COVID-19 news from across the nation

Amid growing concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus, Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII) has already manufactured 40 million doses of the candidate developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca. Meanwhile, anticipating a second COVID-19 wave in January-February, the Maharashtra government has asked the authorities to ensure there is no complacency in testing and said labs should be functional in every district and municipal corporation limits.

Hyderabad: In order to ensure early availability of its COVID-19 vaccine once approved, Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII) has already manufactured 40 million doses of the candidate developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca, under the 'at-risk' manufacturing and stockpiling licence from the Indian drug regulator.

The company plans to stockpile 200-300 million doses by January and around 50% of its capacity is expected to cater to local requirements, regulatory sources said.

COVID-19 cases in India

• Delhi

New Delhi: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal expressed his concern on the latest surge in coronavirus cases in the national capital and stated that the situation will come under control in the next 7-10 days. The Chief Minister added that increasing air pollution is one of the reasons behind the sudden spike in COVID-19 cases.

• Maharashtra

Mumbai: The Railways on Friday granted permission to teachers and other non-teaching staff of schools to travel by local trains in Mumbai. Valid identity cards are the authority for entry at stations, the Western Railway and Central Railway said in a joint press release.

Meanwhile, anticipating a second COVID-19 wave in January-February, the state government has asked the authorities to ensure there is no complacency in testing and said labs should be functional in every district and municipal corporation limits.

• Uttar Pradesh

Lucknow: The chief minister Yogi Adityanath asked officials to take all necessary steps to prevent the spread of coronavirus during the festival season from Diwali to Chhath when people in large numbers meet each other.

He called for further strengthening treatment facilities in Lucknow, Kanpur Nagar, Varanasi and Meerut to improve the COVID-19 recovery rate, adding that testing activities should continue along with effective surveillance.

• Karnataka

Bengaluru: The state government has decided to reopen all medical, dental, AYUSH, paramedical, nursing and pharmacy colleges affiliated to Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) from December 1.

Minister for Health and Family Welfare and Medical Education K Sudhakar has requested the administration of all colleges and students to strictly adhere to the guidelines issued by the government.

• Tamil Nadu

Tiruvannamalai: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Tiruvannamalai district administration has announced that devotees will not be allowed inside the Tiruvannamalai temple on the day of Karthigai Deepam, falling on November 29, or gather on the streets to witness the lighting of the Deepam.

The Tiruvannamalai Deepam festival is scheduled to be held from November 17 to December 3. The festival usually draws lakhs of devotees from across the country.

• Gujarat

Ahmedabad: Government doctors and healthcare staff in the state will not get leave during Diwali in view of the coronavirus pandemic, an official release said.

The directive came from Commissioner of Health Jai Prakash Shivahare.

The decision had been taken considering the pandemic and the possibility that infections may surge due to increased movement of people during the festival, the release added.