Coronavirus HIGHLIGHTS: No New Covid Case Or Death In Chhattisgarh, Active Tally Now Seven
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Random Covid Testing Of Int'l Flyers To Begin
The random coronavirus testing of international arriving passengers are set to start from Saturday. In its guidelines, released on Friday, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said that airlines' crew members will have to bring such identified passengers to the testing facility at the airport.
Amid a surge in coronavirus cases in China and some other parts of the world, the government has decided to subject 2 per cent of the passengers arriving on international flights to random coronavirus test starting from Saturday morning.
"The airport operators would create necessary infrastructure to facilitate random testing of international arriving passengers at their respective airports," the ministry said.
Airlines concerned will identify such travellers on each flight, preferably from different countries. Such travellers can leave the airport after giving the samples.
A copy of the positive report will be shared with the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme by the airport concerned. Later, they will be shared with the state/Union Territory (UT) concerned for further follow-up action.
Mock Drill At Hospitals To Ensure Readiness Of Facilities
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has advised states and union territories to undertake a mock drill across all health facilities to ensure readiness of infrastructure with a specific focus on oxygen plants, ventilators, logistics and human resources.
Mandaviya also advised states to be on alert, keep all preparedness for Covid management and continue their pre-emptive and proactive approach, the health ministry said in a statement.
He asked states to strengthen the surveillance system for whole genome sequencing of positive case samples to track variants through the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) network.
Nasal Vaccine Available From Today As Booster
The government on Friday approved Bharat Biotech's intranasal vaccine as a booster dose for those aged 18 years and above. The two-drop needle-free nasal vaccine is likely to be introduced on the Co-WIN platform from Friday evening and eligible people can book their shot from the mobile application or website. The nasal vaccine will be available only at private hospitals as of now.
No New Covid Case Or Death In Chhattisgarh, Active Tally Now Seven
No COVID-19 case or death was reported from Chhattisgarh on Saturday, an official said. The active caseload in Chhattisgarh was seven.
Coronavirus Live Updates: Maharashtra detects 38 new coronavirus cases on Saturday
Maharashtra detected 38 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, Raising the infection tally to 81,36,479 in the state, an official from the state health department said. He also informed that Mumbai received the highest eighteen coronavirus cases following Pune with eight, Akola with six, Nashik with three, Nagpur with two, and one in Aurangabad circle.
The toll remained unchanged at 1,48,414, while the count of recoveries reached 79,87,928 after 35 patients recovered from the infection in the last 24 hours.
Maharashtra now has 136 active covid cases with a recovery rate of 98.17 per cent. The fatality rate is 1.82 per cent. Coronavirus figures of Maharashtra are as follows: Positive cases 81,36,479; fresh cases 38; death toll 1,48,414; recoveries 79,87,928; active cases 136; total tests 8,58,52,260.
Unnion Health Secy Asks States, UTs To Conduct Mock Drills On Dec 27
Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan wrote to secretaries (Health) of States and UTs regarding conducting mock drills at all health facilities (including identified COVID-dedicated health facilities) across the country on December 27.
Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan writes to secretaries (Health) of States and UTs regarding conducting mock drills at all health facilities (including identified COVID-dedicated health facilities) across the country on December 27. pic.twitter.com/cXYdG7T3qg
— ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2022
BJP Making Excuse Of Covid To Stop Bharat Jodo Yatra: Mallikarjun Kharge
"BJP is in fear due to Bharat Jodo Yatra and is making excuse of Covid. There is no Covid anywhere. Nothing happened to anyone. PM Modi himself doesn't wear a mask. All this is being done to create fear among people and break this Yatra," Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said.
There Are Only 132 Covid Patients In Maharashtra Now: Health Minister Tanaji Sawant
"Covid is now out of Maharashtra. There are only 132 Covid patients in the state. There is nothing to fear," Maharashtra Health Minister Tanaji Sawant said.