Covid LIVE: Kerala sees 17,681 new cases, 208 deaths in last 24 hrs

Coronavirus live updates: Russian president tests negative; India plans to increase financial support for children who lost their parents to Covid-19.

5:53 PM

1,445 fresh cases, 11 Covid-19 deaths in AP

Andhra Pradesh reported 1,445 fresh cases of coronavirus, 1,243 recoveries and 11 deaths in 24 hours ending 9 am on Wednesday, PTI reported.

 

The number of active cases now stood at 14,603, a health department bulletin said.

 

The state COVID-19 chart showed a gross of 20,33,419 positives, 20,04,786 recoveries and 14,030 deaths.

5:30 PM

Russia's Vladimir Putin self-isolates after Covid-19 infects inner circle

5:27 PM

16 students of two schools in TN's Tiruppur turn Covid positive

While the state government is mulling to reopen schools for junior classes, 16 senior students of two schools in Tiruppur have tested Covid-19 positive, IANS reported.

 

Officials of the Department of Health and Education said that eight boys of class 12 at Corporation Higher Secondary School in Tiruppur tested positive on Tuesday evening. Education department officials said that the school will be closed from Wednesday to Friday for disinfecting the classrooms and will be open from Monday only.

 

Health officials said that the students are asymptomatic and are under house isolation.

4:36 PM

Moderna Covid vaccine produces lasting immune response, study finds

Immunity generated by the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine lasts for at least six months, and there is no indicator that vaccinated people will need a booster shot, according to a study, PTI reported.

 

The research, published in the journal Science, noted that this time point of six months is critical because that is when true immune memory has formed.

 

While the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine led to strong immune and antibody responses for at least six months after clinical trial participants were fully vaccinated, it is likely that the immune response could last much longer, the researchers said.

3:50 PM

Sputnik Light gets permission for Phase 3 trials in India

3:41 PM

Cabinet approves 4-year moratorium on payment of AGR dues by telcos

3:39 PM

All non-telecom revenue will be taken out of AGR: Vaishnaw

3:37 PM

Key updates from the telco reforms

>> Rationalised definition of AGR (Non-telecom revenue won't be included in AGR definition)

>> Rationalised interest rates for telcos (annual compounding approved)

>> Future auctions will be done for 30 yrs vs 20 yrs now

>> Telcos can be surrendered after a 10-yr lock-in period if there is a change in technology

>> Approval to spectrum sharing

>>Approval to 100% FDI via automatic route vs 49% currently

>> Cabinet approves digitisation of customer data (KYC from here on)

>> Cabinet approves rationalisation of auction calendar (likely at the end of the year)

>> Simplification of KYC norms if one switches from pre-paid to post-paid and vice versa

>> Amend custom duty on telecom equipment imports

>> 4G/5G to be deployed via indigenous tech

>> Cabinet approves 4-yr moratorium for all dues owed by Telcos.. However, they will have to pay interest @ MCLR+2% if they take morat

3:21 PM

Cabinet approved 9 structural reforms for telcos, says Vaishnaw

3:13 PM

'Champion' auto makers will need to invest Rs 2,000 cr over 5 years under PLI scheme: Thakur

Champion auto companies will have to make investment of Rs 2,000 cr of new investments over five years. 2-wheelers & 3-wheelers have to make investments of Rs 1,000 cr over five years. Component makers will have to make investments of Rs 500 cr over five years under the PLI scheme: Thakur.

 

3:08 PM

Cabinet approves auto PLI scheme at Rs 26,000-cr outlay, says Thakur

2:48 PM

Cabinet briefing likely on telecom relief package, auto PLI scheme

2:33 PM

EU pledges 200 million more Covid vaccine doses to Africa

The European Union is committing 200 million more coronavirus vaccine doses to Africa to help curb the COVID-19 pandemic on a global scale, AP reported.

 

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Wednesday that the new donation to be fully delivered by the middle of next year comes on top of 250 million already pledged and underscores the EU resolve to boost the challenge low-income nations are facing.

 

Von der Leyen called it an investment in solidarity and it is an investment also in global health.

2:30 PM

Odisha reports more recoveries than fresh Covid-19 cases for five days

Odisha reported more recoveries than new COVID-19 cases for the fifth consecutive day on Wednesday with 793 people recuperating from the disease and 457 fresh infections, a health department official said, according to PTI.

 

The new cases pushed the tally to 10,17,718, while 10,03,603 people have recovered from the disease.

 

The single-day recoveries in the last four days were above 680, while the fresh cases were in the range of 420 to 650, he said.

2:16 PM

Modi to interact with Goans on 100% 1st Covid dose coverage

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 18 will interact via video conference with a cross section of the people from Goa, including health workers, cabinet ministers, bureaucrats and members of the public, IANS reported.

 

He will congratulate them on 100 per cent completion of the first vaccination dose, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Wednesday.

 

Sawant also said that the detailed programme about the event would be issued on Thursday.