would decide on an economic stimulus package early next week, adding that green and digital initiatives would be core to the recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.
University Grants Commission grants six month extension for submission of thesis to MPhil and Phd students in wake of prolonged closure of universities due to Covid-19.
India's recovery rate at 94.20%
Thenumber of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 90,16,289 pushing the national recovery rate to94.20 per cent,while theCOVID-19casefatality ratestands at 1.45 per cent.
The active COVID-19 caseload continued to remain below 5 lakh.There are 4,16,082active coronavirus infections in the country whichcomprises4.35per cent of the total caseload
'We all survived': Wuhan artists keep virus memories alive
A melancholy guitar melody intertwines with an ethereal beat as wild-haired singer Lu Yan intones his hometown's feelings into a microphone: "Virus in Wuhan. We all survived."
In music, graffiti, even comics, Wuhan artists are beginning to pay homage to their city with works referencing its coronavirus suffering, punishing 76-day lockdown, and subsequent rebirth.
"Wuhan's people made a great sacrifice for the whole nation and world," Lu said of the song's intended message.
The song, "WUHAN2020", is the title track of the pandemic-themed debut album by Wuhan synth-rock trio Hardcore Raver in Tears, conceived and written remotely while the bandmates were separated during the lockdown.
UK hopes for millions of Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine doses this year
Britain hopes that millions of doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine will be delivered by the end of the year but the total will depend on how quickly it can be manufactured, Britain's business minister Alok Sharma said on Friday.
Britain approved Pfizer Inc's COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday, jumping ahead of the rest of the world in the race to begin the most crucial mass inoculation programme in history.
Asian markets mostly up on vaccine, stimulus optimism
Investors pushed Asian markets higher Friday on continued optimism over vaccines and on signs of progress on a new US stimulus, though surging infections and deaths highlighted the painful, immediate reality of the coronavirus crisis.
While the consensus is that the world can begin to get back to normal -- and the economy recover -- from next year as people are inoculated, observers warn lockdowns and other containment measures in place now are crippling businesses and jobs.
India has increased testing and has a low recovery rate, due to our scientific approach: PM
Scientific approach is important on their way ahead. There will be rumours as such a massive vaccination programme will be underway, hence important to keep citizens alert on fake news, rumours, says Modi
Cost of vaccines to be determined after speaking to states: PM
Health workers to get vaccine first: PM
We have the best and most experienced distribution network for cold chain distribution and logistical requirements: PM Modi
We will use the help of states for the distribution of vaccines and several measures to enable and strengthen this distribution: PM
At least 8 vaccines in different stages, believe a vaccine will be available in the next few weeks, PM Modi says
PM addresses all-party meet
Former Prime Minister and JD(S) supremo virtually attends the all-party meeting chaired by PM Modi on Covid-19.
Credit: Special arrangement
Have the capacity to vaccinate Delhi population in a few weeks' time, says Satyendar Jain
We have the capacity to vaccinate Delhi's population in a few weeks’ time, through mohalla clinics, polyclinics, dispensaries, hospitals, when vaccines are provided to us: Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain
A diver wearing Santa Claus costume swims in a large fish tank during an underwater performance for the Christmas celebration, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, at Sunshine Aquarium in Tokyo, Japan.
Credit: Reuters
Arunachal Pradesh reports 28 more cases of Covid-19, tally rises to 16,348: Health official
Maha: 66 residents of village test Covid-19 positive in a week
Fear has gripped Khanepuri village in Maharashtra's Jalna district after 66 of its residents tested positive for coronavirus within a week, a health official said.
The village, located in Jalna tehsil, has a population of 1,700.
"Between November 26 and December 3, a total of 66 people in the village tested coronavirus positive," Rahmani Shakil, medical officer of the primary health centre, said.
On December 1 alone, as many as 35 villagers were found infected, he said.
