Coronavirus News Highlights: Chhattisgarh Health Minister T S Singh Deo tests positive for Covid-19

Argentine superstar Lionel Messi and three of his team mates have tested positive for the coronavirus, his team announced earlier today. Karnataka Revenue Minister R Ashoka suggested that the state may introduce tougher Covid-19 rules from January 7 as cases continue to rise. Meanwhile, West Bengal introduced fresh curbs limiting air travel and capacity for marriages, last rites, and entry to public places. Stay tuned to DH for live updates.

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TN inoculated 86.95 per cent of population with first dose: Health Minister

Tamil Nadu has inoculated 86.95 per cent of its population with first dose of vaccination againstCovid-19 with 4,20,098 people getting covered during the 17th mega vaccination camp held on Sunday, State Minister Ma Subramanian said.

As much as 60.71 per cent were covered with second dose with 10,96,706 people receiving the vaccines during the mass exercise, the Minister for Medical and Family Welfare said.

In total, 15,16,804 people were covered during the drive today, he told reporters.

5 more Omicron cases reported in Telangana

Five more Omicron cases have been recorded in Telangana, taking the total number of cases of the new coronavirus variant in the state to 84, the state health department said on Sunday.

All five cases were passengers who arrived at the international airport here from countries other than those declared "at risk" by the Centre, it said in a bulletin.

The bulletin said 32 Omicron-infected people have cumulatively recovered from the new variant, leaving the number of active cases at 52.

Chhattisgarh Health Minister T S Singh Deo positive for Covid-19

Fauci cites near 'vertical' rise in Covid, but sees hope

The United States is experiencing "almost a vertical increase" inCovidcases as the Omicron variant sweeps the country, but the peak may be only weeks away, top US pandemic advisor Anthony Fauci said Sunday.

"We are definitely in the middle of a very severe surge and uptick in cases," Fauci said on ABC's "This Week," calling the soaring infection rate "really unprecedented."

With the Omicron variant of the virus sweeping around the world, more than 440,000 new cases were reported in the US on Friday, almost exactly 200,000 more than during a peak last February.

6.79 lakh in 15-18 age group registered on Co-WIN for vaccination

Haryana orders colleges, universities to remain shut till January 12

Maharashtra sees 11,877 new Covid-19 cases, 9 deaths

89% of Mumbai's daily Covid-19 cases asymptomatic

Kolkata: Victoria Memorial to be closed from Monday

In view of the surge in #COVID19 cases, the galleries and gardens of the Victoria Memorial Hall, Kolkata as well as the Projection Mapping show each evening, will remain closed from Jan 3 until further orders, reads an official release (ANI)

Mumbai reports 8,063 Covid-19 cases; lockdown not planned yet says Maharashtra Health Minister

Karnataka logs 1,187 new cases, 6 deaths

60 new Covid-19 cases in Mumbai's Dharavi; active cases at 179

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said that Dharavi reported 60 new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours. Presently, there are 179 active cases in Dharavi. (ANI)

85 students of Nainital school Covid-positive; school now a micro-containment zone

Eighty-five students of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya at Gangarkot in Nainital, Uttarakhand test positive for COVID-19; school declared micro containment zone: Officials

3,194 new cases in Delhi, highest since May 20

Delhi logs 3,194 new Covid cases, 17% more than Saturday and highest since May 20, 2021, 1 death. Positivity rate 4.59%: Health Bulletin

India's Covid-19 vaccination programme one of the most successful in the world: Mandaviya

India's vaccination programme against coronavirus has been one of the most successful and largest in world: Union Health Ministry, terms as misleading some media reports that claimed country has missed its Covid-19 inoculation targets

PSG and Argentina star Lionel Messi tests positive for Covid-19

As cases spike in Karnataka, 'tough' rules may be introduced after Jan 7: Ashoka

With the sudden spike in dailyCovid-19 cases in Karnataka and the new infections breaching the 1,000 mark on Saturday, a state minister indicated that the government is mulling 'tough rules'.

The government has imposed night curfew from 10 PM to 5 AM till January 7 in order to check the spread of the disease.

"We will convene a meeting and announce some tough rules before January 7 when the night curfew will be lifted," Karnataka Revenue Minister R Ashoka told reporters.

Goa government aims to vaccinate all 72,000 kids in 15-18 age group on Monday: Minister

Goa government aims to inoculate all 72,000 children in 15-18 age group against Covid-19 with first dose in next four days after vaccination opens for them on Monday: Health Minister Vishwajit Rane (PTI)

Set up separate vaccination centres for 15-18 age group to avoid mixing of vaccines: Mandaviya

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya says states and union territories should take necessary measures, including setting up separate vaccination centres, to avoid mixing-up of Covid vaccines during administration of shots to those in 15-18 age group (PTI)

England head coach Chris Silverwood tests positive for Covid-19

Under-fire England head coach Chris Silverwood has tested positive for Covid-19 while quarantining here with his family but he is expected to join the team ahead of the fifth Ashes Test in Hobart.

Silverwood was due to miss the fourth Test against England starting in Sydney on Wednesday after he was forced into isolation when a family member tested positive for Covid-19.

West Bengal: People involved in essential services exempted from 10 am to 5pm night curfew

No more than 20 people can attend burial/last ritesceremonies in West Bengal

Not more than 50 people can attend marriage ceremonies in West Bengal

West Bengal to operate flights from Delhi and Mumbai twice a week

West Bengal imposes fresh curbs on air travel amid the Covid-19 surge. "West Bengal to operate flights from Delhi and Mumbai only twice a week which will be on Monday and Friday w.e.f Jan 5," West Bengal Chief Secretary said.

