Over 2.82 lakh new Covid-19 cases were reported in India in the last 24 hours. The country’s Covid positivity rate has gone up from 14.43% to 15.13%. The Omicron variant, which is driving the third wave in the country, has infected 8,961 people so far, according to the data available.
Photo: India Today
Here are 7 latest updates on Covid-19 in India:
1. MORE CASES THAN YESTERDAY
As per the Health Ministry data, a total of 2,82,970 new Covid cases were recorded over the past 24 hours, which is 18.9% higher than yesterday. The Omicron tally has jumped from 8,891 to 8,961 in India.
Number of death due to the infection has also increased. While 310 deaths were reported yesterday, the count has jumped to 441 today.
#Unite2FightCorona#LargestVaccineDrive#OmicronVariant ????? ?????https://t.co/Qy0DbOh7du pic.twitter.com/tAVRHMWVDV
— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) January 19, 2022
2. COVID MAY BECOME ENDEMIC BY MARCH 11, SAYS GOVERNMENT SCIENTIST
Samiran Panda, head of Indian Council of Medical Research’s Epidemiological Department has said that the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic will become endemic by March 11.
He said, “If we don’t let our guards down and no new variant emerges, Covid will be endemic by March 11. If Omicron replaces Delta it will become endemic. If there is no new variant catching up, there is a possibility that Covid may become endemic.”
He further added that from March 11, we will see some respite.
3. DELHI MAY REPORT 13,000 CASES TODAY: HEALTH MINISTER
Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said the national capital is likely to record around 13,000 Covid-19 cases with a positivity rate of 24% today.
The government will now monitor the situation for 3-4 days and review restrictions accordingly.
Delhi likely to see around 13,000 COVID-19 cases and 24 per cent positivity rate today: Health Minister Satyendra Jain
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 19, 2022
4. MORE RESTRICTIONS IN TRIPURA
The state government will implement strict restrictions in Tripura to control the rapidly increasing Covid cases in the state. A few new guidelines will come into force from January 21.
6,491 new Covid cases were reported in Tripura in the last 7 days.
Tripura Cabinet has decided to impose the COVID-induced night curfew from 8 pm instead of 9 pm, starting Jan 21. Multiplexes, shopping malls, amusement parks, picnic spots, exhibitions & fairs shall remain closed until further orders: State Minister Sushanta Chowdhury (18.01) pic.twitter.com/DSiqx710K8
— ANI (@ANI) January 18, 2022
5. HIGHEST SINGLE-DAY SURGE IN GUJARAT AND ASSAM
Gujarat logged 17,119 fresh Covid cases yesterday. This is the highest single-day spike reported by the state. The state reported 10 deaths.
Similarly, Assam too reported the highest single-day surge of Covid cases yesterday. A total of 8,072 new cases were reported yesterday and 16 patients succumbed to the virus.
Illustration: Seemon, DailyO
6. TEST FOR TUBERCULOSIS ADVISED
Earlier, the government had advised limiting the use of steroids to control black fungus risk in Covid patients. The government has also advised the patients to undergo a tuberculosis test if a cough persists for more than 2-3 weeks.
7. THE PANDEMIC WILL NOT END SOON, SAYS WHO
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO chief, said, “This pandemic is nowhere near over.”
He wrote on Twitter, “Omicron continues to sweep the world. I remain concerned about countries with low vaccination rates, as unvaccinated people are many times more at risk of severe illness and death.”
“Make no mistake. Omicron is causing hospitalisations and deaths,” he said in the video posted.
Omicron continues to sweep the ?. I remain concerned about countries with low vaccination rates, as unvaccinated people are many times more at risk of severe illness & death. I urge everyone to do their best to reduce risk of infection & help take pressure off health systems. pic.twitter.com/CymL7Vxvel
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) January 18, 2022