India strongly raised the issue of cross border terrorism from Pakistan and attempts to raise the bilateral issue at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) heads of government meet.

India's vice president Venkaiah Naidu said, "The most important challenge faced by us in the region is terrorism, particularly cross-border terrorism. Terrorism is truly the enemy of humanity. It is a scourge we need to collectively combat."

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-and-imran-khan-to-skip-meeting-of-sco-heads-346423" hreflang="en">PM Modi and Imran khan to skip meeting of SCO heads</a>

Pointing at Pakistan Naidu explained, "We remain concerned about threats emerging from ungoverned spaces and are particularly concerned about States that leverage terrorism as an instrument of state policy. Such an approach is entirely against the spirit and ideals and the Charter of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization."

This is the first time since India became a member of the SCO in 2017, that it hosted such a large meet of SCO leaders. It was expected to take place physically but took place virtually due to the COVID pandemic.

India's Vice President also raise the issue of Pakistan trying to raise bilateral issues at the grouping. He said, "It is unfortunate to note that there have been attempts to deliberately bring bilateral issues into SCO and blatantly violate the well-established principles and norms of SCO Charter safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of SCO Member States."

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-appreciates-scientists-efforts-to-come-out-with-vaccine-solution-to-combat-covid-19-346419" hreflang="en">PM Modi appreciates scientists' efforts to come out with vaccine solution to combat COVID-19</a>

Pakistani NSA earlier this year, sat in SCO virtual meet with a map of Pakistan which showed incorrect boundaries of India, irking New Delhi. In fact, Russia, which is the host of the grouping this year, also said, bilateral matters should not be raised at the body.

Meanwhile, COVID also remained a key focus of New Delhi, which highlighted how it has "been at the forefront of producing quality medicines and vaccines at low cost."

But Naidu also called for, "much needed reforms to our global institutions, including WHO, and rework our development strategies to face a post-COVID-19 world."

World Health Organisation or WHO has been at found missing when the pandemic broke towards the end of 2019, for which it has been criticised.

India offered to annually host the Special Working Group on Startups and Innovation and also the SCO Startup Forum. On the shared cultural front, India earlier on Monday inaugurated an Exhibition on Buddhist Heritage of SCO Member States in a virtual format, hosted by the National Museum of India.

India strongly raised the issue of cross border terrorism from Pakistan and attempts to raise the bilateral issue at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) heads of government meet.

India strongly raised the issue of cross border terrorism from Pakistan and attempts to raise the bilateral issue at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) heads of government meet. India's vice president Venkaiah Naidu said, "The most important challenge faced by us in the region is terrorism, particularly cross-border terrorism. Terrorism is truly the enemy of humanity. It is a scourge we need to collectively combat." Also read| PM Modi and Imran khan to skip meeting of SCO heads Pointing at Pakistan Naidu explained, "We remain concerned about threats emerging from ungoverned spaces and are particularly concerned about States that leverage terrorism as an instrument of state policy. Such an approach is entirely against the spirit and ideals and the Charter of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization." This is the first time since India became a member of the SCO in 2017, that it hosted such a large meet of SCO leaders. It was expected to take place physically but took place virtually due to the COVID pandemic. India's Vice President also raise the issue of Pakistan trying to raise bilateral issues at the grouping. He said, "It is unfortunate to note that there have been attempts to deliberately bring bilateral issues into SCO and blatantly violate the well-established principles and norms of SCO Charter safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of SCO Member States." Also read| PM Modi appreciates scientists' efforts to come out with vaccine solution to combat COVID-19 Pakistani NSA earlier this year, sat in SCO virtual meet with a map of Pakistan which showed incorrect boundaries of India, irking New Delhi. In fact, Russia, which is the host of the grouping this year, also said, bilateral matters should not be raised at the body. Meanwhile, COVID also remained a key focus of New Delhi, which highlighted how it has "been at the forefront of producing quality medicines and vaccines at low cost." But Naidu also called for, "much needed reforms to our global institutions, including WHO, and rework our development strategies to face a post-COVID-19 world." World Health Organisation or WHO has been at found missing when the pandemic broke towards the end of 2019, for which it has been criticised. India offered to annually host the Special Working Group on Startups and Innovation and also the SCO Startup Forum. On the shared cultural front, India earlier on Monday inaugurated an Exhibition on Buddhist Heritage of SCO Member States in a virtual format, hosted by the National Museum of India.

Cross border terror from Pakistan, reforms at WHO top focus of India at SCO meet

The number of coronavirus case in India crossed the 94-lakh mark on Monday, while the number of people who have recuperated from the disease crossed 88,47,000, pushing the national recovery rate to 93.81 per cent, according to the Union Health Ministry data.

The number of COVID-19 cases reported in India in a span of 24 hours dropped below 40,000 for the seventh time this month.

The total coronavirus cases mounted to 94,31,691 with 38,772 new infections, while the death toll climbed to 1,37,139 after 443 more fatalities were reported, the data updated at 8 am showed.

The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 88,47,600, pushing the national recovery rate to 93.81 per cent.

The COVID-19 case fatality rate declined further to 1.45 per cent.

The active COVID-19 caseload remained below five lakh for the 20th consecutive day.

There are 4,46,952 active cases in the country which comprise 4.74 per cent of the total caseload, the data stated.

India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 30 lakh on August 23 and 40 lakh on September 5.

It went past 50 lakh on September 16, 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, and surpassed 90 lakh on November 20.

According to the ICMR, 14,03,79,976 samples have been tested up to November 29 with 8,76,173 samples being tested on Sunday.

The 443 new fatalities include 85 from Maharashtra, 68 from Delhi, 54 from West Bengal, 27 from Kerala, 26 from Haryana and 24 from Uttar Pradesh.

Total 1,37,139 deaths reported so far in the country include 47,071 from Maharashtra followed by 11,765 from Karnataka, 11,703 from Tamil Nadu, 9,066 from Delhi, 8,376 from West Bengal, 7,742 from Uttar Pradesh, 6,988 from Andhra Pradesh, 4,780 from Punjab, 3,969 from Gujarat and 3,250 from Madhya Pradesh.

The health ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities.

"Our figures are being reconciled with the Indian Council of Medical Research," the ministry said on its website, adding that state-wise distribution of figures is subject to further verification and reconciliation. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

The number of coronavirus case in India crossed the 94-lakh mark on Monday, while the number of people who have recuperated from the disease crossed 88,47,000, pushing the national recovery rate to 93.

The number of coronavirus case in India crossed the 94-lakh mark on Monday, while the number of people who have recuperated from the disease crossed 88,47,000, pushing the national recovery rate to 93.81 per cent, according to the Union Health Ministry data. The number of COVID-19 cases reported in India in a span of 24 hours dropped below 40,000 for the seventh time this month. The total coronavirus cases mounted to 94,31,691 with 38,772 new infections, while the death toll climbed to 1,37,139 after 443 more fatalities were reported, the data updated at 8 am showed. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 88,47,600, pushing the national recovery rate to 93.81 per cent. The COVID-19 case fatality rate declined further to 1.45 per cent. The active COVID-19 caseload remained below five lakh for the 20th consecutive day. There are 4,46,952 active cases in the country which comprise 4.74 per cent of the total caseload, the data stated. India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 30 lakh on August 23 and 40 lakh on September 5. It went past 50 lakh on September 16, 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, and surpassed 90 lakh on November 20. According to the ICMR, 14,03,79,976 samples have been tested up to November 29 with 8,76,173 samples being tested on Sunday. The 443 new fatalities include 85 from Maharashtra, 68 from Delhi, 54 from West Bengal, 27 from Kerala, 26 from Haryana and 24 from Uttar Pradesh. Total 1,37,139 deaths reported so far in the country include 47,071 from Maharashtra followed by 11,765 from Karnataka, 11,703 from Tamil Nadu, 9,066 from Delhi, 8,376 from West Bengal, 7,742 from Uttar Pradesh, 6,988 from Andhra Pradesh, 4,780 from Punjab, 3,969 from Gujarat and 3,250 from Madhya Pradesh. The health ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities. "Our figures are being reconciled with the Indian Council of Medical Research," the ministry said on its website, adding that state-wise distribution of figures is subject to further verification and reconciliation. (With inputs from agencies)

India's COVID-19 tally rises to 94.31 lakh with 38,772 fresh cases

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K.Palaniswami extended the general Covid-19 lockdown till midnight Dec 31, 2020 subject to certain relaxations.

In a statement, Palaniswami said that it was decided to extend the lockdown, with new relaxations till Dec 31st, based on the discussions with the medical and public health experts, District Collectors to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

As per the new restrictions, final year undergraduate and postgraduate courses for all colleges, universities and medical colleges are to commence from December 07, 2020, whereas classes for first-year students will commence from February 01, 2021.&nbsp;

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-covid-19-tally-rises-to-9431-lakh-with-38772-fresh-cases-346362" hreflang="en">India's COVID-19 tally rises to 94.31 lakh with 38,772 fresh cases</a>

Swimming pools for sports training purposes will be allowed to function following standard operating procedures (SOP). Similarly,&nbsp;Marina and other beaches will be open for public from December 14, 2020, depending on the coronavirus spread.

A decision on the&nbsp;permission for outdoor meetings, too, will be taken depending on the spread of the virus in the state.&nbsp;Indoor social, political and religious gatherings are now allowed for the month of December,&nbsp;subject to 50 per cent seating capacity and not exceeding 200 persons. Permission from the District Collectors and from Greater Chennai Police (for Chennai meetings) are necessary.

The&nbsp;exhibition halls&nbsp;will be allowed to function only for business-to-business purposes after following SOP.&nbsp;

In addition to this, the existing system of E-registration for those coming to Tamil Nadu from other states would continue. Those coming from &nbsp;Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Union Territory of Puducherry would be exempted from this registration.&nbsp;

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K.Palaniswami extended the general Covid-19 lockdown till midnight Dec 31, 2020 subject to certain relaxations. In a statement, Palaniswami said that it was decided to extend the lockdown, with new relaxations till Dec 31st, based on the discussions with the medical and public health experts, District Collectors to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K.Palaniswami extended the general Covid-19 lockdown till midnight Dec 31, 2020 subject to certain relaxations. In a statement, Palaniswami said that it was decided to extend the lockdown, with new relaxations till Dec 31st, based on the discussions with the medical and public health experts, District Collectors to prevent the spread of coronavirus. As per the new restrictions, final year undergraduate and postgraduate courses for all colleges, universities and medical colleges are to commence from December 07, 2020, whereas classes for first-year students will commence from February 01, 2021. Also read| India's COVID-19 tally rises to 94.31 lakh with 38,772 fresh cases Swimming pools for sports training purposes will be allowed to function following standard operating procedures (SOP). Similarly, Marina and other beaches will be open for public from December 14, 2020, depending on the coronavirus spread. A decision on the permission for outdoor meetings, too, will be taken depending on the spread of the virus in the state. Indoor social, political and religious gatherings are now allowed for the month of December, subject to 50 per cent seating capacity and not exceeding 200 persons. Permission from the District Collectors and from Greater Chennai Police (for Chennai meetings) are necessary. The exhibition halls will be allowed to function only for business-to-business purposes after following SOP. In addition to this, the existing system of E-registration for those coming to Tamil Nadu from other states would continue. Those coming from Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Union Territory of Puducherry would be exempted from this registration.

Tamil Nadu: Beaches, colleges, indoor events allowed in new set of relaxations

Locals of the UK may not have been entirely happy with their Prime Minister's decision of imposing a second lockdown, but a recent study has revealed that the lockdown helped reduce the coronavirus infections by 30 per cent.

A study of more than 100,000 volunteers proved that the month-long lockdown has helped contain the spread of the coronavirus since November 05. This study was conducted by&nbsp;Imperial College London and Ipsos MORI.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/london-more-than-150-arrested-in-anti-lockdown-protests-346201">London: More than 150 arrested in anti-lockdown protests</a>

The infections fell to 30 per cent&nbsp;96 people per 10,000 infected between November 13 and 24. The last observations which were were made between October 16 and November 02 showed 130 infections per 10,000 people.

"The findings show cases were rising as the country entered lockdown, but this was followed by a decrease as national measures successfully lowered infection rates across the country," a statement issued by the health department said.

In this study, the reproductive number of the virus was estimated at 0.88, which led to finding that the infections were shrinking by 0 to 2 per cent on a daily basis.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-says-next-week-very-significant-for-brexit-deal-urges-eu-to-exercise-pragmatism-346236">UK says next week 'very significant' for Brexit deal, urges EU to exercise pragmatism</a>

However, the decrease in infections does not guarantee complete removal of the virus from the country, officials have warned. The Boris Johnson-led government is urging people to stay indoors as much as possible and step out only with face masks. The country will be entering the regional lockdown phase once again from December 02. Johnson has been criticised for his tier-lockdown approach and locals have been taking to streets to protest against the possibility of lockdown during the Christmas season.

Since the findings of a decline in COVID infections, people have been demanding the removal of the lockdown, especially for the month of December. however, Johnson administration has not commented or hinted towards any such possibility. He is facing criticism for his lockdown ideas which are being termed as an unnecessary infringement on civil liberties.

Locals of the UK may not have been entirely happy with their Prime Minister's decision of imposing a second lockdown, but a recent study has revealed that the lockdown helped reduce the coronavirus infections by 30 per cent.

Locals of the UK may not have been entirely happy with their Prime Minister's decision of imposing a second lockdown, but a recent study has revealed that the lockdown helped reduce the coronavirus infections by 30 per cent. A study of more than 100,000 volunteers proved that the month-long lockdown has helped contain the spread of the coronavirus since November 05. This study was conducted by Imperial College London and Ipsos MORI. Also read| London: More than 150 arrested in anti-lockdown protests The infections fell to 30 per cent 96 people per 10,000 infected between November 13 and 24. The last observations which were were made between October 16 and November 02 showed 130 infections per 10,000 people. "The findings show cases were rising as the country entered lockdown, but this was followed by a decrease as national measures successfully lowered infection rates across the country," a statement issued by the health department said. In this study, the reproductive number of the virus was estimated at 0.88, which led to finding that the infections were shrinking by 0 to 2 per cent on a daily basis. Also read| UK says next week 'very significant' for Brexit deal, urges EU to exercise pragmatism However, the decrease in infections does not guarantee complete removal of the virus from the country, officials have warned. The Boris Johnson-led government is urging people to stay indoors as much as possible and step out only with face masks. The country will be entering the regional lockdown phase once again from December 02. Johnson has been criticised for his tier-lockdown approach and locals have been taking to streets to protest against the possibility of lockdown during the Christmas season. Since the findings of a decline in COVID infections, people have been demanding the removal of the lockdown, especially for the month of December. however, Johnson administration has not commented or hinted towards any such possibility. He is facing criticism for his lockdown ideas which are being termed as an unnecessary infringement on civil liberties.

UK observes 30% decline in COVID-19 infections due to national lockdown: Study

Continuing months-long protests in the country, locals gathered outside the official residence of the&nbsp;Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem seeking his resignation from the post.

The roads outside&nbsp;Netanyahu's residence were jammed by nearly 1,000 protestors who marched demanding his resignation following allegations of corruption.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israels-pm-benjamin-netanyahu-accused-of-taking-dirty-laundry-to-white-house-330110">Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu accused of taking dirty laundry to White House</a>

Locals have been conducting weekly protests outside the PM's residence for the past few months. They are also protesting against the alleged strict and 'not necessary' coronavirus lockdown rules, which has left many locals jobless and without a minimum wage.

