Coronavirus News Highlights: 19 more Omicron cases in Kerala; Comorbidity certificate needed for 60+ to get precautionary shot

With the Omicron Covid-19 variant gradually making its presence felt, the Karnataka government is taking pre-emptive steps in the form of a 'night curfew' which will come into effect from December 28. Meanwhile, the gap between the second dose of Covid-19 vaccine and the third, which is being called a "precaution dose", is likely to be nine to 12 months, PTI sources said. Come back tomorrow for continuous updates.

Gurugram reports first Omicron case

Haryana's Gurugram, which is located next to Delhi in the National Capital Region, reported its first case of the Omicron variant.

Chhattisgarh adds 46 new cases

Chhattisgarh'sCovid-19 tally reached 1,007,623 on Sunday with the addition of 46 new cases, an official said. No fatality due to the infection was reported in the state during the day, which kept the death toll unchanged at 13,597.

Kerala reports 19 new Omicron cases

As many as 19 more cases of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 were confirmed in Kerala, the state health minister said.

'Comorbidities certificate' needed for 60+ to get precautionary dose

People above 60 years of age will need a 'comorbidities certificate' to take the Covid-19 precautionary dose, National Health Authority (NHA) CEO Dr RS Sharma said.

Delhi adds 290 new cases

Delhi reported 290 positive cases, one death, and 120 recoveries in the past 24 hours. Active cases were at 1,103.

Maharashtra reports 1,648 new cases, 31 of Omicron variant

Maharashtra reported 1,648 new cases, 918 recoveries and 17 deaths over the past 24 hours. The active cases stood at 9,813. As many as 31 new Omicron cases were also reported in the state, taking the total count of the new variant to 141.

Delhi imposes night curfew from 11 pm to 5 am

A night curfew, between 11 pm and 5 am, will kick in from December 27 in the national capital over concerns regarding the spread of Covid-19 cases, the government said.

Karnataka adds 348 new cases

Karnataka reported 348 new cases and 3 deaths over the past 24 hours, taking the respective tallies to3,004,587 and38,312. The number of active cases stood at 7,418.

More new cases in English Premier League teams

Patrick Vieira, the manager of Crystal Palace, tested positive for Covid-19. He will miss the game against Tottenham Hotspur, as a consequence.

Mumbai logs 922 new cases

Mumbai reported 922 Covid-19 cases, 2 deaths and 326 recoveries in the past 24 hours. The active caseload was 4,295.

TN reports 610 new cases and 10 deaths

Tamil Nadu reported 610 new cases, 10 deaths and 679 discharges in the past 24 hours. The number ofactive cases was 6,629.

(ANI)

Kerala logs 1,824 new cases

Kerala reported 1,824 fresh infections, 16 deaths and 3,364 recoveries in the past 24 hours; keeping the active caseload at 22,691. The death toll was at 46,586, after 252 deaths were added to the tally as per Centre's guidelines.

(ANI)

More students of Ahmednagar college test positive

In total, 48 students and 3 staff members of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in Takli Dhokeshwar of Ahmednagar have tested positive for Covid-19 till now, said Ahmednagar District Magistrate Rajendra Bhosale. A day earlier, 19 students tested positive.

China reports sudden spike in cases ahead of Winter Olympics

China has reported 206 newCovid-19 cases, including 158 domestically transmitted ones, in a sudden spike ahead of the Beijing Winter Olympics which will be held in February next year, the country’s health commission said on Sunday.

Need to bring back curbs in Kolkata in light of Christmas crowds: Experts

A day after Kolkata saw huge crowds of mid-night revellers thronging the eastern metropolis's busy Park Street to celebrate Christmas, health experts and doctors cautioned the state government against allowing more such gatherings, especially during the New Year festivities, pointing to the rising number ofCovid-19 cases in the country and emergent threat from a more virulent Omicron strain.

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First Omicron case detected in Gaza, Palestinians say

The Palestinian health ministry said on Sunday it had identified the first case of the Omicron variant ofCovid-19 in the Gaza Strip.

