Covid LIVE: PM Modi lauds record breaking vaccination numbers today

Coronavirus unlock live updates: Kerala reported 11,647 new infections, followed by Maharashtra (9,361), Tamil Nadu (7,817), Andhra Pradesh (5,646). Stay tuned for corona-related news

7:21 PM

Record 6.9 million vaccinated in a single day as new guidelines kick in

More than 6.9 million vaccine doses were administered across the country till Monday evening on the first day of the revised guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination coming into effect, the Union Health Ministry said.

 

It is the highest number of doses administered in a day since the vaccination drive started on January 16. India's cumulative COVID-19 vaccination coverage is now nearly 28.7 crore. READ MORE...

7:13 PM

Telangana reports 1,197 new Covid cases, 1,707 recoveries and 9 deaths in last 24 hours

Telangana reports 1,197 new Covid cases, 1,707 recoveries and 9 deaths in the last 24 hours

7:12 PM

Kerala reports 7,499 new coronavirus cases, 13,596 recoveries and 94 deaths today

Kerala reports 7,499 new coronavirus cases, 13,596 recoveries and 94 deaths today.

6:59 PM

With positivity rate below 5% for 14 days, is second Covid wave over?

India on Monday crossed the important milestone of a Covid positivity rate of less than 5 per cent for 14 consecutive days, conforming to the WHO's recommended requirement for a region to reopen, but experts were wary of declaring the devastating second wave over.

 

With 53,256 new coronavirus infections, the lowest in 88 days, and a positivity rate of 3.83 per cent, it would seem the present phase of the COVID-19 crisis is over and it is a good time to lift instructions.

 

This optimistic picture, however, must be edged with abundant caution, said several scientists, citing the emergence of new variants, the still high absolute number of cases, the many districts where positivity rate remains over 5 per cent and concerns over reliability of data. READ MORE...

6:49 PM

Covid LIVE: Bihar govt eases Covid curbs; more relaxations for offices

6:36 PM

No scientific evidences found linking Covid vaccination with infertility in men and women

There have been media reports expressing concerns regarding infertility due to COVID-19 vaccination amongst population of reproductive age. In the past few days, certain media reports have highlighted the prevalence of various superstitions and myths in a section of Healthcare Workers (HCWs) and Frontline Workers (FLWs) including the nurses. Such misinformation and rumours were observed to be spreading in the community during the vaccination drives earlier too e.g. polio and measles-rubella.

 

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has clarified in the FAQs posted on the website that none of the available vaccines affects fertility, as all vaccines and their constituents are tested first on animals and later in humans to assess if they have any such side effects. Vaccines are authorized for use only after their safety and efficacy is assured.

6:16 PM

Jammu and Kashmir govt cancels this year's Amarnath Yatra due to Covid pandemic

The Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to cancel this year's Amarnath Yatra but all the traditional religious rituals will be performed at the Holy Cave Shrine as per past practice, said the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board.

 

"A threadbare discussion was held with the esteemed members of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board including Swami Avdheshanand Ji, DC Raina, Dr Devi Prasad Shetty, Prof Anita Billawariya, Sudarshan Kumar, Prof Vishwamurti Shashtri, Pt. Bhajan Sopori, Dr CM Seth and Tripta Dhawan on the present COVID-19 situation before arriving at the decision," said an official release.

6:04 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: J&K govt decides to cancel Amarnath Yatra

5:48 PM

Get vaccinated, strengthen fight against coronavirus, urges PM Modi

With the Central government making free COVID-19 vaccination available to all adults from Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to people to get vaccinated to strengthen the fight against the pandemic.

 

The biggest beneficiary of this phase of India's vaccination drive shall be the poor, the middle class and the youth of the country, he said in a message posted on Twitter. READ MORE...

5:36 PM

Indonesia records highest single day jump in Covid infections

Indonesian health authorities announced the country's largest one-day jump in new coronavirus infections on Monday, as the country's number of confirmed cases since the pandemic began crossed 2 million.

 

The Health Ministry said it had confirmed another 14,536 new infections and 294 deaths. Along with the more than 2 million infections, Indonesia has reported more than 54,950 deaths, both the most in Southeast Asia.

 

Indonesia, the world's fourth most populous country, has seen infections surge in recent weeks, a climb that has been blamed on travel during last month's Eid al-Fitr holiday as well as the arrival of new virus variants, such as the the Delta version first found in India.

 

5:29 PM

Covid LIVE: Record 6.9 mn vaccine doses administered today, says govt

5:08 PM

Assam government issues fresh guidelines on Covid restrictions

5:07 PM

Odisha man gets two Covid jabs in 30 mins, has no adverse event

A 51-year-old man in Odisha was administered two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine within 30 minutes of each other, prompting the authorities to order an inquiry though he suffered no adverse event, official sources said on Monday.

 

Prasanna Kumar Sahu of Raghupur village in Mayurbhanj district had visited the vaccination camp at Satyasai Government High School at Khuntapur on Saturday for the first dose after booking a slot.

 

After taking the shot, as he was waiting for the 30- minute observation period to get over, a nurse came in and nonchalantly injected a fresh dose even before he could protest, Sahu claimed. "I raised an alarm, but by that time the nurse had already administered the vaccine," Sahu insisted.

4:48 PM

Covid LIVE: Record 4.7 mn vaccine doses administered today, says govt

4:29 PM

Delhi records this year's lowest single-day jump of 89 fresh Covid cases

The national capital on Monday recorded 89 fresh COVID-19 cases, the lowest so far this year and 11 deaths while the positivity rate dropped to 0.16 per cent, according to data shared by the health department here.

 

This is the first time since February 16, when 94 COVID-19 cases were recorded, that the number of daily infections has dropped below 100.

 

On Sunday, Delhi had recorded 124 fresh cases and seven deaths with a positivity rate of 0.17 per cent. READ ON...