Covid LIVE: Tamil Nadu sees 33,361 new cases in a day; 1,266 in Mumbai

Coronavirus live updates: India reported 211,298 fresh Covid-19 infections today, taking the caseload tally to 27,369,093. Death toll stands at 315,235. Stay tuned for corona-related news

6:18 PM

16,167 new Covid positive cases and 104 deaths reported in Andhra Pradesh on May 27.

16,167 new Covid positive cases and 104 deaths reported in Andhra Pradesh on May 27.

6:12 PM

Govt looking at mix-and-match of vaccine doses on trial basis: V K Paul

The government is looking to mix-and-match vaccine doses on a trial basis and there is no concern if just in case people are getting different doses, the government's top advisor said on Thursday.

 

"As per the protocol, stick to the same dose of vaccine as the first one. If in case people are getting different doses there is no cause for concern, it's safe. We are thinking to mix and match (vaccine doses) on a trial basis," said Dr V K Paul, a member (Health) of Niti Aayog.

 

V K Paul, while addressing the media on coronavirus situation in the country, said that the government is engaged with Pfizer as they have indicated the availability of a certain volume of vaccines in the coming months, possibly in July. READ ON...

5:56 PM

Our vaccine will continue to protect against Covid-19 variants: Pfizer

Pfizer said on Thursday said that neutralisation against the B.1.617 variant of coronavirus is being tested as part of its ongoing monitoring activities.

 

It said a recent real-world study in subjects who had received two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine demonstrated 75 per cent effectiveness against any documented infection by the B.1.351 variant and 100 per cent against that by B.1.351[1], the variant first identified in South Africa.

 

The US pharma company said neutralization data provide strong support that "our vaccine will continue to protect against these variants". READ...

5:55 PM

No ease on Covid-19 curbs, 21 Maharashtra districts have more than 10% positivity rate: Rajesh Tope

5:34 PM

NYT report on Covid-19 death toll in India completely baseless and false; not backed by any evidence: Govt

5:34 PM

Uttar Pradesh reports 188 fresh Covid deaths, 3,278 new cases

Uttar Pradesh reports 188 fresh Covid deaths, 3,278 new cases

5:29 PM

NITI Aayog seeks to bust 'myths' about Centre's Covid vaccination drive

Claiming that several ‘myths’ around India’s Covid-19 vaccination program were doing the rounds, the Indian government’s think-tank NITI Aayog, on Thursday, sought to explain the Centre’s efforts towards ramping up the supply of vaccines.
 

“These myths are arising due to distorted statements, half-truths and blatant lies,” NITI Aayog said. READ ON...

5:17 PM

Sputnik V will be available through Apollo Hospitals from second week of June

5:17 PM

Covid-19 update: Punjab govt extends curbs till June 10

The Punjab government on Thursday extended the coronavirus restrictions till June 10 but removed the limit on the number of passengers in personal vehicles and allowed the resumption of elective surgeries and OPD in hospitals.

 

The state government had imposed extensive curbs, in addition to measures like a weekend lockdown and a night curfew to check the spread of the infection.

 

The decision to extend the curbs was taken at a review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh here, according to a government statement. Earlier, the state government had extended the Covid curbs till May 31.

5:15 PM

Covid LIVE: Downswing in cases may hold even if curbs are eased, says govt

5:09 PM

Covid-19 restrictions extended in Bengal till June 15: Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday extended the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions till June 15, saying that the curbs have helped ease the pandemic situation a little. The West Bengal government had announced the existing restrictions for 15 days from May 16 following a huge surge in the number of coronavirus cases. The announcement for extension of the curbs came three days before they were scheduled to come to an end.

 

"The Covid-19 restrictions in the state will continue till June 15. This is not a lockdown or a curfew. We will strictly follow the restrictions.

 

"It's a relief to see that the ongoing restrictions have helped in easing the situation a little," Banerjee told reporters at the state secretariat 'Nabanna'. She allowed the jute industry to work with 40 per cent workforce in place of the existing 30 per cent.

5:02 PM

Covid LIVE: Delhi sees 1,072 new cases in a day; positivity rate at 1.53%

The national capital recorded 1,072 new COVID-19 cases and 117 more fatalities on Thursday, while the positivity rate dipped to 1.53 per cent, according a health bulletin issued here.

 

Delhi had recorded 130 COVID-19-related fatalities on Wednesday, the lowest since April 15.

 

It had recorded 1,491 new cases and a positivity rate of 1.93 per cent on Wednesday.

4:51 PM

Vaccines issue will come up during EAM's meetings in the US: ANI

4:43 PM

US FDA authorises GSK-Vir monoclonal antibody drug for Covid

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorised a monoclonal antibody drug against Covid-19, developed by GlaxoSmithKline and Vir, which claims to reduce hospitalisation and death among Coronavirus patients by 85 per cent and is also effective against the variants.

 

The drug Sotrovimab has been given an emergency use authorisation (EUA) for the treatment of mild-to-moderate Covid-19 in adults and children 12 years of age and older, weighing at least 40 kg.

 

The drug has shown positive results among patients 65 years of age and older or individuals who have certain medical conditions and are at high risk for progression to severe Covid-19, including hospitalisation or death. Laboratory tests have shown that Sotrovimab is able to neutralise the current circulating variants of Covid first reported in the UK, South Africa, Brazil, California, New York and India.

4:41 PM

US issues subpoena to Eli Lilly over New Jersey manufacturing plant

Eli Lilly and Co has received a subpoena from the US Department of Justice, requesting certain documents relating to its manufacturing site in Branchburg, New Jersey, the drugmaker said in a filing on Thursday.