40 of 51 Omicron patients at Delhi hospital discharged

The majority of patients were asymptomatic & recovered without any medications. None of the patients was given oxygen support, steroid or Remdesivir: Dr Suresh Kumar MD LNJP, Delhi

(ANI)

Individual alertness, discipline 'big strength' of country in fight against new Covid variant: PM Modi

Two more Omicron cases in Andhra Pradesh, tally rises to 6

Four UK returnees test Covid positive in West Bengal

So far, six people, including a medical practitioner, have tested for the Omicron strain of coronavirus in West Bengal.

Australian state sees record cases, lab sends false results

Australia's most populous state reported a record number of new Covid-19 cases on Sunday and a sharp jump in hospitalisations while thousands of people were isolating at home after contracting the virus or coming into contact with someone who has.

A major laboratory in Sydney, which is located in New South Wales, said that 400 people who had been informed a day earlier they had tested negative for Covid-19 had in fact tested positive.

A medical student prepares a Christmas tree made with empty vials of Covid vaccine on the occasion of Christmas festival, in Bengaluru, Saturday, December 25, 2021. Credit: PTI Photo

Ensure availability of Covaxin if mixed match policy for booster is adopted: IMA

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Sunday said that the Centre should ensure the large-scale availability of Covaxin if a mixed match policy is adopted for booster doses for healthcare workers, as majority of the people have taken Covishield as their first and second doses.

Aston Villa coach Gerrard to miss two Premier League games after contracting Covid

The 41-year old will miss Sunday's Boxing Day game at home to Chelsea and Tuesday's trip to Leeds.

"Aston Villa can confirm Head Coach Steven Gerrard will be unable to attend our next two Premier League matches with Chelsea and Leeds United as he will be isolating after testing positive for Covid-19," the club said in a statement on Saturday night.

'Gap between 2nd Covid vaccine shot and precaution dose likely to be 9-12 months'

The gap between the second dose of Covid-19 vaccine and the third, which is being called a "precaution dose", is likely to be nine to 12 months, official sources said on Sunday.

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Chennai civic body to reopen Covid-care centres

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) will be reopening some of its Covid-19 care centres to prevent the spread of infected cases.

Urban community centres at Injambakkam in Sholingallur zone and Manjambakkam will be converted into Covid-care centres, sources in the civic body informed IANS.

Himachal Pradesh reports first case of Omicron.

The person had returned from Canada on December 18. The patient's latest RTPCR is negative and her three close contacts have also tested negative: State Health Department

Madhya Pradesh reports 8 cases of Omicron variant of Covid-19

Students and revellers take part in the annual pre New Year's masquerade themed "Escape from reality" at the Faculty of Technical Science amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak, in Belgrade, Serbia, December 26, 2021.

(Reuters)

China reports sudden spike in Covid-19 cases ahead of Winter Olympics

China has reported 206 new Covid-19 cases, including 158 domestically transmitted ones, in a sudden spike ahead of the Beijing Winter Olympics which will be held in February next year, the country’s health commission said on Sunday.

Of the new local cases of coronavirus, 157 were reported in Shaanxi and one in Guangxi provinces, besides 48 imported cases, the National Health Commission (NHC) said.

Ladakh reports 24 fresh Covid-19 cases

Andaman & Nicobar reports one new Covid-19 case

4 more Omicron cases in Odisha, tally reaches 8

Four more persons in Odisha have tested positive for the Omicron Covid-19 variant, taking the overall caseload in the state to eight, officials said here on Sunday.

As per latest report, another four foreign returnees have tested Omicron positive following genome sequencing conducted by Institute of Life Sciences (ILS), Bhubaneswar.

DCGI approves Covaxin for children above 12 years with certain conditions

(ANI)

Mutual funds add Rs 7-lakh crore to kitty in 2021; Omicron, rate hikes possible red flags for 2022

Mutual Funds as an investment avenue won the confidence of investors in 2021 with the industry adding a staggering Rs 7 lakh crore to their asset base during the year on the back of buoyant equity markets and a bunch of large new fund offerings (NFOs), but the new year could be tricky depending on the Omicron situation and possible interest rate hikes.

