Highlights: 7,486 fresh cases take Delhi’s Covid-19 tally to over 5 lakh

Andhra Pradesh recorded 1,236 new Covid-19 cases. West Godavari, Krishna and Guntur districts recorded more than 150 cases. Close to 6,900 people have died due to Covid-19.

Andhra Pradesh reports 1,236 new #COVID19 cases taking the total positive cases in the State to 8,57,395

There are 16,516 active cases and 8,33,980 recovered cases in the State; the death toll is at 6,899 as per the State Health Department pic.twitter.com/xB74CNoIsV

— ANI (@ANI) November 18, 2020

Pfizer said that it's vaccine, developed to tackle the spread of coronavirus, protects the elderly and is 95% effective.

BREAKING: Pfizer suggests its coronavirus vaccine is 95% effective and that the shots would protect older people most at risk of dying. https://t.co/Qr8TBlqnCE

— The Associated Press (@AP) November 18, 2020

Haryana's education minister said that the schools in Rewari where students tested positive have been shut down for two weeks. He said the entire system should not be shut down for a few cases.

The schools where #COVID19 cases were reported have been closed for two weeks. Wearing of masks & social distancing norms to be strictly followed. The whole system cannot remain shut due to COVID19: Haryana Education Minister https://t.co/wrES9VZksj pic.twitter.com/SQp4SN1leR

— ANI (@ANI) November 18, 2020

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has called for an all-party meet at 11 am on Thursday to discuss the Covid-19 situation in the capital city. Delhi has recorded over 90,000 cases in the last two weeks and more than 1,000 people have died during that period.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal (in file pic) convenes all-party meeting at 11am tomorrow to discuss the #COVID19 situation in the national capital. pic.twitter.com/3eOPKUjid5

— ANI (@ANI) November 18, 2020

A Nodal officer said that the tests were conducted to curb the spread as people engaged in social functions amid the festive season.

Haryana: 72 students of 12 Government schools in Rewari tested positive for #COVID19.

"Due to the festive season, there is movement & people are meeting each other so we tested students of 12 schools. We will continue testing students to curb COVID19 spread," says Nodal Officer pic.twitter.com/xPKOtsStVC

— ANI (@ANI) November 18, 2020

Poland's health ministry has said the country reported a daily record 603 new coronavirus-related deaths on Wednesday. The country also logged 19,883 new Covid-19 cases.

There has been a continuous decline in the average daily cases since the past many weeks: Union health ministry

There has been a continuous decline in the average daily cases since the past many weeks. pic.twitter.com/CVbTrpmOTw

— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) November 18, 2020

Sero survey conducted in Kashmir reveals two out of every five people in valley have developed antibodies against COVID-19: Official

Authorities in Zimbabwe have closed a boarding school in the country's west after at least 100 students tested positive for coronavirus, a state-owned newspaper reported on Wednesday.

Russia's death toll due to the Covid-19 disease has risen to 34,387 after 456 deaths-its highest in a day-were reported on Wednesday. Total cases rise to 1,991,998 after 20,985 new infections in last 24 hours.

Turkey has announced additional curbs which, it says, will come in effect from November 20. These include limiting the working hours of restaurants and cafes and a partial lockdown on weekends.

No fresh Covid-19 related deaths reported in Puducherry for the fifth consecutive day on Wednesday. 56 new cases take total number of cases to 36,465.

Lt Gov has given approval. This was essential as larger the crowd at a place, the more harmful it is. Lockdown won't be imposed but people have to be stopped from gathering in large numbers. Not more than 50 people allowed in weddings: Manish Sisodia

Following Union home minister Amit Shah holding meeting on Delhi Covid-19 situation on November 15 slew of measures underway: MHA

I'd like to assure shopkeepers, they need not be scared. We don't intend to impose a lockdown. We want your shops to remain open...If needed, regulations will be increased in some markets-that's what we requested from Centre. But it won't be a lockdown in any manner: Manish Sisodia