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India has reported five new cases of the mutant variant of SARS-CoV-2 virus — four found by NIV, Pune, and one was sequenced in IGIB, Delhi — taking the total number of these cases to 25 on Thursday as per information released by the Health Ministry.
It added that a consortium of 10 government laboratories had so far found a total of 25 cases of mutant U.K. virus after genome sequencing.
Data released by the Ministry said that the active COVID-19 cases in the country had now declined to 2.57 lakh. The total positive cases are 2,57,656 and now comprise 2.51% of the total cases.
You can track coronavirus cases, deaths and testing rates at the national and State levels here. A list of State Helpline numbers is available as well.
Here are live updates:
Vaccine webinar
‘India the only country to have a stock pile of vaccines’
In a webinar on COVID-19 vaccinations, Gagandeep Kang, Professor, CMC Vellore spoke, “People still view participation in clinical trials as being guinea pigs and we have done nothing to address the trust issues relating to clinical research. We are now seeing significant problems in recruitment in Phase-3 trials because our communication strategies about clinical research tend to be very very limited.”
The pandemic has seen a dramatic change in academia, industry and funding agencies working together. It’s a fantastic start and we are seeing results but we have a long way to go.
“Serum Institute has a stockpile of 75 million doses of the Oxford vaccine and by 1st week of January will have 100 million doses. India is the only country that has such a stock pile,” said Umesh Shaligram, Director, R&D, Serum Institute.
Pfizer and Moderna, though they have emergency use authorisation, are having a tough time with supply and manufacturing. We are also stockpiling Novavax and once these authorisations are through, can supply billions of doses.
– Jacob Koshy
New Delhi
Night curfew in Delhi on December 31, January 1 in Delhi
The Delhi government has imposed a night curfew in the city from 11 p.m. on Thursday to 6 a.m. on Friday, and more than five people will not be allowed to gather in public places during this time.
“Night curfew will be in force (not more than five persons to assemble at public places) and that no New Year celebratory events, congregations and gatherings at public places shall be permitted from 11.00 p.m. of 31st December to 6.00 a.m. of 1st January and also from 11.00 pm of 1st January to 6.00 a.m. of 2nd January in the GNCT of Delhi,” an order issued by the Chief Secretary on Wednesday read.
Caseload update
India registers 21,822 new cases
India’s COVID-19 caseload increased to 1,02,66,674 with 21,822 new infections being reported in a day, while the number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 98.60 lakh pushing the national recovery rate over 96%, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Thursday.
The death toll increased to 1,48,738 with 299 new fatalities, the data updated at 8 a.m. showed. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 98,60,280 pushing the national recovery rate to 96.04%, while the COVID-19 case fatality rate stands at 1.45%.
The COVID-19 active caseload remained below 3 lakh for the tenth consecutive day. – PTI
Delhi
Night curfew imposed in Delhi on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1
The Delhi government has imposed a night curfew in the city from 11 p.m. on Thursday to 6 a.m. on Friday, and more than five people will not be allowed to gather in public places during this time.
“Night curfew will be in force (not more than five persons to assemble at public places) and that no New Year celebratory events, congregations and gatherings at public places shall be permitted from 11.00 p.m. of 31st December to 6.00 a.m. of 1st January and also from 11.00 pm of 1st January to 6.00 a.m. of 2nd January in the GNCT of Delhi,” an order issued by the Chief Secretary on Wednesday read.
Licensed premises will not be counted as “public places”, the order said. Also, there will be no restriction on inter-State and intra-State movement of persons and goods during the curfew period.
Karnataka
New strain: Surge unlikely in Karnataka
Although seven of the U.K. returnees have been found to be positive for the new variant of SARS-CoV-2, Karnataka is unlikely to witness a surge beyond what it has already witnessed, according to experts.
This is mainly because nearly half of the population in the State has already been exposed to COVID-19 by now and has developed immunity. This immunity is likely to work against the new strain too. Moreover, none of the primary and secondary contacts of the seven U.K. returnees have tested positive for the new strain so far. This is a good indication for the State, experts said.
Telangana
Health staff traces majority of the 156 UK returnees
Most of the 156 people, who had arrived in Telangana from the United Kingdom and remained untraceable, were finally tracked down by Health department staff with the help of police.
They could be not be traced earlier as their addresses and phone numbers were incorrect. The foreign returnees had shifted from the addresses mentioned in their passport, or had given UK phone numbers, wrong phone numbers or kept their phones switched off.
Tamil Nadu
Study encourages research on ‘kabasura kudineer’
A study based on computer modelling, published in an open-access peer-reviewed journal, has preliminarily indicated that certain compounds in kabasura kudineer can potentially play a role in antiviral therapy, particularly against COVID-19.
West Bengal
Mutant strain of virus reported in Kolkata
The first case of the mutant strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus was reported in Kolkata on Wednesday in a youth who returned recently from the U.K. He is presently under isolation at the Calcutta Medical College. The State Health Department has advised all who have come in contact with him to remain in isolation.
Kerala
Pandemic fears return to haunt Sabarimala
With just hours left for the second phase of the annual pilgrim season at the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple to begin, the diagnosis of 37 COVID-19 positive cases, including two priests, at Sannidhanam, has once again cast a shadow over the hill shrine.
According to the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), head priest (Melsanthi) V.K. Jayaraj Potti and six of his assistants have been sent to quarantine in view of their close interaction with three persons who tested positive recently.
Food and dining
What 2021 holds for the restaurant business
It isn’t over yet. Although 2020 is drawing to a close, COVID-19 and its gnarly web of associated challenges, from lockdowns to the fear economy, will continue to cast their shadows over the next few years, shaping restaurants and influencing meals.
However, the battered industry is fighting back — including offering groceries during lockdown, kerbside pickups, DIY kits, QR code menus and chef-led cooking classes on Instagram. The challenges triggered invention, innovation and creativity as the virus taught people they need to join hands to survive, and changed dining out in unprecedented ways. What will your next dinner out look like?
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