Israel has faced two nationwide, strict lockdowns to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. The protestors claim the&nbsp;Netanyahu government has left them high and dry by imposing a lockdown but not providing any financial security. Many claimed massive losses in business and job losses due to the stretched lockdowns. They complain that the government failed to initiate proper processes and planning for providing financial assistance to the sufferers of the lockdown in the pandemic.

These demonstrations have been ongoing for the past six months, and have now shrunk in number — which can be due to negative (or no) outcome and the advent arrival of the winter season that has sent chills down the spine of many people.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/israeli-scientists-go-backward-in-time-by-successfully-reversing-ageing-by-25-years-344816">Israeli scientists go 'backward in time' by successfully reversing ageing by 25 years</a>

While the number of protestors has seemingly decreased, the demonstrators present outside the PM's house were spotted wearing masks. However, people did not maintain the required social distance which attracted some criticism.

Many protestors held Israeli flags, and some were also spotted with pink flags — which has emerged as a popular symbol of protest in the country in the past few months.&nbsp;Others hoisted model submarines, a reference to a scandal over an Israeli purchase of German submarines in which several Netanyahu associates have been implicated.

The protestors are demanding&nbsp;Netanyahu's resignation from his long-reigning position of a Prime Minister, after he has been accused of corruption. The&nbsp;Defence Minister Benny Gantz, meanwhile, has ordered an investigation into this issue in the last week.

Continuing months-long protests in the country, locals gathered outside the official residence of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem seeking his resignation from the post.

Continuing months-long protests in the country, locals gathered outside the official residence of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem seeking his resignation from the post. The roads outside Netanyahu's residence were jammed by nearly 1,000 protestors who marched demanding his resignation following allegations of corruption. Also read| Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu accused of taking dirty laundry to White House Locals have been conducting weekly protests outside the PM's residence for the past few months. They are also protesting against the alleged strict and 'not necessary' coronavirus lockdown rules, which has left many locals jobless and without a minimum wage. Israel has faced two nationwide, strict lockdowns to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. The protestors claim the Netanyahu government has left them high and dry by imposing a lockdown but not providing any financial security. Many claimed massive losses in business and job losses due to the stretched lockdowns. They complain that the government failed to initiate proper processes and planning for providing financial assistance to the sufferers of the lockdown in the pandemic. These demonstrations have been ongoing for the past six months, and have now shrunk in number — which can be due to negative (or no) outcome and the advent arrival of the winter season that has sent chills down the spine of many people. Also read| Israeli scientists go 'backward in time' by successfully reversing ageing by 25 years While the number of protestors has seemingly decreased, the demonstrators present outside the PM's house were spotted wearing masks. However, people did not maintain the required social distance which attracted some criticism. Many protestors held Israeli flags, and some were also spotted with pink flags — which has emerged as a popular symbol of protest in the country in the past few months. Others hoisted model submarines, a reference to a scandal over an Israeli purchase of German submarines in which several Netanyahu associates have been implicated. The protestors are demanding Netanyahu's resignation from his long-reigning position of a Prime Minister, after he has been accused of corruption. The Defence Minister Benny Gantz, meanwhile, has ordered an investigation into this issue in the last week.

Thousands rally outside Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu's residence

&nbsp;

In the year 2020, getting a medically 'positive' result on the coronavirus test has been one of the biggest nightmares for anyone. To&nbsp;add to the horror, more than 1,000 people in the UK realised they got the wrong results.

Nearly 1,300 people in the UK were inaccurately informed about having tested positive for the novel coronavirus when they were in fact healthy. The debacle took place after a British laboratory experienced an error in the government's NHS Test and Trace system,&nbsp;the Department of Health and Social Care reported.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/england-puts-major-cities-on-stringent-tier-3-restrictions-after-lockdown-345609">England puts major cities on stringent tier 3 restrictions after lockdown</a>

These falsely reported cases were the ones who had appeared for the test between November 19 and 23. "NHS Test and Trace has contacted 1,311 individuals who were incorrectly told that the result of COVID-19 tests, taken between Nov. 19 and Nov. 23, were positive. An issue with a batch of testing chemicals meant their test results were void," a statement read.

The affected people have been informed and have been asked to come back for another test in a few days. "Swift action was taken to notify those affected and they have been asked to take another test, and to continue to self-isolate if they have symptoms."

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sputnik-v-can-boost-efficacy-of-astrazeneca-vaccine-russian-research-centre-345769">Sputnik V can boost efficacy of AstraZeneca vaccine: Russian research centre</a>

As the matter unfurled, the authorities have started a detailed investigation into the matter to find out how did the medical experts generate false reports, and if anyone else, too, has been affected by this error. The officials have claimed that this was an "isolated incident".

Meanwhile, the government has announced an extra 7 billion pounds ($9.31 billion) for its COVID-19 testing and contact tracing system as part of an expanded programme of mass testing.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/england-to-allow-4000-fans-at-elite-events-in-lowest-risk-areas-345047">England to allow 4,000 fans at elite events in lowest-risk areas</a>

This is not the first time the UK health facilities have faced an error in testing programmes in the year of pandemic. In September, nearly 16,000 records of positive cases disappeared from a system causing massive delays in contact tracing.

The UK government had to initiate a second nationwide lockdown to contain the second wave of the novel coronavirus in the country — a move which did not sit well with the locals. The country has nearly&nbsp;1.6 million coronavirus cases and over 57,500 deaths.

In the year 2020, getting a medically 'positive' result on the coronavirus test has been one of the biggest nightmares for anyone. To add to the horror, more than 1,000 people in the UK realised they got the wrong results.

In the year 2020, getting a medically 'positive' result on the coronavirus test has been one of the biggest nightmares for anyone. To add to the horror, more than 1,000 people in the UK realised they got the wrong results. Nearly 1,300 people in the UK were inaccurately informed about having tested positive for the novel coronavirus when they were in fact healthy. The debacle took place after a British laboratory experienced an error in the government's NHS Test and Trace system, the Department of Health and Social Care reported. Also read| England puts major cities on stringent tier 3 restrictions after lockdown These falsely reported cases were the ones who had appeared for the test between November 19 and 23. "NHS Test and Trace has contacted 1,311 individuals who were incorrectly told that the result of COVID-19 tests, taken between Nov. 19 and Nov. 23, were positive. An issue with a batch of testing chemicals meant their test results were void," a statement read. The affected people have been informed and have been asked to come back for another test in a few days. "Swift action was taken to notify those affected and they have been asked to take another test, and to continue to self-isolate if they have symptoms." Also read| Sputnik V can boost efficacy of AstraZeneca vaccine: Russian research centre As the matter unfurled, the authorities have started a detailed investigation into the matter to find out how did the medical experts generate false reports, and if anyone else, too, has been affected by this error. The officials have claimed that this was an "isolated incident". Meanwhile, the government has announced an extra 7 billion pounds ($9.31 billion) for its COVID-19 testing and contact tracing system as part of an expanded programme of mass testing. Also read| England to allow 4,000 fans at elite events in lowest-risk areas This is not the first time the UK health facilities have faced an error in testing programmes in the year of pandemic. In September, nearly 16,000 records of positive cases disappeared from a system causing massive delays in contact tracing. The UK government had to initiate a second nationwide lockdown to contain the second wave of the novel coronavirus in the country — a move which did not sit well with the locals. The country has nearly 1.6 million coronavirus cases and over 57,500 deaths.

UK: Nearly 1,300 people wrongfully given positive results for COVID-19

The Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced on Friday that the majority people of his country will surely receive the coronavirus vaccine by the month of September next year.

"The fact that the doctors highlighted that if all goes according to plan, we should be able to have a majority of Canadians vaccinated by next September… puts us in very good stead," he was quoted by local media.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/too-salty-canadian-officials-ask-residents-not-to-let-moose-lick-their-cars-344833">Too salty: Canadian officials ask residents not to let moose lick their cars</a>

"Vaccines are on the horizon. There’s a light at the end of the tunnel.," he added.

However,&nbsp;Canada's deputy chief public health officer Dr Howard Njoo cautioned the public that their Prime Minister was choosing to see the glass half full. Explaining the situation, he said, "With the approval, perhaps, of these two vaccines, Pfizer and Moderna, perhaps we’re looking at delivery of some six million doses in January and February."

He added that while the Prime Minister is declaring the vaccine availability in the month of September, it can be stretched till December too, depending on the situation. "If the prime minister set September out there as an objective, that’s fine because we’re continuing to work hard to be able to offer vaccination to the majority of Canadians. So if it’s September or December, for me, it’s just a matter of months."

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/frankfurt-airport-prepares-to-transport-covid-19-vaccine-346008" hreflang="en">Frankfurt Airport prepares to transport COVID-19 vaccine</a>

Trudeau also informed people that his government has already purchased freezers to store the vaccines which will help in transporting the vaccine to the disconnected areas from the main cities, and also in the areas where the&nbsp;native populations reside.

The announcement came as Canada recorded a total of&nbsp;358,741 coronavirus cases, taking the death toll to&nbsp;11,894 till date.

The Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced on Friday that the majority people of his country will surely receive the coronavirus vaccine by the month of September next year.

The Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced on Friday that the majority people of his country will surely receive the coronavirus vaccine by the month of September next year. "The fact that the doctors highlighted that if all goes according to plan, we should be able to have a majority of Canadians vaccinated by next September… puts us in very good stead," he was quoted by local media. Also read| Too salty: Canadian officials ask residents not to let moose lick their cars "Vaccines are on the horizon. There’s a light at the end of the tunnel.," he added. However, Canada's deputy chief public health officer Dr Howard Njoo cautioned the public that their Prime Minister was choosing to see the glass half full. Explaining the situation, he said, "With the approval, perhaps, of these two vaccines, Pfizer and Moderna, perhaps we’re looking at delivery of some six million doses in January and February." He added that while the Prime Minister is declaring the vaccine availability in the month of September, it can be stretched till December too, depending on the situation. "If the prime minister set September out there as an objective, that’s fine because we’re continuing to work hard to be able to offer vaccination to the majority of Canadians. So if it’s September or December, for me, it’s just a matter of months." Also read| Frankfurt Airport prepares to transport COVID-19 vaccine Trudeau also informed people that his government has already purchased freezers to store the vaccines which will help in transporting the vaccine to the disconnected areas from the main cities, and also in the areas where the native populations reside. The announcement came as Canada recorded a total of 358,741 coronavirus cases, taking the death toll to 11,894 till date.

'Light at the end of the tunnel': Justin Trudeau promises COVID-19 vaccine by September

As the world is awaiting COVID-19 vaccine, Frankfurt Airport officials are gearing up to handle the process of transporting millions of the vaccine that will be available worldwide from different locations.

Frankfurt Airport is one of the busiest airports when it comes to transporting&nbsp;pharmaceutical goods and will be playing an important role in transporting the COVID-19 vaccine.

"The stress is increasing now that we're entering the 'hot' phase," expressed&nbsp;Lufthansa Cargo's director of operations,&nbsp;Karin Krestan.

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Officials have also claimed they been preparing themselves for this since August. "The processes have been established, we're very confident and we feel well prepared," said&nbsp;Max Philipp Conrady, head of the freight infrastructure.

Officials have been working extra hours since the beginning of the pandemic, to make sure all medicines are delivered on time, including&nbsp;surgical gowns, masks and making sure the port is ready for any emergency.

The main area needed in this process is the 'Cargo Cool Center' which is a vast temperature-controlled hangar and can handle nearly 120,000 tons of vaccines and other pharmaceutical products.&nbsp;

It has 12,000 square metres (129,000 square feet) of temperature-controlled warehouses, essential for storing medicines, and about 8,000 square metres (86,000 square feet), around the size of a football field, handles Lufthansa cargo alone, Krestan said.

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The airport has, now, invested in&nbsp;high-tech refrigerated "dollies" that will help transport vaccines from cold storages to the planes as the Pfizer vaccine should&nbsp;remain at around -70 degrees C (-94 F) — in contrast to other vaccines such as AstraZeneca and Oxford which can be shipped in normal refrigerators.

These will specifically be useful as the EU has decided to buy nearly 300 million doses of the&nbsp;Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, putting pressure on the cargo hub. The officials believe that while the airport will be able to handle the doses being ordered, the flight capacity will play a major factor in the distribution of the vaccines.

Cargo planes can normally carry up to a million doses unless sub-zero temperatures must be maintained. Adding to the challenge, 40 per cent of annual global air cargo is typically carried by passenger aircraft, which have been vastly curtailed due to the pandemic. Frankfurt is in talks&nbsp;with manufacturers to see how can the traffic be optimised efficiently.

(With inputs from AFP)

As the world is awaiting COVID-19 vaccine, Frankfurt Airport officials are gearing up to handle the process of transporting millions of the vaccine that will be available worldwide from different locations.

As the world is awaiting COVID-19 vaccine, Frankfurt Airport officials are gearing up to handle the process of transporting millions of the vaccine that will be available worldwide from different locations. Frankfurt Airport is one of the busiest airports when it comes to transporting pharmaceutical goods and will be playing an important role in transporting the COVID-19 vaccine. "The stress is increasing now that we're entering the 'hot' phase," expressed Lufthansa Cargo's director of operations, Karin Krestan. × Officials have also claimed they been preparing themselves for this since August. "The processes have been established, we're very confident and we feel well prepared," said Max Philipp Conrady, head of the freight infrastructure. Officials have been working extra hours since the beginning of the pandemic, to make sure all medicines are delivered on time, including surgical gowns, masks and making sure the port is ready for any emergency. The main area needed in this process is the 'Cargo Cool Center' which is a vast temperature-controlled hangar and can handle nearly 120,000 tons of vaccines and other pharmaceutical products. It has 12,000 square metres (129,000 square feet) of temperature-controlled warehouses, essential for storing medicines, and about 8,000 square metres (86,000 square feet), around the size of a football field, handles Lufthansa cargo alone, Krestan said. × The airport has, now, invested in high-tech refrigerated "dollies" that will help transport vaccines from cold storages to the planes as the Pfizer vaccine should remain at around -70 degrees C (-94 F) — in contrast to other vaccines such as AstraZeneca and Oxford which can be shipped in normal refrigerators. These will specifically be useful as the EU has decided to buy nearly 300 million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, putting pressure on the cargo hub. The officials believe that while the airport will be able to handle the doses being ordered, the flight capacity will play a major factor in the distribution of the vaccines. Cargo planes can normally carry up to a million doses unless sub-zero temperatures must be maintained. Adding to the challenge, 40 per cent of annual global air cargo is typically carried by passenger aircraft, which have been vastly curtailed due to the pandemic. Frankfurt is in talks with manufacturers to see how can the traffic be optimised efficiently. (With inputs from AFP)

Frankfurt Airport prepares to transport COVID-19 vaccine

In a 1988 essay on pandemics, Joshua Lederberg, Nobel laureate and president of The Rockefeller University, reminded the medical community that when it comes to infectious disease, the laws of Darwin are as important as the vaccines of Pasteur.

As medicine battles bacteria and viruses, those organisms continue to undergo mutations and evolve new characteristics.

Lederberg advised vigilance: “We have no guarantee that the natural evolutionary competition of viruses with the human species will always find ourselves the winner.”

