LIVE: Maharashtra reports 31 new Omicron cases; state tally reaches 141

Of these, Mumbai saw 27 cases, which raised the city's count of such cases to 73. Stay tuned for LIVE updates

4:08 PM

Covid: Nigeria returnee, family test positive for coronavirus in Assam

A 57-year-old returnee from Nigeria, four other members of his family and their domestic help have tested positive for COVID-19 in Assam, an official said on Sunday.

 

Their samples have been sent for whole-genome sequencing to find out whether they have been infected by the Omicron strain, Tinsukia Deputy Commissioner Narsing Pawar Sambhaji said.

 

The man had returned from Nigeria's Lagos more than a week ago, he said.

3:25 PM

Ensure Covaxin availability if cocktail policy for booster is adopted: IMA

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Sunday said that the Centre should ensure the large-scale availability of Covaxin if a mixed match policy is adopted for booster doses for healthcare workers, as majority of the people have taken Covishield as their first and second doses.

 

"On behalf of the frontline and healthcare workers, we hail the announcement of the Prime Minister for the precautionary booster dose for healthcare and frontline workers. It is the right step as the imminent third wave by the new variant is a matter of concern.

 

 

"Omicron is at our doorstep and we need to protect our healthcare and frontline workers in all possible ways", the IMA said in a statement.

3:08 PM

Punjab elections: Rahul Gandhi to launch poll campaign from Jan 3

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will start campaigning for the Punjab assembly election from January 3, according to sources.

 

He will address a rally in Moga on January 3.

2:34 PM

Decision to vaccinate children 'unscientific': Senior AIIMS epidemiologist

A senior epidemiologist at AIIMS who is the principal investigator of Covaxin trials for adults and children at the institute on Sunday termed the Centre's decision to vaccinate children against Covid "unscientific" and said it will not yield any additional benefit.

 

Dr Sanjay K Rai, who is also the president of the Indian Public Health Association, said before implementing the decision, data from countries that have already started vaccinating children should be analysed.

2:16 PM

Covid: Four UK returnees test coronavirus positive in West Bengal

At least four returnees from the United Kingdom on Sunday tested positive for Covid-19 upon their arrival at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport here, following which they were placed under isolation at a city hospital, a senior health official said.

 

Two men aged 44 and 24, a 31-year-old woman, and a five-year-old boy are among the new patients. They have been admitted to Beliaghata ID Hospital, he said.

1:58 PM

Himachal reports first Omicron case, patient came from Canada

1:05 PM

Archbishop Desmond Tutu dies

Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who won the Nobel Peace Prize for his opposition to racial discrimination in South Africa, has died. He was 90.

Tutu died on Sunday in Cape Town, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office said in a statement. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1997 and underwent surgery. Tutu was subsequently hospitalized several times to undergo treatment for infections and other ailments.

12:42 PM

Six die in Bihar boiler explosion

Six people died a in boiler explosion at a factory in Bihar's Muzaffarpur, news reports say

12:40 PM

MP records eights cases of Omicron variant

Madhya Pradesh records eights cases of Omicron variant of coronavirus, reports PTI quoting Minister.

12:22 PM

No plan to bring back three farm laws: Agriculture Minister

The government has no plan to bring back three farm laws it recently withdrew in Parliament, said Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Sunday, walking back on a statement he gave last week. "Congress is indulging in a negative work of spreading confusion to cover up its failures," Tomar said, according to PTI. Tomar had on Friday said the government "will move forward again" on the laws.

11:31 AM

Let’s think big in the New Year: Modi

In the New Year let’s think big and then work to achieve those dreams: PM Modi

11:29 AM

Karnataka to start night curfew from Tuesday

Karnataka will from Tuesday start a night curfew for 10 days as Omicron cases rise in the state.

11:16 AM

Take precautions against Covid-19 in view of Omicron: Modi

We have to keep taking precautions against Covid-19 in the wake of the new variant, says PM, referring to the fast-spreading Omicron.

11:10 AM

Group Captain Varun Singh's life inspiring: Modi

Modi talks about the "courage and life" of Group Captain Varun Singh, the Air Force officer who died in hospital after surviving a chopper crash that killed CDS General Bipin Rawat and 11 others. 

11:05 AM

India’s vaccination programme successful: Modi

India’s successful vaccination programme shows citizens’ faith in governance and science: PM Modi on Mann Ki Baat.