Page 5 - Highlights: India 'pharmacy of the world', says Harsh Vardhan

Due to the rise in the number of Covid-19 cases in various states, the Centre on Wednesday allowed states and union territories to impose local restrictions, such as night curfew, based on their assessment of the situation. However, they cannot impose any local lockdown outside the containment zones without prior consultation with the Centre, according to an order issued by the ministry of home affairs on Wednesday.

The new guidelines – termed ‘Guidelines for Surveillance, Containment and Caution’- will remain in force from December 1 to December 31. They have been issued a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a meeting with the chief ministers of several states during which the severity of the third wave of infection was flagged by several leaders present.

India's current count of cases of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) stands at 9,222,216 after 44,376 infections were logged in the last 24 hours, the Union health ministry's data showed on Wednesday. The country's count of cases continues to be the second-highest globally after that of the United States and immediately ahead of Brazil's. The US and Brazil have thus far recorded 12 million and 6.1 million cases respectively, according to worldometers.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a virtual meet with chief ministers of seven states and a Union territory-Delhi-over the surge in cases of Covid-19 in the respective regions. The meeting was divided in two parts; while the first part was a review meet on Covid-19, in the second, discussion took place on plan to distribute Covid-19 vaccine, once a vaccine is finally approved by health authorities. Besides the chief ministers, Union home minister Amit Shah and health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan were also present at the meeting.

02:27 PM IST

Telangana reports 993 new Covid-19 cases, 4 deaths

Telangana reported 993 new Covid-19 cases and four deaths in the last 24 hours, the state government said in a release. The total count of coronavirus cases in the state climbed to 2,66,042 including 1,441 deaths and 2,53,715 recoveries. Presently, the active coronavirus cases in the state stand at 19,886, the state health department informed.

01:48 PM IST

Arunachal Pradesh's Covid-19 tally reaches 16,144

Arunachal Pradesh reports 52 new Covid-19 cases, 55 recoveries. Total tally rises to 16,144.

01:30 PM IST

US records highest single-day Covid-19 deaths since May

The US recorded 2,146 Covid-19 deaths on Tuesday, Johns Hopkins University has said, taking total deaths to 259,925. This is the highest single-day death toll since May.

01:13 PM IST

Masks, if properly worn, can stop Covid-19, study claims

A study conducted by the National University of Singapore has found that facemasks, if worn properly by at least 70% people, can stop Covid-19 pandemic.

12:43 PM IST

Providing 15 ventilators to help Bhutan fight Covid-19, says US

The United States Government, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), is donating 15 ventilators to Bhutan to assist the country in its fight against COVID-19: US Embassy & Consulates in India

12:28 PM IST

Over 9,000 regular and more than 1,000 ICU beds in Delhi, says Delhi govt

After ramping up of infrastructure to combat Covid-19, at present, there are over 9,000 regular beds and more than 1000 ICU beds in the national capital: Delhi govt

12:08 PM IST

Covid-19 tests per million in India five times more than WHO standard: Govt

With 2,138 testing labs in the country including 1167 govt laboratories and 971 private laboratories, the daily testing capacity has got a substantial boost. As a result , tests per million per day in India is five times more than the WHO standard.

11:35 AM IST

Colombia's first lady tests Covid-19 positive

Colombia's government has said the country's First Lady, Maria Juliana Ruiz, has tested positive for coronavirus but is asymptomatic. President Ivan Duque tests negative.

11:06 AM IST

DDMA meet at 12pm to discuss Covid-19 situation, vaccine delivery

A meeting of Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) is scheduled for 12pm. Covid-19 situation, vaccine delivery and administration, implementation of Covid-19 management strategy following Home ministry meeting with Delhi on the agenda.

10:38 AM IST

Eight new Covid-19 cases in New Zealand

New Zealand reports eight new Covid-19 cases taking total number of cases to 1,683. 59 cases currently active.

10:26 AM IST

24 states/UTs testing higher than national average: Health ministry

24 states/UTs have better tests/million than national average: Union health ministry

#IndiaFightsCorona #Unite2FightCorona pic.twitter.com/nWnyL3ie9w
— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) November 25, 2020

10:05 AM IST

Covid-19 testing being done in Mumbai on passengers from NCR, three states

Covid-19 tests being done on passengers arriving from Delhi, Goa, Rajasthan and Gujarat at Mumbai Central railway station.

Maharashtra: #COVID19 tests being done on passengers arriving from Delhi, Goa, Rajasthan & Gujarat

"Passengers who've COVID negative certificates are allowed to go while rest are checked for symptoms & tested accordingly," says BMC doctor

Visuals- Mumbai Central Railway Station pic.twitter.com/Vs7InmAyIN
— ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2020

09:45 AM IST

134,841,307 samples tested for Covid-19: ICMR

134,841,307 samples tested for Covid-19 till November 24. 1,159,032 tests on November 24: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)

09:32 AM IST

New spike 18% higher than previous rise

Today's spike-44,376-is 6,901 cases or 18.17% higher than the last spike of 37,975.

09:20 AM IST

India crosses 9.2 million Covid-19 case mark

India's Covid-19 tally reaches 9,222,216 with 44,376 cases in last 24 hours. Death toll at 134,699 after 481 fresh fatalities.

Highlights: India 'pharmacy of the world', says Harsh Vardhan

Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala are the current five worst-hit states in India, with Maharashtra having nearly double the number of cases of second worst-hit Karnataka.