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/after-admitting-mistake-astrazeneca-faces-difficult-questions-about-its-vaccine-345516">After admitting mistake, AstraZeneca faces difficult questions about its vaccine</a>

With the emergence of what seem so far to be safe and effective vaccine candidates, it appears that humanity may be the winner again this time around, albeit with a dreadful loss of life.

But vaccines will not put an end to the evolution of this coronavirus, as David A. Kennedy and Andrew F. Read of Penn State, specialists in viral resistance to vaccines, wrote in PLoS Biology recently. Instead, they could even drive new evolutionary change.

There is always the chance, though small, the authors write, that the virus could evolve resistance to a vaccine, what researchers call “viral escape.” They urge monitoring of vaccine effects and viral response, just in case.

“Nothing that we’re saying is suggesting that we slow down development of vaccines,” Kennedy said. An effective vaccine is of utmost importance, he said, “But let’s make sure that it stays efficacious.”

Also read|<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel-justin-trudeau-promises-covid-19-vaccine-by-september-346017">&nbsp;'Light at the end of the tunnel': Justin Trudeau promises COVID-19 vaccine by September</a>

Vaccine-makers could use the results of nasal swabs taken from volunteers during trials to look for any genetic changes in the virus. Test results need not stop or slow down vaccine rollout, but if recipients of the vaccine had changes in the virus that those who received the placebo did not, that would indicate “the potential for resistance to evolve,” something researchers ought to keep monitoring.

There are some reasons to be optimistic that the coronavirus will not become resistant to vaccines. Several years ago, Kennedy and Read presented an analysis of the difference between resistance to drugs and vaccines. Neither bacteria nor viruses evolve resistance to vaccines as easily as they do to drugs, they wrote. Smallpox vaccine never lost its effectiveness, nor did the vaccines for measles or polio, despite years of use.

Antibiotics, on the other hand, can quickly become useless as bacteria and other pathogens like viruses and fungi evolve defenses. And resistance builds to other drugs as well.

The reasons have to do with the very basic principles of evolution and immunity. The two key differences are that vaccines generally act earlier than drugs, and that the natural immune response they promote is usually more varied, with more lines of attack. A drug may be narrowly targeted, sometimes attacking one metabolic pathway or biochemical process.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/frankfurt-airport-prepares-to-transport-covid-19-vaccine-346008" hreflang="en">Frankfurt Airport prepares to transport COVID-19 vaccine</a>

With most drugs, the virus or bacteria has already been reproducing in the patient’s body and if one variant is better at surviving the drug’s attack, it will continue to grow and perhaps be transmitted to another person. A combination of drugs, as with HIV treatment, can be more effective because it unleashes a multipronged attack

Vaccines, on the other hand, act early, before the virus begins to proliferate and perhaps change within a patient’s body. So there are no new variants, like those forged in the heat of a drug attack to grow and spread from the infected person.

Vaccines offer the body’s immune system a glimpse of the virus, and then the immune system builds a broad attack. For example, after a tetanus shot, a person’s immune system may produce 100 different antibodies.

Some vaccines, however, do drive viruses to evolve resistance, Kennedy and Read noted in their 2015 article. A vaccine stopped Marek’s disease, an illness in chickens that is important commercially. But the virus could still infect the chickens. It replicated and spread without causing disease and quickly became resistant.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/im-not-going-to-brazils-bolsonaro-says-he-will-not-take-covid-19-vaccine-345800" hreflang="en">'I'm not going to...': Brazil's Bolsonaro says he will not take Covid-19 vaccine</a>

In humans, a type of bacteria that causes pneumonia bacteria evolved resistance to a vaccine when the bacteria recombined in nature with existing strains that were naturally resistant. A vaccine for hepatitis B created antibodies targeting only one small part of one protein — a loop made by nine amino acids, which is tiny in protein terms. It did not create a broad attack. A pertussis vaccine also appeared to drive resistance. It worked to fend off the disease, but targeted only a few proteins and was not effective at stopping infection and transmission of the virus.

The coronavirus vaccines now in development use different ways to get the immune system to respond. Some coronavirus vaccines under development or in use in Russia and China use whole virus particles, inactivated or attenuated, to spark an immune system response.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sputnik-v-can-boost-efficacy-of-astrazeneca-vaccine-russian-research-centre-345769" hreflang="en">Sputnik V can boost efficacy of AstraZeneca vaccine: Russian research centre</a>

Many other vaccine candidates, like the ones from Pfizer and Moderna, now nearing review by the Food and Drug Administration for first use as early as December, are meant to get the immune system to react to only a portion of the coronavirus, the so-called spike protein, which would seem to offer fewer targets.

But Kennedy said that was not necessarily a problem.

“A vaccine based on just the spike protein has the potential to generate a broad immune response,” he said, “because there are multiple sites on the spike protein where potent neutralizing antibodies can bind.”

Although these are the first vaccines that use RNA particles to instruct the cells to make a viral protein, other vaccines use parts of the virus, rather than the whole. So far, Kennedy said, there was no evidence to show one type of vaccine would be more likely to drive resistance.

“We have seen vaccine resistance evolve against many different kinds of vaccines,” he said, “but there are also plenty of examples for each of these where resistance has never emerged.”

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-pandemic-can-be-stopped-if-70-per-cent-of-public-wore-masks-consistently-study-345679" hreflang="en">Covid-19 pandemic can be stopped if 70 per cent of public wore masks consistently: Study</a>

Resistance can also evolve in ways that aren’t driven by how a vaccine acts. There may already be variants of the coronavirus that are less susceptible to the actions of vaccines. This concern prompted Denmark to announce that it would cull all of its mink because a variant of the virus had appeared in mink which showed in very preliminary lab tests that some antibodies were less effective against it.

The worry has lessened since the Danes announced the problem, with scientists and the World Health Organization saying they saw no evidence yet that the variant would interfere with any vaccines in development.

But Denmark, after the resignation of a minister, who announced the cull too soon, and a legislative debate that appears to be leading to approval of the cull, still plans to kill all the mink in the country.

And scientists say that caution in this kind of situation makes sense. As a virus jumps from people to animals and back again, as it has with mink, there are more opportunities for changes in the virus RNA, changes that could lead to resistance.

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered a kind of mutation that hadn’t been seen in coronaviruses before and raises fresh concerns about the evolution of vaccine resistance.

In their search for mutations, researchers have mostly focused on flips of one genetic letter to another — a kind of mutation known as a substitution. But Paul Duprex and his colleagues discovered that the viruses mutating in a chronically infected patient were changing differently: They were losing sets of genetic letters.

Typically, a mutation that deletes a genetic letter is catastrophic to a virus. Our cells read genetic letters three at a time to choose a new building block to add to a growing protein. A deletion of one genetic letter can entirely scramble the instructions for a viral protein, so that it cannot form a functional shape.

But Duprex and his colleagues found that the coronaviruses in the patient could lose genetic letters and yet stay viable. The secret: The viruses lost genetic letters in sets of three. Instead of destroying the genetic recipe for a viral protein, the mutations snipped out one or more amino acids.

As much as Duprex despises the pandemic, he finds it hard not to admire the elegance of these mutations.

“It’s so cool, it’s brilliant,” he said.

Having found these deletion mutations in viruses from one person, Duprex and his colleagues wondered how common they were.

Searching public databases of coronavirus genomes, they discovered that deletions were surprisingly widespread.

“It’s happening independently in different parts of the world,” Duprex said.

All the deletions, it turns out, only arise in one region, the spike protein. Duprex and his colleagues found that deletions in the spike gene didn’t prevent the coronavirus from infecting cells.

Duprex and his colleagues posted their study online Nov. 19. It has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal. The researchers are now infecting animals with deletion-mutant viruses to better understand the risk they may pose to vaccines.

“Well, this paper does nothing to reduce the anxiety!” Read said in an email. “This is early data strongly suggesting the virus has the potential to escape human immunity.”

But Read and Kennedy argue that viral evolution will not necessarily doom vaccines. Vaccine-makers just need to stay aware of it and devise new vaccines if necessary.

And there are numerous varieties of vaccines in development. The first two approaching approval in the United States both use a significant chunk of viral RNA to train the immune system. Other vaccines that are in development use the whole virus. And different vaccines deliver the virus or part of it in different ways, all of which could prompt a different immune response.

In a 1988 essay on pandemics, Joshua Lederberg, Nobel laureate and president of The Rockefeller University, reminded the medical community that when it comes to infectious disease, the laws of Darwin are as important as the vaccines of Pasteur.

In a 1988 essay on pandemics, Joshua Lederberg, Nobel laureate and president of The Rockefeller University, reminded the medical community that when it comes to infectious disease, the laws of Darwin are as important as the vaccines of Pasteur. As medicine battles bacteria and viruses, those organisms continue to undergo mutations and evolve new characteristics. Lederberg advised vigilance: “We have no guarantee that the natural evolutionary competition of viruses with the human species will always find ourselves the winner.” Also read| After admitting mistake, AstraZeneca faces difficult questions about its vaccine With the emergence of what seem so far to be safe and effective vaccine candidates, it appears that humanity may be the winner again this time around, albeit with a dreadful loss of life. But vaccines will not put an end to the evolution of this coronavirus, as David A. Kennedy and Andrew F. Read of Penn State, specialists in viral resistance to vaccines, wrote in PLoS Biology recently. Instead, they could even drive new evolutionary change. There is always the chance, though small, the authors write, that the virus could evolve resistance to a vaccine, what researchers call “viral escape.” They urge monitoring of vaccine effects and viral response, just in case. “Nothing that we’re saying is suggesting that we slow down development of vaccines,” Kennedy said. An effective vaccine is of utmost importance, he said, “But let’s make sure that it stays efficacious.” Also read| 'Light at the end of the tunnel': Justin Trudeau promises COVID-19 vaccine by September Vaccine-makers could use the results of nasal swabs taken from volunteers during trials to look for any genetic changes in the virus. Test results need not stop or slow down vaccine rollout, but if recipients of the vaccine had changes in the virus that those who received the placebo did not, that would indicate “the potential for resistance to evolve,” something researchers ought to keep monitoring. There are some reasons to be optimistic that the coronavirus will not become resistant to vaccines. Several years ago, Kennedy and Read presented an analysis of the difference between resistance to drugs and vaccines. Neither bacteria nor viruses evolve resistance to vaccines as easily as they do to drugs, they wrote. Smallpox vaccine never lost its effectiveness, nor did the vaccines for measles or polio, despite years of use. Antibiotics, on the other hand, can quickly become useless as bacteria and other pathogens like viruses and fungi evolve defenses. And resistance builds to other drugs as well. The reasons have to do with the very basic principles of evolution and immunity. The two key differences are that vaccines generally act earlier than drugs, and that the natural immune response they promote is usually more varied, with more lines of attack. A drug may be narrowly targeted, sometimes attacking one metabolic pathway or biochemical process. Also read| Frankfurt Airport prepares to transport COVID-19 vaccine With most drugs, the virus or bacteria has already been reproducing in the patient’s body and if one variant is better at surviving the drug’s attack, it will continue to grow and perhaps be transmitted to another person. A combination of drugs, as with HIV treatment, can be more effective because it unleashes a multipronged attack Vaccines, on the other hand, act early, before the virus begins to proliferate and perhaps change within a patient’s body. So there are no new variants, like those forged in the heat of a drug attack to grow and spread from the infected person. Vaccines offer the body’s immune system a glimpse of the virus, and then the immune system builds a broad attack. For example, after a tetanus shot, a person’s immune system may produce 100 different antibodies. Some vaccines, however, do drive viruses to evolve resistance, Kennedy and Read noted in their 2015 article. A vaccine stopped Marek’s disease, an illness in chickens that is important commercially. But the virus could still infect the chickens. It replicated and spread without causing disease and quickly became resistant. Also read| 'I'm not going to...': Brazil's Bolsonaro says he will not take Covid-19 vaccine In humans, a type of bacteria that causes pneumonia bacteria evolved resistance to a vaccine when the bacteria recombined in nature with existing strains that were naturally resistant. A vaccine for hepatitis B created antibodies targeting only one small part of one protein — a loop made by nine amino acids, which is tiny in protein terms. It did not create a broad attack. A pertussis vaccine also appeared to drive resistance. It worked to fend off the disease, but targeted only a few proteins and was not effective at stopping infection and transmission of the virus. The coronavirus vaccines now in development use different ways to get the immune system to respond. Some coronavirus vaccines under development or in use in Russia and China use whole virus particles, inactivated or attenuated, to spark an immune system response. Also read| Sputnik V can boost efficacy of AstraZeneca vaccine: Russian research centre Many other vaccine candidates, like the ones from Pfizer and Moderna, now nearing review by the Food and Drug Administration for first use as early as December, are meant to get the immune system to react to only a portion of the coronavirus, the so-called spike protein, which would seem to offer fewer targets. But Kennedy said that was not necessarily a problem. “A vaccine based on just the spike protein has the potential to generate a broad immune response,” he said, “because there are multiple sites on the spike protein where potent neutralizing antibodies can bind.” Although these are the first vaccines that use RNA particles to instruct the cells to make a viral protein, other vaccines use parts of the virus, rather than the whole. So far, Kennedy said, there was no evidence to show one type of vaccine would be more likely to drive resistance. “We have seen vaccine resistance evolve against many different kinds of vaccines,” he said, “but there are also plenty of examples for each of these where resistance has never emerged.” Also read| Covid-19 pandemic can be stopped if 70 per cent of public wore masks consistently: Study Resistance can also evolve in ways that aren’t driven by how a vaccine acts. There may already be variants of the coronavirus that are less susceptible to the actions of vaccines. This concern prompted Denmark to announce that it would cull all of its mink because a variant of the virus had appeared in mink which showed in very preliminary lab tests that some antibodies were less effective against it. The worry has lessened since the Danes announced the problem, with scientists and the World Health Organization saying they saw no evidence yet that the variant would interfere with any vaccines in development. But Denmark, after the resignation of a minister, who announced the cull too soon, and a legislative debate that appears to be leading to approval of the cull, still plans to kill all the mink in the country. And scientists say that caution in this kind of situation makes sense. As a virus jumps from people to animals and back again, as it has with mink, there are more opportunities for changes in the virus RNA, changes that could lead to resistance. Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered a kind of mutation that hadn’t been seen in coronaviruses before and raises fresh concerns about the evolution of vaccine resistance. In their search for mutations, researchers have mostly focused on flips of one genetic letter to another — a kind of mutation known as a substitution. But Paul Duprex and his colleagues discovered that the viruses mutating in a chronically infected patient were changing differently: They were losing sets of genetic letters. Typically, a mutation that deletes a genetic letter is catastrophic to a virus. Our cells read genetic letters three at a time to choose a new building block to add to a growing protein. A deletion of one genetic letter can entirely scramble the instructions for a viral protein, so that it cannot form a functional shape. But Duprex and his colleagues found that the coronaviruses in the patient could lose genetic letters and yet stay viable. The secret: The viruses lost genetic letters in sets of three. Instead of destroying the genetic recipe for a viral protein, the mutations snipped out one or more amino acids. As much as Duprex despises the pandemic, he finds it hard not to admire the elegance of these mutations. “It’s so cool, it’s brilliant,” he said. Having found these deletion mutations in viruses from one person, Duprex and his colleagues wondered how common they were. Searching public databases of coronavirus genomes, they discovered that deletions were surprisingly widespread. “It’s happening independently in different parts of the world,” Duprex said. All the deletions, it turns out, only arise in one region, the spike protein. Duprex and his colleagues found that deletions in the spike gene didn’t prevent the coronavirus from infecting cells. Duprex and his colleagues posted their study online Nov. 19. It has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal. The researchers are now infecting animals with deletion-mutant viruses to better understand the risk they may pose to vaccines. “Well, this paper does nothing to reduce the anxiety!” Read said in an email. “This is early data strongly suggesting the virus has the potential to escape human immunity.” But Read and Kennedy argue that viral evolution will not necessarily doom vaccines. Vaccine-makers just need to stay aware of it and devise new vaccines if necessary. And there are numerous varieties of vaccines in development. The first two approaching approval in the United States both use a significant chunk of viral RNA to train the immune system. Other vaccines that are in development use the whole virus. And different vaccines deliver the virus or part of it in different ways, all of which could prompt a different immune response.

