COVID-19 news from across the nation

Dr Randeep Guleria, director of AIIMS and member of the national task force on COVID-19 management said that vaccines are in their final trial stage in India and they are expected by the end of this month or early next month. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court stayed the Gujarat High Court order that made it mandatory for those violating the face mask rule to do community service at COVID-19 centres.

Hyderabad: Amid rising coronavirus cases in the country, Dr Randeep Guleria, director of AIIMS and member of the national task force on COVID-19 management, has said that vaccines are in their final trial stage in India.

Dr Guleria is hopeful of a coronavirus vaccine by the end of this month or early next month.

"We should get emergency use authorisation from Indian regulatory authorities to start giving the vaccine to public," Dr Randeep Guleria added.

The AIIMS Director said that there is good data available that the vaccines are very safe.

"Safety and efficacy of vaccine are not compromised at all. Around 70,000-80,000 volunteers have received the vaccine and no significant serious adverse effects were seen. The data shows that in the short term vaccine is safe," he added.

COVID-19 cases in India

• Delhi

New Delhi: At a time when the national capital is grappling with the coronavirus crisis, the Delhi government on Thursday told the High Court that no night curfew will be imposed in Delhi or parts of it for now.

"Have taken a considered view, after assessing the situation of Delhi, not to impose night curfew in Delhi or some parts of Delhi as of now," the AAP govt told the Court.

• Karnataka

Bengaluru: A technical advisory committee advising the Karnataka government on how to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic has warned that a second wave of the coronavirus may hit the state in January.

In the wake of this, the committee has suggested measures like the imposition of night curfew between December 26 to January 1 and a ban on New Year celebrations to minimise the impact on the state.

• Himachal Pradesh

Shimla: The apex court has sought a status report from Himachal Pradesh govt regarding the treatment of COVIDー19 patients in different hospitals, infrastructure & facilities available therein.

This came after an advocate apprised the Court that there are several issues like lack of oxygen, beds in the state.

The next hearing on the issue is scheduled on December 9.

• West Bengal

Kolkata: Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Wednesday claimed that medical infrastructure in the state was under stress during the pandemic as the state did not implement the Centre’s Ayushman Bharat scheme.

The scheme had played a "significant role" during the COVID-19 crisis, he added.

He also targeted the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government over alleged irregularities in procuring medical equipment for tackling the pandemic. The Governor made the remarks after launching the Phase-3 regulatory trial of indigenously developed coronavirus vaccine candidate Covaxin at ICMR-NICED in Kolkata.

• Gujarat

Ahmedabad: The Supreme Court Thursday stayed the Gujarat High Court order that made it mandatory for those violating the face mask rule to do community service at COVID-19 centres.

The top court also directed the state government to ensure vigorous adherence of Centre's COVID-19 guidelines on wearing masks and social distancing.

Earlier in the day, the Gujarat government had approached the apex court challenging the high court's order.