Coronavirus India highlights: Covid-19 guidelines on face masks & social distancing violated with impunity, says SC

One of the missile boats which participated in the historic Op Trident, during a missile firingAIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria on Thursday pinned his hopes on the five COVID-19 vaccine candidates which are in advanced stages of clinical trial in India, stating they are logistically feasible for distribution in both urban and rural areas.

His assertion comes amid Pfizer-BioNTech's anti-coronavirus vaccine getting emergency clearance in the UK, paving the way for mass vaccinations against the deadly novel coronavirus from as early as next week.

Dr Guleria expressed hope that by the end of this month or early next month, at least one of the five vaccines being locally-tested should get emergency use authorisation from the drug regulator to be administered to the public starting with priority groups.

'According to sources, global pharma giant Pfizer had talks with the Indian government late August, but since then there has been no development.

Global pharma major Pfizer on Thursday said it remains committed to engaging with the Indian government to explore opportunities to make Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine available in the country.

The UK on Wednesday became the first country to approve the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine against Covid-19 with the UK regulator Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)granting a temporary authorisation for its emergency use.

"Right now we are in discussions with many governments around the world and remain committed to engaging with the Government of India and explore opportunities to make this vaccine available for use in the country," a Pfizer spokesperson said in a statement. READ MORE

Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Wednesday claimed that medical infrastructure in West Bengal 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 here. State minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Firhad Hakim was one of the first people to participate in the trial.

Africa's top public health official says 60 per cent of the continent's population needs to be vaccinated against the coronavirus in the next two to three years.

The director of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, John Nkengasong, told reporters on Thursday that if it takes four to five years, the virus will be endemic in our communities.

African health officials are taking heart in vaccine progress, but concerns are growing that the continent of 1.3 billion people will be near the end of the line in obtaining doses. Nkengasong isn't sure whether vaccines will be available in Africa before the second quarter of next year.

The cap on the number of domestic flights that Indian airlines are permitted to operate was increased from 70 per cent to 80 per cent of their pre-COVID levels on Thursday, said Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. The minister had said on November 11 that the Indian airlines can operate up to 70 per cent of their pre-COVID domestic passenger flights due to the prevailing demand amid the coronavirus situation. Puri tweeted on Thursday, "Domestic operations recommenced with 30K passengers on 25 May & have now touched a high of 2.52 lakhs on 30 Nov 2020."

"Ministry of Civil Aviation is now allowing domestic carriers to increase their operations from existing 70% to 80% of pre-COVID approved capacity," he stated. The ministry had resumed scheduled domestic passenger services from May 25, after a gap of two months due to the coronavirus lockdown.

However, the airlines were allowed to operate not more than 33 per cent of their pre-COVID domestic flights.

On June 26, this was increased to 45 per cent and on September 2, it was further increased to 60 per cent. On November 11, it was increased to 70 per cent.

Mizoram's COVID-19 tally mounted to 3,881 on Thursday as 12 more people tested positive for the infection, a health official said.

Eight fresh infections were detected in Aizawl, two in Lawngtlai and one each in Lunglei and Kolasib districts, he said. Twelve more people were cured of the disease, taking the state's recovery count to 3,584, the official said. The recovery rate among the coronavirus patients in the state stands at 92.35 per cent, he said.

Mizoram now has 291 active cases, of which Aizawl has the highest at 139, followed by Lunglei (74), the official said. Six coronavirus patients have succumbed to the infection to date, he said.,The state has so far tested 1,53,180 samples for COVID-19, including 1,043 in the last 24 hours, the official added.

The Delhi government Thursday told the Delhi 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.

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: Delhi government to Delhi High Court. @IndianExpress pic.twitter.com/GrLTo5ijUI

— Ahsan (@sofiahsan) December 3, 2020

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.

On Wednesday, a division bench of Chief Justice Vikram Nath and Justice JB Pardiwala directed the government to “come out with a notification under the relevant statute” mandating community service for those violating Covid safety protocols, including face covering and social distancing.

The Gujarat government Thursday approached the Supreme Court against 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 Solicitor-General has requested that the matter be taken up today itself.

