Hyderabad: Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said a locally-developed COVID-19 vaccine candidate could complete its final trials in a month or two, raising hopes for a rapid roll-out in the country with the world's second-highest number of infections. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and privately-held Bharat Biotech this month started third-stage trials of COVAXIN, in a process that would involve 26,000 volunteers.
The Union Health Ministry has issued the latest data on COVID-19 fatality in all the states and Union territories in the last 24 hours. The data reported 511 deaths in the last 24 hours and 74.95 percent of deaths are concentrated in 10 states and UTs including Delhi, Maharashtra, and others. Delhi with 121 deaths have the highest share in the new fatality rate in the past 24 hours.
Maharashtra saw a death count of 50 while West Bengal saw 49 new fatalities. With this the Coronavirus situation is getting serious in India, particularly in the national capital this raises an alarming concern. Currently, the health ministry is monitoring the situation.
Delhi
New Delhi: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal Monday gave orders for MBBS students and dentists to be allowed to assist in hospitals and Covid ICUs to meet manpower shortage. Government hospitals can now engage 4th and 5th year MBBS students and dentists to assist doctors in the treatment of Covid-19 patients.
In an order last Wednesday, the state health department had permitted all heads of Covid hospitals under the Delhi government to engage fourth- and fifth-year MBBS students, interns and BDS-pass doctors to assist duty doctors. The decision was taken after the government augmented the number of ICU beds in the hospitals owing to the rise in the daily Covid cases.
However, the Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA), an umbrella body of resident doctors, had raised objections to the order.
An order to close two evening markets in Nangloi in west Delhi for violation of COVID-19 safety measures was withdrawn by the district administration hours after it was issued, officials said on Monday.
The Punjabi Basti Market and Janta Market in Nangloi were closed till November 30 through an order of the West Delhi District Disaster Management Authority(DDMA) CEO and ADM and sealing action was taken by teams of district officials backed by municipal corporation and police personnel on Sunday.
However, the order for closure was withdrawn hours later as the Delhi government proposal for regulation of markets amid the pandemic is pending with the Centre.
Maharashtra
Mumbai: The Maharashtra government on Monday issued fresh guidelines asking for covid negative report from passengers coming from Delhi, Rajasthan, Goa and Gujarat in trains and aircraft. Schools reopened in some rural areas of Pune on Monday.
Assam
Dispur: Former Assam chief minister and veteran Congress leader Tarun Gogoi passed away at 86 on Monday after falling critically ill due to post-Covid complications. Earlier in the day, it was reported that Gogoi was extremely critical and on complete life support at the Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).
Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was among the first persons to confirm the development. He said Gogoi passed away after a prolonged illness at 5.34 PM today. Sarma, who visited the government-run hospital in the morning, earlier said that Gogoi's health condition had turned extremely critical.
Uttar Pradesh
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Monday lauded the contributiin of those involved in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic in the state and said their efforts have also been acknowledged at the global level.
Because of the contribution of those involved in dealing with the pandemic, international organisations like the WHO have praised the coronavirus management of Uttar Pradesh, the chief minister said, after digitally inaugurating BSL laboratories in government and private medical colleges and other facilities in Lucknow.
Himachal Pradesh
Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh government on Saturday imposed night curfew in Mandi, Shimla Kullu and Kangra districts from November 24 to December 15 amid rising Covid-19 cases. The government has only allowed 50 per cent Class 3 and Class, 4 govt employees, to attend offices till December 31.
Rajasthan
Jaipur: Rajasthan Health Minister Raghu Sharma tested positive for Covid-19, he said in a tweet on Monday, and requested those who have come in contact with him in the past few days to isolate themselves.
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot wished him a speedy recovery, and tweeted, "Wishing my ministerial colleague, Dr. Raghu Sharma ji speedy recovery from COVID19. May he gets well soon."
Karnataka
Bengaluru: Barely six days after the degree and engineering colleges were reopened in the state, Karnataka Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar on Sunday said they may be shut again if the coronavirus cases go up. The degree, engineering and diploma colleges were reopened on November 17 after eight months of closure due to coronavirus-induced lockdown. Under the circumstances, reports emerged that at least 130 students got infected by COVID-19.