Telangana adds 631 new coronavirus cases, 2 deaths take toll
Telangana reported 631 fresh COVID-19 cases, taking the tally to over 2.72 lakh while two fatalities pushed the toll to 1,467, the state government said on Friday.
Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) accounted for the most number of cases with 109, followed by Medchal Malkajgiri (57) and Rangareddy (49), it said in a bulletin, providing details as of 8 PM on December 3.
As many as8,826 patients are under treatment and 57,405 samples were tested on Thursday.
Cumulatively, over 56.62 lakh samples have been tested.
The samples tested per million population was over 1.52 lakh, the bulletin said.
Germany's confirmed coronavirus cases rise by 23,449
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 23,449 to 1,130,238, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Friday.
The reported death toll rose by 432 to 18,034, the tally showed.
Coronavirus cases hit 9-month high in South Korea
South Koreans were urged to cancel Christmas and New Year parties on Friday as daily coronavirus cases hit a nine-month high and the government considered imposing tighter social-distancing rules to halt a third wave of infections.
Health authorities reported 629 new coronavirus infections, the highest in South Korea since a first wave peaked in February and early March.
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said the situation was critical and the government would decide on Sunday whether to upgrade restrictions to include the closure of karaoke bars and limits on religious gatherings to just 20 people.
"It's been 10 days since we upgraded the social distancing rules to phase 2 in the Seoul metropolitan area, but the transmission still seems to be uncontainable," Chung told a government meeting.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said 463 or more than three quarters of the latest locally transmitted cases were from Seoul and nearby areas. South Korea has now reported a total of 36,332 infections, with 536 deaths.
Seoul to shut down most establishments at 9 p.m. to contain coronavirus
South Korea's capital Seoul will require most establishments to close at 9 p.m. each day, acting Seoul mayor Seo Jeong-hyup told a briefing on Friday, to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
The measure take effect Saturday and comes after Seoul alone reported 295 new coronavirus infections as of midnight Thursday.
Seven new cases push Mizoram's Covid-19 tally to 3,888
Seven more people, including two children, have tested positive for Covid-19 in Mizoram, taking the state's tally to 3,888, a health department official said on Friday.
Of the fresh cases, four were reported from Lawngtlai district, two from Champhai and one from Lunglei, he said.
"Six patients were detected during contact tracing and it is yet to be ascertained how the remaining one person contracted the disease," the official said.
Barring one, six are asymptomatic, he said.
Of the 349 samples tested through RT-PCR at Zoram Medical College in the last 24 hours, no Covid-19 case was detected.
"Three new cases were found through TrueNat method and four through rapid antigen tests," he said.
The death toll remained at six as no new fatality due to the infection was reported, the official said.
Sixty-three people were discharged from various Covid care centres on Thursday, taking the total number of recoveries in the state to 3,647.
PM chairs all-party meeting on Covid-19 situation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday chaired an all-party meeting with leaders of various political outfits and top union ministers to discuss the Covid-19 pandemic situation in the country, sources said.
Floor leaders from all parties in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have been invited to attend the virtual meeting which started around 10:30 am.
About 12 leaders from prominent political parties having five or more than five MPs, will be speaking at the meeting, the sources said.
Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad will speak on behalf of the Congress in the meeting. Sudip Bandyopadhyay from the TMC, Sharad Pawar of the NCP, Nama Nageswara Rao from the TRS and Vinayak Raut from the Shiv Sena among others will also speak during the meeting, they said.
Opposition leaders are also expected to question the government about the expected availability of the Covid-19 vaccine and plans for its distribution, the sources said.
This will be the second all-party meeting called by the government to discuss the Covid-19 situation since the outbreak of the pandemic.
Pakistan team denied NZ training rights after positive tests
The Pakistan cricket team has been denied the right to train while in managed isolation in New Zealand after eight members of the touring squad tested positive for Covid-19.
