Live: Major Indian cities report spurt in Covid cases; many states announce stricter curbs

Omicron: India's national capital Delhi imposes weekend curfew amid rising COVID cases

As cases of the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 have increased in recent days, India's capital Delhi will implement a weekend curfew, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said during a news conference on Tuesday.

Omicron: Skin, lips, and nail symptoms that mean you need urgent COVID-19 treatment

While there is still much to learn about the novel variant, doctors have observed that Omicron symptoms are distinct from regular coronavirus symptoms. 

Indian Railway ministry says unvaccinated employees won't be allowed in Rail Bhawan

The Ministry of Railways on January 4 said it "would restrict" the entry of its unvaccinated employees into the Rail Bhawan. "Such staff would avail their own leave until vaccination is complete," it said.

So far, 12,57,603 children aged 15 to 18 have registered to be vaccinated through the CoWIN platform.

As the spread of new variant of coronavirus haunts many, the Indian government has told states and union territories on Tuesday that people in the age group of 60 years and above, who have co-morbidities, do not need to produce or submit any certificate from doctor at the time of taking precaution dose of COVID-19 vaccine.  

Delhi Metro tightens travel rules

Delhi Metro has said that travel will be allowed only up to 50 per cent of seating capacity. Standing passengers will not be allowed. The decision has been taken in view of the Covid-19 guidelines

Two patients of Omicron in Puducherry

Health Director of Union Territory of Puducherry has confirmed that two people were found to have been infected by Omicron virus. One is an 80-year-old man while the second patient is 20-year-old

Covid vaccination for 15-18 year-olds

Union Health Ministry says that appointments can be booked online or onsite (walk-in)

Indian capital's Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, sounds alarm over increasing Covid cases in Delhi.

"As the COVID19 positivity rate has been above 0.5 per cent for the past few days, we are enforcing Level-I (Yellow alert) of the Graded Response Action Plan. A detailed order on restrictions to be implemented will be released soon."

As per the new announcement:

• Night curfew will be implemented from 10 pm to 5 am.
• Delhi Metro, restaurants and bars will now operate at 50 per cent capacity.
• Cinema halls, spas, gyms, multiplexes, banquet halls, auditoriums and sports complexes will be closed with immediate effect.

India approves 2 new Covid vaccines and 1 antiviral drug in a day

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced on Tuesday that India has approved two new COVID-19 vaccines namely Covovax and Corbevax. In addition to this, an anti-viral drug, Molnupiravir, has also been approved for restricted use in an emergency situation. 

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India reports 6,358 new cases and 6,450 recoveries in the last 24 hours. Omicron case tally has increased to 653.

BCCI President Sourav Ganguly tests positive for COVID-19

He was admitted to hospital after testing positive for coronavirus, as per BCCI sources quoted by local media.

India's Haryana state reports two more cases of Omicron variant

Goa, Manipur report first Omicron case; night curfew in Uttarakhand, Kerala & Karnataka  

On Monday, Manipur reported the first Omicron case after a person returning from Tanzania tested positive for the new variant even as three Omicron cases were detected in Rajashtan's Jaipur and Udaipur. 

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Twenty-eight more students and three staff members in a school in Maharashtra's Ahmednagar district have tested positive for COVID-19.

According to officials, majority of the infected students are "asymptomatic" and currently admitted to hospital where their health condition is reportedly stable.

Kerala government imposes night curfew from December 30 till January 2 due to rising Omicron cases. 

The curfew will last from 10 pm to 5 am.

Delhi reports 331 new COVID-19 cases, highest single day spike in last 6 months

Moreover, the positivity rate in the city moved up to 0.68 per cent which is the highest since the last six months...Read More

As India announces 'precaution dose' for some, here's all you need to know about it

PM Modi announced that considering the wide spread of the Omicron variant all over the world, India will start administering ‘precautionary doses’ for people above the age of 60 and frontline workers.

As the Omicron variant has rapidly reached nearly every corner of the Earth, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 25, announced that the nasal vaccination and the world's first DNA vaccine against COVID-19 will be available for inoculation soon.

"Nasal vaccine and the world's first DNA vaccine against COVID-19 will soon commence in India," Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated in a speech to the country.

Pictures: Amid Omicron fear, Indian streets were seen packed with crowd on Christmas

Even after a surge in Omicron cases in India, huge crowds were seen on the streets as people celebrated Christmas all across the country. Kolkata, which is also termed as the city of joy, celebrated Christmas just like the pre-pandemic days, with people roaming around without any sense of fear.

The IIT study came even as the government said on Friday that the world is witnessing the fourth surge in COVID-19 cases.

The Odisha government in eastern India has imposed restrictions on Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Amid a rise in cases caused by Omicron variant in some countries, there have been demands that the Indian government should allow booster doses of vaccines.

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya in his tweet thanked the health workers for helping the country achieve a significant target.

Orders have been passed to district officials in Delhi to ensure no gatherings on Christmas and for new year celebrations take place. The decision has been taken in view of Omicron threat.

India detected 415 cases of Omicron variant of Covid-19, out of which 115 have recovered or migrated, Union health ministry’s data updated on Saturday.

The decision to send a special team comes a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with various officials to assess the Covid situation in the country.

In the highest single-day spike since June 13, Indian capital, Delhi, has registered 249 new Covid cases on Saturday. One death was also reported. The positivity rate has increased to 0.43 per cent. This comes as several countries have been witnessing a massive rise in the number of coronavirus cases after the emergence of new variant.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (December 25) announced that the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination for children aged 15-18 years will start from January 3. From the threat of the Omicron variant to the vaccination process, the Prime Minister touched upon a range of issues. 

India's health ministry informed the total number of Omicron cases has now reached 422 and has spread to 17 states as Kerala reported 19 more cases of Omicron variant on Sunday.