Highlights: South African coronavirus variant identified in UK

Active Covid-19 caseload of India stands at 2,89,240. The share of active cases in the total positive cases has further shrunk to 2.86%. 26 states/UTs have less than 10,000 active cases, as per the ministry of health and family welfare, reports ANI.

The district administration has banned collective celebrations like parties at hotels, bars, restaurants and other public places on Christmas, New Year's Eve and New Year to stop the spread of Covid-19, reports PTI.

Five more people, including three security personnel, tested positive for Covid-19 in Arunachal Pradesh, pushing the tally in the northeastern state to 16,657, a health department official said on Wednesday, reports PTI.

From installing freezers to cold chain equipment set up, arrangements are being made at a Delhi government hospital for storage of Covid-19 vaccine, anticipating its arrival, sources said on Tuesday, reports PTI.

A total of 635 new #COVID19 cases, 573 discharges and 4 deaths were reported in Telangana yesterday, says State Health Department

Total cases: 2,82,982

Total recoveries: 2,74,833

Active cases: 6,627

Death toll: 1,522

— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2020

A total of 16,42,68,721 samples tested for #COVID19 up to December 22. Of these, 10,98,164 samples were tested yesterday: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) pic.twitter.com/elVhkr1B8J

— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2020

Germany on Tuesday extended its travel ban from Britain until January 6 amid concern over a highly infectious new Covid-19 variant, despite a European Commission recommendation earlier for member states to lift the ban, reports ANI.

Peru passed 1 million confirmed cases of coronavirus infection Tuesday, becoming the fifth nation in Latin America to report that number as the region struggles with the pandemic's economic and health effects, reports AP.

A total of 1,141 new coronavirus cases and 14 deaths were reported in Karnataka on Tuesday, according to the state's Department of Health and Family Welfare, reports ANI.

Madhya Pradesh recorded 1,005 new coronavirus cases and 12 fatalities on Tuesday, according to the State Health Department, reports ANI.

Bihar: Preparations underway at vaccine storage centre in Patna's Nalanda Medical College & Hospital to handle #COVID19 vaccines.

"Around 35 lakh vials can be stored at the centre," said Dr Vinod Kr Singh, NMCH Superintendent. (22.12.2020) pic.twitter.com/Unn7IjYdk8

— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2020

Mexico's health ministry on Tuesday reported 12,511 new confirmed cases of coronavirus infection and 897 additional fatalities, bringing the total in the country to 1,338,426 cases and 119,495 deaths, reports Reuters.

South Korea reported 1,092 new coronavirus cases as of Tuesday midnight, the second highest since the start of the pandemic, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said on Wednesday, reports Reuters.