News Analysis India

Tag: Coronavirus

  • 3,451 new COVID cases in India; active infections in country rise to 20,635

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: India logged 3,451 new coronavirus infections taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 4,31,02,194, while the active cases rose to 20,635, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Sunday.

    The death toll climbed to 5,24,064 with 40 fresh fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated.

    The active cases comprise 0.05 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.74 per cent, the ministry said.

    An increase of 332 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.

    The daily positivity rate was recorded at 0.96 per cent and the weekly positivity rate at 0.83 per cent, according to the ministry.

    The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,25,57,495, while the case fatality rate was 1.22 per cent.

    The cumulative doses administered in the country so far under the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive has exceeded 190.20 crore.

    India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16.

    It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19.

    The country crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4 and three crore on June 23 last year.

    The 40 new fatalities include 35 from Kerala, two from Delhi and one each from Gujarat, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.

    A total of 5,24,064 deaths have been reported so far in the country including 1,47,846 from Maharashtra, 69,245 from Kerala, 40,103 from Karnataka, 38,025 from Tamil Nadu, 26,179 from Delhi, 23,509 from Uttar Pradesh and 21,203 from West Bengal.

    The ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities.

    “Our figures are being reconciled with the Indian Council of Medical Research,” the ministry said on its website, adding that state-wise distribution of figures is subject to further verification and reconciliation.

  • COVID: India reports 3,688 new infections, 50 fatalities

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: India saw a single day rise of 3,688 new coronavirus infections taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 4,30,75,864, while the active cases increased to 18,684, the government said on Saturday.

    According to the Union Health Ministry data updated at 8 am, the death toll rose to 5,23,803 with 50 more fatalities.

    The active cases constituted 0.04 per cent of the total infections, while the national recovery rate was recorded at 98.74 per cent, the health ministry said.

    An increase of 883 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of last 24 hours. The daily positivity rate was recorded at 0.74 per cent and weekly positivity rate at 0.66 per cent, the data said.

    The number of people who have recovered from the disease has increased to 4,25,33,377, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.22 per cent.

    The number of doses administered in the country so far under the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive has exceeded 188.89 crore.

    India’s COVID-19 tally crossed the two crore-mark on May 4 and three crore on June 23 last year.

    Out of 50 fatalities, 45 were reported from Kerala, two each from Delhi and Maharashtra, and one from Uttar Pradesh.

    Of total deaths so far, 1,47,842 have been reported from Maharashtra, 69,011 from Kerala, 40,099 from Karnataka, 38,025 from Tamil Nadu, 26,174 from Delhi, 23,507 from Uttar Pradesh, and 21,201 from West Bengal, among other states.

    The health ministry has stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities.

    “Our figures are being reconciled with the Indian Council of Medical Research,” the ministry said on its website, adding that state-wise distribution of figures is subject to further verification.

  • Early to say if covid variants XD, XE are causing rise

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI:  India has identified very few recombinant variants of the Covid-19 virus and there is no evidence yet that the Omicron XE recombination of BA.1 and BA.2, which is said to be 10 times more transmissible, is behind the spike in cases in the past fortnight.

    “Recombinants are being identified, but that does not mean that recombination is leading to a spike,” said Dr Samiran Panda, the head of Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases division at Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

    “We should go by evidence and not create panic. We should not jump to a conclusion or make inferences if cases are rising,” Panda told this daily when asked if INSACOG has discovered a few recombinant variants and could those be driving this present rise in cases in India, especially in states like Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra, Mizoram and Kerala.

    Though there have been claims of a few cases of XE in India — first from Mumbai, followed by one in Gujarat and a third in Kerala — the Union health ministry is yet to confirm them. When cases started increasing in Delhi-NCR, mostly affecting schoolchildren, genomic sequencing found eight variants of Omicron, including BA.2.12 and BA.2.12.1. These two are closely related to BA.2, a version which has propelled surges across Europe and US.

    Covid-19 genomic sequencing consortium INSACOG, in a bulletin released after three months, said, “Based on genome sequencing analysis, very few recombinant variants have been discovered in India.” It, however, did not specify which recombinant had been discovered.

    “So far, none showed increased transmission (locally or otherwise). Nor are they associated with severe disease or hospitalisation. Incidents of suspected recombinants and the possible public health relevance are being closely monitored,” it said. The bulletin said recombinant variants XD and XE are closely monitored worldwide.

    Panda said the spike is reported from some districts and the infection is not severe. He added the best way is to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour.

  • Gap between second dose of COVID jab, precaution dose to be reduced to six months soon

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The government is likely to soon reduce the gap between the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine and the precaution dose from the current nine months to six months, official sources said on Wednesday.

    A recommendation on lessening the gap is expected to be made by the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) which is set to hold a meeting on April 29, they told PTI.

    Studies at ICMR and other international research institutions have suggested that antibody level wanes after about six months from the primary vaccination with both doses and giving a booster increases the immune response.

