Omicron in India latest updates: 2 new vaccines Corbevax, Covovax approved

The Ministry of Health confirmed on December 28 that India's Omicron tally has reached 653. The Union Health Ministry also announced the emergency use of 2 new vaccines and a drug. Meanwhile, the Election Commission has refused to delay the 2022 Assembly elections in the poll-bound states.

#Unite2FightCorona#LargestVaccineDrive#OmicronVariant ????? ?????https://t.co/13fIWjJLfI pic.twitter.com/weRVI75lfF

— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) December 28, 2021

No deaths due to Omicron have yet been reported in India.

Here are the latest updates:

1. INDIA HAS 653 OMICRON CASES IN TOTAL NOW

Here's the state and UT-wise break-up:

Maharashtra- 167

Delhi - 165

Kerala - 57

Telangana - 55

Gujarat - 49

Rajasthan - 46

Tamil Nadu - 34

Karnataka - 31

Madhya Pradesh - 9

Odisha - 8

Andhra Pradesh - 6

West Bengal - 6

Haryana - 4

Uttrakhand - 4

Chandigarh - 3

Jammu and Kashmir - 3

Uttar Pradesh - 2

Himachal Pradesh - 1

Goa - 1

Ladakh - 1

Manipur - 1

2. CENTRE APPROVES  2 VACCINES, 1 DRUG FOR EMERGENCY USE

The Ministry of Health approved Corbevax and Covovax Covid vaccines and anti-viral drug Molnupiravir for restricted use on adults in emergency situations. Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya tweeted that the Corbevax vaccine is India's first indigenously developed RBD protein sub-unit vaccine against Covid-19.  The vaccine is made by Hyderabad-based firm, Biological-E.

Congratulations India ??Further strengthening the fight against COVID-19, CDSCO, @MoHFW_INDIA has given 3 approvals in a single day for:- CORBEVAX vaccine- COVOVAX vaccine - Anti-viral drug MolnupiravirFor restricted use in emergency situation. (1/5)

— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) December 28, 2021

He also tweeted that the nanoparticle vaccine, Covovax, will be manufactured by Pune-based firm Serum Institute of India; and the antiviral drug, Molnupiravir, will now be manufactured in India by 13 companies. 

3. COWIN REGISTERATION FOR 15-18 BEGINS ON JANUARY 1

Cowin chief Dr RS Sharma said on December 27, "Children aged between 15 and 18 years would be able to register on the Cowin portal from January 1, 2022." Based on the guidelines issued by the Union health ministry, only Covaxin will be an option for children above 15. People over the age of 18 still have the option to choose between Covaxin, Covishield and Sputnik. 

Sharma also added that a special provision has been made on Cowin. Students will be able to register for vaccination on the Cowin portal using their student identity cards. This provision has been added since some eligible candidates may not have Aadhaar or other ID cards. 

4. ELECTION COMMISSION UNLIKELY TO POSTPONE IN-PERSON ELECTIONS

The Election Commission is unlikely to postpone the Assembly polls in five states early next year. The Commission has instead asked the Union health ministry to speed up the vaccination process in the poll-bound states. The five states that are going to be holding elections soon are Uttarakhand, Goa, Manipur, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. Only Punjab has not recorded any Omicron cases till date.

The petition to ban rallies and delay Assembly elections was put forward by the Allahabad High Court. (READ MORE HERE: Omicron in India sees Delhi club sealed, petition to delay polls: 5 latest updates)

The Election Commission toured Goa and Uttarakhand, and then met Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan to discuss the Covid situation in the country. The commission 'took inputs on a number of issues, such as vaccination, the spread of Omicron in the five poll-bound states, and sought suggestions on improving its Covid-19 protocol for poll campaigning, polling days, and on the counting days'.

5. DELHI ISSUES YELLOW ALERT

The Delhi government has issued the 'yellow' alert of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on December 28 due to rising Omicron cases. Under the yellow alert, this is what is allowed: 

• Under the odd-even rule, shops and malls with non-essential services or goods will remain open from 10 am to 8 pm.
• Construction work will continue
• Restaurants will open with 50 per cent capacity from 8 am to 10 pm, while bars will also open with 50 per cent capacity from 12 noon to 10 pm.
• Hotels will remain open but banquet and conference halls inside the hotel will remain closed.
• Delhi Metro will run with 50 per cent seating capacity.
• Inter-state buses will run with 50 per cent seating capacity.
• Only two passengers are allowed to travel in an auto, e-rickshaw, taxi and cycle rickshaw.
• Salons and beauty parlors will remain open.
• Wedding ceremonies and funerals will only be attended by 20 people.
• Religious places will remain open but entry will be restricted.
• Private offices can open with 50 per cent capacity from 9 am to 5 pm.

This is what is NOT allowed under the newly imposed yellow alert: 

• Cinema halls and multiplexes will be closed.
• Banquet halls and auditoriums will be closed.
• Spas, gyms, yoga institutes and entertainment parks will remain closed.
• Schools, colleges, educational institutions, and coaching institutes will be closed.

A night curfew from 10 pm to 5 am is already in place in the national capital.

6. VACCINATION MANDATORY IN SINGAPORE STARTING FEBURARY 2022

Singapore has made Covid-19 vaccination mandatory beginning February 1, 2022. This is a mandatory condition for the approval of new applications for work passes, long-term passes and permanent residence in Singapore. Children under the age of 12 and those who are medically ineligible for vaccination will be exempt from this order. 

Singapore daily The Straits Times quoting the country's Multi-Ministry Task Force said, "These measures will help sustain our high vaccination rates and facilitate the safe reopening of our society and economy."