COVID-19: Mumbai Eases COVID Curbs; Delhi Logs Minor Dip at 2,683 New Cases
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As India witnessed a decline in COVID-19 cases, the country logged 1,67,059 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, 1 February. A total of 1,192 deaths due to COVID-19 were also reported.
The daily positivity rate stood at 11.69 percent, while the active cases have dropped to 17,43,059.
Meanwhile, Mumbai has eased COVID-19 related restrictions, and issued new guidelines.
Maharashtra government on late Monday night announced new guidelines for easing COVID-19 restrictions for districts administered with 90 percent of single-dose and 70 percent of the double dose of vaccination for 18 years or above.
Delhi, on Monday, had reported 2,779 new cases, while Mumbai recorded 960 cases
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has extended ban on rallies till 11 February, in view of the COVID-19 outbreak
India Reports 1.67 Lakh COVID-19 Cases
India logged 1,67,059 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, 1 February. A total of 1,192 deaths due to COVID-19 were also reported.
The daily positivity rate stood at 11.69 percent, while the active cases have dropped to 17,43,059.
Moderna's COVID-19 Vaccine Gets Full Approval From US FDA
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Monday gave full approval to Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine for people age 18 and older, making it the second fully approved vaccine for the virus.
Nearly 75 million people have already received Moderna's two-dose vaccine in the United States, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Maharashtra Govt Relaxes COVID Curbs for High-Vaccination Districts
The Maharashtra government on late Monday night announced new guidelines for easing COVID-19 restrictions for districts administered with 90 percent of single-dose and 70 percent of the double dose of vaccination for 18 years or above.
All tourist spots that are ticketed to remain open as per regular timings with online ticketing in the state. All visitors should be necessarily be fully vaccinated.
Amusement theme parks to remain operational with 50 percent of the operational capacity.
Beaches, gardens, parks to remain open as per timings fixed by the local authorities.
Swimming pools, Water-parks to remain open with 50 percent capacity.
Restaurants, Theaters, Natyagrihas may remain operational as per timings to be decided by DDMA with 50 percent capacity.
Bhajans and all other local, cultural, and other folk entertainment programs to be allowed with 50 percent capacity of the hall/ pandal.
Very Little Mention of Healthcare in Budget 2022: Dr Naresh Trehan, Chairman-MD, Medanta
Speaking to ANI, Dr Naresh Trehan, Chairman-MD, Medanta said “f you look at Budget, there's very little mention of healthcare. 2-3 things help us - one is the fact that the skilling initiative has been intensified, it's good. We need skilled manpower to assist with the healthcare system."
"Secondly, there's a National Health Registry which also provides a full platform for everybody to be able to be in network to know what the state of our infrastructure is, what's the ability to deliver healthcare. Thirdly, mental health portal - that'll definitely help," reported ANI, quoting Dr Trehan.
Dr Trehan also emphasised on the need for high-end tertiary care hospitals during the pandemic.
"We need financing at a national priority level because we need to upgrade the services, expand new technologies, also to research so that we can be more dependent on ourselves," reported ANI, quoting Dr Trehan.
Schools for Class 10 and 12 Reopen in Rajasthan
Going with the new guidelines issued by the state government, schools from class 10 to 12 reopened from Tuesday in urban areas across the state.
The offline studies of the children of these classes will start after a break of over 20 days. Schools from class 6 to 9 will open from 10 February. Schools in the rural areas are already operational
Pandemic Surged Medical Waste, Threatens Health, Environment: WHO
The pandemic has led to tens of thousands of tonnes of extra medical waste, putting tremendous strain on health care waste management systems around the world, as well as threatening human and environmental health, according to a new WHO report.
According to WHO, approximately 87,000 tonnes of personal protective equipment (PPE) was procured between March 2020- November 2021 and shipped to support countries' urgent Covid-19 response needs through a joint UN emergency initiative.
BA.2 Sub Variant More Contagious, Evades Vax Protection: Study
The BA.2 Omicron subvariant is inherently more contagious than the original BA.1 strain among both vaccinated and unvaccinated people, according to a Danish study.
The yet to be peer-reviewed study revealed fully vaccinated people are more likely to catch BA.2 than the previous strain, but they are less likely to spread it to others, according to CNBC report.
That also indicates the subvariant is even better at escaping vaccine protection than BA.1, which was already significantly more contagious than any other Covid variant, said researchers affiliated with the University of Copenhagen and the Danish Health Ministry.
Mumbai Eases COVID Curbs
Mumbai has eased COVID-19 related curbs. As per the new order, restaurants and theatres can operate at 50% capacity and night curfew has been lifted.
"Local tourist spots to remain open as per normal timing. Weekly Bazzars to remain open as per normal timing," reported ANI, citing the order.
Further, 25% audience is now permitted in competitive sports and other such activities. Marriages may have guests either upto 25% of the capacity of the venue or 200, whichever is lower.
Delhi Detects 2,683 New Infections
Delhi reported 2,683 new cases, 27 deaths and 4,837 recoveries in the last 24 hours. The positivity rate in the national capital is at 5.09% and active caseload is 16,548.
Mizoram Logs in Highest 1-Day Spike
Mizoram recorded its highest single-day spike of 2,531 new COVID-19 cases, taking the state's tally to 1,75,022. The death toll reached 612 with four new fatalities and active caseload was 12,768.
Andhra Pradesh Extends Night Curfew
Andhra Pradesh extends the night curfew between 11pm and 5am till 14 February.
West Bengal Records 2,014 New Cases
West Bengal reported 2,014 new COVID-19 cases, 5,548 recoveries, and 33 deaths in the last 24 hours. Active cases stand at 22,142 and the positivity rate was calculated to be 4.09%.
Assam Logs 1,486 New Cases
Assam reports 1,486 new infections, 20 deaths, and 2,632 recoveries, in the last 24 hours. Active cases stand at 19,461.
Tamil Nadu Detects 16,096 New Cases
Tamil Nadu reports 16,096 fresh cases, 25,592 recoveries, and 35 deaths in the last 24 hours. Active cases in the state stand at 1,88,599.
Karnataka Logs 14k New Cases
Karnataka reports 14,366 fresh cases, 60,914 recoveries, and 58 deaths in the last 24 hours. The positivity rate stands at 13.45% and active cases are 1,97,725.
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