India
India's COVID-19 tally rises to 36,317,927, over 200,000 cases reported in 24 hours
India's COVID-19 tally rose to 36,317,927 on Thursday, as 247,417 new cases were registered during the past 24 hours across the country, showed the federal health ministry's latest data.
This is the first day when more than 200,000 new cases were registered in a day in the country in over eight months.
Besides, 380 deaths due to the pandemic since Wednesday morning took the total death toll to 485,035.
Read: India's COVID-19 tally surpasses 36 mln with 194,720 new cases
There are 1,117,531 active COVID-19 cases in the country, with a rise of 162,212 active cases over the past 24 hours. This is the 16th consecutive day when the number of active cases rose in the country.
A total of 34,715,361 people have been cured and discharged from hospitals so far, out of which 84,825 were discharged during the past 24 hours.
Meanwhile, the country's Omicron tally has reached 5,488, in which Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Delhi have reported 1,367, 792 and 549 cases, respectively. To date, 2,162 Omicron patients have been discharged after recovery, as per the federal Health Ministry's data.
India, US Likely To Move Forward On Set Of initiatives In 2022: White House
In 2022, India and the United States are expected to move forward on a wide-ranging set of initiatives, including fight against the pandemic, climate change, QUAD, and new and emerging technologies, the White House said on Monday.
“As you know, back in September, the (US) president (Joe Biden) hosted Prime Minister Modi at the White House and their meeting was about launching a new chapter in the history of US-India relationship. At that time, the two leaders laid out their shared vision for US-India relationship and (we) will continue to work closely this year,” White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters at her daily news conference, reports NDTV.
READ: India, US pledge to bolster strategic ties
“You can expect our governments will be moving forward on a wide-ranging set of initiatives from cooperating to fight the pandemic, scaling up action to address climate change, working bilaterally and through the QUAD (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue), expand our cooperation in trade and investment, cyber, and in new and emerging technologies,” Psaki said.
READ: PM meets President; apprises him of India, US tours
She was responding to questions on the agenda of the Biden administration with regard to the India-US relationship in 2022.
India repatriates Bangladeshi distressed fishing boat
Indian Coast Guard Ship Sarojini Naidu on Sunday undertook successful repatriation of one Bangladeshi fishing boat, ‘Allahar Daan’, along with 20 Bangladeshi fishermen.
The boat was reported adrift at sea due to engine breakdown and was sighted by Indian fishermen.
Read: Coast Guard rescues 7 fishermen from Bay
The Indian fishermen displaying humanity provided necessary assistance to the boat and towed it to Paradip on December 26.
The incident highlights the importance given by Indian fishermen to help mariners or fishermen at sea in distress irrespective of nationality thereby forming an important link in ensuring safety of life at sea, said the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.
Indian envoy for avoiding all inessential travels
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Kumar Doraiswami on Sunday said it would be best if all "inessential" travels are avoided although they would focus on keeping visa services and borders open for now.
He also mentioned that seven days' quarantine was being brought in from January 11 for all travellers from abroad, including their own citizens returning to India from anywhere.
The High Commissioner made the remarks in response to a question about travel restrictions.
Read:Not thinking about lockdown now: FM
Earlier, he took a booster dose at Sheikh Russel Gastroliver Institute & Hospital in the city.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen formally inaugurated the programme for the diplomats stationed in Dhaka.
Around 160 diplomats got booster doses of Covid-19 vaccine on Sunday, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Foreign Minister Dr Momen also said they will discourage travellers through the Bangladesh-India border on health safety grounds.
“Even, there’re travels through borders; there should be more health safety measures. Hopefully, we’ll be able to protect our people,” Dr Momen said.
Read:Dhaka, Ankara sign deal on security cooperation, counterterrorism
Meanwhile, Ambassador of the European Union to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for arranging the booster vaccinations of the diplomatic community.
"The EU is proud to be supporting the vaccination of the Bangladesh population, with Team Europe delivering more than 10 million vaccines and EIB loan coming on-stream soon," the Ambassador tweeted.
India to hold polls in 5 states amid pandemic
Five Indian states, including the politically crucial Uttar Pradesh, will go to polls next month even as the third wave of the Covid pandemic grips the country.
The Election Commission on Saturday announced the dates for the assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Uttarakhand in northern India, Goa in the west, and Manipur in the northeast.
Uttar Pradesh will vote over seven phases, starting February 10. Polling will be held in
Punjab, Goa, and Uttarakhand on February 14. And Manipur will go for a two-phase poll -- on February 27 and March 3. The election results will be out on March 10.
Defending its decision to hold the elections despite an alarming surge in Covid cases in the country, Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra said, "The holding of timely elections is the essence of maintaining democratic governance."