On Wednesday, a division bench of Chief Justice Vikram Nath and Justice JB Pardiwala directed the government to “come out with a notification under the relevant statute” mandating community service for those violating Covid safety protocols, including face covering and social distancing.

“The duty should be non-medical in nature and can include activities such as cleaning, housekeeping, help in cooking and serving the food, preparation of record, data feeding, etc. The nature of the duties given shall be appropriately decided by the authorities, considering the age, qualifications, gender and health status of the violator,” the court had said.

India has reported more daily recoveries than the daily new cases during the past 24 hours. The active caseload has fallen under the 4.5% mark today. India’s present active caseload consists of just 4.44% of total positive cases: Government of India.

Days after the Centre clarified that it had never spoken about inoculating everyone with the COVID-19, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attacked the prime minister over the different statements from the NDA.

Taking to Twitter, the former Congress president cited the differences in statements of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government and the BJP on the anticipated vaccine for the COVID-19 and asked what does the prime minister stand by. “PM — Everyone will get vaccine. BJP in Bihar elections — Everyone in Bihar will get free vaccine. Now, GOI — Never said everyone will get vaccine. Exactly what does the PM stand by?” Gandhi said in a tweet.

PM- Everyone will get vaccine.

BJP in Bihar elections- Everyone in Bihar will get free vaccine.

Now, GOI- Never said everyone will get vaccine.

Exactly what does the PM stand by?

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 3, 2020

India detected 35,551 new cases of coronavirus infection on Wednesday, taking its overall tally to over 95.34 lakh. About 4.22 lakh infections are currently active and 89,73,373 have recovered so far. With 526 new deaths, the toll mounted to 1,38,648. With Delhi numbers declining, Kerala is now back as the topmost contributor of cases.

?? #COVID19 cases:

? 35,551 cases detected Wednesday

? Over 95.34 lakh infected so far

? About 4.22 lakh infections currently active

? 526 deaths on Wednesday

? With #Delhi numbers declining, #Kerala back as topmost contributor of cases

- @amitabhsin #ExpressExplained

— Express Explained (@ieexplained) December 3, 2020

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 and 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. “An early recognition of the second wave of Covid-19 in the state can be done by closely monitoring 7-day average growth rate and reproduction number (R0) at district and state levels.

The second wave of Covid-19 is expected during January-February, 2021,” the committee, comprising of health experts, stated in a November 30 report. It said that the inputs of an epidemic intelligence team should be utilised for early recognition of the second wave by the state government and a “minimum of 1.25 lakh tests per day” should be conducted till the end of February, with at least one lakh being RT-PCR tests.

Two more patients died of coronavirus in Ladakh, taking the fatality count to 119, while 62 fresh cases pushed the infection tally in the Union Territory to 8,477, a bulletin said on Wednesday.

The latest COVID-related deaths were reported from Leh, taking the district toll to 77 while rest of the 42 deaths had taken place in Kargil district, the bulletin released by the Directorate of Health Services said.

It said of the 62 new cases, 55 persons tested positive in Leh and seven others in Kargil district.

However, the number of active cases in Ladakh had come down to 793 ? 681 in Leh and 112 in Kargil ? after 76 more patients were discharged during the past 24 hours, the bulletin said, adding that the number of cured cases increased to 7,565, which is 89 per cent of the total cases.

President Vladimir Putin ordered Russian authorities on Wednesday to begin mass voluntary vaccinations against COVID-19 next week as Russia recorded 58 new daily deaths from the coronavirus. Russia will have produced 2 million vaccine doses within the next few days, Putin said. Russia said last month that it Sputnik V jab was 92% effective at protecting people from COVID-19 according to interim results.

EXPLAINED | After Pfizer, Sputnik V: Russia says Covid-19 vaccine shows 92% efficacy

"Let's agree on this - you will not report to me next week but you will start mass vaccination...let's get to work already," Putin told Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova. Golikova said large-scale vaccination could begin on voluntary basis in December. The rise in infections has slowed since reaching a high o Nov. 27, with 25,345 new cases reported on Wednesday.

Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Wednesday announced that he would take the first shot of Covid-19 vaccine in Punjab, after it is cleared by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Punjab has prepared a data of 1.25 lakh health workers who would get the vaccine in the first phase.

