India COVID-19 Live: According to Union Health Ministry, the active cases declined to 3,402.
Amid rising fear of a new Covid wave in India, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said that he will hold a meeting with health ministers of states and Union territories on Friday.
Meanwhile, India on Thursday reported 185 new coronavirus infections, taking the total number of Covid cases to 4,46,76,515.
The country also reported one virus-related deaths in the last 24 hours, taking the death tally to 5,30,681.
According to Union Health Ministry, the active cases declined to 3,402.
Here are the LIVE updates on the Covid situation in India:
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Thermal Screening Begins For Passengers Arriving At Pune AirportIn light of the sudden rise in COVID-19 cases in some parts of the world and the Centre's guidelines, the civic authorities have started thermal screening of 2 per cent of passengers arriving at the Pune International Airport, an official said on Friday.
At least 600 beds have been readied at civic hospitals in case any patient needs to be kept in isolation, said Dr Ashish Bharti, health officer of the Pune Municipal Corporation said.
Ready To Deal With Covid: West Bengal To CentreWest Bengal is alert and prepared to tackle any deterioration in the COVID-19 situation, Minister of State for Health Chandrima Bhattacharya told a national-level meeting on Friday.Mr Bhattacharya said that West Bengal will be a part of the countrywide mock drill on December 27 to ensure the readiness of infrastructure with a specific focus on oxygen plants, ventilators, logistics and human resources.
Gujarat To Launch Booster Dose Drive, Conduct Random Tests At Airports
In view of the spurt in COVID-19 cases in some countries, the Gujarat government has decided to conduct random tests on 2 per cent of all passengers arriving at international airports in Ahmedabad and Surat and launch a special drive to expand the coverage of booster doses, a minister said on Friday.
Maharashtra Records 23 New Covid CasesMaharashtra on Friday recorded 23 new cases of coronavirus that raised the tally of infections to 81,36,441, an official from the state health department said.The toll remained unchanged at 1,48,414, as no fresh fatalities were reported in the last 24 hours, while the count of recoveries reached 79,87,893 after 23 people recovered from the infection, the official said
Karnataka Hospitals To Have Mock Drill On Covid Readiness On December 27
A mock drill to test the COVID emergency preparedness of health facilities in Karnataka will be conducted on December 27, state Health Minister K Sudhakar said on Friday.
States To Undertake Mock Drill To Ensure Covid Preparedness
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday advised states and union territories to undertake a mock drill across all health facilities on December 27 to ensure readiness of infrastructure with a specific focus on oxygen plants, ventilators, logistics and human resources.
Indian Army Issues Covid AdvisoryThe Indian Army issued an advisory on Friday asking its personnel to take protective measures like using face masks, especially in closed and overcrowded spaces, and practising social distancing.
The army also emphasized regular hand hygiene including hand washing and the use of hand sanitiser.
Ministry of Civil Aviation Issues Guidelines For Random Testing Of Incoming International PassengersWith random coronavirus testing of arriving international passengers set to start from Saturday, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has said that airlines' crew members will have to bring such identified passengers to the testing facility at the airport.
Against the backdrop of rising coronavirus cases in China and some other parts of the world, the government has decided to subject 2 per cent of the passengers arriving on international flights to random coronavirus test starting from Saturday morning.
"Country's Covid Positivity Rate Declining Week-On-Week..." Health Ministry
Amid the fresh global surge in the Covid cases by a new coronavirus variant, B.F7, the Centre government on Friday assured the general public by saying that the Covid positivity rate in the country is declining week by week.
According to a release issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Friday, the positivity rate is declining week by week with only 0.14 per cent positivity in the week ending on December 22.
Bharat Biotech's Intranasal Vaccine Approved By Government
Bharat Biotech's needle-free intranasal covid vaccine has been approved by the government as a booster dose for those aged above 18, said official sources.
Bharat Biotech's intranasal covid vaccine will be available at private centres, and is scheduled to be introduced on CoWIN on Friday evening.
"We Have Administered 220 Crore Covid Vaccine Doses To Date..." Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia Amid Fresh Covid SurgeUnion Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Friday highlighted the ongoing vaccination drive, launched by the central government, against COVID-19 amid the fear of a covid surge in the country.
Addressing a press briefing on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government's efforts towards a 'Healthy India' on Friday, the Union Minister said that 220 crore doses of vaccines have been administered till this Monday.
Active Covid Cases In Country Dip To 3,380
India logged 163 new coronavirus infections, while the active cases declined to 3,380, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday.
The covid case tally was recorded at 4.46 crore (4,46,76,678).
The death count stands at 5,30,690 with nine fatalities. While six deaths were recorded by Kerala, two deaths were reported from Maharashtra and one from Delhi in the last 24 hours, the data updated at 8 am stated.
Two New COVID-19 Cases In Thane; Active Tally At 12
Thane district in Maharashtra has reported two new coronavirus positive cases, taking its overall tally to 7,47,387, a health official said on Friday.
These cases were reported on Thursday, and the active infection count stood at 12, he said.
The death toll remained unchanged at 11,967, the official said, adding that the recovery count has reached 7,36,170.
No Need To Worry But Be Alert: Telangana Health Minister Urges Public On Covid SituationAmid the spurt in covid cases of a new variant in China and other countries, Telangana Health Minister Harish Rao urged the State's people not to panic but to be alert.
Following the instructions of the central government in view of the increasing spread of coronavirus in many countries including China, Finance and Health Minister Harish Rao conducted a high-level review on covid preparedness through Zoom on Thursday.
He said, "There is no need to worry about Corona, but there is a need to be alert. Everyone is advised to observe personal hygiene and those who have not taken the covid vaccine should take it immediately and take a booster dose."
Karnataka to hold meet to assess Covid-19 preparedness
Speaking on Covid-19 preparedness of Karnataka, amid fear of a possible fourth outbreak in the country, state Health Minister K Sudhakar Rao on Thursday said an emergency meeting has been called under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Basavraj Bommai to discuss the state's preparedness.
Saying the Karnataka government will be adhering to the instructions of the Central advisory in this regard, he said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called a meeting with all health officials and technical committee members. Based on their directions, our government will also follow all their recommendations and guidelines."