Highlights: ICMR DG Balram Bhargava tests positive for Covid-19

India recorded 22,890 new cases of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in the last 24 hours, according to the Union health ministry. The nationwide case count has now reached 99,79,447. The number of active cases stands at 3,13, 831, while 95,20,827 patients have been cured or discharged from hospitals. The country also recorded 338 fresh fatalities due to the disease which pushed the nationwide death toll to 1,44,789.

The figure of new cases per million population in India in the last seven days - 147 - is one of the lowest in the world, it underlined. India’s Covid-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 30 lakh on August 23, and 40 lakh on September 5. It went past 50 lakh on September 16, 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, 80 lakh on October 29, and 90 lakh on November 20.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), 15,66,46,280 samples have been tested up to December 15.

The world Covid-19 caseload is nearing 75 million cases, as per the latest updates by Johns Hopkins University. The Covid-19 dashboard by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University (JHU) reported that the world tally stands at 74,952,221 and 1,662,127 fatalities due to the virus. The US continues to be the worst-affected country by the pandemic with the tally surging past 17 million. The caseload currently stands at 17,206,647 and 310,699 patients succumbing to Covid-19 across the country.

Brazil continues to have the second-highest Covid-19 death toll in the world, according to the tracker with over 184,827 fatalities across the South American country, the tracker stated further.

08:17 PM IST

ICMR DG Balram Bhargava tests positive for Covid-19

ICMR Director General Balram Bhargava tested positive for coronavirus on Friday. He has been admitted to the AIIMS trauma centre in New Delhi.

07:56 PM IST

Karnataka reports 1,222 new cases, eight deaths

Karnataka reported 1,222 new coronavirus infections taking the state's tally to 9,07,123 including 15,380 active cases. Death toll after eight new fatalities stands at 11,989. Total number of discharges is 8,79,735 after 1,039 new ones.

07:35 PM IST

Maharashtra reports 3,994 new cases, 75 deaths

Maharashtra reported 3,994 new Covid-19 cases, taking the state's tally to 18,88,767. The death toll after 75 new fatalities stands at 48,574.

07:26 PM IST

Delhi reports 1,418 new Covid-19 cases, 37 deaths

The national capital reported Delhi reported 1,418 new Covid-19 cases taking its caseload to 6,14,775 including 11,419 active cases. The death toll stands at 10,219 after 37 new fatalities. Total number of recoveries rose to 5,93,137 after 2,160 new ones.

07:05 PM IST

US Covid deaths over 3,000 for third straight day

The US reported over 3,000 deaths due to coronavirus for the third straight day on Friday. The death toll now exceeds 311,000.

07:02 PM IST

Covid-19 patient discharged after 113 days

A 59-year-old man was discharged on Friday after spending 113 days in the Ahmedabad city hospital after testing positive for coronavirus. Gujarat deputy CM Nitin Patel said that he could possibly be the longest hospitalized Covid-19 patient of India.

06:53 PM IST

Tamil Nadu reports 1,134 new cases, 12 deaths

Tamil Nadu reported 1,134 new coronavirus infections, taking the state's tally to 8,04,650 including 9,781 active cases. The death toll after 12 new fatalities rose to 11,954 and the total number of discharges rose to 7,82,915 after 1,170 new ones.

06:48 PM IST

Mike Pence receives coronavirus vaccine

The US Vice President Mike Pence and his wife received vaccination shots against Covid-19 on Friday.

06:36 PM IST

Rajasthan reports 1,076 new cases, 10 deaths

Rajasthan reported 1,076 new coronavirus infections, taking the state's tally to 2,97,029 including 13,058 active cases. Death toll after 10 new fatalities stands at 2,599 and total number of recoveries after 1,655 new ones is 2,81,372.

06:28 PM IST

Uttarakhand reports 580 new cases, 15 deaths

Uttarakhand reported 580 new coronavirus infections, taking the state's tally to 85,269 including 6,067 active cases. The death toll after 15 new fatalities climbed to 1,399 and the total number of recoveries rose to 76,770 after 547 new ones.

06:16 PM IST

Kerala reports 5,456 new cases

Kerala reported 5,456 new coronavirus infections, taking the state's active caseload to 58,884. Total number of recoveries in the state is currently 6,32,065.

06:14 PM IST

Manipur reports 86 new cases, two deaths

Manipur reported 86 new coronavirus infections, taking the state's tally to 27,540 including 1,835 active cases. The death toll after two new fatalities is at 334. Total number of recoveries rose to 25,371 after 121 new ones.

05:23 PM IST

Decision to impose lockdown, curfew must be announced in advance: SC

The Supreme Court directed that any decision taken by the states or the Centre must be announced in advance to allow citizens the time to make provisions for their livelihoods.

05:21 PM IST

State govts and Centre must work harmoniously against Covid-19: SC

The Supreme Court said that state governments and the Centre should act harmoniously against the coronavirus and the safety and health of the citizens must be their first priority.

05:19 PM IST

Frontline workers should be given rest period: SC

The Supreme Court directed the Centre to implement a mechanism that allows frontline workers who have worked tirelessly for the past eight months to be given a rest period.