Also read: India makes 7-day quarantine mandatory for overseas arrivals
However, in a first in the country, the top poll body announced a moratorium on election campaign till January 15. Post which, poll rallies can be held only from 8am to 8pm. At the same time, the Commission urged all political parties to go for a digital campaign.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party is in power in four of these five states, while the country's main opposition Congress party governs Punjab.
Uttar Pradesh with 403 assembly seats is crucial for the Bharatiya Janata Party as it's said that the road to Delhi passes through Lucknow, its capital, and the party that wins the state stands a fair chance of forming the next federal government.
Also read: India logs 90,928 new COVID-19 cases
Moreover, a win in Uttar Pradesh will be a major boost for the Prime Minister halfway through his second term in power. The general elections are due in India in 2024.
The announcement of the assembly polls came on a day when India recorded nearly 1.42 lakh new Covid cases, including 3,007 of the Omicron variant, in 24 hours.
Just a day before, the federal government set out new Covid-19 rules, making a seven-day quarantine mandatory for international passengers. The rules effective January 11 came in the wake of an exponential rise in Omicron cases across the country.
And three days ago, India reported its first Omicron death in the northwestern state of Rajasthan's Udaipur city. The 73-year-old victim, Laxminarayan Nagar, tested positive for Covid on December 15.
The man who had multiple comorbidities but was doubly vaccinated, succumbed to the Omicron strain of the coronavirus in the early hours of December 31, according to officials.
Omicron has been classified as "a variant of concern" by the World Health Organisation.
In fact, alarmed by the rising Omicron cases, India's federal government in mid-December warned states that "the variant is three times more transmissible than the Delta" and directed them to take action to rein in its spread.
India makes 7-day quarantine mandatory for overseas arrivals
India on Friday set out new Covid-19 rules, making a seven-day quarantine mandatory for all international passengers. The rules effective January 11 come in the wake of an exponential rise in Omicron cases across the country.
And after undergoing home isolation for a week, the Indian Health Ministry said, all such passengers flying in from abroad will have to take an RT-PCR test. If anyone tests positive, they will be sent to an isolation facility for treatment.
Those who test negative will have to self-monitor their health for another week, according to the latest rules.
Read: India logs 90,928 new COVID-19 cases
The Ministry also added more countries to the list of "at-risk" nations -- South Africa, Brazil, Botswana, China, Ghana, Mauritius, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Hong Kong, Israel, Congo, Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Nigeria, Tunisia, and Zambia.
Those arriving from these 19 "at-risk" nations will be required to submit samples for Covid testing at the airport itself. They will not be allowed to leave the airport till their results come.
On the other hand, people arriving in India from countries other than "at risk" nations also face the prospect of an RT-PCR examination as airport authorities will pick two percent of such passengers randomly for Covid test, as per the latest Health Ministry rules.
Meanwhile, on Friday, the country reported a whopping 1,17,100 new coronavirus cases and as many as 302 fresh deaths in 24 hours. The new infections pushed up the country's total coronavirus tally to 3,52,26,386.
Of the new infections, over 3,000 were of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, as per the latest figures released by the Health Ministry.
Just two days ago, India reported its first Omicron death in the northwestern state of Rajasthan's Udaipur city. The Omicron victim -- identified as 73-year-old Laxminarayan Nagar -- tested positive for Covid on December 15.
The man who had multiple comorbidities but was doubly vaccinated, succumbed to the Omicron strain of the coronavirus in the early hours of December 31, according to officials.
Omicron has been classified as "a variant of concern" by the World Health Organisation.
Read:India-made RT-PCR kit to detect Omicron gets approval: Centre
Alarmed by the rising Omicron cases, India's federal government two weeks ago warned states that "the variant is three times more transmissible than the Delta" and directed them to take action to rein in its spread.
Earlier last month, India's civil aviation regulator backtracked on its decision to resume regular international flights from December 15.
The government put curbs on all flights in March 2020 following the Covid-induced lockdown. However, it allowed domestic flights from May 2020, and the entry of foreigners except tourists from October.
India seeks stronger ties with Bangladesh
Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has exchanged New Year’s greetings with his Bangladesh counterpart Dr AK Abdul Momen and said the year 2021 was a manifestation of deep solidarity and friendship between the two countries.
"2021 was a demonstration of our deep solidarity and friendship. Agreed that we must build further on that foundation in 2022," he tweeted on Thursday.
Also read: Jaishankar, Shringla hold separate meetings with Hasan Mahmud
Dr Jaishankar congratulated Dr Momen on the cricket victory in New Zealand.
He invited his Bangladesh counterpart to join the Joint Consultative Commission (JCC) meeting in India soon.
