India logged 6,990 new coronavirus infections, the bottom in 551 days, taking the nation’s whole tally of COVID-19 instances to three,45,87,822, whereas the energetic instances have declined to 1,00,543, the bottom in 546 days, in line with the Union Well being Ministry knowledge up to date on Tuesday.
You may monitor coronavirus instances, deaths and testing charges on the nationwide and State ranges here. An inventory of State Helpline numbers is accessible as effectively.
Listed here are the most recent developments:
Nationwide
Govt delays reopening of worldwide flights
Final week, the DGCA had introduced reopening of worldwide flights from December 15 after a niche of 20 months. File (representational picture)
| Picture Credit score: V.V. Krishnan
The Directorate Common of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on December 1 postponed indefinitely the date of resumption of worldwide flights in view of the brand new variant of COVID-19 virus known as Omicron.
“In view of the evolving world state of affairs with the emergence of latest variant of concern, the scenario is being watched intently in session with all stakeholders and an applicable choice indicating the efficient date of resumption of scheduled business worldwide passenger providers shall be notified in the end,” the DGCA mentioned.
Final week, the authority had introduced reopening of worldwide flights from December 15 after a niche of 20 months. It mentioned that nations not within the “at-risk” checklist of the Well being Ministry might revert to pre-Covid schedule of flights from December 15, whereas these within the checklist might revert to 50%-70% of their earlier schedule. — Jagriti Chandra
Karnataka
Karnataka guidelines out penalties for people who find themselves but to take COVID-19 vaccine
Karnataka Well being and Medical Schooling Minister Ok. Sudhakar dominated out the potential of withdrawing authorities advantages or levying penalties for individuals who haven’t taken a vaccine in opposition to COVID-19.
He was reacting to the State’s COVID-19 Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) recommending withdrawal of presidency advantages, reminiscent of ration, pension, electrical energy and water provide, home gasoline cylinder and petrol or diesel, for individuals who haven’t been vaccinated.
The federal government, nevertheless, is more likely to challenge an order making two-dose vaccination necessary to be used of public facilities, together with Namma Metro providers and buses, resorts, purchasing complexes, malls and different public amenities.
USA
FDA panel backs first-of-a-kind COVID-19 capsule from Merck
A panel of U.S. well being advisers narrowly backed the advantages of a intently watched COVID-19 capsule from Merck, setting the stage for a possible authorisation of the primary drug that Individuals might take at dwelling to deal with the virus.
A Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) panel voted 13-10 that the drug’s advantages outweigh its dangers, together with potential delivery defects if used throughout being pregnant.
Specialists backing the remedy pressured that it shouldn’t be utilized by anybody who’s pregnant and known as on FDA to suggest further precautions earlier than the drug is prescribed, together with being pregnant assessments for girls of child-bearing age.
The FDA isn’t certain by the panel’s suggestion and is anticipated to make its personal choice earlier than 12 months’s finish.
Nationwide
November sees lowest variety of recent instances since Could, 2020
With over 3.1 lakh recent COVID-19 instances, the month of November noticed the bottom variety of folks contracting the viral illness within the nation since Could final 12 months.
The month-to-month tally of recent COVID-19 instances registered a decline for the sixth time in a row in November.
The variety of every day instances peaked on Could 6 this 12 months, when the nation registered 4,14,188 Covid instances in a span of 24 hours, whereas the variety of energetic instances was recorded under one lakh after 547 days.
The every day rise within the variety of new coronavirus instances has been under 20,000 for 54 straight days and fewer than 50,000 every day new instances have been reported for 156 consecutive days now. –PTI
France
Covid an infection linked with elevated issues in being pregnant, delivery: Research
Pregnant girls with COVID-19 usually tend to have issues with being pregnant and delivery in comparison with these with out the ínfection, in line with a examine.
The analysis, publishing on Tuesday within the journal PLOS Medication, checked out hospitalisation for births in France in the course of the first six months of the pandemic.
The examine means that vaccination could also be helpful to guard girls and their infants, significantly for these at a better threat of creating extreme COVID-19 infections.
The researchers from the Universite de Paris in France analysed knowledge for hospitalisations for delivery after 22 weeks gestation in France between January and June 2020. –PTI
New Delhi
4 passengers from Europe take a look at constructive, samples despatched for genome sequencing
4 individuals who flew into Delhi from the Netherlands and the UK within the early hours of Wednesday have examined constructive for COVID-19 and their samples have been despatched for genome sequencing to determine if they’ve the brand new variant, Omicron, sources mentioned.
All 4 have been admitted to the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital, the place a devoted ward has been arrange for isolating and treating such sufferers, they added.
All 4 are Indian nationals, he added. – PTI
Vaccines
Serum Institute of India delivers first Novavax vaccine batch via COVAX
Serum Institute of India has despatched doses of COVID-19 vaccine to Indonesia, in its first export of the Novavax shot via the COVAX community, Central Authorities mentioned on Wednesday.
