Hyderabad: Seventy-eight per cent of the new 47,905 coronavirus infections reported in a span of 24 hours on Thursday are from 10 states and union territories with Delhi continuing to register the highest single-day cases at 8,593 followed by Kerala and Maharashtra, according to the Union health ministry.
For the successive fifth day, new COVID-19 cases reported in a span of 24 hours did not cross the 50,000 mark, while the trend of daily new recoveries outnumbering daily new infections continued for the 40th day. As many as 52,718 new recoveries were registered in a day as against 47,905 infections during the same period.
COVID-19 news from across the nation Ten states and union territories reported 78 per cent of the new cases registered in a span of 24 hours.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharman today announced a Rs 900 crore grant to the Department of Biotechnology for COVID-19 vaccine research.
"We are providing Rs 900 crore for research and development of COVID-19 vaccine. This is being provided for covid suraksha mission, purely for R&D but this money goes to Department of Biotechnology for research purposes," she said.
The Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII) and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) today announced the completion of enrolment of phase-3 clinical trials for potential COVID-19 vaccine Covishield in India.
The ICMR and SII have collaborated for the clinical development of Covovax developed by Novavax, US and upscaled by SII, a statement said.
Delhi:
The Delhi High Court today vacated a stay imposed by a single-judge bench on the Delhi government's order on the reservation of 80 per cent ICU beds in 33 private hospitals for COVID-19 patients.
"In view of the present situation in Delhi, the spiralling cases and the ground reality which is different from how it was when the stay order was passed, the stay order on the reservation is vacated," the bench said.
However, the bench clarified that no person in a health emergency can be allowed to run from pillar to post when there is a bed available and directed that nodal officers are in a position to relax the norm of 80 per cent for these hospitals without strictly adhering to the decision.
The division bench directed to continue Delhi government decision on the reservation of 80 per cent private hospital ICU beds for COVID-19 patients in selected hospitals till November 26.
Rajasthan:
Congress leader Sachin Pilot today said that he has tested positive for coronavirus. The former Rajasthan deputy CM on Twitter said he is taking appropriate advice from doctors and also asked people who might have come in contact with him to get tested for COVID-19.
Uttarakhand:
After reviewing the COVID-19 situation in the state on Thursday, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat directed authorities to ramp up testing and ensure that people follow all health protocols amid the ongoing festive season.
During the meeting with the officials, Singh specifically asked authorities of Dehradun, Haridwar, Udhamsingh Nagar and Nainital to make extended efforts to organise public awareness campaigns.
Tamil Nadu:
The Tamil Nadu government today cancelled its order allowing social, political, religious and cultural events from November 16 permitting participation of a maximum of 100 people. Citing festival season and people congregating in large numbers in public places throwing anti-COVID-19 norms like social distancing to winds, the government said curbs shall continue as regards such programmes and it includes those related to entertainment and education.
West Bengal:
Students appearing for the Class X and Class XII exams will not be required to sit for their pre-final tests at the school level, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said. "Due to the ongoing COVID pandemic situation, the State Education Department has decided that students currently studying in classes 10th and 12th will not have their pre-final tests," she said.
