Breaking News LIVE: Maharashtra Reports First Omicron Death, No Lockdown In Bengal For Now
Breaking News LIVE, December 30, 2021: This LIVE Blog brings to you the latest breaking news of upcoming polls, details on Covid variant Omicron & other news around.
Maharashtra on Thursday saw its first death of an Omicron patient, while it continued to report a massive spike in Covid-19 cases for the second consecutive day, leading to prohibitory orders clamped in Mumbai till January 7 and appeals being made to people to avoid New Year parties.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said there will be no lockdown-like situation in the state for now.
"I would like to tell you that there will not be any lockdown in the state right now. During Covid, everything was stopped and it led to a situation where the common people were the worst sufferer. The government doesn't want to walk on the same path again," the chief minister said.
Around 4,000 cases of Covid-19 were reported in Mumbai today. Today's positivity rate is 8.48 per cent. SGTF kits must be used to differentiate between Omicron and Delta plus variants. Vaccination drives to be done at full speed, everyone must be fully vaccinated: Rajesh Tope, Maharashtra Health Minister
"I urge everyone to avoid crowding & follow guidelines to avoid infection. Schools students (15-18 yrs) should be taken in batches to vaccination centres. This will result in a high rate of vaccination. Schools will not be closed as of now," Tope said.
West Bengal on Thursday reported 2,128 fresh cases of Coronavirus, 1,067 recoveries and 12 deaths in last 24 hours. With this, state's active cases reach 8,776, total recoveries 16,06,501 and death toll 19,757.
ICMR DG Dr Balram Bhargava pointed out that all Covid vaccines, whether they are from India, Israel, US, Europe, UK or China, are primarily disease-modifying.
"They don't prevent infection. The precautionary dose is primarily to mitigate the severity of infection, hospitalisation and death," he added.
PM Modi said that this decade belongs to Uttarakhand in a rally in Haldwani.
PM Modi on his visit to Haldwani on Thursday will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of 23 development projects and is also likely to address people. He reached Haldwani's M.D.P.G College ground at around 2 pm.
- The timing of voting will increase by an hour considering Covid protocols
- Polling booths will not be designated at crowded locations
- Inducement, free excise distribution, freebies, should not be distributed
The Election Commission said that political parties expressed concern over the turnout in the rallies.
EC spokesperson said that the men to women ratio of voters was 839 females to 1000, but this number has gone up to 868 females to 1000 males.
EC expressed relief in this number is increased in the women's voters' list.
Election Commission Spokesperson says that elections will be held on time despite growing cases of Covid-19 as all political parties were of the same opinion.
Covid protocols will be kept in mind while designating polling booths.
Political parties have also expressed concerns over the huge crowds gathering at the political rallies amid Covid-19.
Kalicharan Maharaj arrested from Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh after he gave a controversial statement on Mahatma Gandhi in the 'Dharam Sansad'.
Section 144 imposed in Mumbai starting from today till 7th January 2022, in view of rising Covid cases
Police prohibit New Year's celebrations, parties in any closed or open space including restaurants, hotels, bars, pubs, resorts & clubs from Dec 30 Dec till Jan 7.
Background
Modi will visit Haldwani in Uttarakhand on Thursday to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of 23 projects worth over ₹ 17,500 crore. He will lay the foundation stone of the Lakhwar Multipurpose Project to be built at a cost of about ₹ 5,750 crore.
Moreover, the increasing Covid-19. cases around the world is a cause of concern. The World Health Organization (WHO) warned that a tsunami of Coronavirus cases from both variants Omicron and Delta 'will push health systems towards the brink of collapse.' Not long ago, the WHO had earlier warned that the Omicron variant of the Covid-19 poses a "very high" risk and could affect the world's health system in a very serious manner.
Mumbai recorded as many as 2,510 new cases of Coronavirus on Wednesday. This is a significant rise from 1,333 infections reported a day ago.
India's Olympic gold medalist, Neeraj Chopra, to hold a press briefing - Tokyo Olympics gold medalist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra will hold a media briefing on Zoom at 11 am today.
In other news, six terrorists have been killed in the Kulgam and Anantnag districts of Kashmir in two separate encounters. Two terrorists have been identified as Pakistan nationals.
Ahead of New Year, people throng Shimla. "We are ensuring that tourists abide by Covid-19 protocols. This a good time for business; have full occupancy till January 10th," said Joginder Singh, Station Superintendent, Shimla Railway Station
India U19 play Bangladesh U19 in the semi-final of the U19 World Cup today.
- - - - - - - - - Advertisement - - - - - - - - -