The virus won’t stop evolving when the vaccine arrives

With 41,322 new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, the tally of active cases in India rose to 4,54,940 on Saturday, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said. There are now a total of 93,51,110 total positive cases in the country, including 87,59,969 recoveries. There were 485 deaths in the last 24 hours pushing the death toll to 1,36,200.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research, with 11,57,605 samples tested in the last 24 hours, the total number of samples tested reached 13,82,20,354.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/police-protesting-farmers-face-off-at-new-delhi-border-346034" hreflang="en">Police, protesting farmers face-off at New Delhi border</a>

Maharashtra continued to be the worst affected state in the country with 6,185 new COVID-19 cases, 4,089 recoveries, and 85 deaths on Friday. The total number of cases in the state now stands at 18,08,550, including 87,969 active cases and 46,898 deaths.

The situation improved slightly in Delhi, which reported 5,482 new Covid-19 cases and 5,937 recoveries on Friday, taking the total number of positive cases to 5,56,744, including 38,181 active cases and 5,09,654 recoveries and 8,909 deaths.

Kerala reported about 3,966 new Covid-19 cases and 4,544 recoveries, tasking the total active cases to 63,885.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-holds-key-to-global-fight-against-coronavirus-pandemic-345961" hreflang="en">India holds key to global fight against coronavirus pandemic</a>

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a three-city trip to Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Pune today to personally review the vaccine development and manufacturing process.

He will visit the Zydus Biotech Park in Ahmedabad, Bharat Biotech in Hyderabad and the Serum Institute of India in Pune (Maharashtra), the Prime Minister`s Office said.

"As India enters a decisive phase of the fight against COVID-19, PM Narendra Modi`s visit to these facilities and discussions with the scientists will help him get a first-hand perspective of the preparations, challenges and roadmap in India`s endeavour to vaccinate its citizens," the PMO said.

With 41,322 new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, the tally of active cases in India rose to 4,54,940 on Saturday, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said.

With 41,322 new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, the tally of active cases in India rose to 4,54,940 on Saturday, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said. There are now a total of 93,51,110 total positive cases in the country, including 87,59,969 recoveries. There were 485 deaths in the last 24 hours pushing the death toll to 1,36,200. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research, with 11,57,605 samples tested in the last 24 hours, the total number of samples tested reached 13,82,20,354. Also read| Police, protesting farmers face-off at New Delhi border Maharashtra continued to be the worst affected state in the country with 6,185 new COVID-19 cases, 4,089 recoveries, and 85 deaths on Friday. The total number of cases in the state now stands at 18,08,550, including 87,969 active cases and 46,898 deaths. The situation improved slightly in Delhi, which reported 5,482 new Covid-19 cases and 5,937 recoveries on Friday, taking the total number of positive cases to 5,56,744, including 38,181 active cases and 5,09,654 recoveries and 8,909 deaths. Kerala reported about 3,966 new Covid-19 cases and 4,544 recoveries, tasking the total active cases to 63,885. Also read| India holds key to global fight against coronavirus pandemic Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a three-city trip to Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Pune today to personally review the vaccine development and manufacturing process. He will visit the Zydus Biotech Park in Ahmedabad, Bharat Biotech in Hyderabad and the Serum Institute of India in Pune (Maharashtra), the Prime Minister`s Office said. "As India enters a decisive phase of the fight against COVID-19, PM Narendra Modi`s visit to these facilities and discussions with the scientists will help him get a first-hand perspective of the preparations, challenges and roadmap in India`s endeavour to vaccinate its citizens," the PMO said.

COVID-19: 41,322 new cases reported in India, tally crosses 93.51 lakh

Pakistan Federal Information Minister Shibli Faraz has threatened Opposition leaders that first information reports (FIRs) will be registered against them if they participate in the Pakistan Democratic Movement ( PDM) rally.

Eleven political parties have joined hands to form a new multi-party alliance under the banner of Pakistan Democratic Movement against the government of Imran Khan.

The Minister criticised the opposition for boycotting a meeting of the parliamentary committee on the country's worsening COVID-19 situation and threatened to take legal action against them.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/from-beggar-to-lawyer-nisha-aspires-to-become-pakistans-first-transgender-judge-345689">From beggar to lawyer, this transgender now aims to become Pakistan's first such judge</a>

According to Dawn, the opposition stayed away from the meeting of the parliamentary panel — a decision that was "in line" with their decision that they would not attend any meeting that would be chaired by the National assembly speaker for his "biased attitude".

"Opposition members participated in the first four meetings of the committee but boycotted the fifth one. Members of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and allied parties attended the meeting, in which the data of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) was discussed to devise a strategy to combat the disease," the minister said, as quoted by Dawn on Wednesday.

He added, "After the [PDM's] public meeting in Peshawar failed, the opposition should avoid holding more public gatherings. We warn that first information reports (FIRs) will be registered against the organisers of public gatherings and political leaders over their participation."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/coronavirus-continues-to-ravage-pakistan-south-asia-345651">Coronavirus continues to ravage Pakistan &amp; South Asia</a>

These remarks from the federal minister comes after Pakistan reported over 3,000 COVID-19 cases on Wednesday.

Speaker Asad Qaiser while chairing the fifth meeting of the parliamentary committee on the pandemic at Parliament House said that irrespective of political differences and considering the current state of the pandemic, the opposition must have attended the meeting.

Dawn reported that Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan told the committee that Pakistan`s COVID-19 situation was alarming and would cause a devastating effect if the Standard Operating Procedures and the decision of the NCOC were not implemented.

The opposition in Pakistan had indicated prior to the meeting that they will be boycotting the meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Coronavirus Disease (which took place on Wednesday) because of the biased conduct by the National Assembly speaker Qaiser.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/organisation-of-islamic-cooperation-snubs-pakistan-on-kashmir-again-345655">Organisation of Islamic Cooperation snubs Pakistan on Kashmir again</a>

Senior vice president of the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) Shahid Khaqan said that the speaker lost the trust of the Opposition parties and therefore, "he had no right to convene any such meeting."

The leader lambasted the federal government saying that they had no policy to deal with the worsening COVID-19 situation in the country. "If the government has any policy, then bring it to the National Assembly," he said.

Pakistan on Wednesday recorded the highest single-day spike of 3,009 COVID-19 cases in over four months, bringing the total number to 382,892.

Geo News citing National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) reported 59 COVID-19 deaths across the country in the past 24 hours. The country`s overall death toll has now hit 7,803.&nbsp;

Pakistan Federal Information Minister Shibli Faraz has threatened Opposition leaders that first information reports (FIRs) will be registered against them if they participate in the Pakistan Democratic Movement ( PDM) rally.

Pakistan Federal Information Minister Shibli Faraz has threatened Opposition leaders that first information reports (FIRs) will be registered against them if they participate in the Pakistan Democratic Movement ( PDM) rally. Eleven political parties have joined hands to form a new multi-party alliance under the banner of Pakistan Democratic Movement against the government of Imran Khan. The Minister criticised the opposition for boycotting a meeting of the parliamentary committee on the country's worsening COVID-19 situation and threatened to take legal action against them. Also read| From beggar to lawyer, this transgender now aims to become Pakistan's first such judge According to Dawn, the opposition stayed away from the meeting of the parliamentary panel — a decision that was "in line" with their decision that they would not attend any meeting that would be chaired by the National assembly speaker for his "biased attitude". "Opposition members participated in the first four meetings of the committee but boycotted the fifth one. Members of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and allied parties attended the meeting, in which the data of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) was discussed to devise a strategy to combat the disease," the minister said, as quoted by Dawn on Wednesday. He added, "After the [PDM's] public meeting in Peshawar failed, the opposition should avoid holding more public gatherings. We warn that first information reports (FIRs) will be registered against the organisers of public gatherings and political leaders over their participation." Also read | Coronavirus continues to ravage Pakistan & South Asia These remarks from the federal minister comes after Pakistan reported over 3,000 COVID-19 cases on Wednesday. Speaker Asad Qaiser while chairing the fifth meeting of the parliamentary committee on the pandemic at Parliament House said that irrespective of political differences and considering the current state of the pandemic, the opposition must have attended the meeting. Dawn reported that Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan told the committee that Pakistan`s COVID-19 situation was alarming and would cause a devastating effect if the Standard Operating Procedures and the decision of the NCOC were not implemented. The opposition in Pakistan had indicated prior to the meeting that they will be boycotting the meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Coronavirus Disease (which took place on Wednesday) because of the biased conduct by the National Assembly speaker Qaiser. Also read | Organisation of Islamic Cooperation snubs Pakistan on Kashmir again Senior vice president of the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) Shahid Khaqan said that the speaker lost the trust of the Opposition parties and therefore, "he had no right to convene any such meeting." The leader lambasted the federal government saying that they had no policy to deal with the worsening COVID-19 situation in the country. "If the government has any policy, then bring it to the National Assembly," he said. Pakistan on Wednesday recorded the highest single-day spike of 3,009 COVID-19 cases in over four months, bringing the total number to 382,892. Geo News citing National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) reported 59 COVID-19 deaths across the country in the past 24 hours. The country`s overall death toll has now hit 7,803.

Pakistan Minister threatens opposition leaders with FIRs over political gatherings

As the world inches closer to a vaccine that works, India is shaping its own strategy for a rollout to decide how will the vaccine be distributed. Because the world has its eyes on how India handles this. This is for two reasons,

<ul>
	<li>India has a large population. Putting an end to the pandemic here will be a big victory in the fight against the Wuhan virus. And vaccines are being seen as the ultimate weapon to defeat this pandemic.</li>
	<li>India is one of the biggest exporters of vaccines. And the early batches will have limited supplies. India has the responsibility of making sure that a shot reaches every Indian...</li>
</ul>

So, the world has an eye on what India's strategy could look like.

We have an early idea of India's playbook.

India could vaccinate at least 250 to 300 million citizens by july 2021. This could include about 30 million healthcare and frontline workers.

For this, India could end up procuring 500 to 600 million vaccine doses. This is a massive undertaking. One that would require coordination at the level of the central government, the states and the districts.

The most important question is, who will get these vaccines?

This could be a list of priorities.

<ul>
	<li>Healthcare workers would come first.</li>
	<li>Then citizens above 65 years of age.</li>
	<li>Then people within the age bracket of 50 to 65.</li>
	<li>Followed by those who are below 50 years of age and suffering from ailments</li>
</ul>

Reportedly, members of the police, paramilitary and those working in sanitisation could also get a shot on priority.

If you are below 50 years and are healthy you'll be last in line to get a shot. The vaccines will be given out only after regulatory approvals.

First, the manufacturers will have to move for permissions. They are likely to be allowed to supply the vaccines under emergency use authorisation. The vaccines will go to the health care workers first.

At least initially these vaccines may not be available commercially. You may not be able to go to a pharmacy and buy this shot. This means if you are healthy you will have to wait a little while longer.

India may not opt for the Pfizer vaccine.

Reportedly, Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan has said it doesn't make sense for India to consider it yet. The vaccine hasn't been even given a license yet even by US Government.

Pfizer is an American company. It has moved for emergency authorization in the US. Its vaccine is one of the frontrunners in the rollout. The company plans to distribute the vaccine by Mid-December worldwide.

But there is a problem. This vaccine needs to be stored at minus 70-degree temperatures. Basically, in an ultra low-temperature freezer. Despite the hurdles Pfizer remains confident.

"If times go as as they should, we believe that by mid-december, at the end of december, the vaccine may be authorised for use and that way it can begin to be used in the united states, but we are also doing the same submission in other agency regulators around the world, in Australia, in Japan, in the united kingdom, in the European economic community, with which we are convinced that before the end of the year the vaccine will be used not only in the united states but in various parts of the world," said Alejandro Cane, Pfizer's head of vaccines, medical and scientific affairs for Latin America and Canada.

So, it seems like Pfizer will send its first vaccine consignments to the developed world.

Which vaccine will India end up getting then?

&nbsp;Reportedly, India has placed advanced orders for two vaccines. The Astrazeneca-Oxford shot and Sputnik V.

The Oxford vaccine will be supplied via the Serum Institute of India. The company says it has already produced 40 million doses and by January they could have up to 100 million doses.

The Serum Institute says it plans to sell each shot to the Indian Government for three dollars or 250 Indian Rupees.

This oxford vaccine can be up to 90 percent effective.

What about Sputnik V shot?

On Tuesday, its makers said this vaccine is 95 percent effective and they will sell it at 10 dollars per shot.&nbsp;

This is a two-shot vaccine. So that means 20 dollars for two shots.

In India, makers of the Sputnik V have tied up with Dr Reddy's. A trial is underway in India.&nbsp;

Earlier this month Russian President Vladimir Putin said that India and China may produce the Sputnik V for the world.

There is another option....Covaxin, made by Bharat Biotech.

Reportedly, Covaxin could be at least 60 percent effective. And it could be rolled out by mid-2021. The vaccine is in its last phase of trials.

So there are multiple options for India to choose from. All that we have to do now is wait for these shots to clear the safety tests.

As the world inches closer to a vaccine that works, India is shaping its own strategy for a rollout to decide how will the vaccine be distributed. Because the world has its eyes on how India handles this.