Indonesia has accredited the vaccine however India and the World Well being Group, which co-leads the COVAX vaccine-sharing community, haven’t.
World
Brazil, Japan report first instances of the omicron variant
Brazil and Japan joined the quickly widening circle of nations to report instances of the omicron variant Tuesday, whereas new findings point out the mutant coronavirus was already in Europe near every week earlier than South Africa sounded the alarm.
The Netherlands’ RIVM well being institute disclosed that affected person samples courting from Nov. 19 and 23 had been discovered to include the variant. It was on Nov. 24 that South African authorities reported the existence of the extremely mutated virus to the World Well being Group.
That signifies omicron had a much bigger head begin within the Netherlands than beforehand believed. – AP
USA
US transferring to toughen testing requirement for travellers
he Biden administration is transferring to toughen testing necessities for worldwide travellers to the U.S., together with each vaccinated and unvaccinated folks, amid the unfold of the brand new omicron variant of the coronavirus.
The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention mentioned in a Tuesday assertion that it was working towards requiring that every one air travellers to the U.S. be examined for COVID-19 inside a day earlier than boarding their flight. At the moment those that are absolutely vaccinated might current a take a look at taken inside three days of boarding.
The exact testing protocols had been nonetheless being finalised forward of a speech by President Joe Biden deliberate for Thursday on the nation’s plans to manage the COVID-19 pandemic in the course of the winter season, in line with a senior administration official who mentioned some particulars might nonetheless change. – AP
UK
UK PM units Jan 2022 booster jabs timeline as ‘finest’ Omicron defence
Booster COVID-19 vaccines enhance the physique’s immune response and stay the perfect single defence in opposition to the brand new Omicron variant of coronavirus, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson mentioned on Tuesday as he confirmed an growth of the nation’s top-up booster vaccination programme.
Addressing a Downing Avenue press convention, Johnson set an finish of January 2022 goal for all adults aged over 18 now eligible for a booster vaccine to be provided a top-up dose.
“We’re going to throw every thing at it, to make sure that everybody eligible for that booster will likely be vaccinated inside two months,” mentioned Johnson.
“Vaccination is our greatest single defence in opposition to Omicron… In the event you’re boosted, your immune response will likely be stronger,” he mentioned.
“It’ time for an additional nice British vaccination effort. We have completed it earlier than and we’ll do it once more – and let’s not give this virus a second probability,” he added. – PTI
Karnataka
Limit public amenities for unvaccinated: TAC
With the State struggling to cowl the final mile of COVID-19 vaccination drive, the State’s Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) has really helpful proscribing entry to public facilities and authorities advantages, reminiscent of ration and pension, for the unvaccinated.
Sources within the TAC mentioned this might guarantee extra folks come ahead to get vaccinated. Over 41 lakh individuals are due for the second dose within the State.
India
Bangladesh taken off checklist of ‘at-risk’ nations
India on Tuesday eliminated Bangladesh from the checklist of “nations at-risk” with regard to the brand new coronavirus variant Omicron, the Ministry of Well being and Household Welfare introduced. The announcement discovered immediate help from Dhaka the place Overseas Minister Dr A.Ok. Abdul Momen mentioned the choice was taken due to a request from the Authorities of Bangladesh. Sources within the Ministry of Dwelling Affairs mentioned the Indian transfer was prompted by the upcoming go to of President Ram Nath Kovind to Bangladesh.
The checklist of “at-risk” nations was issued to take care of the specter of Omicron. Following the removing of Bangladesh, the checklist now consists of South Africa, Brazil, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Singapore, Hong Kong, Israel and the continent of Europe (together with the UK). – Kallol Bhattacherjee
Odisha
Odisha ban on New Yr celebrations
The Odisha Authorities has prohibited zero evening celebration and capabilities welcoming the New Yr at public locations stating that these congregations have potential to unfold COVID-19 an infection.
“Often folks in massive quantity congregate in resorts, eating places, golf equipment, parks and different public locations on December 31 and January 1. Such congregations have massive potential to unfold COVID-19 an infection,” the State Authorities mentioned issuing the COVID-19 guideline for the month of December on Tuesday.
The Authorities additionally suggested the folks to rejoice such capabilities at their houses, avoiding mass gatherings and adhering to the COVID-19 security protocols. – Satyasundar Barik
Haryana
Full faculty transfer placed on maintain by Haryana
Amid the scare over the brand new COVID-19 variant, Omicron, the Haryana authorities on Tuesday placed on maintain its earlier choice to permit faculties to run with full capability from December 1.
Haryana Schooling Minister Kanwar Pal mentioned the federal government had determined to placed on maintain its choice to permit faculties to run with full capability in view of the Omicron scare and overview the scenario after a few week. He mentioned the colleges will proceed to run with 50% capability as earlier until additional orders. Mr. Pal mentioned the training division officers have been directed to convey the choice to the colleges within the State.
