Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Saturday that teenagers in the 15-18 age group would be eligible for COVID-19 vaccination, and frontline and health workers and senior citizens above the age of 60 with co-morbidities on the advice of doctors would be eligible for a what he termed a “precaution” or third dose.
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Covaxin has been approved for use in those aged 12 and above by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI).
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You can track coronavirus cases, deaths and testing rates at the national and State levels here. A list of State Helpline numbers is available as well.
Here are the updates:
'Gap between 2nd Covid vaccine shot and precaution dose likely to be 9-12 months'
The gap between the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine and the third, which is being called a "precaution dose", is likely to be nine to 12 months, official sources said on Sunday.
The nitty-gritty of the gaps for the vaccines currently being used in India's inoculation programme – Covishield and Covaxin – is being worked out, and a final decision over this will be taken soon, they said. -PTI
Individual alertness, discipline 'big strength' of country in fight against new Covid variant: PM
Amid rising Covid cases linked to Omicron, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said individual alertness and discipline are a big strength of the country in the fight against the new variant of coronavirus.
In his Mann Ki Baat radio broadcast, Mr. Modi said India has achieved "unprecedented feat" in its inoculation drive but cautioned against the new variant of the virus.
"This new Omicron variant is being constantly reviewed by our scientists. Every day they are getting new data and steps are being taken based on their suggestions," Mr. Modi said. Individual alertness and discipline are a "big strength" of the country in the fight against the new variant of coronavirus, he said. -PTI
Night curfew in Karnataka for 10 days from December 28
The Karnataka government has decided to impose "night curfew" for 10 days from December 28, between 10 pm to 5 am, Health Minister K. Sudhakar said on Sunday.
The government has also announced certain restrictions for New Year related parties and gatherings, amid fresh COVID-19 concerns with new clusters emerging and increasing threat of the new Omicron variant of Coronavirus.
"From December 28 onwards, for about ten days to begin with, we would like to watch by calling a night curfew, invoking Section 144, from night 10 PM to the next morning 5 AM," Mr. Sudhakar said.
Speaking to reporters after a high-level meeting of senior Ministers, officials and the COVID technical advisory committee, chaired by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, he said there is a curb on functions and gatherings for the New Year.
"There will be no functions, parties in the external premises, especially for those celebrating with DJs and large gatherings, they have been completely banned in Karnataka," he said.
The Minister also said that in places like eateries, hotels, pubs and restaurants can have 50% of the seating capacity of the premises. -PTI
Delhi govt. postpones January 5 play on Ambedkar amid rising Covid cases
The Delhi government has postponed a play on the life of Babasaheb Ambedkar that was to be staged from January 5 in view of the rising COVID-19 cases in the national capital, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Sunday.
The government did not announce a new date.
"Delhi Govt had planned a grand show on the life of Babasaheb Ambedkar from 5th January, in Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. However, this show is being postponed in light of rising Covid cases. We shall announce a new date as soon as the situation improves," Kejriwal said in a tweet. -PTI
422 Omicron cases in India
As many as 422 Omicron cases have been detected across 17 States and Union Territories in India so far and 130 of these people have recovered or migrated, according to Union health ministry data updated on Sunday.
Maharashtra has recorded the highest number of Omicron cases at 108, followed by Delhi at 79, Gujarat 43, Telangana 41, Kerala 38, Tamil Nadu 34 and Karnataka 31.
With 6,987 more people testing positive for COVID-19 in a day, India's total caseload increased to 3,47,86,802, according to the data updated at 8 am.
The death toll has climbed to 4,79,682 with 162 new fatalities, the data stated.
The daily rise in coronavirus infections has remained below 15,000 for the last 59 days now.
The number of active COVID-19 cases declined to 76,766, comprising 0.22% of the total infections, the lowest since March 2020, the ministry said.
A decrease of 266 cases has been recorded in the active caseload in a span of 24 hours.
The national COVID-19 recovery rate stands at 98.40%, the highest since March 2020, the ministry said. -PTI
CM to take a call on further COVID-19 restrictions
With rise in Omicron cases in the neighbouring States, the Karnataka Government will decide on the new set of guidelines to check the pandemic after a meeting with experts on Sunday.
Addressing presspersons in Hubballi on Saturday, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai admitted that there was confusion over the new guidelines and restrictions on New Year celebrations. “It will be clarified after meeting with experts on Sunday,” he said.
CM to take a call on further COVID-19 restrictions
All travellers to Tamil Nadu from abroad must undergo home quarantine
Following the increasing number of the Omicron variant cases of the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19, Tamil Nadu has decided to enforce home quarantine from Sunday for all those coming from foreign countries, irrespective of whether they are classified as at-risk or not-at-risk nations.
Addressing journalists on Saturday, Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ma. Subramanian said passengers arriving from any country to Tamil Nadu would have to undergo home quarantine for one week. “Thereafter, they can take an RT-PCR test. If it returns negative, they can venture out.”
All travellers to Tamil Nadu from abroad must undergo home quarantine
Delhi Govt. to procure essential COVID-19 drugs from open market
To make adequate preparations to confront the third wave of COVID infection amid the rising positivity rate, the Delhi Government has tweaked its procurement process for essential drugs needed to treat patients.
The Delhi Cabinet has approved a proposal for the procurement of life-saving medicines on the essential drugs list through its own portal from the open market.
Delhi Govt. to procure essentialCOVID drugs from open market
Israel orders Pfizer's new COVID-19 pill
Israel has ordered 100,000 units of Pfizer Inc's anti-viral COVID 19 pill Paxlovid for people aged 12 and older at risk of severe illness, an Israeli official said on Saturday, confirming a television report.
Channel 12 TV said Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett agreed the deal in a phone conversation with Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla. There was no immediate confirmation from the company.
The first oral and at home treatment for COVID-19, Paxlovid was nearly 90% effective in preventing hospitalizations and deaths in patients at high risk of severe illness, according to data from Pfizer's clinical trial. Recent lab data suggests the drug retains effectiveness against the Omicron variant, it said. -Reuters
District Collectors in Tamil Nadu told to be on guard against Omicron
Tamil Nadu Health Secretary J. Radhakrishnan on Saturday wrote to all Collectors, senior health officials, airport directors and heads of all departments, expressing concern over the widespread lack of COVID-19 appropriate behaviour and warning against the “extremely” infectious Omicron variant of the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
District Collectors in Tamil Nadu told to be on guard against Omicron
Rajasthan steps up vigil to control Omicron
With 21 cases of Omicron reported on a single day, the Rajasthan government on Saturday decided to step up the vigil and take stringent measures to control the spread of infection. A diagnostic report from Pune’s National Institute of Virology confirmed the new cases, taking the tally in the State to 43.
The State government decided to make the COVID-19 vaccination compulsory for entering the public places and getting the benefits of various schemes from February 1 and strictly implement the curfew from 11 p.m. to 5 p.m. New guidelines will be notified shortly.