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Christian devotees place candles on a police barricade outside Sacred Heart Cathedral, closed to the general public due to the ongoing Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic, during Christmas celebrations in New Delhi on December 25, 2021.

(AFP)

75% of eligible population fully vaccinated in Karnataka

The administration of preventive dose will start from January 10 for those with comorbidities and above 60 years of age: Karnataka Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar

(ANI)

Delhi govt postpones January 5 play on Ambedkar amid rising Covid cases

The Delhi government has postponed a play on the life of Babasaheb Ambedkar that was to be staged from January 5 in view of the rising Covid-19 cases in the national capital, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Sunday.

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India's recovery rate at 98.40%, highest since March 2020

With the administration of 32,90,766 vaccine doses in the last 24 hrs, India’s Covid-19 vaccination coverage exceeds 141.37 crore. The recovery rate of 98.40% is the highest since March 2020. Weekly positivity rate at 0.62% remains less than 1% from last 42 days: Union Health Ministry

(ANI)

Night curfew in Karnataka for 10 days from December 28

Karnataka will impose a night curfew from 10 pm to 5 am for 10 days from December 28 in view of Omicron variant of Covid-19. The state government has also banned all New Year parties and gatherings in public places.

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Centre has accepted my suggestion for Covid vaccine booster dose: Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said the Centre has "accepted my suggestion" to allow the administration of booster doses of Covid vaccine and asserted that the protection of vaccines and booster shots has to be provided to every citizen of the country.

Karnataka govt imposes Covid curbs on new year celebrations

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai holds a meeting with cabinet colleagues and officials to discuss measures to control the spread of the Omicron variant

(ANI)

Shapovalov tests positive for Covid-19 on arrival for ATP Cup

Canada's Denis Shapovalov has announced he has tested positive for Covid-19 after arriving in Sydney for the ATP Cup.

The 22-year-old is one of the first overseas players to arrive in Australia and is part of Canada’s team for the team-based tournament in Sydney from January1-9, ahead of the Australian Open at Melbourne starting on January 17.

IMA President welcomes Centre’s move to vaccinate children aged 15-18 years

A total of 422 Omicron cases were reported in 17 States/UTs of India so far. The number of persons recovered is 130: Union Health Ministry

India reports 6,987 new Covid cases, 162 deaths

India's Covid tally on Sunday rose to 3,47,86,802 with 6,987 fresh cases in the last 24 hours, while the active cases have declined to 76,766, according to the data updated at 8 am.

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People visit Juhu beach during the ongoing coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, in Mumbai

(Reuters)

We welcome the Centre govt's decision on boosters for 60+, frontline staff; vaccines for 15-18 years. Booster dose amid Omicron scare is need of the hour: Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope

(ANI)

Rising Omicron cases in Singapore, 98 infections confirmed on Saturday

Singapore is reporting rising Omicron cases due to the rapid spread of the variant, the Ministry of Health said on Saturday, confirming 448 infections till date, of which 369 arrived here or were imported.

Ninety-eight new Omicron infections were confirmed on Saturday, comprising 73 imported cases and 25 local infections.

"Given its high transmissibility, it is a matter of time before the Omicron variant spreads in our community," cautioned the ministry.

"It is important for everyone to continue to play their part and remain vigilant to mitigate the spread of Covid-19, and to come forward to receive your vaccination or booster dose when offered," Channel News Asia quoted the ministry as saying.

France logs record 104,611 new daily Covid-19 cases

Covid infections in France hit six figures Saturday, health officials recording 104,611 cases over the previous 24 hours, the third consecutive day the numbers have been record highs.

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India may follow mix and match policy for booster dose: IMA

Vaccination for kids aged 15-18 years to begin from January 3, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced the roll-out of Covid-19 vaccination for children aged between 15-18 years from the first week of January and booster doses for healthcare workers, front line staff and the elderly from the second week.

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