Amarinder’s announcement came during a presentation on the vaccine at a virtual Cabinet meeting on Wednesday. The Cabinet discussed the preparedness of the state to roll out the vaccine.

A government statement said that in line with the Government of India strategy for vaccination, Punjab has prioritised healthcare workers, frontline workers, the elderly population (over 50 years of age), and people with co-morbidities (< or = 50 years).

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday extended the interim bail of around 3,499 undertrial prisoners by a further 45 days to de-congest jails here because of the persisting coronavirus pandemic. The decision of the high court was based on the recommendation of the high powered committee (HPC) constituted on the direction of the Supreme Court to decongest jails to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

A bench of Justices Siddharth Mridul and Talwant Singh passed the order in view of the HPC's recommendation to give a 45-day extension in interim bail granted to 3,499 undertrial prisoners on the basis of criteria laid down by the committee so that their surrender does not overwhelm prisons in the national capital, which are already filled beyond capacity. The committee in its meeting of November 28 had said the sudden spurt of COVID-19 cases in Delhi reflects there is no certainty when the threat of pandemic shall be over and if the interim bail of these undertrial prisoners (UTPs) was not extended and if they are asked to surrender, then they might bring the infection with them.

"The committee is, therefore, of the considered opinion that no such chance/risk can be taken and thus resolved that interim bail granted to 3,499 UTPs needs to be further extended for a period of 45 days," the HPC had said.

Bengal minister Firhad Hakim becomes first volunteer to take COVID-19 vaccine 'Covaxin' in phase III trial in Kolkata

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 2, 2020

The Odisha government o Wednesday slashed the price of RT-PCR tests for detection o COVID-19 at private laboratories to Rs 400 from the existin Rs 1,200, a notification said.

In July, the state government had capped the price o RT-PCR tests at private laboratories at Rs 2,200 and it wa then reduced to Rs 1,200 in August 

According to the notification issued by the health an family welfare department, anyone undergoing RT-PCR tes at private laboratories, within the state, will now have t pay a maximum amount of Rs 400, including GST.

Indore recorded the highest single -day spike of 595 COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, raising the tally in the worst affected district of Madhya Pradesh to 43,286, health department officials said on Wednesday. So far, 767 people have died due to COVID-19 in the district, which is the state's industrial hub, they said.

On Tuesday, out of 5,274 samples, 595 tested positive for coronavirus, the officials said. The daily infection rate of coronavirus in the district has increased to 11.28 per cent. The COVID-19 mortality rate in the district is 1.77 per cent, higher than the current national average of 1.45 per cent, as per an analysis of the government data.

As of now, there are 4,556 active COVID-19 cases in Indore, including patients in home isolation, officials said. So far, 37,963 patients have recovered from the disease, they said. Indore reported the outbreak of COVID-19 on March 24 this year when four cases of the disease were found here. Till Tuesday, Madhya Pradesh reported 2,07,485, COVID-19 cases and 3,270 deaths due to the disease, as per official data.

Twenty-two more people, including three security personnel, have tested positive for COVID-19 in Mizoram, taking the state's tally to 3,869, an official said on Wednesday. One more fatality due to the infection pushed the death toll to six, he said.

Of the fresh cases, 13 were reported from Aizawl district, three each from Lawngtlai and Saitual, two from Lunglei and one from Serchhip. Eleven new patients have travel history, the official said, adding that barring three, 19 are asymptomatic.

Mizoram now has 291 active cases, while 3,572 people have recovered from the disease. The recovery rate among coronavirus patients in the state currently stands at 92.33 per cent. The state has so far conducted 59,766 rapid antigen tests, while 81,161 samples were tested through RT-PCR and 11,152 through TrueNat method, the official said.

A 101-year-old woman in Italy, who lived through the Spanish Flu and the second World War, tested positive for Covid-19 for the third time in the last one year. The woman, Maria Orsingher, first tested positive for Covid-19 in February and then for a second time in September, when she underwent treatment for around 18 days, RT reported. But her doctors said that her hospitalisation was mostly precautionary due to her age and the health risks involved with the disease.

