LIVE: Maharashtra reports 7 new cases of Omicron; India's tally rises to 32

3 of the new cases are from Mumbai and 4 from Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation

Latest Live news: The government on Friday said 25 cases of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus have been detected in India so far and that mostly mild symptoms have been noted in all the cases.

Clinically, Omicron is not posing burden on the healthcare system yet, but the vigil has to be maintained, according to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

At a joint press briefing on the pandemic, the government said 25 cases of the Omicron variant have been reported in India -- 10 in Maharashtra, nine in Rajasthan, three in Gujarat, two in Karnataka, and one in Delhi.

10:33 PM

India's cumulative COVID-19 vaccination coverage exceeds 131 crore

India's cumulative COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 131.18 crore doses.

 

According to a release by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, more than 68 lakh vaccine doses were administered on Friday till 7 pm.

 

"India's COVID-19 vaccination coverage has reached 131,90,73,072 today. More than 68 lakh (68,63,955) vaccine doses have been administered till 7 pm today," the release said.

 

The daily vaccination count is expected to increase after the compilation of the final reports for the day by late tonight.

 

Out of 68,63,955 vaccine doses administered on Friday, 17,83,856 people received their first dose while 50,80,099 people were given the second dose of the vaccine.

9:55 PM

Over 7 lakh workers returned from six Gulf countries under 'Vande Bharat Mission': Govt

About 7,16,662 workers came back from six Gulf countries under the Vande Bharat Mission, the Centre said on Friday, asserting that the Indian missions are pursuing with these nations the return of Indian workers, the realisation of payments due to them and new recruitment in the light of economic recovery.

 

To a question in Lok Sabha on whether a large number of emigrants employed in Gulf countries were forced to return to India in the aftermath of COVID-19 pandemic, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that while a large number of Indian workers in the Gulf returned to India as a result of the impact of COVID-19, the economic recovery in that region and their increasing openness to travel from India has now seen a return by many of them.

 

"As per government's estimates, about 7,16,662 workers returned from the six Gulf countries under the Vande Bharat Mission," Jaishankar said in a written reply.

9:32 PM

Delhi records 41 new cases; positivity rate 0.07%

The national capital recorded zero death due to COVID-19 and 41 fresh cases in a day with a positivity rate of 0.07 per cent, according to data shared by the city health department on Friday.

 

The total number of cases reported in Delhi so far stood at 14,41,610. Over 14.16 lakh patients have recovered from the infection.

 

The death toll due to the coronavirus infection in Delhi stands at 25,100. Two deaths due to coronavirus infection have been recorded in December so far.

 

Seven COVID-19 deaths were reported here in November this year, the highest count of fatalities due to coronavirus infection in the last three months in the national capital, according to official data.

9:05 PM

Mumbai mayor receives threat letter; cops send teams to Navi Mumbai, Raigad

Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar on Friday said she had filed a complaint with Byculla police station after receiving a threat letter.

 

She told reporters that the letter, which was received at her old residence in Dadar, was replete with vulgar language with a threat of killing her family members.

 

She said the letter mentioned one Vijendra Mhatre, adding that she has written to Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil demanding the arrest of the culprit/s and police protection for her family.

 

An official said an FIR has been registered against unidentified person under IPC sections 506 (2) and 509 at Byculla police station and teams have been sent to Uran, Kharghar and Panvel in Navi Mumbai and Raigad as part of the probe.

8:58 PM

PM Modi to visit UP's Balrampur tomorrow

8:52 PM

Ashes' immersion of CDS Rawat and his wife to be done in Haridwar tomorrow around noon

8:18 PM

India's vaccination coverage reaches nearly 1.32 bn

8:06 PM

Semi-high-speed rail project from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasargod identified: Vaishnaw

7:57 PM

BJP has exploited all resources in Goa for their own good: Priyanka

7:49 PM

Maharashtra reports 7 new cases of Omicron

6:52 PM

'S gene drop is an early indicator of the virus...'

6:18 PM

Cabinet Secretary review meeting on Covid tomorrow at 2.30pm

6:11 PM

We must shape global norms for emerging tech like social media, cryptocurrencies: PM Modi

6:07 PM

2 policemen killed in terror attack in Kashmir's Bandipora district

5:35 PM

PM Modi speaks at 'Summit for Democracy'