COVID-19 news from across the nation

A COVID-19 vaccine is likely to be available by early next year and the government is considering its emergency authorisation for high-risk settings, Union health minister Harsh Vardhan said, asserting he will take the first dosage if there is any concern over its safety.

Hyderabad: The coronavirus vaccine might be ready by the first quarter of 2021, Union health and family welfare minister Harsh Vardhan said on Sunday.

"While no date has been fixed for the vaccine launch, it may be ready by the first quarter of 2021," he said.

COVID 19 cases in India

Harsh Vardhan also said that the government is considering emergency authorisation of COVID-19 vaccination to senior citizens and people working in high-risk settings. "This shall be done after a consensus has been reached," he added.

Delhi

New Delhi: Due to a surge in coronavirus cases, the Delhi government on Sunday directed 33 big private hospitals in the national capital to reserve 80 per cent of ICU beds for COVID-19 patients, amid a shortage of such beds at some facilities.

Delhi has been witnessing a surge in novel coronavirus cases from the last week of August.

Delhi recorded 4,235 coronavirus cases today, taking the tally to over 2.18 lakh, while the death toll mounted to 4,744 with 29 new fatalities, authorities said.

This is the fifth successive day when over 4,000 coronavirus cases were recorded in the national capital.

Uttarakhand

Dehradun: As many as five medical students of Doon Medical College tested positive in Uttarakhand. Total 45 students had undergone COVID testing, out of which five have been tested positive, said an official of the college.

Meanwhile, total positive cases of COVID-19 in the state reached 31,973 on Sunday with the detection of 1,637 new positive cases. With 12 new deaths, the state's death toll reached to 414.

Total 21,162 patients have also recovered in the state and currently, 10,397 active COVID patients are undergoing treatment in different hospitals.

Madhya Pradesh

Bhopal: BJP senior leader and state cabinet minister Vijay Shah tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday.

In another case, BJP MLA from Bhainsdehi constituency Dharmu Singh Sirsam has also tested positive for coronavirus. As per reports, a few of his family members have also tested positive along with him.