Coronavirus HIGHLIGHTS - Random Covid Tests For International Passengers At Mumbai Airport Will Be Free Of Cost

Coronavirus HIGHLIGHTS: Follow this page for all the coronavirus updates from India and around the world.

Background

Coronavirus HIGHLIGHTS: Hello and welcome to ABP Live. Follow ABP Live's Covid blog to get the latest developments, breaking news, latest update, and other developing stories across the country and abroad.Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting with top government officials on Thursday to review the Covid situation and urged people to wear masks in crowded places and follow all protocols. PM Modi also asked states to step up testing and focus on genome sequencing of all positive cases."Covid-19 not over yet. Need for strengthened surveillance with focus on genome sequencing and increased testing. Strengthen ongoing surveillance measures at international airports," PM Narendra Modi told officials at the review meeting.PM Modi stressed the need to ensure that the entire Covid infrastructure in the country was maintained at a high-level of preparedness in terms of equipment and human resources."The Prime Minister advised states to audit Covid-19 specific facilities to ensure operational readiness of hospital Infrastructure, including oxygen cylinders, PSA plants, ventilators," a PMO statement said.He stressed the need to ensure that the entire Covid infrastructure in the country was maintained at a high-level of preparedness in terms of equipment and human resources."The Prime Minister advised states to audit Covid-19 specific facilities to ensure operational readiness of hospital Infrastructure, including oxygen cylinders, PSA plants, ventilators," a PMO statement said.Meanwhile, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal addressed the public on the Covid situation in the national capital."Covid cases are rising in China and several other countries. It has BF.7 variant. We don't have a single case of that variant in Delhi. We are doing genome sequencing. Currently, XBB variant cases are coming in Delhi," Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said, adding, "We have 8,000 beds for Covid in Delhi. Now, we aim to prepare 36,000 beds. We have a storage capacity of 928 mt tonne oxygen in Delhi."He added, "Only 24% people have taken precaution dose, we request the people to take precaution dose. We have 380 ambulances, we have given orders for procuring more ambulances. We are waiting on the guidelines of Central govt, as and when it gives orders we will implement."

23/12/2022 19:03:00

Random Covid Tests For International Passengers At Mumbai Airport Will Be Free Of Cost

"Covid19 RT-PCR testing facility will be available free of cost for international passengers who will be randomly selected by the airlines," Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai, said.

23/12/2022 16:23:52

Mansukh Mandaviya Holds Meeting With State Health Ministers On COVID Situation

Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya holds a meeting with State health ministers on the COVID-19 situation and preparedness.

23/12/2022 15:43:26

Started Random Sampling Of 2% International Passengers At Airport: Pune Medical Officer

"Centre has directed that Covid19 positive samples should be sent for genome sequencing. Yesterday we've started 2% random sampling of international passengers at Pune International airport. We've 600 hospital beds for isolation," Medical officer, Health Department, Pune Municipal Corporation, said.

23/12/2022 15:35:50

COVID measures in Pune

Centre has directed that Covid19 positive samples should be sent for genome sequencing. Yesterday we've started 2% random sampling of international passengers at Pune International airport. We've 600 hospital beds for isolation: Medical officer, Health Dept, Pune Municipal Corp said, as per ANI.

23/12/2022 14:38:29

Karnataka Health Minister on Covid norms

"I appeal to the people of Karnataka to take the booster dose at the earliest. People should wear masks, especially in indoor places & maintain social distancing. Today Union Health Minister is chairing a meeting with us & accordingly will follow the guidelines of Centre": Karnataka Health Minister said, as ANI.

23/12/2022 13:39:22

States, Union territories to undertake mock drill across all health facilities on Tuesday: Report

States, Union territories to undertake mock drill across all health facilities on Tuesday to ensure operational readiness of Covid-dedicated facilities, with specific focus on oxygen plants, ventilators, logistics, human resources, PTI reported citing sources

23/12/2022 12:56:29

Union Health Minister wrote letter to Rahul Gandhi even before Indian govt declared medical emergency: Digvijaya

"Union Health Minister wrote a letter to Rahul Gandhi even before Indian govt declared medical emergency in the country, or discussed about the new Covid variant. There hasn't been much impact in India. But we should be alert," Congress leader Digvijaya Singh said, as per ANI.

"Scrutiny of international flights & 100% thermal screening of passengers, especially those who are coming from countries where Covid cases are rising, must be done. Flights from countries including China with a spike in Covid cases should be banned," he added.