As the world inches closer to a vaccine that works, India is shaping its own strategy for a rollout to decide how will the vaccine be distributed. Because the world has its eyes on how India handles this. This is for two reasons, India has a large population. Putting an end to the pandemic here will be a big victory in the fight against the Wuhan virus. And vaccines are being seen as the ultimate weapon to defeat this pandemic. India is one of the biggest exporters of vaccines. And the early batches will have limited supplies. India has the responsibility of making sure that a shot reaches every Indian... So, the world has an eye on what India's strategy could look like. We have an early idea of India's playbook. India could vaccinate at least 250 to 300 million citizens by july 2021. This could include about 30 million healthcare and frontline workers. For this, India could end up procuring 500 to 600 million vaccine doses. This is a massive undertaking. One that would require coordination at the level of the central government, the states and the districts. The most important question is, who will get these vaccines? This could be a list of priorities. Healthcare workers would come first. Then citizens above 65 years of age. Then people within the age bracket of 50 to 65. Followed by those who are below 50 years of age and suffering from ailments Reportedly, members of the police, paramilitary and those working in sanitisation could also get a shot on priority. If you are below 50 years and are healthy you'll be last in line to get a shot. The vaccines will be given out only after regulatory approvals. First, the manufacturers will have to move for permissions. They are likely to be allowed to supply the vaccines under emergency use authorisation. The vaccines will go to the health care workers first. At least initially these vaccines may not be available commercially. You may not be able to go to a pharmacy and buy this shot. This means if you are healthy you will have to wait a little while longer. India may not opt for the Pfizer vaccine. Reportedly, Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan has said it doesn't make sense for India to consider it yet. The vaccine hasn't been even given a license yet even by US Government. Pfizer is an American company. It has moved for emergency authorization in the US. Its vaccine is one of the frontrunners in the rollout. The company plans to distribute the vaccine by Mid-December worldwide. But there is a problem. This vaccine needs to be stored at minus 70-degree temperatures. Basically, in an ultra low-temperature freezer. Despite the hurdles Pfizer remains confident. "If times go as as they should, we believe that by mid-december, at the end of december, the vaccine may be authorised for use and that way it can begin to be used in the united states, but we are also doing the same submission in other agency regulators around the world, in Australia, in Japan, in the united kingdom, in the European economic community, with which we are convinced that before the end of the year the vaccine will be used not only in the united states but in various parts of the world," said Alejandro Cane, Pfizer's head of vaccines, medical and scientific affairs for Latin America and Canada. So, it seems like Pfizer will send its first vaccine consignments to the developed world. Which vaccine will India end up getting then? Reportedly, India has placed advanced orders for two vaccines. The Astrazeneca-Oxford shot and Sputnik V. The Oxford vaccine will be supplied via the Serum Institute of India. The company says it has already produced 40 million doses and by January they could have up to 100 million doses. The Serum Institute says it plans to sell each shot to the Indian Government for three dollars or 250 Indian Rupees. This oxford vaccine can be up to 90 percent effective. What about Sputnik V shot? On Tuesday, its makers said this vaccine is 95 percent effective and they will sell it at 10 dollars per shot. This is a two-shot vaccine. So that means 20 dollars for two shots. In India, makers of the Sputnik V have tied up with Dr Reddy's. A trial is underway in India. Earlier this month Russian President Vladimir Putin said that India and China may produce the Sputnik V for the world. There is another option....Covaxin, made by Bharat Biotech. Reportedly, Covaxin could be at least 60 percent effective. And it could be rolled out by mid-2021. The vaccine is in its last phase of trials. So there are multiple options for India to choose from. All that we have to do now is wait for these shots to clear the safety tests.

India shapes strategy for coronavirus vaccine rollout

If you are planning to fly back home from Australia's Qantas Airways in the year 2021, then we would suggest scheduling your flight after a vaccine shot as the airways has decided to not let people board the flight if they are not vaccinated against COVID-19.

Australia's Qantas Airways has become the first major airlines to declare plans of making vaccine shot compulsory for any passengers hoping to use their facilities.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/qatar-authorities-identify-mother-who-dumped-her-baby-in-airport-scandal-344951">Qatar authorities identify mother who dumped her baby in airport scandal</a>

"We are looking at changing our terms and conditions to say for international travellers that we will ask people to have a vaccination before they can get on the aircraft," Qantas CEO Alon Joyce told the local media.

He also added that, for now, the decision is being considered strictly for international flyers.&nbsp;"Whether you need that domestically, we will have to see what happens with Covid-19 in the market but certainly, for international visitors coming out (to Australia) and people leaving the country, we think that is a necessity."

The airlines also believe that the rule will become a common practice soon once the COVID-19 vaccines are rolled out by the medical experts. They believe this is important for the safety of the passengers and the staff.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nasal-spray-that-aims-to-fight-covid-19-other-respiratory-illness-gets-million-dollar-funding-344698">Nasal spray that aims to fight Covid-19, other respiratory illness gets million-dollar funding</a>

Meanwhile, other regional airlines such as&nbsp;Korean Air have hinted towards a possibility, but have confirmed that there is no confirmation on the plan yet as the vaccines are still in the development phase in various countries. "We don't have any concrete plans to announce at this point on the vaccine as it is still in development and will take time to distribute," a Korean Air representative told AFP.

Japan Airlines, on the other hand, has denied any such plans but is urging passengers to follow all safety and health regulations including social distancing, temperature checks and compulsory masks.

The&nbsp;International Air Transport Association (IATA), meanwhile, is planning to launch a digital health pass that can record the COVID-19 vaccinations and tests in the future. The association is in the final stages of developing the pass and is hoping to launch it soon. "We are bringing this to market in the coming months to also meet the needs of the various travel bubbles and public health corridors that are starting operation," said&nbsp;IATA director general and CEO Alexandre de Juniac.

If you are planning to fly back home from Australia's Qantas Airways in the year 2021, then we would suggest scheduling your flight after a vaccine shot as the airways has decided to not let people board the flight if they are not vaccinated against COVID-19.

If you are planning to fly back home from Australia's Qantas Airways in the year 2021, then we would suggest scheduling your flight after a vaccine shot as the airways has decided to not let people board the flight if they are not vaccinated against COVID-19. Australia's Qantas Airways has become the first major airlines to declare plans of making vaccine shot compulsory for any passengers hoping to use their facilities. Also read| Qatar authorities identify mother who dumped her baby in airport scandal "We are looking at changing our terms and conditions to say for international travellers that we will ask people to have a vaccination before they can get on the aircraft," Qantas CEO Alon Joyce told the local media. He also added that, for now, the decision is being considered strictly for international flyers. "Whether you need that domestically, we will have to see what happens with Covid-19 in the market but certainly, for international visitors coming out (to Australia) and people leaving the country, we think that is a necessity." The airlines also believe that the rule will become a common practice soon once the COVID-19 vaccines are rolled out by the medical experts. They believe this is important for the safety of the passengers and the staff. Also read| Nasal spray that aims to fight Covid-19, other respiratory illness gets million-dollar funding Meanwhile, other regional airlines such as Korean Air have hinted towards a possibility, but have confirmed that there is no confirmation on the plan yet as the vaccines are still in the development phase in various countries. "We don't have any concrete plans to announce at this point on the vaccine as it is still in development and will take time to distribute," a Korean Air representative told AFP. Japan Airlines, on the other hand, has denied any such plans but is urging passengers to follow all safety and health regulations including social distancing, temperature checks and compulsory masks. The International Air Transport Association (IATA), meanwhile, is planning to launch a digital health pass that can record the COVID-19 vaccinations and tests in the future. The association is in the final stages of developing the pass and is hoping to launch it soon. "We are bringing this to market in the coming months to also meet the needs of the various travel bubbles and public health corridors that are starting operation," said IATA director general and CEO Alexandre de Juniac.

No fly list: Qantas Airways makes COVID vaccine necessary for international flights

The World Health Organization (WHO) has had assurances from China that an international field trip to investigate the origins of the new coronavirus will be arranged as soon as possible, its top emergency expert said on Monday.

Chinese researchers are carrying out epidemiological studies into early cases and conditions at a seafood market in the central Chinese city of Wuhan. An international team of experts has been formed to carry out phase 2 studies.

But the United States, and to a lesser extent some European delegations, have raised questions about the delay and sought a timeline of the international experts’ visit, diplomats said.

The virus was first identified in Wuhan in December, prompting U.S. President Donald Trump to label it the “China plague” and accuse the WHO of being soft on Beijing.

“We fully expect that we will have a team on the ground. We need to be able to have the international team join our Chinese colleagues and go to the ground and look at the results and outcomes of those phase 1 studies and verify these data on the ground,” emergency expert Mike Ryan told a news briefing.

This would help to ensure “that the international community can be reassured of the quality of the science”, he said.

Wuhan market is “likely to have been a point of amplification” of virus transmission, but whether that was by human, animal or environmental spread is not yet known, he said, adding that there had been human cases that preceded that event.

“We will pursue those investigations over the next couple of months in phase 1 and hopefully move on to phase 2,” Ryan said.

WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and other senior officials briefed WHO’s 194 member states last week on progress in the probe, mandated by health ministers last May.

A senior Western diplomat who participated said that several states had raised concerns on how the international members had contributed to drafting their final terms and asked what steps the WHO had taken to ensure that the information collected in phase 1 would be “complete and transparent”.

The United States had voiced concern at what the senior Western diplomat called a lack of transparency in the naming of the international members, saying it “potentially undermines any report issued by this panel and its findings”.

Ryan, without being specific, said: “One member state did express some concerns regarding the phase 1 studies in ensuring that they were completed as quickly as possible. We reassured that member state that that would happen.”

Another Western diplomat said that the United States had been “the most vocal”, but that the European Union and Britain had also asked about the timeline.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has had assurances from China that an international field trip to investigate the origins of the new coronavirus will be arranged as soon as possible, its top emergency expert said on Monday.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has had assurances from China that an international field trip to investigate the origins of the new coronavirus will be arranged as soon as possible, its top emergency expert said on Monday. Chinese researchers are carrying out epidemiological studies into early cases and conditions at a seafood market in the central Chinese city of Wuhan. An international team of experts has been formed to carry out phase 2 studies. But the United States, and to a lesser extent some European delegations, have raised questions about the delay and sought a timeline of the international experts’ visit, diplomats said. The virus was first identified in Wuhan in December, prompting U.S. President Donald Trump to label it the “China plague” and accuse the WHO of being soft on Beijing. “We fully expect that we will have a team on the ground. We need to be able to have the international team join our Chinese colleagues and go to the ground and look at the results and outcomes of those phase 1 studies and verify these data on the ground,” emergency expert Mike Ryan told a news briefing. This would help to ensure “that the international community can be reassured of the quality of the science”, he said. Wuhan market is “likely to have been a point of amplification” of virus transmission, but whether that was by human, animal or environmental spread is not yet known, he said, adding that there had been human cases that preceded that event. “We will pursue those investigations over the next couple of months in phase 1 and hopefully move on to phase 2,” Ryan said. WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and other senior officials briefed WHO’s 194 member states last week on progress in the probe, mandated by health ministers last May. A senior Western diplomat who participated said that several states had raised concerns on how the international members had contributed to drafting their final terms and asked what steps the WHO had taken to ensure that the information collected in phase 1 would be “complete and transparent”. The United States had voiced concern at what the senior Western diplomat called a lack of transparency in the naming of the international members, saying it “potentially undermines any report issued by this panel and its findings”. Ryan, without being specific, said: “One member state did express some concerns regarding the phase 1 studies in ensuring that they were completed as quickly as possible. We reassured that member state that that would happen.” Another Western diplomat said that the United States had been “the most vocal”, but that the European Union and Britain had also asked about the timeline.

China gives pledge on access for COVID origins probe: WHO

As Europe is battling the second wave of the novel coronavirus and has initiated a second lockdown, Spain is one country where the government is satisfied with the 'plan'.

Spain's&nbsp;Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, on Saturday, appreciated the progress the country has made in the last few weeks and said the plan of containing the virus through lockdown "is working".

He made this announcement while unveiling details of plans to vaccinate a majority part of the population as quickly as possible after the vaccine is ready and available.&nbsp;

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"The capacity which our national health service has to vaccinate in a short amount of time is frankly outstanding and gives us confidence that we can achieve this ambitious goal," Sanchez said. "We still have very difficult months ahead but the road map has been drawn up."

In the recently conducted G20 virtual conference, he told his fellow leaders that the country has been successful in bringing down COVID-19 cases to nearly 400 from 530 daily cases within 15 days.

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He also added that this has been possible simply because of the lockdown and added that this is a proof that the declaration of a state of emergency last month,&nbsp;which allowed regional governments to impose virus restrictions such as nighttime curfews and limitations on inter-regional travel, is having an effect.

The country is now planning to vaccinate the majority of the population — a cumulative figure of approximately 47 million — by mid-2021. The process will start in&nbsp;January 2021 and the government will establish nearly 13,000 vaccination points across the country.

He also recalled that 14 million people had received the flu shot within eight weeks in 2020, which is four million more than the number of people who received the flu shot in 2019.

More details of the plan, which has been in development since September, would be unveiled after it is approved on Tuesday during a weekly cabinet meeting, Sanchez said.

As Europe is battling the second wave of the novel coronavirus and has initiated a second lockdown, Spain is one country where the government is satisfied with the 'plan'.

As Europe is battling the second wave of the novel coronavirus and has initiated a second lockdown, Spain is one country where the government is satisfied with the 'plan'. Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, on Saturday, appreciated the progress the country has made in the last few weeks and said the plan of containing the virus through lockdown "is working". He made this announcement while unveiling details of plans to vaccinate a majority part of the population as quickly as possible after the vaccine is ready and available. Also read| US hits 12 million COVID-19 cases as many Americans defy Thanksgiving travel guidance "The capacity which our national health service has to vaccinate in a short amount of time is frankly outstanding and gives us confidence that we can achieve this ambitious goal," Sanchez said. "We still have very difficult months ahead but the road map has been drawn up." In the recently conducted G20 virtual conference, he told his fellow leaders that the country has been successful in bringing down COVID-19 cases to nearly 400 from 530 daily cases within 15 days. Also read| No 'normal' Christmas this year, says Britain's Finance Minister Rishi Sunak He also added that this has been possible simply because of the lockdown and added that this is a proof that the declaration of a state of emergency last month, which allowed regional governments to impose virus restrictions such as nighttime curfews and limitations on inter-regional travel, is having an effect. The country is now planning to vaccinate the majority of the population — a cumulative figure of approximately 47 million — by mid-2021. The process will start in January 2021 and the government will establish nearly 13,000 vaccination points across the country. He also recalled that 14 million people had received the flu shot within eight weeks in 2020, which is four million more than the number of people who received the flu shot in 2019. More details of the plan, which has been in development since September, would be unveiled after it is approved on Tuesday during a weekly cabinet meeting, Sanchez said.

'Lockdown is working', says Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on COVID-19 plan

As record numbers of coronavirus cases overwhelm hospitals across the United States, there is something strikingly different from the surge that inundated cities in the spring: No one is clamoring for ventilators.

The sophisticated breathing machines, used to sustain the most critically ill patients, are far more plentiful than they were eight months ago, when New York, New Jersey and other hard-hit states were desperate to obtain more of the devices, and hospitals were reviewing triage protocols for rationing care. Now many hot spots face a different problem: They have enough ventilators, but not nearly enough respiratory therapists, pulmonologists and critical care doctors who have the training to operate the machines and provide round-the-clock care for patients who cannot breathe on their own.

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Since the spring, U.S. medical device-makers have radically ramped up the country’s ventilator capacity by producing more than 200,000 critical care ventilators, with 155,000 of them going to the Strategic National Stockpile. At the same time, doctors have figured out other ways to deliver oxygen to some patients struggling to breathe — including using inexpensive sleep apnea machines or simple nasal cannulas that force air into the lungs through plastic tubes.

But with new cases approaching 200,000 per day and a flood of patients straining hospitals across the country, public health experts warn that the ample supply of available ventilators may not be enough to save many critically ill patients.

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“We’re now at a dangerous precipice,” said Dr. Lewis Kaplan, president of the Society of Critical Care Medicine. Ventilators, he said, are exceptionally complex machines that require expertise and constant monitoring for the weeks or even months patients are tethered to them. The explosion of cases in rural parts of Idaho, Ohio, South Dakota and other states has prompted local hospitals that lack such experts on staff to send patients to cities and regional medical centers, but those intensive care beds are quickly filling up.

