Coronavirus LIVE Updates: J&J Applies For Emergency Use Authorization Of Its COVID Vaccine To Centre
Coronavirus LIVE Updated, Friday, August 6: The Union Health Ministry said that the cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered across India has gone past 49 crore.
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya today met Serum Institute of India (SII) CEO Adar Poonawalla and held a discussion over the supply of Covishield vaccine. Post meeting, Adar Poonawalla said "We discussed ramping up vaccine production. More than 17 countries in Europe have already approved Covidshield and many are in line to give approval."
In further relief to the stressed corporate sector, the RBI on Friday decided to defer the target date by six months to October 1, 2022 for meeting certain operational thresholds outlined by the KV Kamath committee under the COVID-19 debt-recast scheme announced last year. Kamath Committee on September 4, 2020 had recommended financial parameters to be factored in the resolution plans under the 'Resolution Framework for COVID-19-related Stress' along with sector-specific benchmark ranges for such parameters.
The committee had recommended financial ratios for 26 sectors which has to be factored by lending institutions while finalizing a resolution plan for a borrower. The financial aspects include those related to leverage, liquidity, debt serviceability. The resolution plans implemented under the Resolution Framework for COVID-19-related stress announced on August 6, 2020 require sector specific thresholds to be met in respect of certain financial parameters.
"Of these parameters, the thresholds in respect of four parameters relate to operational performance of the borrowing entities, viz. Total Debt to EBIDTA ratio, Current Ratio, Debt Service Coverage Ratio and Average Debt Service Coverage Ratio," RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said while announcing the third bi-monthly monetary policy review. These ratios are required to be met by March 31, 2022.
"Recognizing the adverse impact of the second wave of COVID-19 and the resultant difficulties on revival of businesses and in meeting the operational parameters, it has been decided to defer the target date for meeting the specified thresholds in respect of the above four parameters to October 1, 2022," he said.
(PTI Inputs.)
Delhi BJP leaders on Friday staged a demonstration near Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence, demanding permission for complete reopening of all weekly markets which were closed during the second wave of COVID-19 here.
Currently, only one weekly market in a municipal ward is allowed to open, according to Delhi government orders. These markets were closed after Covid cases started rising and lockdown was imposed to check the second wave in April.
Led by Delhi BJP president Adesh Gupta and Leader of Opposition Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, party leaders assembled at the Chandgiram Akhara. As they marched towards the chief minister's residence police stopped them at a barricade. The weekly markets should be reopened as they are means of livelihood of lakhs of people, Gupta said.
Department of Biotechnology has informed that under “Mission COVID Suraksha- the Indian COVID-19 Vaccine Development Mission”, being implemented by Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) of DBT, facility augmentation of Bharat Biotech and 3 Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs) including Haffkine Biopharmaceutical Corporation Ltd, Mumbai; Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL); Hyderabad; Bharat Immunologicals Biologicals Corporation Limited (BIBCOL), Bulandshahr; is being supported, for augmented production of Covaxin.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has provided 100% advance to domestic vaccine manufacturers in respect of procurement order placed with them. These funds can be used by such manufacturers for their capacity augmentation. Government has also provided financial assistance to one of the vaccine manufacturer i.e. M/s Biological E for ‘At-risk manufacturing’ of COVID-19 vaccine.
Johnson & Johnson applies for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) of its single-dose COVID-19 vaccine to the Government of India
Police have arrested at least 10 men following a raid at a bar in suburban Malad here over alleged violation of coronavirus norms, an official said on Friday.
The raid was conducted at the bar located on S V Road around 9.45 on Thursday based on a tip-off, he said, adding that four women staffers were also rescued during the operation.
"It was found that the bar violated the COVID-19 norms issued by the state government as well as the local civic body," the police official said. A team led by DCP Vishal Thakur conducted the raid, he said,
"At least 10 male customers, who were present there, were arrested, and four women found serving them were rescued," he said. Further action into the case is being taken, police said.
India reports 44,643 new COVID-19 cases, 41,096 recoveries and 464 deaths in the last 24 hours, as per the Union Health Ministry.
Active cases: 4,14,159
Total recoveries: 3,10,15,844
Total vaccination: 49,53,27,595
China in the past 24 hours reported at least 124 new confirmed coronavirus cases in the mainland, which is its highest daily count for new coronavirus cases in its current outbreak, fuelled by a surge in locally transmitted infections.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has said that the state government is thinking of reopening schools after the Durga Puja vacations, adding that the plan is still in a very nascent stage and the state will look into all the aspects before allowing the schools to resume offline classes.
"We are thinking of opening the schools after the pujas but the details are yet to be finalised. Schools might start operating on alternate days, but we will have to look into all the aspects. We cannot compromise on the health of the students," the Chief Minister said.
Moderna's booster shots against Covid-19 have shown robust antibody responses, according to results of Phase 2 clinical trials published on Thursday. In the trial, Moderna tested a 50-microgram dose of three vaccine booster candidates in previously vaccinated individuals. The findings showed that it induced robust antibody responses against the wildtype D614G Covid-19 strain and against important variants of concern including Gamma (P1); Beta (B1351); and Delta (B16172), the US pharmaceutical major said in a statement.
"Neutralising antibody levels following the boost approached those observed after primary vaccination with two doses of 100 microgram of mRNA-1273," it added. The data has been submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication.
The company added that its Covid-19 vaccine does not wane away and remains durable through six months after the second dose. The result of its clinical trial, which started in late July 2020 and recruited 30,000 volunteers, showing 94.1 per cent efficacy did not change much after six months, the company said in a statement.
"We are pleased that our Covid-19 vaccine is showing durable efficacy of 93 per cent through six months, but recognise that the Delta variant is a significant new threat so we must remain vigilant," Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel said.
The Union Health Ministry said that the cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered across India has gone past 49 crore with over 50.29 lakh (50,29,573) vaccine doses administered in the past 24 hours.
In the provisional report compiled at 7 pm (Thursday), the ministry said 27,26,494 beneficiaries in the age group of 18-44 years received the first dose, while 4,81,823 were given the second dose yesterday.
Background
Coronavirus LIVE Updates, Friday, August 6: After days of respite, once again India has started to report a surge in its daily count of Coronavirus cases. The country witnessed 44,643 new COVID-19 cases and 464 deaths in the last 24 hours while 41,096 Covid infected patients recovered. With a total of 3,10, 15,844 recoveries across the country so far, the recovery rate is currently at 97.36%.
Kerala accounts for 50% of tally as the state reported more than 22,000 fresh cases for the third day this week.
The Union Health Ministry said that the cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered across India has gone past 49 crore with over 50.29 lakh (50,29,573) vaccine doses administered in the past 24 hours.
On the other hand, China in the past 24 hours reported at least 124 new confirmed coronavirus cases in the mainland, which is its highest daily count for new coronavirus cases in its current outbreak, fuelled by a surge in locally transmitted infections.
Meanwhile, Nobel laureate economist Abhijit Vinayak Banerjee apprehended that the impending third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic might adversely impact the GDP, and its growth rate might go down to 7 per cent, even below the IMF's recent projection of 9.5 per cent. Banerjee said that boosting the state's economy is directly related to the revival of the country's economy as it is under stress due to the ongoing pandemic situation.
- - - - - - - - - Advertisement - - - - - - - - -