COVID: Maha, Kerala, TN Among 'States of Concern'; Karnataka Logs 47k New Cases
Catch all the live coronavirus-related updates here.
Amid the surge in COVID-19 cases across the country, India reported 3,17,532 new infections, 491 deaths, and 2,23,990 recoveries on Thursday, 20 January.
(Photo: iStock)
Nearly eight months after India recorded over 3 lakh daily COVID-19 cases, the country yet again reported 3,17,532 new infections, 491 deaths, and 2,23,990 recoveries on Thursday, 20 January.
States including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh were classified as 'States of Concern' on Thursday, and are under review by the Centre.
Meanwhile, the national COVID-19 recovery rate has decreased to 93.88 percent.
So far, a total of 9,287 cases of the highly-contagious Omicron variant have been reported, while the daily positivity rate is at 16.41 percent.
Delhi had reported 13,785 new infections and 35 deaths on Wednesday.
Mumbai, on the other hand, had detected 6,032 COVID cases and 12 deaths.
As per official data on Thursday, proportion of fully vaccinated people was 72%.
The number of active cases in the country stands at 19,24,051, which makes up 4.83 percent of the total infections.
12 Mumbai Cops Test COVID-Positive
As many as 12 policemen tested positive for COVID-19 in Mumbai on Wednesday.
The number of active cases stands at 1,246. So far, a total of 10,678 policemen have tested positive and 127 have died in Mumbai.
Yash Dhull & SK Rasheed Test COVID-Positive
Cricketer and India's U19 captain Yash Dhull and his deputy SK Rasheed have tested positive for COVID-19 in the Caribbean. They have both been placed under isolation.
Mizoram Reports 984 New Cases
Mizoram reported 984 new cases on Thursday, 20 January. The number of active cases currently stands at 9,075.
British PM Announces End of COVID Measures
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced the end of COVID-19 measures, including mandatory face masks, in England.
Johnson was quoted as saying by ANI, "Our scientists believe that it is likely that the Omicron wave has now peaked nationally. From now on, the government is no longer asking people to work from home."
24 Percent of Kerala's COVID-Positive Patients Are in Thiruvananthapuram
Of the 28,481 people who had tested positive for COVID-19 in Kerala on Tuesday, 6,911 are from Thiruvananthapuram. This means that more than 24 percent of Kerala's patients are from the capital city.
Thiruvananthapuram also has a test positivity rate of 48 percent.
India Reports 3.17 Lakh New Cases
India reported 3,17,532 new infections, 491 deaths, and 2,23,990 recoveries on Thursday, 20 January.
The number of active cases in the country stands at 19,24,051, while the daily positivity rate is at 16.41 percent.
Puducherry Reports 2,783 New Cases
Puducherry reported 2,783 new COVID-19 cases, 1,073 recoveries, and one death in the last 24 hours.
The number of active cases stands at 13,053, while the test positivity rate has risen to 43.19 percent.
Maharashtra To Reopen Schools From 24 January
Maharashtra School Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad announced on Thursday that from 24 January, schools for Classes 1 to 12 would reopen with strict adherence to COVID protocols.
She added that Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had agreed to the proposal.
Gaikwad said, "We have also decided to open pre-primary schools (from 24 January)."
'3rd Wave Peak May be Gone, But Still in Danger Zone': Delhi Health Min
Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said that even though it seems like the peak of third COVID-19 wave has passed in the national capital, we "can't say we are out of danger zone, and need to watch trends."
"Proactive measures led to fall in cases; for decision on easing curbs, will have to monitor situation
'Asia Showing Sharp Surge in Contribution Towards Global COVID Cases': Rajesh Bhushan
"Asia is showing a sharp surge in global contribution from 7.9% to approximately 18.4% in 4 weeks. A sharp surge is also seen in COVID-19 cases in India", Rajesh Bhushan, the Health Secretary on COVID-19 situation said during a Health Ministry press conference.
He added, "Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh are among the 'States of Concern'. We have sent Central health teams to these States and are continuously reviewing the situation."
Maha, Karnataka, TN, Kerala Among 10 States With Most Cases
"Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, UP, Gujarat, Odisha, Delhi and Rajasthan are among the top 10 States in terms of active cases", Rajesh Bhushan, Health Secretary said while addressing a press conference on the COVID-19 situation.
'Significantly Lesser Deaths in 3rd Wave': ICMR
"Vaccines have remained beneficial in India. Deaths have considerably reduced due to vaccinations. In this third surge of COVID19, we are currently not witnessing severe illness and deaths due to high vaccination uptake", DG ICMR Dr Balram Bhargava stated during a press conference.
As per official data, during the last surge in the pandemic, India had recorded 3,86,452 new daily cases and 3,059 daily deaths on 30 April 2021.
Final Decision on Market Approval for Covaxin, Covishield Yet to be Taken
"SEC of CDSCO has recommended to the DCGI that two vaccines (namely Covishield and Covaxin) be provided market approval. A final decision of the national regulator is yet to be taken", COVID-19 chief Rajesh Bhushan stated.
