COVID-19 Cases: Several countries have promised to rush medical supplies to India amid Covid surge.
Covaxin, India's home-grown Covid vaccine produced by Bharat Biotech, has been found to neutralise the B.1.617 variant or the Indian double mutant strain, White House Chief Medical Adviser Anthony Fauci said on Tuesday.
"Now, this is something where we're still gaining data on a daily basis. But the most recent data was looking at convalescent sera of COVID-19 cases in people who received the vaccine used in India, the Covaxin. And it was found to neutralise the 617 variant," he said, according to news agency PTI.
"So despite the real difficulty that we're seeing in India, vaccination could be a very, very important antidote against this," Dr Fauci was quoted as telling reporters.
Meanwhile, India saw a record single-day rise of 3,60,960 coronavirus cases, which pushed the total tally to 1,79,97,267, while the death count crossed two lakh following 3,293 fresh fatalities, according to Union health ministry data updated on Wednesday.
The number of people who have recuperated from the disease is 1,48,17,371, while the case fatality rate stands at 1.12 per cent, the data updated at 8 am showed.
Registering a steady increase, the active cases have risen to 29,78,709, comprising 16.55 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has further dropped to 82.33 per cent, it said.
The death count stands at 2,01,187, the data stated.
India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7 last year, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16.
Here are the Latest News Highlights:
Consider Aviation Workers As Priority Group During Covid Vaccination: Centre To StatesThe states should consider aviation workers as a priority group for anti-COVID vaccination program that is going to start from May 1, Aviation Secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey told chief secretaries of all the states on Tuesday.
The aviation sector has been at the forefront to extend services to the movement of people, essential medical cargo, including vaccines, medicines, medical equipment, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr Pandey's letter to the states said.
The vital role played by the Vande Bharat Mission and the lifeline Udan flights has been noteworthy, the letter dated April 27 mentioned.
Brazil Says Russian Covid Vaccine Carried Live Cold VirusTainted batches of Russia's Sputnik V Covid vaccine sent to Brazil carried a live version of a common cold-causing virus, the South American country's health regulator reported in a presentation explaining its decision to ban the drug's import.
Top virologist Angela Rasmussen told AFP the finding "raises questions about the integrity of the manufacturing processes" and could be a safety issue for people with weaker immune systems, if the problem was found to be widespread.
Russia's Gamaleya Institute, which developed the vaccine, has denied the reports.
The issue centers around an "adenovirus vector" -- a virus that normally causes mild respiratory illness but in vaccines is genetically modified so that it cannot replicate, and edited to carry the DNA instructions for human cells to develop the spike protein of the coronavirus.
This in turn trains the human system to be prepared in case it then encounters the real coronavirus.
Nagaland's COVID-19 tally rises to 13,569 with 124 fresh casesNagaland's COVID-19 caseload mounted to 13,569 on Wednesday as 124 more people tested positive for the disease, Health Minister S Pangnyu Phom said.
Of the fresh cases, 107 were reported from Dimapur, 11 from Kohima, three from Mokokchung, two from Mon and one from Tuensang, he said.
Thirty-two people - 29 from Kohima and three from Longleng - were cured of the disease during the day, taking the total number of recoveries to 12,183, the minister said.
The recovery rate among coronavirus patients in the state stands at 89.79 per cent.
Switzerland to send oxygen concentrators, other medical supplies to IndiaSwitzerland on Wednesday said it will send medical supplies, including oxygen concentrators and ventilators, to India amid the spiralling coronavirus cases.
Swiss Embassy in India said Switzerland through the Swiss humanitarian aid will send medical supplies to India.
"This will include oxygen concentrators, ventilators and other medical equipment. This material will be distributed with the support of the Indian Red Cross Society. Switzerland stands in solidarity with India in these challenging times," it said in a statement.
COVID 19 explodes in Bihar; 13,374 new cases,84 deathsBihar gasped with an active caseload that sniffed at the six-digit mark on Wednesday when a jittery state government also came out with more stringent restrictions in a desperate bid to contain the contagion that has been spreading at an alarming rate.
According to the state health departments bulletin, the number of active cases now stood at 98,747, a nearly 50 times increase since the beginning of the month when the active caseload was less than 2,000.
The severity of the outbreak of the second wave which has been blamed on new, mutant strains which are said to be much more contagious and lethal can also be gauged from the fact that the active caseload happens to be more than one fifth of the total number of 4.41 lakh cases reported in Bihar since COVID-19 struck the world in March last year.
Ashok Gehlot isolates himself after wife tests positive for COVID-19Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot isolated himself on Wednesday on Wednesday after his wife Sunita Gehlot tested positive for coronavirus.
Mr Gehlot tweeted that his wife has tested positive for COVID, though she is asymptomatic, and as per protocol, her treatment has started under home isolation.
He said he will be in isolation as a precautionary measure and will hold daily review meeting with doctors and officers at 8.30 pm.