(ANI)

West Bengal Covid curbs: Offices to operate at 50% capacity

All private and government offices will operate at 50 per cent of the capacity, as per the orders.

West Bengal Covid curbs: Local trains to operate at half capacity

According to the orders, local trains in West Bengal will operate from Monday with 50 per cent capacity, only till 7 pm.

West Bengal shuts educational institutes, salons and entertainment parks

All schools, colleges, universities, spas, salons, beauty parlours, zoos, and entertainment parks to be closed in the state from tomorrow, announced West Bengal Chief Secretary HK Dwivedi.

(ANI)

Odisha clocks 23 Omicron cases

As many as23 new cases of the Omicron Covid-19 variant were detected in Odisha, taking the total number of cases of the newer variant to 37 in the state, Niranja Mishra, the Director of Public Health, said.

Health ministry calls for smooth vaccinations for 15-18 age group

Stressing on the need to ensure smooth implementation of new vaccination guidelines, states/UTs were advised to ensure the orientation of vaccinators and vaccination team members for vaccination of 15 to 18-year-olds, and identification of dedicated session sites for their vaccination, the health ministry said.

(ANI)

Pakistan minister claims Covid-19 next wave in progress

Pakistan's Planning Minister Asad Umar has said that there are clear indications of the beginning of a new wave of the pandemic amidst a spike in the number of the new cases ofCovid-19's Omicron variant in the country.The first case of the Omicron variant ofCovid-19 was reported on December 13 in Karachi, which increased to 75 cases by December 27, 2021, according toaNational Institute of Health statement.

Odisha hits two-month high in single-day spike, logs 424 new cases

Odisha on Sunday reported 424 newCovid-19 infections, the highest single-day spike in over two months, which pushed the caseload to 1,055,556, according to the health department bulletin.

Negative RT-PCR tests mandated for Port Blair arrivals

All Incoming passengers to Port Blair, aged over 2 years, irrespective of vaccination status, have been mandated to carry valid negative RT-PCR reports from January 5.

(All India Radio News)

Only 82 oxygen beds occupied in Delhi, prepared with over 37K beds, says Kejriwal

As of now, only 82 oxygen beds in hospitals are occupied. Delhi government is prepared will 37,000 beds. "I just want to tell you that all new cases are with mild symptoms, asymptomatic, so there is no need to panic," said Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal

Covid-19 cases on a spike, but no need to worry, says Kejriwal

Currently, the number of active cases in the national capital is 6,360, with around 3,100 more positives expected today. Only 246 hospital beds were occupied on Saturday, withall cases mild and asymptomatic, said Delhi CM Kejriwal

Ladakh records 23 new Covid-19 cases

Ladakh'sCovidtally rose to 22,207 on Sunday as 23 more people tested positive for the infection, officials said. While 20 cases were detected in Leh, three were reported from Kargil district.

Malls, markets in select Haryana districts to shut by 5 pm

In districts with high daily Covid-19 cases, namely Gurugram, Faridabad, Ambala, Panchkula and Sonepat, malls and markets will shut by 5 pm. Only fully vaccinated persons will be allowed to use public transport, and enter hotels, restaurants, malls, grain markets. Teams have been deployed to enforce the same, said Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij.

Five new cases take tally of Andamans to 7,733

Andaman and Nicobar Islands reported five newCovid-19 cases, three less than the previous day, with the tally rising to 7,733, a health department official said Sunday.

85 students of Uttarakhand school test positive

85 students of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Gangarkot in Nainital tested positive for Covid-19. These students are in isolation on the school premises. Students who tested negative in RT-PCR test to undergo antigen test and will be sent home if they test negative, according to the deputy collector.

(ANI)

India logs 27,553 new cases, including 94 Omicron cases

India reported 27,553 fresh infections, including 284 deaths and 9,249 discharges in the past 24 hours. The number of Omicron cases spiked to 1,525 from 1,431 a day prior. The active caseload stands at 122,801, according to government data.

(ANI)

J&K varsity shut after 13 students test positive

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University's Kakryal (Katra) campus has been closed after 13 students tested positive for Covid-19, the district magistrate of Reasi said.

(ANI)

Mumbai cases at eight-month high

Mumbai recorded 5,631 newday cases over the past 24 hours, which is the highest single-day spike over the past eight months. The administration warned people to follow Covid-19 norms and advised citizens against venturing out of their homes.

(All India Radio News)

New York reports pandemic high of 85,000 cases in a day

New York state recorded more than 85,000 new coronavirus cases on the last day of 2021, the highest one-day total in the state since the pandemic began, officials announced Saturday.

Australia: New cases dip but hospitalisations rise

New Covid-19 cases dipped on Sunday in Australia, as testing slowed over a holiday weekend, but hospitalisations remained well over 30,000 and rose further in New South Wales, as concerns grew about potential strains on the national health system.

Mizoram logs 84 new cases

Mizoram reported 84 new cases and 1 death over the past 24 hours, with the active caseload stands at 1,715.

(ANI)

Team Canada CEO 'worried' if Beijing Games can go ahead as planned

With just over a month until the Beijing Winter Olympics opening ceremony the CEO of the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) said he is increasingly concerned if the Games can go ahead as planned. "We're worried," COC CEO David Shoemaker told the CBC in a New Year's Eve interview. "We're confident that these Games can still be scheduled safely. But we're taking it day-by-day and wake up every morning to make sure that is how we still feel about it."

France to ease isolation rules

France will relaxCovidisolation rules from Monday, the government announced, in a bid to ease their impact on society and the economy. Fully vaccinated people who test positive will only have to isolate for seven days regardless of the coronavirus variant they were infected with, but can leave quarantine after five days if they show an antigen or negative PCR test. There will be no quarantine for fully inoculated individuals who have a close contact test positive.