    All those above the age of 18 who have completed nine months after the administration of the second dose are eligible for the precaution dose.

    “Taking into account the scientific evidence and findings of the studies done here and internationally, the gap between the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine and the precaution dose will most likely be reduced from the current nine months to six months soon.

    A final decision will be taken based on the recommendations by the NTAGI which is set to meet on Friday,” a source in the know of the developments told PTI.

    India began administering precaution doses of vaccines to healthcare and frontline workers and those aged 60 and above with comorbidities from January 10.

    The government removed the comorbidity clause making all people aged above 60 eligible for the precaution dose in March.

    According to health ministry data, 5,17,547 precaution doses have been administered in age group 18-59 years so far.

    Besides, 4736567 healthcare workers, 7447184 frontline workers and 14545595 individuals aged 60 and above have taken the precaution shot.

    India on April 10 began administering precaution doses of COVID-19 vaccines to all aged above 18 years at private vaccination centres.

  • DCGI grants EUA to Corbevax for those aged 5-12, Covaxin for 6-12 age group

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: India’s drug regulator has granted emergency use authorisation for Biological E’s COVID-19 vaccine Corbevax for those aged five to 12 years and Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin for children in the age group of six to 12 years, official sources said on Tuesday.

    The approval by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) comes following recommendations by the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) on COVID-19 of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation(CDSCO).

    The SEC had last week reviewed the application of both the companies seeking emergency use authorisation for Corbevax and Covaxin for use in children of five to 12 years and six to 12 years age group, respectively.

    Biological E’s Corbevax is being used to inoculate children against COVID-19 in the age group of 12 to 14 years.

    Covaxin has been granted Emergency Use Listing (EUL) by the DCGI for the age group of 12 to 18 years on December 24, 2021. India began inoculating children aged 12-14 on March 16.

    The countrywide vaccination drive was rolled out on January 16 last year with healthcare workers getting inoculated in the first phase. Vaccination of frontline workers started from February 2 last year.

    The next phase of COVID-19 vaccination commenced on March 1 last year for people over 60 years of age and those aged 45 and above with specified co-morbid conditions. India launched vaccination for all people aged more than 45 years from April 1 last year.

    The government then decided to expand its vaccination drive by allowing everyone above 18 years of age to be inoculated against the viral disease from May 1 last year. The next phase of vaccination commenced on January 3 for adolescents in the age group of 15-18 years.

    India began administering precaution doses of vaccines to healthcare and frontline workers and those aged 60 and above with comorbidities from January 10. Precaution doses of COVID-19 vaccines to all aged above 18 years were allowed at private vaccination centres from April 10.

  • Ask devotees to strictly follow Covid guidelines: Mathura admin to temples

    By PTI

    MATHURA: The Mathura district administration on Monday directed temple authorities to ensure that devotees follow COVID-19 guidelines in the wake of rising cases in the neighbouring districts.

    A large number of devotees are coming to Mathura every day from the Delhi-NCR region. Their numbers reach thousands, especially during weekends, District Magistrate Navneet Singh Chahal said.

    In such a situation, it is very important to follow Covid appropriate behaviour like the use of masks and social distancing. Along with cleanliness in temples, sanitisation work should also be done regularly, he said. “Devotees should be asked to strictly follow the COVID-19 guidelines,” Chahal asserted.

    The order comes after a mother-son duo tested positive for the virus after they returned from a function in Ghaziabad. Mathura Covid cell in-charge Bhudev Singh said the duo has been isolated at their home.

    On Sunday, 213 COVID-19 positive cases were found in Uttar Pradesh, with Gautam Buddh Nagar reporting the maximum 98 cases followed by 56 in Ghaziabad, 15 in Agra and 10 cases in Lucknow.

  • Breakthrough infection with Delta, reinfection with Omicron in individual vaccinated with Covishield

    By IANS

    NEW DELHI: The Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Virology (ICMR-NIV), Pune, has reported a case of three-time Covid infection in an individual who was vaccinated with the Covishield jab against the virus.

    The healthcare professional from Delhi had primary SARS-CoV2 infection, breakthrough infection with Delta and reinfection with Omicron over a period of around 16 months, researchers of Pune NIV said in a study.

    The findings of the study prove the immune evasion potential of the Omicron variant, even after infection and vaccination, said the researchers.

    The researchers in the report have said that the 38-year-old had tested positive with primary Covid infection during the first wave of the pandemic with symptoms like body ache, fever and a dry cough on October 9, 2020.

    ALSO READ: Serum Institute to give free Covishield vials to private vaccination centres to compensate for price difference

    However, there were no complaints of breathlessness, and post recovery, he experienced symptoms of long Covid, including generalised weakness for two to three weeks and insomnia for two to three months.

    The healthcare professional experienced body ache and headache again in November 2021. Subsequently, he tested positive for SARS-COV-2 and the body ache persisted for two to three days.