IAF plane flies three empty oxygen tankers from Indore to RaipurAn Indian Air Force C-17 transport plane on Wednesday ferried three empty oxygen tankers from Indore to Raipur for refilling, an official said.
The aircraft took off from Jamnagar air base in Gujarat to reach Indore and later flew with empty tankers of 30, 24 and 16 ton capacity to Raipur in Chhattisgarh.
Parts of the outer body of the tankers had to be removed or cut for fitting them inside the plane which took nearly five hours, said Aryma Sanyal, director of the Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport in Indore.
While around 10 tankers have been flown from Indore since April 23, for the first time three tankers were ferried at a time, she added.
The tankers will be loaded with liquid oxygen at the Bhilai Steel Plant, said MP Audyogik Vikas Nigam (MPIDC) Executive Director Rohan Saxena.
Despite Political Differences Centre Working With All States Amid COVID-19: JP Nadda
Amid the ongoing spike in COVID-19 cases, Bharatiya Janata Party's National President JP Nadda on Wednesday said that the party has to work with all the states even if they do not agree with the Centre and added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is working towards ''sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka vishwas''.
"Please Save Her": Mother's SOS For Baby Who Died After Hospital Wait
An infant died after a long wait for admission into a hospital in Andhra Pradesh's Visakhapatnam last evening. She had reportedly tested positive for Covid and had difficulty breathing. Her parents begged for her treatment for nearly an hour but when she was finally admitted, it was too late. After her death, angry relatives rushed into the hospital and fought with the staff, accusing them of callousness.
Read Here Coronavirus: Indian Army Converts Base Hospital Delhi Cantonment Into COVID-19 Facility
The Indian Army has stepped up their efforts to support the fight against the raging COVID-19 pandemic. The Army has converted base hospitals into a Covid hospital in Delhi to provide extensive medical assistance to veterans and their dependents. According to the Ministry of Defence, the Base Hospital Delhi Cantonment (BHDC) has been converted into a Covid hospital with comprehensive arrangements for providing critical care to all incoming patients.
Karnataka Lockdown: BS Yediyurappa Appeals To People To Follow Covid Protocols
Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Wednesday appealed to people to follow COVID-19 guidelines and stay indoors amid the pandemic-induced lockdown in the state. "The 2-weeks strict rules to break the chain of Covid virus have begun. My appeal to everyone: follow the guidelines, cooperate with the govt, stay indoors, and step out only if it's an emergency. Together, we all can defeat the Covid-19 pandemic," BS Yediyurappa tweeted.
COVID-19: Puducherry Extends Lockdown Till May 3
Amid the rise in COVID-19 cases, the Union Territory of Puducherry on Tuesday decided to continue the lockdown till May 3. "The curfew will between 2 pm to 5 am till May 3," said Purva Garg, Puducherry District Collector. Earlier, the UT administration had imposed lockdown till April 26. The District Collector informed that 1,500 people are in hospital and 6,300 are in home isolation and on Tuesday around 1000 samples tested positive out of 6500 samples.
Over 14.78 Crore COVID-19 Vaccines Administered So Far: Centre
The cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country has crossed 14.78 crore on Wednesday, informed the health ministry. According to the health ministry, 14,78,27,367 vaccine doses have been administered through 21,18,435 sessions, as per the provisional report till 7 am on Wednesday and more than 25 lakh vaccination doses were administered in the last 24 hours.
Covaxin "Found To Neutralise" Indian 617 Variant: US Expert Anthony Fauci
Covaxin, India's home-grown Covid vaccine produced by Bharat Biotech, has been found to neutralise the B.1.617 variant or the Indian double mutant strain, House Chief Medical Adviser Anthony Fauci said on Tuesday.
Read Here Need 7 Crore Doses Of Vaccine For People Between 18-45 Years Of Age In Rajasthan: Minister
Ahead of the third phase of COVID-19 vaccination beginning May 1, Rajasthan Health Minister Raghu Sharma on Wednesday said that the state needs at least seven crore doses of vaccines to innoculate people in the state between 18-45 years of age. "The state is capable of vaccinating as many as seven lakh people in a day. We have developed storage facilities for the COVID-19 vaccines. 2,444 cold chain points have been developed in the state," Raghu Sharma told ANI.
COVID-19 News: Sir Ganga Ram Hospital In Delhi Receives 7.5 Tonnes Of Liquid Oxygen
Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (SGRH) in the national capital received a total of 7.5 tonnes of liquid medical oxygen in the early hours of Wednesday, the hospital has informed. A tanker with 2.5 tonnes of oxygen reached the hospital at 12.30 am while additional five tonnes of oxygen was sent by INOX at 2.30 am on Wednesday.
COVID-19 restrictions in Puducherry extended till May 3. Gathering and congregation in any form is strictly prohibited.
Coronavirus News: Vaccine Registration For Those Above 18 Begins At 4 PM. How You Can Do It
Indians above the age of 18 can start registering themselves for vaccination against COVID-19 from 4 pm today, the centre has said. A tweet from the official handle of Aarogya Setu, the central government's mobile application for contact-tracing and dissemination of medical advisories, read: "Registration for 18 plus to begin on http://cowin.gov.in, Aarogya Setu App & UMANG App at 4 PM on 28th April.