Public health experts have long warned about a shortage of critical care doctors, known as intensivists, a specialty that generally requires an additional two years of medical training. There are 37,400 intensivists in the United States, according to the American Hospital Association, but nearly half of the country’s acute care hospitals do not have any on staff, and many of those hospitals are in rural areas increasingly overwhelmed by the coronavirus.

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“We can’t manufacture doctors and nurses in the same way we can manufacture ventilators,” said Dr. Eric Toner, an emergency room doctor and senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. “And you can’t teach someone overnight the right settings and buttons to push on a ventilator for patients who have a disease they have never seen before. The most realistic thing we can do in the short run is to reduce the impact on hospitals, and that means wearing masks and avoiding crowded spaces so we can flatten the curve of new infections.”

Medical association message boards in states like Iowa, Oklahoma and North Dakota are awash in desperate calls for intensivists and respiratory therapists willing to temporarily relocate and help out. When New York City and hospitals in the Northeast issued a similar call for help this past spring, specialists from the South and Midwest rushed there, but because cases now are surging nationwide, hospital officials say that most of their pleas for help are going unanswered.

Dr. Thomas Dobbs, the top health official in Mississippi, said more than half the state’s 1,048 ventilators were still available but that he was more concerned with having enough staff members to take care of the sickest patients.

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“If we want to make sure that someone who’s hospitalized in the ICU with the coronavirus has the best chance to get well, they need to have highly trained personnel, and that cannot be flexed up rapidly,” he said in a news briefing Tuesday.

Dr. Matthew Trump, a critical care specialist at UnityPoint Health in Des Moines, Iowa, said the health chain’s 21 hospitals had an adequate supply of ventilators for now, but that out-of-state staff reinforcements might be unlikely to materialize as colleagues fall ill and the hospital’s ICU beds reach capacity.

“People here are exhausted and burned out from the past few months,” he said. “I’m really concerned.”

The domestic boom in ventilator production has been a rare bright spot in the country’s pandemic response, which has been marred by shortages of personal protective equipment, haphazard testing efforts and President Donald Trump’s mixed messaging on the importance of masks, social distancing and other measures that can dent the spread of new infections.

Despite an overall increase in the number of ventilators, some researchers say many of the new machines may be inadequate for the current crisis. Dr. Richard Branson, an expert on mechanical ventilation at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and an author of a recent study in the journal Chest, said that half of the new devices acquired by the Strategic National Stockpile were not sophisticated enough for COVID-19 patients in severe respiratory distress. He also expressed concern about the long-term viability of machines that require frequent maintenance.

“These devices were not built to be stockpiled,” he said.

The Department of Health and Human Services, which has acknowledged the limitations of its newly acquired ventilators, said the stockpile — nine times as large as it was in March — was well suited for most respiratory pandemics. “These stockpiled devices can be used as a short-term, stopgap buffer when the immediate commercial supply is not sufficient or available,” the agency said in a statement.

Dr. Nikhil Jagan, a critical care pulmonologist at CHI Health, a hospital chain that serves Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska said many of the coronavirus patients who were arriving at his emergency room now were less sick than the patients he treated in the spring.

“There’s a lot more awareness about the symptoms of COVID-19,” he said. “The first go-around, when people came in, they were very sick right off the bat and in respiratory distress or at the point of respiratory failure, and had to be intubated.”

But the promising new treatments and enhanced knowledge can only go so far should the current surge in cases continue unabated. The country passed 250,000 deaths from the coronavirus Nov. 18, a reminder that many critically ill patients do not survive. The daily death toll has been rising steadily and is approaching 2,000.

“Ventilators are important in critical care, but they don’t save people’s lives,” said Branson of the University of Cincinnati. “They just keep people alive while the people caring for them can figure out what’s wrong and fix the problem, and at the moment, we just don’t have enough of those people.”

For now, he said there was only one way out the crisis: “It’s not that hard,” he said. “Wear a mask.”

As record numbers of coronavirus cases overwhelm hospitals across the United States, there is something strikingly different from the surge that inundated cities in the spring: No one is clamoring for ventilators.

As record numbers of coronavirus cases overwhelm hospitals across the United States, there is something strikingly different from the surge that inundated cities in the spring: No one is clamoring for ventilators. The sophisticated breathing machines, used to sustain the most critically ill patients, are far more plentiful than they were eight months ago, when New York, New Jersey and other hard-hit states were desperate to obtain more of the devices, and hospitals were reviewing triage protocols for rationing care. Now many hot spots face a different problem: They have enough ventilators, but not nearly enough respiratory therapists, pulmonologists and critical care doctors who have the training to operate the machines and provide round-the-clock care for patients who cannot breathe on their own. Also read| Intellectual property war: Hackers try to steal Covid vaccine secrets Since the spring, U.S. medical device-makers have radically ramped up the country’s ventilator capacity by producing more than 200,000 critical care ventilators, with 155,000 of them going to the Strategic National Stockpile. At the same time, doctors have figured out other ways to deliver oxygen to some patients struggling to breathe — including using inexpensive sleep apnea machines or simple nasal cannulas that force air into the lungs through plastic tubes. But with new cases approaching 200,000 per day and a flood of patients straining hospitals across the country, public health experts warn that the ample supply of available ventilators may not be enough to save many critically ill patients. Also read| US sees record number of coronavirus hospitalisations for 12th day in a row “We’re now at a dangerous precipice,” said Dr. Lewis Kaplan, president of the Society of Critical Care Medicine. Ventilators, he said, are exceptionally complex machines that require expertise and constant monitoring for the weeks or even months patients are tethered to them. The explosion of cases in rural parts of Idaho, Ohio, South Dakota and other states has prompted local hospitals that lack such experts on staff to send patients to cities and regional medical centers, but those intensive care beds are quickly filling up. Public health experts have long warned about a shortage of critical care doctors, known as intensivists, a specialty that generally requires an additional two years of medical training. There are 37,400 intensivists in the United States, according to the American Hospital Association, but nearly half of the country’s acute care hospitals do not have any on staff, and many of those hospitals are in rural areas increasingly overwhelmed by the coronavirus. Also read| Covid vaccine could reach first Americans by December 11: Top health official “We can’t manufacture doctors and nurses in the same way we can manufacture ventilators,” said Dr. Eric Toner, an emergency room doctor and senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. “And you can’t teach someone overnight the right settings and buttons to push on a ventilator for patients who have a disease they have never seen before. The most realistic thing we can do in the short run is to reduce the impact on hospitals, and that means wearing masks and avoiding crowded spaces so we can flatten the curve of new infections.” Medical association message boards in states like Iowa, Oklahoma and North Dakota are awash in desperate calls for intensivists and respiratory therapists willing to temporarily relocate and help out. When New York City and hospitals in the Northeast issued a similar call for help this past spring, specialists from the South and Midwest rushed there, but because cases now are surging nationwide, hospital officials say that most of their pleas for help are going unanswered. Dr. Thomas Dobbs, the top health official in Mississippi, said more than half the state’s 1,048 ventilators were still available but that he was more concerned with having enough staff members to take care of the sickest patients. Also read| Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine shows 70% efficacy; can be 90% effective, trial data reveals “If we want to make sure that someone who’s hospitalized in the ICU with the coronavirus has the best chance to get well, they need to have highly trained personnel, and that cannot be flexed up rapidly,” he said in a news briefing Tuesday. Dr. Matthew Trump, a critical care specialist at UnityPoint Health in Des Moines, Iowa, said the health chain’s 21 hospitals had an adequate supply of ventilators for now, but that out-of-state staff reinforcements might be unlikely to materialize as colleagues fall ill and the hospital’s ICU beds reach capacity. “People here are exhausted and burned out from the past few months,” he said. “I’m really concerned.” The domestic boom in ventilator production has been a rare bright spot in the country’s pandemic response, which has been marred by shortages of personal protective equipment, haphazard testing efforts and President Donald Trump’s mixed messaging on the importance of masks, social distancing and other measures that can dent the spread of new infections. Despite an overall increase in the number of ventilators, some researchers say many of the new machines may be inadequate for the current crisis. Dr. Richard Branson, an expert on mechanical ventilation at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and an author of a recent study in the journal Chest, said that half of the new devices acquired by the Strategic National Stockpile were not sophisticated enough for COVID-19 patients in severe respiratory distress. He also expressed concern about the long-term viability of machines that require frequent maintenance. “These devices were not built to be stockpiled,” he said. The Department of Health and Human Services, which has acknowledged the limitations of its newly acquired ventilators, said the stockpile — nine times as large as it was in March — was well suited for most respiratory pandemics. “These stockpiled devices can be used as a short-term, stopgap buffer when the immediate commercial supply is not sufficient or available,” the agency said in a statement. Dr. Nikhil Jagan, a critical care pulmonologist at CHI Health, a hospital chain that serves Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska said many of the coronavirus patients who were arriving at his emergency room now were less sick than the patients he treated in the spring. “There’s a lot more awareness about the symptoms of COVID-19,” he said. “The first go-around, when people came in, they were very sick right off the bat and in respiratory distress or at the point of respiratory failure, and had to be intubated.” But the promising new treatments and enhanced knowledge can only go so far should the current surge in cases continue unabated. The country passed 250,000 deaths from the coronavirus Nov. 18, a reminder that many critically ill patients do not survive. The daily death toll has been rising steadily and is approaching 2,000. “Ventilators are important in critical care, but they don’t save people’s lives,” said Branson of the University of Cincinnati. “They just keep people alive while the people caring for them can figure out what’s wrong and fix the problem, and at the moment, we just don’t have enough of those people.” For now, he said there was only one way out the crisis: “It’s not that hard,” he said. “Wear a mask.”

Now the US has lots of ventilators — but too few specialists to operate them

Taste of safety: Masked Santa chocolates appear amid pandemic in Hungary

In a bid to steal valuable data related to Coronavirus vaccine research, government-linked hackers China, Russia, Iran and North Korea are engaged in concerted attempts to steal coronavirus vaccine secrets.

Calling it an intellectual property war security experts said that hackers are trying to obtain trial results early and seize sensitive information about mass production of drugs.

China and Russia are also racing to develop a vaccine, bringing together its state, military and private sectors to combat a disease that has killed over 1.39 million people worldwide.

Earlier this month, A report by Microsoft revealed that hackers for the Russian and North Korean governments have targeted more than half a dozen of organisations involved in the COVID-19 treatment and vaccine research from around the globe.

In this report by Microsoft, the tech giant stated that a Russian hacking group, known as 'Fancy Bear', and a pair of North Korean actors called "Zinc" and "Cerium", by Microsoft, were implicated as they tried to break into the networks of nearly seven pharmaceutical companies and vaccine researchers in fice countries, namely, Canada, France, India, South Korea, and the United States.

(With inputs from agencies)

In a bid to steal valuable data related to Coronavirus vaccine research, government-linked hackers China, Russia, Iran and North Korea are engaged in concerted attempts to steal coronavirus vaccine secrets.

In a bid to steal valuable data related to Coronavirus vaccine research, government-linked hackers China, Russia, Iran and North Korea are engaged in concerted attempts to steal coronavirus vaccine secrets. Calling it an intellectual property war security experts said that hackers are trying to obtain trial results early and seize sensitive information about mass production of drugs. China and Russia are also racing to develop a vaccine, bringing together its state, military and private sectors to combat a disease that has killed over 1.39 million people worldwide. Earlier this month, A report by Microsoft revealed that hackers for the Russian and North Korean governments have targeted more than half a dozen of organisations involved in the COVID-19 treatment and vaccine research from around the globe. In this report by Microsoft, the tech giant stated that a Russian hacking group, known as 'Fancy Bear', and a pair of North Korean actors called "Zinc" and "Cerium", by Microsoft, were implicated as they tried to break into the networks of nearly seven pharmaceutical companies and vaccine researchers in fice countries, namely, Canada, France, India, South Korea, and the United States. (With inputs from agencies)

Intellectual property war: Hackers try to steal Covid vaccine secrets

The year 2020 has been a tough year for almost everyone in different ways. While the world is fighting against the novel coronavirus, many are also fighting against their political leaders, putting the leaders at risk, in some cases.

It is not the first time that people have stood up against the world leaders and, if the International Police (Interpol) is to be believed, some people can now combine the biggest pandemic with their hatred towards leaders to gain their revenge.

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Recently, Interpol released guidelines in which it states that people can send COVID-19 virus-infected letters to political leaders and put them at risk.

The guidelines were issued keeping in mind various individual and local cases of people spitting and coughing deliberately in the faces of several police officials health officials and essential workers to prove their disagreement or to intimidate them.&nbsp;

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As per Interpol, India and nearly 190 more members of the forum face the danger of receiving such letters from domestic opposers as well as international.

Interpol also urged forces to be careful as deliberate coughing and spitting on surfaces near the authorities and world leaders has also seen a massive increase in the past few months.

The guidelines also urged caution against these letters being sent to specific minority groups. However, no such case in the history was pointed out.

The year 2020 has been a tough year for almost everyone in different ways. While the world is fighting against the novel coronavirus, many are also fighting against their political leaders, putting the leaders at risk, in some cases.

The year 2020 has been a tough year for almost everyone in different ways. While the world is fighting against the novel coronavirus, many are also fighting against their political leaders, putting the leaders at risk, in some cases. It is not the first time that people have stood up against the world leaders and, if the International Police (Interpol) is to be believed, some people can now combine the biggest pandemic with their hatred towards leaders to gain their revenge. Also read| US hits 12 million COVID-19 cases as many Americans defy Thanksgiving travel guidance Recently, Interpol released guidelines in which it states that people can send COVID-19 virus-infected letters to political leaders and put them at risk. The guidelines were issued keeping in mind various individual and local cases of people spitting and coughing deliberately in the faces of several police officials health officials and essential workers to prove their disagreement or to intimidate them. Also read| US grants emergency use authorisation to Regeneron Covid-19 antibodies As per Interpol, India and nearly 190 more members of the forum face the danger of receiving such letters from domestic opposers as well as international. Interpol also urged forces to be careful as deliberate coughing and spitting on surfaces near the authorities and world leaders has also seen a massive increase in the past few months. The guidelines also urged caution against these letters being sent to specific minority groups. However, no such case in the history was pointed out.

COVID-infected letters a new threat to world leaders: Interpol

In a first, Tesla factory workers based in California will be counted as 'essential workers' and will be exempted from&nbsp;new coronavirus restrictions in the state.

The decision has been taken as the state is inching towards new coronavirus restrictions, which will be initiated from this weekend. The authorities let the Tesla workers be exempted as earlier Elon Musk had argued that manufacturing is listed as an essential workforce.

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"The limited stay-at-home order does not apply to employees deemed essential workers — manufacturing is listed as an essential workforce," said California's Department of Public Health, specifying in particular transport products and equipment.

The exemption has been granted on the condition that Musk's factories will ensure all necessary health guidelines and will make sure the employees are provided all the basic precautions and facilities needed to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.

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Elon Musk, during the last lockdown, had argued about shutting down his factory and had even threatened to move his headquarters and all other future projects to&nbsp;Texas or Nevada.

In the end of the feud, Musk had, once again, won the argument with the state having to admit that manufacturing has been listed as an essential workforce, which automatically exempts Musk's employees from all lockdowns.

The 10:00 pm to 5:00 am stay-at-home order, apart from essential activities, will take effect Saturday evening and remain in force through December 21. Some 94 per cent of the population is affected by the curfew, including residents of Alameda, where the electric car manufacturer's plant is located.