Andhra Pradesh Reports 12,615 Fresh COVID-19 Cases
Andhra Pradesh reports 12,615 new COVID-19 cases, 3,674 recoveries and 5 deaths in the last 24 hours. Active cases stand at 53,871.
Kerala Reports 46k New Cases
Kerala detects 46,387 fresh COVID-19 cases, which is an all time high single day rise in cases in the state. The state also reported 32 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Further, the state logged 62 more cases of Omicron variant in the last 24 hours, taking the case tally to 707.
99% of Adult Patients in Delhi Have Common Symptoms: Rajesh Bhushan
"In Delhi, from 9 Jan to 19 Jan, there have been 75,000-78,000 active cases but number of those hospitalised is between 2,500 to 2,600. 99% of adult patients have common symptoms like fever, shivering, cough and these symptoms resolve by the 5th day" Covid-19 health secretary Rajesh Bhushan was quoted as saying.
Delhi Reports Dip With 12,306 New Cases
Delhi reports a dip in infections with 12,306 new cases, 18,815 recoveries and 43 deaths in the last 24 hours. Active cases stand at 68,730, positivity rate was calculated to be 21.48%.
This is the highest number of deaths in the national capital since 10 June.
Jharkhand Govt Revises RT-PCR Rates
Jharkhand government revises the RT-PCR testing rates from Rs 400 to Rs 300 with additional charge Rs 100 for home sample collection. Meanwhile, rapid antigen test rates revised from Rs 150 to Rs 50.
J&K Reports 5,992 New Cases
Jammu and Kashmir reports 5,992 new COVID-19 cases, 1,177 recoveries and 7 deaths in the last 24 hours. Active cases stand at 31,044.
This is the biggest single-day spike in infections in the UT so far.
Goa Reports 3,390 New Cases
Goa reports 3,390 new COVID-19 cases, 3,728 recoveries, and 9 deaths in the last 24 hours. Active cases stand at 22,460.
Karnataka Reports Over 47k New Cases
Karnataka reports 47,754 fresh COVID-19 cases, 22,143 recoveries, and 29 deaths in the last 24 hours. The positivity rate in the state stands at 18.48%.
RT-PCR Test Rate Reduced to Rs 300: Delhi Government
As per government orders, the rate of the RT-PCR test at private hospitals in Delhi has reduced to a maximum cost of Rs 300, meanwhile RT-PCR samples collected from home will now cost a maximum of Rs 500 and a rapid antigen test (RAT) will be done at Rs 100.
Mumbai Records 5,708 New Cases
Mumbai reports 5,708 new cases, 12 deaths and 15,440 recoveries in the last 24 hours. Active cases in the city stand at 22,103.
"The positivity rate in Maharashtra is 23.5% but districts like Raigad, Pune, Nashik, Nanded have a much higher positive rate. Despite the high positive rate, the hospitalisation rate is very less and 95% of the beds in the state are vacant," ANI quoted Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope as saying.
Assam Reports 7,929 New Cases
Assam reported 7,929 new cases and 12 deaths in the last 24 hours. Overall positivity rate stood at 12.92% and recovery rate at 92.81%, CM Himanta Biswas said on Thursday.
Bihar Detects 3,475 New Cases
Bihar reported 3,475 COVID-19 infections, an 475 additional cases than the previous day. The number of active cases in the state is 26,673.
Himachal Pradesh Detects 2,368 New Cases
Himachal Pradesh reports 2,368 new cases and 7 deaths today. The active cases stand at 15,618.
Gujarat Records 24,485 New Cases
Gujarat reports 24,485 fresh cases and 13 deaths in last 24 hours. The number of active cases rise above 1 lakh in the state.
Tamil Nadu Records 28, 561 New Cases
Tamil Nadu detected 28,561 new cases and 39 deaths in the last 24 hours.The active case tally in the state is 1,79,205.
At Least 2 Lakh Home Tests Used in Last 20 Days: ICMR
"In the whole of last year, only 3,000 Covid home tests were recorded and in last 20 days, we have seen two lakh home tests which have been used," PTI quoted ICMR Director General Dr Balram Bhargava as saying.
J&K Govt Imposes Restriction on Non-Essential Movement on Weekends
In view of the surge in COVID-19 cases, Jammu and Kashmir government has imposed complete restrictions on non-essential movement between 2 pm on Friday to 6 pm on Monday.
'Masks Not Recommended for Children Aged 5 & Below': Health Minsitry
The Union Health Ministry, in the 'Revised Comprehensive Guidelines for Management of COVID-19 in Children and Adolescents (below 18 years)' indicated that masks are not recommended for children aged 5 years and below, NDTV reported.
For children aged 6-11, masks should be used on the basis of the child's ability to use it safely and appropriately under the direct supervision of a parent/guardian, the statement reportedly said.
Further, the notice said that the use of antivirals or monoclonal antibodies is not recommended for those who are not adults yet.
West Bengal Reports 10,959 New Cases
West Bengal reports 10,959 new COVID-19 cases, 17,815 recoveries, and 37 deaths in the last 24 hours. Active cases in the state stand at 1,44,809 and the positivity rate is 16.27%.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)