Read Here Coronavirus Updates: People arrive outside BKC jumbo COVID-19 vaccination centre in Mumbai
Covid News: Drive-In COVID-19 Testing Centres Set Up In Madhya Pradesh's Indore
In a bid to ramp up testing in Madhya Pradesh's Indore, two drive-in COVID-19 testing centres have been set-up at the Nehru Stadium and Dussehra Maidan in the city by the municipal corporation. These testing facilities aim to resolve the pendency in sample collection for Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction or RT-PCR tests. They charge Rs 600 for the test.
COVID-19 News: Arunachal Pradesh Reports 123 New COVID-19 Cases
At least 123 more people including 15 security personnel tested positive for COVID-19 in Arunachal Pradesh, pushing the total caseload in the northeastern state to 17,898, a senior health department official said here on Wednesday. Of the fresh cases, 109 were detected through rapid antigen tests, while nine through RT-PCR and five through TrueNAT methods, State Surveillance Officer (SSO) Dr Lobsang Jampa said.
Coronavirus: 3,60,960 Fresh Coronavirus Cases In India In Biggest-Ever One-Day Spike
India's total tally of COVID-19 cases surged to 1,79,97,267 with 3,60,960 new infections, while the recoveries have surged to 1,48,17,371, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday. The death count increased to 2,01,187 with 3,293 new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.
COVID-19: Fatalities Reach Record High In Delhi. 381 Deaths, 24,000 Fresh Infections
Delhi recorded 381 deaths over the last 24 hours -- the highest since Covid reached the city last year. The number of fresh infections was 24,149, which took the number of active cases to 98,000. The positivity rate remained at 32.72 per cent. The numbers in Delhi have been inching down since the lockdown started in the city last week. Covid had exploded in the city this month, reaching a 28,000-plus figure at one point.
Read Here Immediately Sending "Whole Series Of Help" To India Amid Covid: Joe Biden
Vaccinated People Don't The United States is sending a whole series of help that India needs in its battle against COVID-19, US President Joe Biden said, reiterating that New Delhi had done the same when his country was in need last year. Joe Biden had spoken at length with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday and conveyed solidarity with India in its fight against the viral disease. Need Mask Outside Except In Crowd: US Health Body
Vaccinated People Don't Need Mask Outside Except In Crowd: US Health Body
Americans vaccinated against the coronavirus no longer need to wear masks outdoors, except at crowded events, US government health authorities said Tuesday. Under the newly released guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, fully vaccinated people can eat, walk or attend small gatherings outside without a mask.
Coronavirus: 895 New Covid Deaths In Maharashtra; 66,358 Cases In 24 Hours
Maharashtra on Tuesday reported 895 new Covid-linked deaths, of which 392 occurred in the past 48 hours and 179 last week. Officials said the delay in reporting deaths was because scrutiny of mortality data from authorised laboratories is an ongoing process, meaning that state cumulative numbers are subject to change.
Read Here One Dose Of Covid Vaccine Cuts Household Spread By Up To 50%: UK Study
One dose of the Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccines reduces the chances of someone infected with coronavirus from spreading it to other household members by up to 50 percent, according to a English study published Wednesday. The Public Health England (PHE) research found that those who became infected three weeks after receiving their first jab were between 38 and 49 percent less likely to pass the virus on to their household contacts than those who were unvaccinated.
People in large numbers gathered at a vaccination center in Birbhum, yesterday.
Madhya Pradesh: Two drive-in COVID-19 testing facilities have been started at Nehru Stadium and Dussehra Maidan in Indore.
Canada reports first death linked to AstraZeneca jabA 54-year woman has died in Canada after receiving the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine, the first fatality linked to the drug in the country, provincial authorities announced Tuesday. "I'm sad to know that a healthy 54-year-old woman... died because she was vaccinated. It's hard to take," Francois Legault, the premier of Quebec, said.
Chief public health officer Horacio Arruda said life-saving treatments did not work and the unidentified patient died of cerebral thrombosis after being vaccinated. But he cautioned that the death should not change the government's recommendations to use the vaccine for those over 45 years old.
"We knew about serious complications, there was one in 100,000 (doses administered). But we must remember that, to date, we have had more than 400,000 people who have been vaccinated with AstraZeneca," Quebec health minister Christian Dube added.
One Dose Of Covid Vaccine Cuts Household Spread By Up To 50%: UK StudyOne dose of the Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccines reduces the chances of someone infected with coronavirus from spreading it to other household members by up to 50 percent, according to a English study published Wednesday. The Public Health England (PHE) research found that those who became infected three weeks after receiving their first jab were between 38 and 49 percent less likely to pass the virus on to their household contacts than those who were unvaccinated.
"This is terrific news -- we already know vaccines save lives and this study is the most comprehensive real-world data showing they also cut transmission of this deadly virus," said British Health Secretary Matt Hancock.