Year Ender: At 16,000 Cases, India Reports Lowest Infected Cases Since June; 3-4 Crore Vaccine Doses Ready–Wait For Green Signal; Read More To Know The COVID Update

Pune, December 29, 2020: The daunting 2020 is about to end in three days– at the year end it gives us a moment of hope and reason to smile, as the number of corona cases recorded nationwide was merely 16,072 on Monday. This was the lowest number recorded after June 23 when only 15,656 cases were reported. Within the last 24 hours, 24,822 patients have recovered while 250 patients lost their lives. Among the active cases there has been a drop of 9,011. There remain 2.67 lakh patients that are still under treatment.

The nation has seen a total of 1.02 crore citizens infected by coronavirus disease (COVID-19) till date. Among these 98.06 lakh patients have recovered and 1.48 lakh patients have passed away after losing their battle with Covid-19. The mentioned figures have been obtained from covid19india.org.

Center Provides Guidelines to the States for Upcoming New Year Celebrations 

The Home ministry issued a letter, asking state governments to take appropriate precautions and stay vigilant for the upcoming New Year celebrations. Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, in this letter, wrote about the decrease in the numbers of newly infected as well as a decrease in the currently active cases in the country which for him affirms a necessity for more caution. The ministry also stated that if found necessary, restrictions like administrative night curfews can be implemented on a local level.

What Else Did the Ministry Have to Say? 

• Himachal Pradesh’s former chief minister, Shanta Kumar’s wife Santosh Shailza passed away on Tuesday morning. The state’s health minister, Rajiv Saizal informed.

• Guidelines active for the surveillance of Covid-19 infected patients will be continued till January 31, 2021

• Caution should be taken in the containment zone so that the spread of Covid-19 infection can be stopped. To stop the new strain of Covid-19 from entering as well caution is necessary.

• NEGVAC has prepared prioritisation for vaccination. Health workers, frontline workers, above 50 years of age and below 50 years of age who are suffering from severe health issues due to being infected by corona virus, will be the first ones to be provided with the vaccination.

• The data of such people should be finalised and uploaded immediately.

• Complete all arrangements for the vaccine including storage, transportation as well as security

• The rules of social distancing and wearing masks should be reinforced strictly.

5 Crore Doses of CoviShield Are Ready

The company preparing Covishield, Serum Institute’s CEO, Adar Poonawalla states that the company has kept about 4 to 5 crore doses of Covishield ready in stock. The vaccine may receive permission for emergency use within a few days. Post which the central government should decide on how soon and how many doses it requires. Adar Poonawalla also stated that the company will have prepared 30 crore doses by July 2021.

What Else Did Adar Poonawalla Have to Say?

India is a part of COVAX. 50 percent of what we prepare will be used for India. The population of India is vast, which is why I feel that the 5 Crore doses that we have prepared should first be made available to the Indians. The initial six months of 2021 will encounter a shortage of vaccines, it can’t be helped. However, post this, in August-September the supply of vaccines will be efficient.

Corona Update

• The new strain of Coronavirus finds its way to India. Six infected patients have been found with this new strain. All said patients have returned from the UK recently.

• State health minister Ashwini Chaubey is found corona positive.

• Guidelines made active for the surveillance of Covid-19 infected patients by the Home Ministry will be continued till January 31, 2021.

• To prevent crowds and parties, Bengaluru police has decided to implement section 144 on December 31 at 6 pm in the city. It will be in effect till January 1, 6 am. Leaving the house without any urgent or appropriate reason is not allowed during this period.

• Education Minister of Karnataka, Suresh Kumar, announced that classes for 10th and 12th standard students shall resume from January 1.

The Situation of 5 States

1. Maharashtra

On Monday 2,498 new cases were recorded in Maharashtra. 4,501 people recovered while 50 lost their lives. 19.22 lakh people have been infected in Maharashtra till date, of which, 18.11 lakh people have recovered and 49, 305 patients have died. The number of active cases being treated is 57,159.

2. Delhi

On Monday 564 new cases were recorded in Delhi. 959 people recovered while 21 lost their lives. 6.23 lakh people have been infected in Delhi till date, of which, 6.06 lakh people have recovered and 10, 474 patients have died. The number of active cases being treated is 6,297.

3. Madhya Pradesh

On Monday 876 new cases were recorded in Madhya Pradesh. 1, 090 people recovered and no deaths were recorded. 2, 39, 228 people have been infected in Madhya Pradesh to date, of which, 2, 25, 782 people have recovered and 3, 572 patients have died. The number of active cases being treated is 9,874.

4. Gujarat

On Monday 810 new cases were recorded in Gujarat. 1016 people recovered while 6 lost their lives. 2.42 lakh people have been infected in Gujarat till date, of which, 2.28 lakh people have recovered and 4, 288 patients have died. The number of active cases being treated is 10, 123.

5. Rajasthan

On Monday 798 new cases were recorded in Rajasthan. 1206 people recovered while 7 lost their lives. 3.06 lakh people have been infected in Rajasthan till date, of which, 2.92 lakh people have recovered and 2, 677 patients have died. The number of active cases being treated is 10,742.