COVID-19: Delhi Reports Dip With 11,684 Cases; Mumbai Climbs to 6,149 Cases
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Amid the surge in COVID-19 cases across the country, India reported 2,38,018 new infections (20,071 cases less than the previous day), 310 deaths, and 1,57,421 recoveries on Tuesday, 18 January.
Meanwhile, Delhi detected 11,684 new cases and 38 deaths in last 24 hours, taking the positivity rate in the national capital to 22.47% – 5.52% less than a day ago. Mumbai, on the other hand, detected 193 more daily COVID cases, reporting 6,149 infections.
The number of active cases in the country stands at 17,36,628, while the daily positive rate is at 14.43 percent.
Meanwhile, a total of 8,891 cases of the Omicron variant have been reported so far.
On Monday, Delhi had reported a dip in daily COVID-19 cases with 12,527 new infections.
Mumbai had traced a downward curve yesterday, with 5,956 new infections.
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Pulwama Gets Its First RT-PCR Testing Lab
Amid the third wave of the COVID pandemic, Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama got its first RT-PCR testing lab.
According to news agency ANI, an official of the Health Department said on Monday, "Earlier, we had to send samples to Srinagar, and reports would come only after two days. Now, people can get their test report within a day."
COVID Testing Decreased in Delhi
After the new ICMR testing guidelines were introduced, which do away with testing of asymptomatic persons on demand, only 44,762 tests were conducted in Delhi on Monday, the lowest since 29 November when 43,499 tests were conducted.
Delhi also reported 24 COVID deaths on Monday, taking January’s toll to 280.
N Chandrababu Naidu Tests COVID-Positive
Former chief minister and current Leader of Opposition in Andhra Pradesh, N Chandrababu Naidu, has tested positive for COVID-19 with mild symptoms.
He shared the news of the same on his Twitter handle.
International Film Festival of Kerala Postponed
The 26th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) has been postponed in the wake of surging COVID-19 cases, the state's Cultural Minister Saji Cherian said.
India Reports 2.38 Lakh New Cases
India reported 2,38,018 new COVID infections (20,071 cases less than the previous day), 310 deaths, and 1,57,421 recoveries on Tuesday, 18 January.
The number of active cases in the country stands at 17,36,628, while the daily positive rate is at 14.43 percent.
India’s Vaccination Coverage Exceeds 158.04 Crores Doses
Union Health Ministry informed on Tuesday that India’s cumulative COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 158.04 crores, as nearly 80 lakh vaccine doses were administered in the last 24 hours.
‘Visitors at the Republic Day Parade Will Be Curtailed'
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the number of visitors at the Republic Day parade will be substantially curtailed this year, news agency ANI reported, citing senior Defence Ministry officials.
The official was quoted as saying, "We are looking at a range of 5,000 to 8,000 people but we have not yet finalised that. Last year, 25,000 visitors had taken part in it."
50 Lakh People Have Received Precaution Dose: Health Minister
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Tuesday, "Over 50 lakh healthcare and frontline workers and citizens aged 60 years or above have received precaution dose, since 10 January. I request all those who are eligible to get their precaution dose at the earliest", ANI reported.
Puducherry Reports 2,093 New COVID Cases
Puducherry reported 2,093 new cases and three deaths today. Active cases currently at 10,393, while test positivity has risen to 34.72 percent.
Meanwhile, in light of the surge, the state's Eduction Minister, A Namassivayam has announced that all schools and colleges in the UT will be shut till 31 January.
Centre Asks States, UTs to Increase COVID Testing
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Tuesday flagged the decline in number of COVID-19 tests in many states and union territories, and urged state administrations to enhance testing so that an effective track of the COVID spread can be kept and immediate citizen-centric action can be initiated, PTI reported.
Karnataka CM Chairs Meeting on COVID Vaccination Drive
Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai held a virtual meeting with DCs and CEOs of Zilla Parishads and other officials of the state's 18 districts today and reviewed the progress the region's COVID-19 vaccination drive.
Andhra Pradesh Detects Over 6k New COVID Cases
Andhra Pradesh reports 6,996 new cases, 1,066 recoveries and 5 deaths in the last 24 hours. Active cases in the state stand at 36,108.
Kerala Reports 28,481 New COVID Cases
Kerala reported 28,481 new infections, and 39 deaths in the last 24 hours. Active cases in the state are 1,42,512.
Delhi Reports 11,684 New Infections
Delhi detected 11,684 new cases and 38 deaths in last 24 hours, taking the positivity rate in the national capital to 22.47% – 5.52% less than a day ago.
Telangana Health Min Advocates Reducing Booster Dose Gap, Writes to Health Min
Telangana Health Minister T Harish Rao wrote to the to Union Health Minister, urging him to to reduce gap between second dose and precautionary dose from 9 months to 6 months, and reduce this gap to 3 months for health care workers.
Bihar Reports 4,551 New COVID-19 Cases
Bihar reports 4,551 new COVID-19 cases and 3,786 recoveries in the last 24 hours. The active cases in the state stand at 33,883.
Mumbai Reports 6,149 New Cases
Mumbai reports 6,149 new cases –193 more than yesterday – and 7 deaths in the last 24 hours. The active cases in the city stand at 44,084.
Karnataka Records Over 41k New Cases
Karnataka detects over 41,000 new COVID-19 infections in the last 24 hours, taking the state's positivity rate beyond 22%, State Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar stated.
'Ensure Only Covaxin is Administered to Children Aged 15-18 Yrs': Bharat Biotech
In an announcement, Bharat Biotech urged healthcare workers to ensure that only COVAXIN is administered to individuals in 15-18 age group.
(Photo: Twitter/Bharat Biotech)
West Bengal Detects 10,430 COVID Cases
West Bengal reports a total of 10,430 fresh COVID-19 cases with a positivity rate of 19.38. The total number of undertaken remain at a low with only 5,3824 tests conducted.
"50% Kids Aged 15-18 Yrs Have Received First Vaccine Dose": Health Min
"Over 50% of youngsters between 15-18 age group have received their 1st dose of COVID-19 vaccine," Union Health Minister Mansukah Mandaviya stated.
Maharashtra Reports 39,207 Fresh COVID-19 Cases
Maharashtra reported 39,207 new COVID cases, 38,824 recoveries, and 53 deaths in the last 24 hours. Active cases in the state stand at 2,67,659. No Omicron case was detected in the state.
Govt of Karnataka Issues Order Enforcing Strict Containment Measures
Issuing an order, the Government of Karnataka directed all the Chief Commissioner BBMP, Police Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police Commissioner to ensure the implementation of containment measures in Bengaluru.
"Officers who do not take action against the violators of the containment measures, will be liable for action as per law," the order stated.
Delhi Govt to Monitor COVID-19 Management in Private Hospitals
Delhi government will deploy its senior nursing officers as nodal officers in private hospitals to overlook the management of Covid-19 patients, and with monitor the vaccination programme.