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu to check these from ‘in danger’ nations
Passengers arriving in worldwide flights endure necessary RT-PCR take a look at for COVID-19 at Chennai airport on December 1, 2021.
| Picture Credit score: B. Velankanni Raj
Within the wake of the brand new COVID-19 variant, Omicron, the Directorate of Public Well being (DPH) and Preventive Medication has written to the Airports Authority of India (AAI), urging it to make sure that tips for worldwide arrivals are scrupulously adopted on the 4 worldwide airports within the State.
With the revised tips of the Union Authorities coming into impact on December 1, the testing of travellers from ‘in danger’ nations — South Africa, China, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Brazil, Bangladesh, Botswana, Mauritius, Zimbabwe, Singapore, Israel and European nations together with the U.Ok. — will turn out to be obligatory on arrival, regardless of their vaccination standing.
The Chennai Airport will take a look at travellers from ‘in danger’ nations beginning early Wednesday. Taking into account the extended time for testing and getting the outcomes, airport authorities have created an unique hall at T4 terminal for screening. A senior airport official mentioned the ability might maintain 450 passengers at a time.
Telangana
Efficacy of vaccines in opposition to Omicron to be put to check
Efficacy of the presently out there COVID-19 vaccines in opposition to Omicron, the brand new variant of concern, can be put to check at AIG Hospitals, Gachibowli, shortly. The outcomes can be out there round two weeks after launching the assessments.
Chairman of the company hospital, D. Nageshwar Reddy says a pseudo Omicron virus could be created within the lab. Blood samples containing antibodies had been collected from individuals who underwent immunisation. The blood samples will likely be used to check in opposition to the pseudo virus.
“It takes round two weeks to create the pseudo virus of Omicron. We’ll begin the assessments at AIG Hospitals shortly,” informs Dr Reddy. Efficacy of assorted vaccines will likely be examined.
Maharashtra
Courses 1-7 to not open in Mumbai now
Regardless of the Maharashtra Authorities earlier asserting that faculty for Courses 1 to 7 would start from December 1, rising issues on the Omicron variant of COVID-19 have led authorities of the Mumbai and Pune civic our bodies to postpone the choice until December 15.
Nashik municipal authorities had already introduced on Sunday that faculties within the Nashik Municipal Company (NMC) space will stay closed until December 10. As with Nashik, Aurangabad municipal officers too introduced that faculties within the Aurangabad civic physique space would proceed to stay closed until December 10.
Brihanmumbai Municipal Company Iqbal Singh Chahal introduced the choice after a gathering with academic division authorities. “We have now acquired stories that in South Africa, 10% of the contaminated inhabitants is under 18 years of age. So, provided that youngsters of courses 1 to 7 fall on this age group, as a matter of considerable precaution, we’ve determined to maintain faculties closed until December 15,” he mentioned. – Shoumojit Banerjee
Karnataka
Two Africa returnees in dwelling quarantine in Hosapete
Two individuals who returned from Guinea in West Africa, which has been hit by the brand new coronavirus variant, Omicron, have been quarantined of their homes in Hosapete, Vijayanagara district.
Taluk Well being and Household Welfare Officer Bhaskar informed a media convention in Hosapete on Tuesday that steps had been taken as a precaution in view of the unfold of the Omicron variant, although RT-PCR assessments of the returnees returned damaging for COVID-19.
“Each the returnees examined damaging for COVID-19 on November 29. However, as a precautionary measure, we’ve dwelling quarantined them for seven days as per the brand new tips in view of unfold of the brand new COVID-19 variant. RT-PCR assessments will once more be performed after their quarantine is over.
“Those that returned from these States ought to report back to the authorities and comply with the rules,” the well being officer mentioned. – Kumar Buradikatti
USA
US panel backs first-of-a-kind COVID-19 capsule from Merck
A panel of U.S. well being advisers on Tuesday narrowly backed a intently watched COVID-19 capsule from Merck, setting the stage for a possible authorization of the primary drug that Individuals might take at dwelling to deal with the coronavirus.
The Meals and Drug Administration panel voted 13-10 that the antiviral drug’s advantages outweigh its dangers, together with potential delivery defects if used throughout being pregnant. – AP
Delhi
Delhi ramps up well being amenities amid Omicron scare
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday mentioned he was personally monitoring the COVID-19 scenario to make sure that Delhi was effectively geared up for any incoming risk associated to the Omicron variant.
Mr. Kejriwal chaired a high-level assembly with all authorities involved to overview the town’s preparedness in opposition to the brand new risk and the standing of preparedness to take care of it.
Maharashtra
Maharashtra points new tips for all air passengers
The Maharashtra Authorities on Tuesday evening issued revised tips for travellers on worldwide flights in addition to home passenger in view of the dangers posed by the brand new coronavirus variant Omicron.
As per the rules, all worldwide passengers must furnish particulars of nations they’ve travelled to within the final 15 days. Home passengers should carry an RT-PCR damaging report.