    However, during the third wave of the pandemic, the individual again developed a headache on January 24, 2022, after being asymptomatic for a period of two months.

    The researchers in the report said that the case represented a breakthrough infection post primary SARS-CoV-2 infection and two doses of Covishield vaccination.

    ALSO READ: Covishield & Covaxin prices cut, hospitals to pay Rs 225 per dose

    The patient received the first dose of Covishield vaccine on January 31, 2021, and the second dose on March 3.

    While vaccination reportedly reduces severity of disease and mortality in Covid-19, it cannot protect individuals from getting a breakthrough infection, said the researchers.

    The NIV scientists concluded the report saying that the fight against Covid-19 is far from over. Although vaccine boosters or third doses have shown an augmentation in the immune response against the Omicron variant, it has been found to wane over time.

    In such a situation, non-pharmacological interventions in the form of mask, hand hygiene and infection control remain the most reliable weapons to curb the direct transmission of SARS-CoV-2, researchers said in the report. The report was published in the Journal of Infection.

  • Active COVID-19 cases in country rise to 15,873

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: With 2,593 new coronavirus infections being reported in a day, India’s total tally of COVID-19 cases rose to 4,30,57,545, while the active cases increased to 15,873, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Sunday.

    The death toll climbed to 5,22,193 with 44 fresh fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated. The active cases comprise 0.04 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded as 98.75 per cent, the ministry said.

    An increase of 794 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours. The daily positivity rate was recorded as 0.59 per cent and the weekly positivity rate as 0.54 per cent, according to the ministry.

    The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,25,19,479, while the case fatality rate was 1.21 per cent.

    The cumulative doses administered in the country so far under the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive has exceeded 187.67 crore.

    India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16.

    It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19. The country crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4 and three crore on June 23 last year.

  • PM Narendra Modi to hold meeting with chief ministers on COVID situation on Wednesday

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a meeting with chief ministers on the emerging COVID-19 situation in the country on Wednesday through video conference, official sources said on Saturday.

    They said that Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan will make a presentation on the matter. With 2,527 coronavirus infections being reported in a day, India’s total tally of cases rose to 4,30,54,952, while active cases have increased to 15,079, according to Union health ministry data updated on Saturday. The death toll has climbed to 5,22,149 with 33 fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated.

    The active cases comprise 0.04 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.75 per cent, the health ministry said. An increase of 838 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in 24 hours.

  • Millions of COVID vaccines unsold; stopped production since December 2021: Adar Poonawalla

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: The Serum Institute of India has stopped producing the COVID-19 vaccine since the last day of December 2021 as it has been sitting on millions of unsold vaccines after the vaccination momentum has ebbed, its chief executive officer Adar Poonawalla said on Friday.

    Poonawalla also warned against the return to “the business as usual” approach of the administration in the national capital, saying “we can’t afford to put a price tag on the life of a citizen” as the pandemic is “not behind us yet nor we know by when it will be”.

    He also called for speeding up the decision to vaccinate young kids and said if they can be given other immunisation vaccines why not for the COVID-19, the end of which nobody knows as of now.

    “Since the vaccine intake has been coming down, there has been a lot of unsold inventories with us. We stopped production on December 31, 2021. Currently, we are sitting on over 200 million doses. I have offered this to anyone willing to pick them up for free. But there hasn’t been a good response to that also. Seems there is vaccine fatigue among the people now as even after the price was slashed to Rs 225, there has been no major uptake,” Poonawalla said at the Times Network India Economic Conclave.

    Defending his call for lowering the gap between second and third doses to six months from nine months at present, he said it’s needed for one “we can’t put a price tag on the life of a person be it an adult or a child. Another important reason is that after six months the antibodies come down so it is better to go for the third dose within six months”.

    ALSO READ| Public complacency responsible for low uptake of booster dose of vaccines: Experts

    “This is something many studies have verified and therefore many foreign governments have made the booster dose mandatory. Already, many counties have made booster doses mandatory for travel. This means those who were vaccinated by August or September last will not be able to travel outside the country. Therefore, my suggestion to the government for six months gap for the third dose,” he said.

    On the need for vaccinating kids in the 5-11 age bracket, he said, “My point is we can’t put a price tag on the life of a person. Also if an additional dose of vaccine can prevent a 1,000 hospitalisation, so let’s do that as was evident from the third wave.”

    On the delays in decision making, Poonawalla rued that it seems the urgency is no longer there. Unfortunately for the key people who are supposed to be taking decisions on time, the committees supposed to be meeting on time, it seems there is no urgency any longer.

    “The momentum of the past that brought us so far here is lost. As you said it seems for them, it’s business as usual. That’s why there is no decision on the emergency use of Covovax is coming in. What is more surprising is that the same vaccine has been approved by the regulator long ago and have also been in use in many European nations and in Australia,” he said.

    However, Poonawalla quickly added that the government at the highest level is fully seized of the matter, but “yes at the ground level there seems the urgency is lost”.