Health

India: COVID-19 death toll climbs to 489,409

New Delhi, Jan 23 (PTI) India logged 333,533 new coronavirus infections, taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 39,237,264, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Sunday.

The active cases have increased to 2,187,205, while the death toll has climbed to 489,409 with 525 fresh fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated.

The active cases comprise 5.57 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has decreased to 93.18 per cent, the ministry said.

India: SC to consider hearing plea seeking food, welfare measures for migrant workers during third COVID wave

New Delhi, Jan 19 (PTI) The Supreme Court Wednesday said it would consider listing for hearing the fresh plea of activists seeking implementation of an earlier order on ensuring food security and other welfare measures for migrant workers who are again in distress in the third COVID-19 wave triggered by omicron variant and consequential curbs imposed in parts of country.

New Zealand won't use lockdowns when omicron spreads

Wellington, Jan 20 (AP) New Zealand is among the few remaining countries to have avoided any outbreaks of the omicron variant but Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Thursday an outbreak was inevitable and the nation would tighten restrictions as soon as one was detected.

But she also said that New Zealand would not impose the lockdowns that it has used previously, including for the delta variant.

India records 258,089 new coronavirus cases, 385 deaths in a day

New Delhi, Jan 17 (PTI) India saw a single-day rise of 258,089 new coronavirus infections taking the tally of cases to 3,73,80,253, which included 8,209 cases of the Omicron variant detected so far, according to data updated by the Union Health Ministry on Monday.

A total of 8,209 cases of the Omicron variant have been detected across 29 states and union territories, out of which 3,109 have recovered or migrated.

China: Joint efforts only way to fight pandemic: Xi Jinping

New Delhi/Davos, Jan 17 (PTI) Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday said joint efforts are the only way to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic and called for fair distribution of vaccines and expedited inoculation drive globally.

In a special address on 'state of the world' on the first day of the week-long online Davos Agenda summit of the World Economic Forum, he said that humanity will certainly move on but the world needs to jointly defeat the pandemic.

India: No one can be forced to get vaccinated: Centre to SC

New Delhi, Jan 17 (PTI) COVID-19 inoculation guidelines issued by the Union Health Ministry do not envisage forcible vaccination without obtaining the consent of an individual, the Centre has told the Supreme Court.

The Health Ministry in an affidavit filed before the top court submitted that India's vaccination programme is the largest in the world and as on January 11, 2022, a total of 1,529,543,602 doses have been administered.

India: Markets remain closed as Sunday curfew back in Rajasthan

Jaipur, Jan 16 (PTI) Markets in Rajasthan remained closed on Sunday due to the curfew imposed by the state government in view of containing the spread of COVID-19.

However, stores selling milk, vegetables, perishable food items, dairy products and emergency services were exempted.

In the wake of a surge in COVID-

India: Haryana extends Covid curbs across the state

Chandigarh, Jan 13 (PTI) Amid a spurt in Covid cases, the Haryana government on Thursday extended various restrictions in all over the state.

The restrictions imposed by January 5 order in "Group A" districts, which had witnessed a big spike in cases, shall now be imposed in all districts, the Haryana State Disaster Management Authority (HSDMA) said.

The guidelines released through orders on January 5 and 10 too shall continue to be imposed in the state, it added.

India: Cabinet minister Nitin Gadkari tests positive for COVID-19

New Delhi, Jan 12 (PTI) Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has tested positive for COVID-19 and is in home quarantine.

In a tweet, he said he has "mild symptoms" and is under home quarantine.

"I have tested positive for Covid 19 today with mild symptoms. Following all the necessary protocols, I have isolated myself and I am under home quarantine. I request all those who have come in contact with me to isolate themselves and get tested," Gadkari said in a social media post.

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