Covid LIVE: Over 3.1 mn vaccine doses administered today, says govt

Today's coronavirus numbers: Bengaluru (715 cases), Mumbai 453 cases), Chennai (209 cases), Kolkata (59 cases), Delhi (79 cases). Stay tuned for corona-related news

4:25 PM

Coronavirus Latest: EU's weekly virus deaths drop to lowest since October globally

The World Health Organisation says the number of coronavirus cases ticked up worldwide last week even as the weekly count of Covid-19 deaths dropped to the lowest level since October.

 

The UN health agency, in its latest weekly epidemiological report on the pandemic, also said on Wednesday that its 53-country European region reported a sharp increase - 30% - in infection incidence, while Africa registered a 23% rise in mortality from Covid-19 during the period. (AP)

3:56 PM

Pfizer, Moderna vaccines cut Covid-19 risk by 91 per cent: Study

People who receive Covid-19 vaccines by Pfizer and Moderna are up to 91 per cent less likely to develop the disease, according to a US study which also suggests that the preventives reduce the severity of symptoms and duration in those who still get an infection.

 

The research, published in the New England Journal of Medicine on June 30, is among the first to show the benefits of mRNA vaccines even among those who experience breakthrough infections -- testing positive after immunisation. Read here

3:43 PM

1MG partners with B Medical Systems for Covid-19 vaccine cold chain setup

Vaccine cold chain platform B Medical Systems has signed a collaboration agreement with digital healthcare platform 1MG for storage and transportation of Covid-19 vaccines for immunisation drives across the country. Under the agreement, B Medical Systems will support 1MG’s Covid-19 vaccination campaign across metros and Tier 1 cities. Read here

3:30 PM

Fitch cuts India growth forecast to 10%, says vaccination to help revival

Fitch Ratings on Wednesday cut India's growth forecast to 10 per cent for the current fiscal, from 12.8 per cent estimated earlier, due to slowing recovery post second wave of Covid-19, and said rapid vaccination could support a sustainable revival in business and consumer confidence.

 

In a report, the global rating agency said the challenges for banking sector posed by the coronavirus pandemic have increased due to a virulent second wave in the first quarter of the financial year ending March 2022 (FY22). Read here

3:06 PM

'Fully vaccinated people in UK won't have to self-isolate from Aug 16'

The UK's Health Secretary Sajid Javid said that people who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 will not have to self-isolate if they are in close contact with an infected person starting from August 16 onwards.

 

Javid told lawmakers in Parliament on Tuesday that the same policy would also apply to anyone under the age of 18 from that date, reports Xinhua news agency.

 

The government would give more details later this week on self-isolation rules for international travellers, he added. Read here

2:59 PM

Odisha reports its highest single-day deaths as Covid scalps 59 more

Odisha on Wednesday reported the highest single-day Covid-19 fatality as 59 people died, taking the toll to 4,358, a Health Department official said.

 

The state also registered 2,602 new cases, pushing the tally to 9,29,788, he said.

 

There are 28,015 active cases in the state at present.

 

In the last 24 hours, 3,258 patients recovered. So far, 8,97,362 have been cured of Covid-19 in the state. Read here

2:47 PM

Delta dominant variant in US, makes up more than half of Covid-19 cases: CDC

The highly contagious Delta variant has become the dominant coronavirus strain in the US, accounting for more than 51 per cent of Covid infections in the country, according to new data released by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

 

The variant, also known as B.1.617.2, was first detected in India in December and is spreading quickly across the globe. In some parts of America, the delta strain accounts for more than 80 per cent of new infections, including some Midwestern states like Missouri, Kansas and Iowa.

 

It is already causing 74.3 per cent of infections in Western states, including Utah and Colorado, and 58.8 per cent of infections in Southern states like Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma, according to CDC estimates.

2:32 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: Health Secretary writes to Kerala chief secy

2:11 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: Nainital HC orders Uttarakhand govt to present response on crowded tourists

1:39 PM

Coronavirus Latest: Ladakh reports 8 new Covid-19 cases, infection tally rises to 20,137

Coronavirus Latest: Ladakh reports 8 new Covid-19 cases, infection tally rises to 20,137

1:23 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: Lambda variant not reported in India so far, says report

Coronavirus LIVE: Lambda variant not reported in India so far, news agency ANI reported

1:12 PM

Seven-day average Covid-19 vaccinations at half of June 21 record

The number of daily Covid-19 vaccinations in India have fallen more than 50 per cent from the June 21 peak. From the peak of 8.7 million vaccine jabs given in a day on June 21, the daily vaccination rate has dropped to just over 4 million doses on Monday.

 

A Business Standard analysis showed that some of the populous states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka that had accounted for over 40 percent of June 21st’s record-setting 8.7 million vaccinations, have seen sharp decline in daily vaccinations in the days forward. The seven-day moving average number of vaccinations in Madhya Pradesh was 85 percent lower than its June peak. Similarly, Karnataka reported a 75 percent dip and Uttar Pradesh a 62 per cent dip. Read on...

1:05 PM

Union Minister Anurag Thakur is also present at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, ahead of the Union Cabinet reshuffle

Union Minister Anurag Thakur is also present at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, ahead of the Union Cabinet reshuffle

1:02 PM

'Shameless PM' failed to handle Covid crisis, meet vaccine demands: Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said the Centre has failed to meet the vaccine requirements of the state, forcing her dispensation to make purchases on its own, and described Narendra Modi as "a shameless prime minister" who has his picture pasted everywhere - from hoardings to inoculation certificates.

 

Banerjee, during her address in the Assembly, said that Bengal has received two crore shots so far, which is "very inadequate", given the state's population, and administering free doses to all under such circumstances was a challenge for her government.

 

"We have already vaccinated 2.26 crore people. And for that, we had to buy at least 26 lakh doses on our own, despite promises by the Centre that it would provide the required number of doses," she stated. Read on...

12:59 PM

Ensure people in mental health homes given Covid-19 test, vaccinated: SC

The Supreme Court Tuesday directed the Centre to ensure that people lodged in mental health establishments are tested for Covid-19 and fully vaccinated at the earliest.

 

A bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and M R Shah took serious note of Maharashtra government's shifting patients lodged in mental health institutes to homes for beggars and asked it to discontinue the practice immediately saying it is counter-productive and runs against the provisions of Mental Health Act.

 

It noted that Additional Solicitor General Madhavi Divan, appearing for the Centre, has assured the Court that this matter (of vaccination) would be taken up with utmost priority. Read on...