Testing has found Covid-19 infections in the U.S. in December 2019, according to a study, providing further evidence indicating the coronavirus was spreading globally weeks before the first cases were reported in China. The study published Monday identified 106 infections from 7,389 blood samples collected from donors in nine U.S. states between Dec. 13 and Jan. 17.

The samples, collected by the American Red Cross, were sent to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for testing to detect if there were antibodies against the virus. “The findings of this report suggest that SARS-CoV-2 infections may have been present in the U.S. in December 2019, earlier than previously recognized,” the paper said.

The UK became the first western country to approve a Covid-19 vaccine, with its regulator clearing Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE’s shot ahead of decisions in the US and European Union. The emergency authorization clears the way for the deployment of a vaccine that’s expected to play a significant role in the global effort to halt the coronavirus.

Pfizer and its German partner said in November that the shot, relying on novel technology called messenger RNA, was 95% effective in a final analysis of clinical-trial data. The vaccine will be available in Britain from next week, according to a government statement. The U.K. regulator, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, said on Wednesday that the vaccine “met its strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness.”

Supreme Court's three-judge bench, headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan begins hearing a batch of petitions filed by various industry bodies and others seeking a direction for relaxation on loans due to Covid-19 pandemic.

The court said that the period of service should be for 4-6 hours a day for a period ranging from 5- 15 days. "The nature of duties shall be appropriately decided by the authorities considering gender, age, status of violators. Such community service should be for 4-6 hours a day for a period ranging from 5- 15 days, as authorities deem necessary."

"Such instances should be widely published in media, so that it has the desired deterrent effect," the court added.

#Gujarat
Such instances should be widely published in media, so that it has the desired deterrent effect

@IndianExpress

— Sohini Ghosh (@thanda_ghosh) December 2, 2020

The Gujarat High Court has directed the state government to come out with a notification under relevant statute that any person found not wearing mask, shall have to render community service at a Covid-19 care centre. The court said, "Such mandate of community service to be implemented for all violators without any discrimination. Duty should be non-medical in nature and can include activities such as cleaning, housekeeping, help in cooking, etc."

#JUSTIN #Gujarat HC directs state government to come out with a notification under relevant statute that any person found not wearing mask, shall have to render community service at a #COVID19 care centre.@IndianExpress

— Sohini Ghosh (@thanda_ghosh) December 2, 2020

#Gujarat

Such mandate of community service to be implemented for all violators without any discrimination.

Duty should be non-medical in nature and can include activities such as cleaning, housekeeping, help in cooking, etc@IndianExpress @ExpressGujarat

— Sohini Ghosh (@thanda_ghosh) December 2, 2020

UNDERLINING THAT several checks are in place to track adverse reactions reported in clinical trials for the Covid vaccine candidate being developed by Serum Institute of India (SII), the Centre Tuesday said its initial assessment “did not necessitate stoppage” after a Chennai-based trial participant sought compensation of Rs 5 crore from the Pune company for suffering a “severe adverse reaction”.

In its first public remarks over the notice, the government also said that it has no role to play in such claims filed anywhere in the country. “ICMR has no role in endorsing or not endorsing a legal claim filed anywhere in the country,” Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said.

ICMR chief Dr Balram Bhargava said the initial assessment conducted by the regulator on the basis of documents sent to it by independent monitoring bodies “did not necessitate stoppage of these trials”.

India reported 36,604 new cases of coronavirus infections on Tuesday, taking its overall tally to about 95 lakhs. The active cases have fallen to 4.28 lakh. With 43,000 recoveries recorded on Tuesday, the total number of people who have been treated and discharged has reached 89,32,647. Also, with 501 new deaths, the toll mounted to 1,38,122.

?? #COVID19 numbers:

? 36,604 new cases detected Tuesday.

? About 43,000 recoveries reported

? Active cases fall to 4.28 lakh

? About 95 lakh people infected so far

? 501 deaths reported Tuesday; tolld at 1.38 lakh

- @amitabhsin #ExpressExplained

— Express Explained (@ieexplained) December 2, 2020

Hello and welcome to our coronavirus LIVE blog. India has reported 94.62 lakh cases so far, which includes 4,35,603 active cases, 88,89,585 recoveries and 1,37,621 deaths. Follow to get all the latest updates here.