Also read: Momen, Jaishankar discuss vaccine, Rohingya issues in Tashkent
India’s relationship with Bangladesh, according to MEA, is one of the main pillars of its ‘Neighbourhood First’ and ‘Act East Policies’.
Bangladesh and India enjoy "robust and multifaceted" bilateral cooperation in diverse areas, including trade and connectivity, energy and power, water resources, border management, defence and security, culture and people-to-people links.
16 killed, 24 injured in bus-truck collision in eastern India
At least 16 people were killed and 24 others injured on Wednesday after a bus collided with a truck laden with cooking gas cylinders in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand, officials said.
The accident took place on Govindpur-Sahibganj highway in Paderkola village in Pakur district, about 351 km northeast of Ranchi, the capital city of Jharkhand.
Read:India logs 90,928 new COVID-19 cases
The injured were being treated in hospitals, said Pakur civil surgeon Ramdev Paswan.
Police said rescuers had to use gas cutters to bring out those trapped inside the mangled bus.
Preliminary investigations revealed that careless driving and poor visibility caused by the dense fog in the area might be the causes of the mishap.
India logs 90,928 new COVID-19 cases
In India, the third wave of the pandemic seems to have set in.
On Thursday, the country reported a whopping 91,000 new Covid cases and as many as 325 deaths in 24 hours. The Indian capital alone recorded over 15,000 cases of coronavirus -- a 41% spike in just a day.
Of the 90,928 Covid cases logged pan-India in 24 hours that took the total case count to 351,09,286, as many as 2,630 were of the Omicron variant, as per the official figures released by the Indian Health Ministry.
Delhi, on the other hand, recorded its biggest single-day spike in eight months, as 15,097 fresh infections were recorded in 24 hours. The infection figure was 10,665 on Wednesday.
Read: India-made RT-PCR kit to detect Omicron gets approval: Centre
The national capital's positivity rate also surged past 15%, as per the government statistics.
Just a day before, the country reported its first Omicron death in the northwestern state of Rajasthan's Udaipur city, as the country recorded 58,097 fresh Covid cases and 534 fatalities in 24 hours.
The Omicron victim -- identified as 73-year-old Laxminarayan Nagar -- tested positive for Covid on December 15. A subsequent genome sequencing of his blood samples confirmed that the man had contracted the Omicron strain, according to health officials.
The man who had comorbidities but was doubly vaccinated, succumbed to the Omicron strain of the coronavirus in the early hours of December 31, according to the officials.
Omicron has been classified as "a variant of concern" by the World Health Organisation.
Alarmed by the rising Omicron cases, India's federal government two weeks ago warned states that "the variant is three times more transmissible than the Delta" and directed them to take action to rein in its spread.
Read:India reports first Omicron death
Earlier last month, India's civil aviation regulator backtracked on its decision to resume regular international flights from December 15.
The government put curbs on all flights in March 2020 following the Covid-induced lockdown. However, it allowed domestic flights from May 2020, and the entry of foreigners except tourists from October.
Two India returnees test positive for Covid
Two Bangladeshi nationals, who returned home from India through the Benapole border in Jashore, have tested positive for Covid-19, officials said on Tuesday.
Dr Ashrafuzzaman of the Benapole Immigration Health Centre, said that three people returned to Bangladesh from India through the land border on Wednesday noon.
Read:Covid positivity rate marks sharp rise in Bangladesh
Of them, two -- Habibur Rahman, 60, and Habibullah Sohan, 30, of Sadar upazila in Thakurgaon district -- tested Covid positive, he said.
The Covid-19 positive patients were sent to Jashore 250-bed General Hospital while another returnee, Kamal, was taken to the Jashore isolation centre for a mandatory 14-day quarantine.
Raju Ahmed, officer-in-charge of the Benapole checkpost, said the two Bangladeshi nationals had gone to India for medical purposes. "Already the higher authorities concerned have been informed."
The world is struggling to fight off the Omicron variant of Covid-19 and the number of corona cases is increasing fast globally.
Three more cases of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 have been detected in Bangladesh, taking its total tally to 10, according to GISAID, the global database for genomic data on the Coronavirus.
On December 11, Bangladesh reported its first two cases of the Omicron variant in two members of the Bangladesh women cricket team.
Read: COVID case counts may be losing importance amid omicron
India Wednesday reported its first known Omicron death in the northwestern city of Udaipur, as the country recorded a whopping 58,097 fresh Covid cases and 534 fatalities in 24 hours.
Alarmed by the rising Omicron cases, India's federal government two weeks ago warned states that "the variant is three times more transmissible than the Delta" and directed them to take action to rein in its spread.