In a first, Tesla factory workers based in California will be counted as 'essential workers' and will be exempted from new coronavirus restrictions in the state.

In a first, Tesla factory workers based in California will be counted as 'essential workers' and will be exempted from new coronavirus restrictions in the state. The decision has been taken as the state is inching towards new coronavirus restrictions, which will be initiated from this weekend. The authorities let the Tesla workers be exempted as earlier Elon Musk had argued that manufacturing is listed as an essential workforce. Also read| US hits 12 million COVID-19 cases as many Americans defy guidelines "The limited stay-at-home order does not apply to employees deemed essential workers — manufacturing is listed as an essential workforce," said California's Department of Public Health, specifying in particular transport products and equipment. The exemption has been granted on the condition that Musk's factories will ensure all necessary health guidelines and will make sure the employees are provided all the basic precautions and facilities needed to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. Also read| US grants emergency use authorisation to Regeneron Covid-19 antibodies Elon Musk, during the last lockdown, had argued about shutting down his factory and had even threatened to move his headquarters and all other future projects to Texas or Nevada. In the end of the feud, Musk had, once again, won the argument with the state having to admit that manufacturing has been listed as an essential workforce, which automatically exempts Musk's employees from all lockdowns. The 10:00 pm to 5:00 am stay-at-home order, apart from essential activities, will take effect Saturday evening and remain in force through December 21. Some 94 per cent of the population is affected by the curfew, including residents of Alameda, where the electric car manufacturer's plant is located.

Elon Musk's Tesla factory workers counted as 'essential workers'

India reported less than 50,000 new single-day coronavirus cases for the 15th consecutive day on Sunday as its total tally reached 90,95,806.

With 45,209 new cases and 43,493 more patients discharged in last 24 hours, the country`s active cases totalled 4,40,962, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare data said. As many as 85,21,617 persons have recovered so far from the disease.

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In all 501 more fatalities in the last 24 hours took its death toll to 1,33,227.

The last time the daily new cases crossed the 50,000-mark was November 7.

While India`s recovery rate is 1.46 per cent, the fatality rate is 1.46 per cent, the data said.

Maharashtra remains the worst-hit state with 80,878 active cases and 46,573 deaths so far. The recoveries in the state total 16,47,004.

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Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka also reported high number of cases, while states like Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal witnessed a surge in infection too.

According Indian Council of Medical Research data, 10,75,326 more samples were tested on Saturday. So far, 13,17,33,134 samples have been tested across the country.

For the second day in a row, recovered patients outnumbered new infections by 1,084 in Delhi, yet the number of fatalities remained a cause of worry.

The national capital reported 5,879 new infections and 6,963 more recoveries in the last 24 hours. However, Delhi`s fatalities totalled 111, Delhi government data showed.

Across the world, 5,80,95,887 persons were infected across 191 nations, of which the maximum numbers were in the US. The global coronavirus death toll totalled 13,79,839, with maximum reported in the US (2,55,830).

TUS remains the worst-hit country with 1,20,88,409 corona cases, followed by India, Brazil, France and Russia.

India reported less than 50,000 new single-day coronavirus cases for the 15th consecutive day on Sunday as its total tally reached 90,95,806. With 45,209 new cases and 43,493 more patients discharged in last 24 hours, the country`s active cases totalled 4,40,962, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare data said.

India reported less than 50,000 new single-day coronavirus cases for the 15th consecutive day on Sunday as its total tally reached 90,95,806. With 45,209 new cases and 43,493 more patients discharged in last 24 hours, the country`s active cases totalled 4,40,962, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare data said. As many as 85,21,617 persons have recovered so far from the disease. Also read| US grants emergency use authorisation to Regeneron Covid-19 antibodies In all 501 more fatalities in the last 24 hours took its death toll to 1,33,227. The last time the daily new cases crossed the 50,000-mark was November 7. While India`s recovery rate is 1.46 per cent, the fatality rate is 1.46 per cent, the data said. Maharashtra remains the worst-hit state with 80,878 active cases and 46,573 deaths so far. The recoveries in the state total 16,47,004. Also read| US hits 12 million COVID-19 cases as many Americans defy Thanksgiving travel guidance Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka also reported high number of cases, while states like Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal witnessed a surge in infection too. According Indian Council of Medical Research data, 10,75,326 more samples were tested on Saturday. So far, 13,17,33,134 samples have been tested across the country. For the second day in a row, recovered patients outnumbered new infections by 1,084 in Delhi, yet the number of fatalities remained a cause of worry. The national capital reported 5,879 new infections and 6,963 more recoveries in the last 24 hours. However, Delhi`s fatalities totalled 111, Delhi government data showed. Across the world, 5,80,95,887 persons were infected across 191 nations, of which the maximum numbers were in the US. The global coronavirus death toll totalled 13,79,839, with maximum reported in the US (2,55,830). TUS remains the worst-hit country with 1,20,88,409 corona cases, followed by India, Brazil, France and Russia.

India reports less than 50,000 new corona cases for 15 straight days

The Nepali government has sent requests to several countries that are producing Covid-19 vaccines seeking their early availability after they are proven to be effective, officials said here on Sunday. 
 
The requests were made after the Nepali government introduced an ordinance last week, paving the way for bringing the vaccines for emergency use, reports Xinhua news agency.

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"We have sent requests to the countries including China, India, the US, the UK, Russia and Australia for early availability of vaccines," Jageshwor Gautam, spokesperson at the Ministry of Health and Population told Xinhua. 
 
"The letters were sent through our foreign ministry. It has been three days that we sent the requests," Gautam said. 
 
Sewa Lamsal, spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed to Xinhua that such requests were made to a number of countries.

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By introducing an ordinance, the Nepali government has authorized the Department of Drug Administration, the regular of the pharmaceutical sector, to register the vaccines of infectious diseases that have been declared as an epidemic or pandemic. 
 
The department has also been authorized to make necessary recommendations to provide import licenses to the firms or institutions to import vaccines as per the ordinance. 
 
The Nepali government has also formed a high-level committee represented by secretaries of finance, home and foreign affairs ministries to facilitate the early import of the vaccines. 
 
Nepal has so far reported a total of 218,639 coronavirus cases with 1,305 deaths, according to the Ministry of Health and Population.

The Nepali government has sent requests to several countries that are producing Covid-19 vaccines seeking their early availability after they are proven to be effective, officials said here on Sunday.

The Nepali government has sent requests to several countries that are producing Covid-19 vaccines seeking their early availability after they are proven to be effective, officials said here on Sunday. The requests were made after the Nepali government introduced an ordinance last week, paving the way for bringing the vaccines for emergency use, reports Xinhua news agency. Also read| Moderna to charge $25-$37 for COVID-19 vaccine "We have sent requests to the countries including China, India, the US, the UK, Russia and Australia for early availability of vaccines," Jageshwor Gautam, spokesperson at the Ministry of Health and Population told Xinhua. "The letters were sent through our foreign ministry. It has been three days that we sent the requests," Gautam said. Sewa Lamsal, spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed to Xinhua that such requests were made to a number of countries. Also read| US grants emergency use authorisation to Regeneron Covid-19 antibodies By introducing an ordinance, the Nepali government has authorized the Department of Drug Administration, the regular of the pharmaceutical sector, to register the vaccines of infectious diseases that have been declared as an epidemic or pandemic. The department has also been authorized to make necessary recommendations to provide import licenses to the firms or institutions to import vaccines as per the ordinance. The Nepali government has also formed a high-level committee represented by secretaries of finance, home and foreign affairs ministries to facilitate the early import of the vaccines. Nepal has so far reported a total of 218,639 coronavirus cases with 1,305 deaths, according to the Ministry of Health and Population.

Nepal seeks early availability of Covid-19 vaccines

The outgoing US President's oldest son, Donald Trump Jr. has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, a spokesman said on Friday.

Donald Trump Jr., also known as Don, has tested positive almost a month after his father, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>, and his stepmother, Ivanka Trump, recovered from the deadly virus.

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"Don tested positive at the start of the week and has been quarantining out at his cabin since the result," his spokesman said. "He's been completely asymptomatic so far and is following all medically recommended COVID-19 guidelines."

His announcement came a few hours after Trump administration's lawyer,&nbsp;Rudy Giuliani's son&nbsp;Andrew Giuliani announced he had also tested positive for the novel coronavirus that has taken thousands of lives in the country.

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President Donald Trump tested positive and was shifted to the army hospital for better treatment, where he claimed to have found the 'magical cure'. However, speculations about his health have since followed — which have all been denied by him and his campaign. Later, Donald Trump and Melania's youngest son, Barron, too, had tested positive. All three have recovered.

Several people in the Trump administration have since tested&nbsp;positive — the reason behind which was being assumed to be a super spreader event for the appointment of Amy Coney Barrett.

Trump, who has recently been defeated by the President-elect <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/us-election">US election</a>&nbsp;— a reason behind which has been the careless approach of Donald Trump towards the pandemic. He has been openly criticised by several known personalities and opposition leaders for his poor handling of the coronavirus pandemic, which has resulted in US being the worst affected country in the world.

The outgoing US President's oldest son, Donald Trump Jr. has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, a spokesman said on Friday. Donald Trump Jr., also known as Don, has tested positive almost a month after his father, Donald Trump, and his stepmother, Ivanka Trump, recovered from the deadly virus.

The outgoing US President's oldest son, Donald Trump Jr. has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, a spokesman said on Friday. Donald Trump Jr., also known as Don, has tested positive almost a month after his father, Donald Trump, and his stepmother, Ivanka Trump, recovered from the deadly virus. Also read| US elections results 2020: Joe Biden wins Georgia after recount, says state election official "Don tested positive at the start of the week and has been quarantining out at his cabin since the result," his spokesman said. "He's been completely asymptomatic so far and is following all medically recommended COVID-19 guidelines." His announcement came a few hours after Trump administration's lawyer, Rudy Giuliani's son Andrew Giuliani announced he had also tested positive for the novel coronavirus that has taken thousands of lives in the country. Also read| Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani's hair dye melting during press meet sparks wave of memes President Donald Trump tested positive and was shifted to the army hospital for better treatment, where he claimed to have found the 'magical cure'. However, speculations about his health have since followed — which have all been denied by him and his campaign. Later, Donald Trump and Melania's youngest son, Barron, too, had tested positive. All three have recovered. Several people in the Trump administration have since tested positive — the reason behind which was being assumed to be a super spreader event for the appointment of Amy Coney Barrett. Trump, who has recently been defeated by the President-elect Joe Biden in the US election — a reason behind which has been the careless approach of Donald Trump towards the pandemic. He has been openly criticised by several known personalities and opposition leaders for his poor handling of the coronavirus pandemic, which has resulted in US being the worst affected country in the world.

Donald Trump Jr. tests positive for coronavirus: Spokesman

Simon Gronowski had committed many acts of bravery and generosity in his 89 years of life, and opening a window in April wouldn’t ordinarily have counted among them, but this was no ordinary April.

It was the height of the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic, which hit Belgium as hard as anyplace in the world. But as a Holocaust survivor, Gronowski had faced death more intimately before.

The diminutive lawyer summoned his courage, moved his electric piano to beneath a windowsill and flung the window open, letting in spring sunshine along with the thick, wary quiet of a city terrified of the virus. And he began to tap out a jazz tune.

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“I was afraid,” he said. “It’s not normal to just open the window and play.”

But soon, his neighbors popped their heads out of their windows, some even donning masks and walking up to his house to hear better.

One took a black-and-white picture of him playing, printed it and slipped it in his mailbox later, writing, simply, “Merci.”

He began to play regularly, filling the leafy streets with jazz notes and bringing relief to his besieged neighbors throughout the lockdown that lasted into late May.

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Amy Edwards Anderson, an English teacher from the United States who has lived in Brussels for 22 years, first heard Gronowski play while sitting in her backyard with her husband and three children. She was surprised, she said, because it quickly became clear this wasn’t someone practicing the piano. It was someone performing for the block.

The short window concerts burst into her family’s confinement and lifted them up.

“Here was someone who was amplifying music to share with neighbors for no other reason than to make people feel good during a difficult time,” she said. “A kind of unsolicited gift to the neighborhood.”

Gronowski had meant for his impromptu concerts to make people happy, but playing for others has also had intrinsic value for him his entire life.

“Music is a means of communication, of connection,” he said on a recent afternoon in his home office, surrounded by piles of documents.

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Gronowski taught himself how to play the piano as a teenager because he, too, was seeking to communicate, to connect — first and foremost with his older sister, Ita, who had perished in Auschwitz in 1943 at age 19.

“I adored her,” he said. “She was a brilliant pianist.”

Gronowski’s first act of bravery took place many Aprils ago, when an altogether different kind of calamity was gripping Europe.

On April 19, 1943, when he was 11, Gronowski jumped out of a speeding train.

He and his mother were packed with dozens of others in a cattle wagon on the deadly route from Mechelen, a town where Belgian Jews were rounded up, to Auschwitz.

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Of all the trains to doom, Gronowski’s became especially etched in Holocaust history. Known as “Convoy 20,” it was disrupted by three resistance fighters soon after departing Mechelen. In the commotion, dozens got a chance to escape into the farmlands of Flanders.

Soon after the train started accelerating again, Gronowski’s mother, perhaps emboldened by the incident and the glimmer of hope, urged him to jump off.

“I jumped because I listened to my mother’s orders,” Gronowski said. He leapt for his life. His mother did not follow.

“If I had known she was not going to jump, I would have stayed on the train,” he said, resting his cheek in his palm as if his head was suddenly too heavy.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-hopes-for-normal-christmas-as-coronavirus-cases-surge-in-europe-344401">Britain hopes for 'normal Christmas' as coronavirus cases surge in Europe</a>

For the next 17 months, the boy was hidden in the attics of some Catholic families. After Brussels was liberated in September 1944, he reunited with his ailing father, who had been in and out of the hospital for years, and eventually succumbed — to a broken heart, Gronowski believes — leaving the boy an orphan the following year.

Gronowski drew on the memories of prolonged confinement, the fear and desperate sadness of the 1940s, in a newspaper column he wrote as encouragement for fellow Belgians in late March as they struggled to settle into lockdown.

“Currently reduced to forced idleness, conducive to reflection, my thinking wanders and rejoins the confinements that I suffered 75 years ago, from 1942 to 1944, when I was 10-12 years old,” he wrote.

“Today, we can stay with our family or be helped by it, keep in touch, we can do our shopping, stock up on provisions, read the newspapers, watch television, but then we lived in terror, we lacked everything, we were cold, hungry and our families were separated, dislocated,” he added.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canadas-largest-city-toronto-to-be-on-covid-19-lockdown-starting-monday-344523" hreflang="en">Canada's largest city Toronto to be on COVID-19 lockdown starting Monday</a>

The pluckiness on display today was already burning inside the boy who had lost everything by the end of World War II.

After spending three years in foster care, he moved back into the empty family home on his own and took in lodgers to raise funds for his life and schooling.

By the time Gronowski had turned 23, he held a doctorate in law. He became a lawyer, married Marie-Claire Huybrechs, and had two daughters, Katia and Isabelle. And for six decades he said little about his perished parents, his beloved sister, Ita, or that day he jumped off a moving train on its way to Auschwitz.

