COVID-19 Vaccine Being Developed in India to ‘Enter’ Phase 3 Trial
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NITI Aayog member VK Paul on Tuesday, 18 August, said one of the vaccines for COVID-19 being developed in India will enter the phase 3 trial either on Tuesday or Wednesday.
"As far as vaccines are concerned, the PM had assured the country on Independence Day. He had said that three vaccines are being developed in India and are in different stages. One of them will enter phase 3 trial today or tomorrow. The other two are in phase 1 and 2 trials," he was quoted by ANI as saying at the Health Ministry briefing.
Meanwhile, India on Tuesday reported 55,079 new cases of coronavirus, taking the tally in the country to 27,02,743. Meanwhile, the death toll increased by 876 to 51,797. According to the Union Health Ministry data, there are currently 6,73,166 active cases across the country, while 19,77,779 patients have been discharged.
- Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Tuesday tweeted saying that India is negotiating with 13 more countries to establish air travel arrangements
- The Centre has permitted foreign journalists having valid visas to enter India along with their dependents
- Health Ministry Secretary Rajesh Bhushan on Tuesday said that despite sustained level of daily tests, the positivity figure for COVID-19 has come down from 10.03% to 7.72%
- Maharashtra on Tuesday reported 11,119 new COVID-19 cases and 422 fatalities, taking its tally to 6,15,477 and the death toll to 20,687
- Delhi reported 1,374 new COVID-19 cases, taking the tally in the national capital to 1,54,741
Jharkhand Health Minister Tests COVID-19 Positive
Jharkhand Health Minister Banna Gupta has tested positive for coronavirus.
11,119 New COVID-19 Cases in Maharashtra; Tally Rises to Over 6.15 Lakh
Maharashtra on Tuesday reported 11,119 new COVID-19 cases and 422 fatalities, taking the tally in the state to 6,15,477 and the death toll to 20,687.
1,374 New COVID-19 Cases in Delhi; Tally Rises to Over 1.54 Lakh
Delhi on Tuesday reported 1,374 new COVID-19 cases and 12 fatalities, taking the tally in the national capital to 1,54,741 and the death toll to 4,226.
7,665 New COVID-19 Cases in Karnataka; Tally Rises to Over 2.40 Lakh
Karnataka on Tuesday reported 7,665 new COVID-19 cases and 139 fatalities, taking the tally in the state to 2,40,948 and the death toll to 4,201.
Centre Allows Foreign Journalists to Enter India
The Centre has permitted foreign journalists having valid visas to enter India along with their dependents.
Amid travel restrictions due to COVID-19, the Home Ministry, in an order dated 17 August, said that foreign nationals holding journalist (J-1) visa and their dependents holding J-1X visa are permitted to enter India.
“If they have J-1 or J-1X visas, which have been suspended, such visas shall stand restored with immediate effect... However, if the validity of such visas has expired, they may obtain a fresh visa from the Indian missions/posts concerned," the MHA said.
5,709 New COVID-19 Cases in TN; Death Toll Above 6,000
Tamil Nadu on Tuesday reported 5,709 new COVID-19 cases and 121 fatalities, taking the tally in the state to 3,49,654 and the death toll to 6,007.
9,652 New COVID-19 Cases in Andhra Pradesh; Tally Above 3 Lakh
Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday reported 9,652 new COVID-19 cases and 88 fatalities, taking the tally in the state to 3,06,261 and the death toll to 2,820. As many as 9,211 recoveries were also reported on Tuesday.
EC to Come Up With Guidelines for Holding Elections Amid COVID-19
The Election Commission will come up with broad guidelines within three days for holding elections during COVID-19 pandemic, a statement said on Tuesday, reported PTI.
Negotiating With 13 More Countries to Establish Air Travel Arrangements: Ministers
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Tuesday tweeted saying that India is negotiating with 13 more countries to establish air travel arrangements.
"These countries include Australia, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Nigeria, Bahrain, Israel, Kenya, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand," he tweeted.
Air bubbles have also been proposed with Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal and Bhutan, he added.
'COVID-19 Vaccine Being Developed in India to Enter Phase 3 Trial': NITI Aayog Member
NITI Aayog member VK Paul on Tuesday said one of the vaccines for COVID-19 being developed in India will enter the phase 3 trial either on Tuesday or Wednesday.
"As far as vaccines are concerned, the PM had assured the country on Independence Day. He had said that three vaccines are being developed in India and are in different stages. One of them will enter phase 3 trial today or tomorrow. The other two are in phase 1 and 2 trials," he was quoted by ANI as saying at a briefing.
Meanwhile, pointing out that India recorded the highest number of tests (nearly 9 lakh) in the last 24 hours, Health Ministry Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said that despite sustained level of daily tests, the positivity figure for COVID-19 in the country has come down from 10.03 percent to 7.72 percent.
Himachal Pradesh's COVID-19 Tally Rises to 4,208
Himachal Pradesh's COVID-19 case tally now stands at 4,208 including 1,314 active cases, 2,835 recovered cases and 17 deaths.
UP Minister Atul Garg Tests Positive for COVID-19
UP Minister Atul Garg tests positive for COVID-19 in rapid antigen test done yesterday.
Parl Committee for Home to Meet on Wednesday to Discuss COVID-19
Parliamentary Committee for Home will meet on Wednesday to discuss COVID-19 situation in the country. AIIMS Director Randeep Guleria will also be present in the meeting along with Health Ministry officials.
694 New Cases in Rajasthan
At least 694 fresh COVID19 cases were reported in Rajasthan today till 10.30 am, taking the total number of cases in the state to 63,324.
112 New Cases in Maharashtra Police Force
At least 112 new COVID-19 positive cases and two deaths were recorded in Maharashtra Police force, in the last 24 hours. Total positive cases in the force stand at 12,495.
2,239 New COVID-19 Cases Reported in Odisha
At least 2,239 fresh COVID-19 cases were reported in Odisha in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of confirmed cases in the state to 64,533.
Punjab Govt To Impose Additional Restrictions in Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Patiala
The Punjab government has decided to impose additional restrictions in Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Patiala from 18 August, till further orders, the Information and Public Relations Department notified. Movement of individuals for non-essential activities to remain prohibited between 9 pm to 5 am.
Restaurants, hotels and other hospitality units will remain open till 8.30 pm. Shops and shopping malls would remain open till 8 pm. Restaurants/hotels situated within shopping malls and liquor shops would remain open till 8.30 pm.
India's COVID-19 Tally at 27,02,743, Death Toll Rises to 51,797
With a spike of 55,079 cases and 876 deaths reported in India in the last 24 hours, India’s COVID-19 tally rises to 27,02,743 including 6,73,166 active cases, 19,77,780 discharged/migrated and 51,797 deaths.
30 States/UTs Have Better Case Fatality Rate than the National Average: MoHFW
At least 30 States/UTs performed better than the national average in Cases Fatality Rate, the Ministry of Health said on Tuesday.
“Focused implementation of Centre-led strategies has ensured prompt identification, timely isolation and effective clinical treatment, leading to reduced Case Fatality Rate,” the ministry said.
8.79 Lakh Tests Done in Last 24 Hours: Govt
A total of 8.97 lakh COVID-19 tests were done in the last 24 hours, the Health Ministry said. Even with such a high level of testing, the positivity has remained low, 8.81 percent compared to the weekly national average at 8.84 percent, the ministry said.
3.09 Crore Samples Tested Till 17 August: ICMR
3,09,41,264 samples were tested up to 17 August for COVID-19, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said. Of these, 8,99,864 samples were tested yesterday.
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