23/12/2022 12:48:32

Bharat Biotech's intranasal Covid vaccine approved by govt, to be available on CO-WIN soon

Bharat Biotech's intranasal Covid vaccine has been approved by the Union Health Ministry as a booster dose for those above 18 years of age, official sources said on Friday.

The needle-free vaccine will be available at private centres. It will be introduced on the Co-WIN platform soon, they said.

It is likely to be rolled out in the national Covid vaccination programme soon.

The nasal vaccine -- BBV154 -- received approval of the Drugs Controller General of India in November for restricted use in an emergency situation for those above 18 years as a heterologous booster dose.

The approval for the vaccine comes amid a spurt in Covid cases in China and some other countries.

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will hold a meeting with the health ministers of the states and Union territories at 3 pm over the Covid related situation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Thursday cautioned people against complacency and urged them to wear masks in crowded places, while also directing officials to strengthen surveillance measures, especially at international airports. PTI

23/12/2022 12:07:18

Indian Army advisory on rise of COVID19 cases

A close watch is being kept on the evolving epidemiological situation in the country and Indian Army: Indian Army advisory on the rise of COVID19 cases across the world including China, USA, Japan

Advisory has asked personnel to take protective measures like use of face masks, especially in closed and overcrowded spaces, practising social distancing. Regular hand hygiene including hand washing and use of hand sanitiser, the Indian Army stated.

Advisory suggests that all symptomatic individuals will be tested for COVID-19 and those testing positive will be isolated for 7 days. Those having moderate to severe disease will be admitted to the hospital, the Indian Army added.

 

23/12/2022 11:33:22

Coronavirus Live Updates - Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann to hold a meeting with health department officials

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann to hold a meeting with health department officials this afternoon to discuss the COVID situation.

23/12/2022 10:56:41

Masking will not be made mandatory in Maharashtra as of now, Maharashtra Health Minister tells ABP News

Maharashtra Health Minister Tanaji Sawant spoke to ABP News before the meeting called by Union Health Minister.

• Tanaji Sawant said there is no need to panic. The government has decided to do only random thermal screening at airports.


• Maharashtra has only 132 positive patients


• 95% percent vaccine completed in Maharashtra


• The BS7 variant spreads faster but is less severe than Omicron.


• Masking will not be made mandatory in Maharashtra as of now.

23/12/2022 10:52:40

Union Health Ministry to issue a new advisory for COVID19 in view of New Year: Report

Union Health Ministry to issue a new advisory for COVID19 in view of New Year and upcoming festivals, ANI reported citing Sources.

23/12/2022 10:41:51

Govt of India approves Nasal vaccine, to be included in vaccination program from today: Report

Govt of India approves Nasal vaccine. It will be used as a heterologous booster & will be available first in private hospitals. It will be included in COVID-19 vaccination program from today, ANI reported citing Official Sources.

23/12/2022 10:26:09

India need not worry too much about BF.7: TIGS Director

"BF.7 is sub-variant of Omicron strain of coronavirus. India need not worry too much about its severity on population," Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS) Director Rakesh Mishra said, as per PTI

23/12/2022 10:07:48

India logs 163 fresh COVID-19 cases, active cases decline to 3,380

India logs 163 fresh COVID-19 cases. Number of active coronavirus cases declines to 3,380: Union health ministry

23/12/2022 10:00:43

Coronavirus Live Updates: Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on COVID-19 situation

"The focus of our government is to transform health care into holistic health care. Following the PM's vision of 'One Nation One Health', we collectively handled COVID. 220 crore doses of vaccine have been administered till this Monday," Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said, as per ANI.

"Health Ministry is keeping a watch on it. PM Modi yesterday chaired a high-level meeting with top officials regarding preparedness for COVID. Today Union health minister will hold a meeting with health ministers of the states," he added.

23/12/2022 08:47:50

Coronavirus Live Updates - No need to worry, need to be alert: Telangana Health Minister

"There is no need to worry about COVID-19, but there is a need to be alert. Everyone is advised to observe personal hygiene and those who have not taken the covid vaccine should take it immediately and take a booster dose," Telangana Health Minister Harish Rao said, as quoted by ANI.

23/12/2022 08:46:41

Coronavirus Live Updates: Mansukh Mandaviya To Hold Meeting With State Health Ministers

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to meet with health ministers of states and Union Territories over rising COVID-19 cases in some parts of world, PTI reported.