Under exemptions granted to visiting sports teams, members of the 53-strong Pakistan team could have been allowed to leave their Christchurch hotel to train in small groups after the third day of their 14-day isolation period.
But the positive tests and a breach of isolation protocols by team members on their first day in isolation has led New Zealand authorities to withhold the training exemption.
WHO looks at e-certificates for Covid-19 vaccination
World Health Organization said it was considering introducing electronic vaccination certificates, as hopes for an end to the pandemic were boosted after Britain became the first country to approve use of a Covid-19 vaccine.
"We are looking very closely into the use of technology in this Covid-19 response and one of them is how can we work with members states towards something called an e-vaccination certificate," WHO Europe expert Siddhartha Datta told an online press briefing Thursday.
Total discharged cases at 90,16,289 with 42,916 new discharges in the last 24 hrs
With 36,594 new Covid-19 infections, India's total cases rise to 95,71,559
With 540 new deaths, toll mounts to 1,39,188. Total active cases at 4,16,082
France says Covid-19 vaccine will be free for all
France will ensure free Covid-19 vaccinations for all in its social security system and has earmarked some 1.5 billion euros ($1.82 billion) of next year's social security budget to cover the cost, Prime Minister Jean Castex said on Thursday.
Castex, who unveiled France's vaccination strategy alongside several ministers of his government, confirmed the vaccination would not be made compulsory but urged as many as possible to get a shot.
Covid-19, caused by the new coronavirus, has killed more than 1.4 million globally, more than 54,000 of them in France, and derailed the world economy.
"The remarkable mobilisation worldwide has allowed the rapid development of vaccines. However, this timeframe in no way means that we have compromised safety," the prime minister said in a briefing, adding a vaccine distributed in France would be safe.
"Getting a vaccine is also about protecting others. It is a choice of trust, we must be as numerous as possible to get a vaccine."
On Wednesday, Britain became the first Western country to approve a Covid-19 vaccine, clearing a shot from U.S. drugmaker Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech and targeting about 800,000 initial doses in early December to vulnerable members of its population.
Costa Rica signs Covid-19 vaccine deal with Pfizer and BioNTech
Costa Rica has signed an agreement with pharmaceutical companies Pfizer Inc and its German partner BioNTech SE for the manufacture and delivery of 3 million Covid-19 vaccines next year, the office of President Carlos Alvarado said on Thursday.
Deliveries will be made throughout the four quarters of 2021, as established in an initial agreement announced on Oct. 1, the president's office said in a statement.
The deal will allow Costa Rica to provide two doses to 1.5 million people and follows accords with AstraZeneca and the Covax mechanism backed by the World Health Organization. In total, the agreements should cover about 3 million people, or almost 60% of the Costa Rican population.
Former US presidents, Biden ready to publicly receive Covid-19 vaccine
Former US presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton as well as President-elect Joe Biden are volunteering to take a coronavirus vaccine on camera if it will help promote public confidence.
Obama, in an interview with SiriusXM radio, said he would be inoculated if top US infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci signs off on a Covid-19 vaccine.
"If Anthony Fauci tells me this vaccine is safe, and can vaccinate, you know, immunize you from getting Covid, absolutely, I'm going to take it," Obama said.
"I promise you that when it's been made for people who are less at risk, I will be taking it," he said.
"I may end up taking it on TV or having it filmed, just so that people know that I trust this science, and what I don't trust is getting Covid," Obama said.
Mainland China reports 17 new COVID-19 cases vs 16 a day earlier
Mainland China reported 17 new COVID-19 cases on Dec. 3, up from 16 cases a day earlier, the country's national health authority said on Friday.
The National Health Commission, in a statement, said 15 of the new cases were imported infections originating from overseas. There were also two locally transmitted infections in the Inner Mongolia region, the commission said.
US Covid-19 hospitalizations top 100,000 as California readies new restrictions
The United States topped 14 million known Covid-19 infections on Thursday with over 100,000 patients hospitalized for the first time as California imposed stay-at-home orders to take effect when intensive care units approach capacity in the coming days.
