Covid Updates: Republic Day guidelines for India, Europe looks at pandemic end
India’s daily caseload is 8% lower than yesterday, but the number is still worrisome. The country has reported 3,06,064 new Covid cases this morning. India’s daily positivity rate stands at 20.75%. A total of 439 people have died over the past 24 hours due to the infection.
Europe, meanwhile, might be looking at the end of the Covid pandemic at the end of Omicron.
Here are 7 latest updates on Covid-19 in India and other parts of the world:
1. MORE THAN 3 LAKH CASES, AGAIN
For the 5th day straight, India reported more than 3 lakh fresh Covid cases within 24 hours. This morning, the new cases stood at 3,06,064. As per the data available, 439 deaths were reported yesterday.
According to the Health Ministry, 14,74,753 tests were conducted yesterday.
2. RULES FOR REPUBLIC DAY CELEBRATION
As Republic Day is just round the corner, the government has listed new Covid guidelines to be followed during the celebrations.
- People attending the Republic Day parade must be fully vaccinated
- Visitors must carry their vaccine certificate and valid ID card
- Children below the age of 15 years of age will not be allowed
- Everyone should follow all Covid norms including wearing a face mask all the time and social distancing
- The seating blocks will open at 7 am and parking will be limited
3. SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN NUMBERS IN DIFFERENT STATES
DELHI: Cases in Delhi are 19% lower as the National Capital logged 9,197 cases yesterday. 35 Covid deaths were also reported over the past 24 hours.
MAHARASHTRA: Schools in Maharashtra reopened today. The state reported 40,805 fresh Covid cases and 44 deaths on January 23.
KARNATAKA: Two days after lifting the weekend curfew, Karnataka reported 50,210 Covid cases yesterday.
4. COVID GUIDELINES IN UTTARAKHAND EXTENDED
Covid restrictions in Uttarakhand have been extended till January 31. All schools will remain closed and will continue to function online along with night curfew, ban on public gatherings and strict market timings.
5. IS ANTIBODY THERAPY HELPFUL?
Dr Gagandeep Kang, a virologist, has called the use of monoclonal antibody therapy against Omicron "unethical, immoral and unscientific".
"In any case, all the ones who would have gotten better anyway will do fine--but having given antibodies, doctors will ascribe that to their treatment and the hospitals will laugh all the way to the bank. The argument I hear from well-meaning doctors (thankfully not infectious disease specialists) is that it is only one lakh and my patient can afford to buy it, so why not?"
"Why not? It is unethical, immoral and unscientific. Surely, as doctors, we can teach and practise better medicine than this. And as patients, please ask for what each drug is expected to do and the evidence to back that up," Dr Kang wrote in a series of tweets.
OVER THE WORLD
6. ENDGAME IN EUROPE
The Omicron variant, which is driving the third wave in India, has affected many parts of the world. But it may bring Covid to an end in Europe.
In an interview with news agency AFP, WHO Europe Director Hans Kluge said, “It's plausible that the region is moving towards a kind of pandemic endgame. We anticipate that there will be a period of quiet before Covid-19 may come back towards the end of the year, but not necessarily the pandemic coming back.”
7. LOCKDOWN LIFTED IN CHINA'S XI'AN
China has now lifted the strict and sudden month-long lockdown in one of its cities, Xi’an. Commercial flights will also operate in the city now.