Coronavirus news highlights: India's Covid-19 tally breaches 97 lakh cases, death toll nears 1.5 lakh

India's coronavirus tally on Monday went past the 97-lakh mark with the death toll inching closer to 1.5 lakh. Meanwhile, the number of active Covid-19 cases in India dropped below four lakh for the first time in over 4 months. The daily fatalities also fell below 400 on Monday after more than five months. On the vaccine front, Bharat Biotech has sought emergency use authorisation from DCGI for its Covid-19 vaccine Covaxin. The virus has globally claimed over 1.5 million lives. Stay tuned for more updates.

Active Covid-19 cases dip below 4 lakh for the first time in over four months, daily deaths below 400 after 150 days

According to the Union Health Ministry, India reported 3,96,729 lakh active cases on Monday. This is the lowest such number since July 20 when the number of active cases was pegged at less than four lakh – 3,90,459 to be exact - last time before shooting upwards.

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Essential workers win TIME's 2020 Person of the Year Reader Poll

TIME said “these heroes” won with 6.5 per cent of the more than 8 million votes cast in this year's poll, that had asked readers to select the person or group of people who had the greatest influence on 2020.

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WHO does not envisage Covid-19 vaccines being made mandatory

"I don't think we envisage any countries creating a mandate for vaccinations, " Kate O’Brien, WHO’s director of immunisation vaccines and biologicals, told a news conference.

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Tamil Nadu reports 1,312 new Covid-19 cases, 1,389 discharges, and 16 deaths today: State Health Department, Govt of Tamil Nadu Total cases: 7,91,552 Total discharges: 7,69,048 Death toll: 11,809 Active cases: 10,695

Students of Women's Christian College read in the premises of the college after authorities allowed its reopening since theCOVID-19 lockdown in March, at Nagercoil in Kanyakumari district, Monday, Dec. 7, 2020. Credit: PTI Photo

Punjab reports 620 new Covid-19 cases, 886 discharges, and 19 deaths today, says Govt of Punjab. Total cases in the State rise to 1,56,839 including 1,44,301 recoveries and 4,934 deaths. Active cases stand at 7,604

Bharat Biotech seeks emergency use authorisation from DCGI for its Covid-19 vaccine Covaxin

The company filed its application with the Drugs Controller General of India earlier on Monday, the source said.

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A security personnel wearing a mask walks past a mural, honouring the warriors of Covid-19, in New Delhi, Monday, Dec. 7, 2020. Credit: PTI Photo

Gujarat's Covid-19 tally rises to 2,20,168 with 1,380 new cases; toll up to 4,095 with 14 more deaths: Health Department

Kerala reports 3,272 fresh Covid-19 cases and 4,705 recoveries today. The total numbers of active cases and recovered cases are 59,467 and 5,77,616 respectively

Tamil Nadu reports 1,312 new Covid-19 cases, 1,389 discharges, and 16 deaths today: State Health Department, Govt of Tamil Nadu

Total cases: 7,91,552

Total discharges: 7,69,048

Death toll: 11,809

Active cases: 10,695

Government supporting hundreds of projects in fight against coronavirus, says Harsh Vardhan

"From the development of indigenous vaccines, novel point-of-care diagnostics and therapeutic formulations based on traditional knowledge to establishing research resources and offering services, Indian R&D entities both public and private, are working relentlessly to develop effective interventions for combating the pandemic," the minister said.

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Bride tests positive for Covid-19; couple goes ahead with ceremony in Rajasthan

The couple, whose names were not made public, decided to go ahead with the ceremony on Sunday in the courtyard of the Covid-19 quarantine centre in Baran in Rajasthan - their protective gear giving it an otherworldly feel.

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1,674 new COVID-19 cases take Delhi's tally to over 5.93 lakh; death toll 9,706 with 63 more fatalities: Authorities

Country will not have to wait too long for Covid-19 vaccine, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that the country will not have to wait too long for the coronavirus vaccine even as he cautioned people that there should be no laxity as far as prevention of the infection is concerned.

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IndiGo to refund all passengers by Jan 31 for flight cancellations due to lockdown

IndiGo on Monday said it will refund all customer credit shells, which were created when flights were cancelled due to thecoronaviruslockdown earlier this year, by January 31, 2021.

The airline in a statement said it has already processed close to Rs 1,000 crore of refunds, which is approximately 90 per cent of the total amount it owed to its customers.

The unreserved passenger train services that were cancelled over Bengaluru division of South Western Railway after the announcement of national lockdown due to Covid-19 pandemic, started again from today: South Western Railway

Anti-vaccine scientist has been invited to testify before senate committee

A doctor who is skeptical of coronavirus vaccines will be the lead witness at a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing Tuesday, prompting criticism from Democrats who say Republicans should not give a platform to someone who spreads conspiracy theories.

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India needs to vaccinate 70% of its population: Expert

Vaccination is the country's best answer to the pandemic as the Covid-19 virus is a “stable virus," according to infectious diseases specialist and leading HIV/AIDS consultant Dr I S Gilada

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A total of 14,77,87,656 samples tested for Covid-19, up to 6th December 2020. Of these, 8,01,081 samples were tested yesterday: ICMR

Coronavirus cases in India cross 96.77 lakh, death toll mounts to 1,40,573

With 32,981 new Covid-19infections, India's total cases rise to 96,77,203 With 391 new deaths, toll mounts to 1,40,573. Total active cases at 3,96,729. Total discharged cases at 91,39,901 with 39,109 new discharges in the last 24 hours.

Mizoram reported 2 new Covid-19 cases yesterday. Total cases: 3,936 Total discharged: 3,728 Death toll: 6 Active cases: 202

Pandemic pandemonium: How to invest during a bubble?

Joe was elected, several vaccines are viable, and the order returned to the world (or so we thought). The tsunami of liquidity unleashed by central bankers and governments not to mention Millennial ‘Robinhood’ traders sent the markets new, albeit extremely choppy heights.

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Punjab seeks priority allocation of Covid-19 vaccine once available

Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure priority allocation of Covid-19 vaccine to Punjab on account of its higher mortality rate and high levels of co-morbidities in the state.

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Covid-19 pandemic fails to deter voluntary blood donors

As much as 82% of blood units received in the state’s 230 public and private blood banks, from April to October this year, are from voluntary blood donation (VBD) drives, camps and visits to blood banks.

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Serum Institute seeks emergency use authorisation for Oxford Covid-19 vaccine Covishield in India

The Serum Institute of India on Sunday became the first indigenous company to apply to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) seeking emergency use authorisation for the Oxford Covid-19 vaccine in the country citing unmet medical needs due to the pandemic and in the interest of the public at large, official sources said.

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US notches up record 230,000 new Covid-19 cases as reports say British queen to get vaccine soon

The United States notched up a record number of coronavirus cases in 24 hours for the third day running, as it was reported that Britain's Queen Elizabeth II will get a vaccine within weeks.

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Fewer coronavirus patients at Victoria Hospital but non-Covid services still shut

Resident doctors will hit the streets on Monday in protest against the continued closure of tertiary care servicesfornon-Covid patientsat Victoria Hospital, the largest government-run medical facility in Karnataka.

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Brazil's coronavirus cases top 6.6 million, health ministry says

Brazil reported 26,363 additional confirmedcoronaviruscases in the past 24 hours, and 313 deaths from COVID-19, its health ministry said on Sunday.

The South American country has now registered 6,603,540 cases since the pandemic began, while its official death toll has risen to 176,941, according to ministry data. Brazil has the world's third worst outbreak after the United States andIndia.