The latest round of California restrictions, going beyond any now in place across the United States, will be triggered on a region-by-region basis when available ICU-bed space falls to 15% of capacity or less in any of five designated geographic areas of the state.
California Governor Gavin Newsom said four of the regions, including Southern California, the most populous, were on track to reach the 15% threshold this week, with the San Francisco Bay area expected to follow by mid- to late December.
The stay-at-home restrictions will begin with 48 hours' notice and remain in effect for at least three weeks once they are imposed. California is the most-populous US state, with almost 40 million residents.
US expert Fauci apologises for casting doubt over UK's approval of Pfizer vaccine
Top US infectious diseases expert Anthony Fauci apologised on Thursday for casting doubt on the rigour of the British regulators who approved the Pfizer Inc vaccine against Covid-19, saying he had faith in the quality of their work.
Britain announced the approval of the vaccine on Wednesday, with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) saying it had rigorously assessed the vaccine data and had cut no corners.
Beginning to look like Christmas?
A seller stands amidst funny hats as he waits for customers inside his stall at traditional Plaza Mayor Christmas market, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Madrid, Spain. Credit: Reuters
Conflicts of interest and Covid-19
Many of our leaders, from politicians to university administrators to business owners, face difficult trade-offs during the Covid-19 pandemic, which has created increasingly tense conflicts of interest. Across the globe, decision-makers grapple with dilemmas that weigh economic outcomes with responsibilities for public safety and health. Conflicts of interest impact decisions to close borders, implement quarantines, impose lockdowns, stagger reopenings, enforce social distancing and mandate mask-wearing.
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Fortune or foresight? AstraZeneca and Oxford's stories clash on Covid-19 vaccine
AstraZeneca and Oxford University have given conflicting accounts of how they came upon the most effective dosing pattern for their Covid-19 vaccine, a rare instance of public dissension between major institutions collaborating on a pivotal project.
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Karnataka tackled Covid-19 the best in November in south India
Karnataka has registered the steepest fall in the rate of cases as well as deaths among the five southern states, ananalysis of Covid-19 cases reported in November shows.
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US records over 2.1 lakh new Covid-19 cases in 24 hours:
The United States recorded more than 210,000 Covid-19 cases in 24 hours on Thursday, according to Johns Hopkins University, in an all-time high for the country since the start of the pandemic.
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Covid-19 claims 1.5 million lives globally, 10,000 dying daily
Over 1.5 million people have lost their lives due to Covid-19 with one death reported every nine seconds on a weekly average, as vaccinations are set to begin in December in a handful of developed nations.
Half a million deaths occurred in just the last two months, indicating that the severity of the pandemic is far from over. Nearly 65 million people globally have been infected by the disease and the worst affected country, United States, is currently battling a third wave of coronavirus infections.
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Here is DH's Covid-19 India Tracker
Police inspector Rajesh Babu (C) wearing coronavirus-themed helmet speaks to a family on a motorbike at a checkpoint in Tamil Nadu. Credit: AFP File Photo
Moderna Covid-19 vaccine confers at least 3 months immunity: Study
The Moderna Covid-19 vaccine, which was recently demonstrated to have 94 percent efficacy, causes the human immune system to produce potent antibodies that endure for at least three months, a study showed Thursday.
Covid-19 claims 1.5 million lives globally, 10,000 dying daily
Over 1.5 million people have lost their lives due to Covid-19 with one death reported every nine seconds on a weekly average, as vaccinations are set to begin in December in a handful of developed nations.
Fortune or foresight? AstraZeneca and Oxford's stories clash on Covid-19 vaccine
AstraZeneca and Oxford University have given conflicting accounts of how they came upon the most effective dosing pattern for their Covid-19 vaccine, a rare instance of public dissension between major institutions collaborating on a pivotal project.