“It was not a secret, but I did not talk about it,” he said, his upbeat mood momentarily darkening. “Why? Because I was feeling guilty. Why are they dead, and I am alive?”

All that changed in 2002, when, pressured by friends who knew his story, he decided to take on the past.

“I needed to bear witness and write my story, so I wrote my first book,” another act of bravery, one that gave Gronowski an unexpected new life of media appearances and a higher profile to advance progressive goals.

After “L’Enfant du XXe Convoi” (“The Child of the 20th Convoy”) was published and Gronowski’s story became more widely known in Belgium and beyond, he started giving lectures, especially at schools.

“It was very painful to stir it all up again,” he said. “But now I feel that I am bringing something positive to young people, and it makes me happy. I am liberated.”

His newfound fame led him to another act of bravery and generosity.

A student who listened to him speak at a Belgian school in 2012 called him soon after with a stunning proposal.

A Belgian man named Koenraad Tinel, an artist of similar age to Gronowski, had written about the guilt of being born into a Nazi family. His brother had been a guard at the Mechelen camp where Gronowski and his mother had been held before being placed on Convoy 20. Would Gronowski meet with him?

The two men, both more than 80 years old at the time, met at the humble offices of the Belgian Union of Progressive Jews.

“This is how our friendship was born,” said Gronowski. “And now Koenraad is more than a friend. He is a brother.”

The two wrote a book, “Finally, Liberated,” and gave lectures together.

When the older Tinel brother, Walter, the camp guard, was on his deathbed, he asked to meet Gronowski and plead for forgiveness.

“I took him in my arms, and I forgave him,” he said. “This forgiveness was a relief for him, but it was an even bigger relief for me.”

As Belgium battles a second coronavirus wave with another lockdown, Gronowski plays his piano with the windows shut this time (“It’s a bit too cold now”) and plots future adventures. “I want to play with this band from New Orleans,” he said, brimming with boyish enthusiasm. “They’re called Tuba Skinny. They’re great!”

Most of his school lectures have been put on hold because of the pandemic, but they’ll restart soon enough, he said, and that’s what he looks forward to the most.

“When I tell my story at schools, I always finish with a message of hope. I always tell them one important thing: I tell them that life is beautiful,” he said. “But it is also a daily struggle.”

Simon Gronowski had committed many acts of bravery and generosity in his 89 years of life, and opening a window in April wouldn’t ordinarily have counted among them, but this was no ordinary April.

Simon Gronowski had committed many acts of bravery and generosity in his 89 years of life, and opening a window in April wouldn’t ordinarily have counted among them, but this was no ordinary April. It was the height of the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic, which hit Belgium as hard as anyplace in the world. But as a Holocaust survivor, Gronowski had faced death more intimately before. The diminutive lawyer summoned his courage, moved his electric piano to beneath a windowsill and flung the window open, letting in spring sunshine along with the thick, wary quiet of a city terrified of the virus. And he began to tap out a jazz tune. Also read| Hong Kong enters fourth wave of COVID-19; schools shut “I was afraid,” he said. “It’s not normal to just open the window and play.” But soon, his neighbors popped their heads out of their windows, some even donning masks and walking up to his house to hear better. One took a black-and-white picture of him playing, printed it and slipped it in his mailbox later, writing, simply, “Merci.” He began to play regularly, filling the leafy streets with jazz notes and bringing relief to his besieged neighbors throughout the lockdown that lasted into late May. Also read| Study claims COVID-19 immunity lasts at least six months; WHO signals hope Amy Edwards Anderson, an English teacher from the United States who has lived in Brussels for 22 years, first heard Gronowski play while sitting in her backyard with her husband and three children. She was surprised, she said, because it quickly became clear this wasn’t someone practicing the piano. It was someone performing for the block. The short window concerts burst into her family’s confinement and lifted them up. “Here was someone who was amplifying music to share with neighbors for no other reason than to make people feel good during a difficult time,” she said. “A kind of unsolicited gift to the neighborhood.” Gronowski had meant for his impromptu concerts to make people happy, but playing for others has also had intrinsic value for him his entire life. “Music is a means of communication, of connection,” he said on a recent afternoon in his home office, surrounded by piles of documents. Also read| Pfizer-BioNTech apply for COVID-19 vaccine approval in US Gronowski taught himself how to play the piano as a teenager because he, too, was seeking to communicate, to connect — first and foremost with his older sister, Ita, who had perished in Auschwitz in 1943 at age 19. “I adored her,” he said. “She was a brilliant pianist.” Gronowski’s first act of bravery took place many Aprils ago, when an altogether different kind of calamity was gripping Europe. On April 19, 1943, when he was 11, Gronowski jumped out of a speeding train. He and his mother were packed with dozens of others in a cattle wagon on the deadly route from Mechelen, a town where Belgian Jews were rounded up, to Auschwitz. Also read| Fauci guarantees accuracy in Pfizer, Moderna COVID-19 vaccine data Of all the trains to doom, Gronowski’s became especially etched in Holocaust history. Known as “Convoy 20,” it was disrupted by three resistance fighters soon after departing Mechelen. In the commotion, dozens got a chance to escape into the farmlands of Flanders. Soon after the train started accelerating again, Gronowski’s mother, perhaps emboldened by the incident and the glimmer of hope, urged him to jump off. “I jumped because I listened to my mother’s orders,” Gronowski said. He leapt for his life. His mother did not follow. “If I had known she was not going to jump, I would have stayed on the train,” he said, resting his cheek in his palm as if his head was suddenly too heavy. Also read| Britain hopes for 'normal Christmas' as coronavirus cases surge in Europe For the next 17 months, the boy was hidden in the attics of some Catholic families. After Brussels was liberated in September 1944, he reunited with his ailing father, who had been in and out of the hospital for years, and eventually succumbed — to a broken heart, Gronowski believes — leaving the boy an orphan the following year. Gronowski drew on the memories of prolonged confinement, the fear and desperate sadness of the 1940s, in a newspaper column he wrote as encouragement for fellow Belgians in late March as they struggled to settle into lockdown. “Currently reduced to forced idleness, conducive to reflection, my thinking wanders and rejoins the confinements that I suffered 75 years ago, from 1942 to 1944, when I was 10-12 years old,” he wrote. “Today, we can stay with our family or be helped by it, keep in touch, we can do our shopping, stock up on provisions, read the newspapers, watch television, but then we lived in terror, we lacked everything, we were cold, hungry and our families were separated, dislocated,” he added. Also read| Canada's largest city Toronto to be on COVID-19 lockdown starting Monday The pluckiness on display today was already burning inside the boy who had lost everything by the end of World War II. After spending three years in foster care, he moved back into the empty family home on his own and took in lodgers to raise funds for his life and schooling. By the time Gronowski had turned 23, he held a doctorate in law. He became a lawyer, married Marie-Claire Huybrechs, and had two daughters, Katia and Isabelle. And for six decades he said little about his perished parents, his beloved sister, Ita, or that day he jumped off a moving train on its way to Auschwitz. “It was not a secret, but I did not talk about it,” he said, his upbeat mood momentarily darkening. “Why? Because I was feeling guilty. Why are they dead, and I am alive?” All that changed in 2002, when, pressured by friends who knew his story, he decided to take on the past. “I needed to bear witness and write my story, so I wrote my first book,” another act of bravery, one that gave Gronowski an unexpected new life of media appearances and a higher profile to advance progressive goals. After “L’Enfant du XXe Convoi” (“The Child of the 20th Convoy”) was published and Gronowski’s story became more widely known in Belgium and beyond, he started giving lectures, especially at schools. “It was very painful to stir it all up again,” he said. “But now I feel that I am bringing something positive to young people, and it makes me happy. I am liberated.” His newfound fame led him to another act of bravery and generosity. A student who listened to him speak at a Belgian school in 2012 called him soon after with a stunning proposal. A Belgian man named Koenraad Tinel, an artist of similar age to Gronowski, had written about the guilt of being born into a Nazi family. His brother had been a guard at the Mechelen camp where Gronowski and his mother had been held before being placed on Convoy 20. Would Gronowski meet with him? The two men, both more than 80 years old at the time, met at the humble offices of the Belgian Union of Progressive Jews. “This is how our friendship was born,” said Gronowski. “And now Koenraad is more than a friend. He is a brother.” The two wrote a book, “Finally, Liberated,” and gave lectures together. When the older Tinel brother, Walter, the camp guard, was on his deathbed, he asked to meet Gronowski and plead for forgiveness. “I took him in my arms, and I forgave him,” he said. “This forgiveness was a relief for him, but it was an even bigger relief for me.” As Belgium battles a second coronavirus wave with another lockdown, Gronowski plays his piano with the windows shut this time (“It’s a bit too cold now”) and plots future adventures. “I want to play with this band from New Orleans,” he said, brimming with boyish enthusiasm. “They’re called Tuba Skinny. They’re great!” Most of his school lectures have been put on hold because of the pandemic, but they’ll restart soon enough, he said, and that’s what he looks forward to the most. “When I tell my story at schools, I always finish with a message of hope. I always tell them one important thing: I tell them that life is beautiful,” he said. “But it is also a daily struggle.”

A Holocaust survivor lifts neighbours in dark times

As the coronavirus cases rose once again in Hong Kong, the local government decided to suspend all in-person classes for the lower primary school students.

The decision was taken to protect the children from contracting the novel coronavirus after&nbsp;city’s top health official said the situation in the city was 'sever'.

Students from classes I to III will shift to online classes from Monday, on an urgent basis. The announcement came almost a week after city's&nbsp;kindergartens were also ordered to shut down immediately as the cases surged.

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The decision was taken after the city reported 26 cases on Friday, of which 21 were local cases. This surge has might be the fourth wave for the city, says&nbsp;Health Secretary Sophia Chan.

She has also urged people to cancel all gatherings and stay home as much as possible. "I would appeal to people to stop all unnecessary gathering activities because the situation is severe now in Hong Kong,"&nbsp;Chan said. “In the past week, we have already tightened many of our measures, including border control measures, quarantine measures, hotel regulation measures and also some of the social distancing measures."

The surge came a few days before an air bubble between Hong Kong and Singapore was about to begin, according to which the passengers were required to go through a COVID-19 test, but did not have to quarantine themselves upon arrival in either of the countries. However, only&nbsp;Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines were allowed to carry out operations in this bubble.

Hong Kong has recorded nearly&nbsp;&nbsp;5,500 coronavirus cases and 108 COVID-19 deaths since the pandemic broke out in December 2019.

As the coronavirus cases rose once again in Hong Kong, the local government decided to suspend all in-person classes for the lower primary school students. The decision was taken to protect the children from contracting the novel coronavirus after city’s top health official said the situation in the city was 'sever'.

As the coronavirus cases rose once again in Hong Kong, the local government decided to suspend all in-person classes for the lower primary school students. The decision was taken to protect the children from contracting the novel coronavirus after city’s top health official said the situation in the city was 'sever'. Students from classes I to III will shift to online classes from Monday, on an urgent basis. The announcement came almost a week after city's kindergartens were also ordered to shut down immediately as the cases surged. × The decision was taken after the city reported 26 cases on Friday, of which 21 were local cases. This surge has might be the fourth wave for the city, says Health Secretary Sophia Chan. She has also urged people to cancel all gatherings and stay home as much as possible. "I would appeal to people to stop all unnecessary gathering activities because the situation is severe now in Hong Kong," Chan said. “In the past week, we have already tightened many of our measures, including border control measures, quarantine measures, hotel regulation measures and also some of the social distancing measures." The surge came a few days before an air bubble between Hong Kong and Singapore was about to begin, according to which the passengers were required to go through a COVID-19 test, but did not have to quarantine themselves upon arrival in either of the countries. However, only Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines were allowed to carry out operations in this bubble. Hong Kong has recorded nearly 5,500 coronavirus cases and 108 COVID-19 deaths since the pandemic broke out in December 2019.

Hong Kong enters fourth wave of COVID-19; schools shut

The year 2020 began with a grim atmosphere as the novel coronavirus took over the world, sending billions of people around the globe in a lockdown. The situation became worse as the year progressed and the world lost millions to the deadly virus.

However, now, as the&nbsp;end of the year is nearing, scientists are inching closer to developing a coronavirus vaccine. To add to the good news, a British study has now found that people who have been affected by the virus once are unlikely to contract the deadly disease again at least for the next six months.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pfizer-biontech-apply-for-covid-19-vaccine-approval-in-us-344445">Pfizer-BioNTech apply for COVID-19 vaccine approval in US</a>

This study, the World Health Organization (WHO) says is a hope the world needed at this point of the year. "This is really good news to see that we are seeing sustained levels of immune response in humans so far," said Mike Ryan,&nbsp;WHO’s top emergency expert. "It also gives us hope on the vaccine side."

However, WHO's technical lead on COVID-19,&nbsp;Kerkhove, has asked people and researchers to exercise caution even after the study has been proved right. "We still need to follow these individuals for a longer period of time to see how long immunity lasts," said&nbsp;Kerkhove.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fauci-guarantees-accuracy-in-pfizer-moderna-covid-19-vaccine-data-344204">Fauci guarantees accuracy in Pfizer, Moderna COVID-19 vaccine data</a>

The news has come after the US biotech giant Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech have applied for immediate approval of the vaccine in the country on Friday.

"The FDA recognizes that transparency and dialogue are critical for the public to have confidence in COVID-19 vaccines," Stephen Hahn, organisation n head, said. "I want to assure the American people that the FDA's process and evaluation of the data for a potential COVID-19 vaccine will be as open and transparent as possible."

The year 2020 began with a grim atmosphere as the novel coronavirus took over the world, sending billions of people around the globe in a lockdown. The situation became worse as the year progressed and the world lost millions to the deadly virus.

The year 2020 began with a grim atmosphere as the novel coronavirus took over the world, sending billions of people around the globe in a lockdown. The situation became worse as the year progressed and the world lost millions to the deadly virus. However, now, as the end of the year is nearing, scientists are inching closer to developing a coronavirus vaccine. To add to the good news, a British study has now found that people who have been affected by the virus once are unlikely to contract the deadly disease again at least for the next six months. Also read| Pfizer-BioNTech apply for COVID-19 vaccine approval in US This study, the World Health Organization (WHO) says is a hope the world needed at this point of the year. "This is really good news to see that we are seeing sustained levels of immune response in humans so far," said Mike Ryan, WHO’s top emergency expert. "It also gives us hope on the vaccine side." However, WHO's technical lead on COVID-19, Kerkhove, has asked people and researchers to exercise caution even after the study has been proved right. "We still need to follow these individuals for a longer period of time to see how long immunity lasts," said Kerkhove. Also read| Fauci guarantees accuracy in Pfizer, Moderna COVID-19 vaccine data The news has come after the US biotech giant Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech have applied for immediate approval of the vaccine in the country on Friday. "The FDA recognizes that transparency and dialogue are critical for the public to have confidence in COVID-19 vaccines," Stephen Hahn, organisation n head, said. "I want to assure the American people that the FDA's process and evaluation of the data for a potential COVID-19 vaccine will be as open and transparent as possible."

Study claims COVID-19 immunity lasts at least six months; WHO signals hope

The phrase 'one bad fish can&nbsp;spoil the whole pond' may have come true for people of this one country as one lie of a man has led to the world's toughest lockdown in one country.

South Australia imposed a strict lockdown after&nbsp;twenty-three people in the state capital Adelaide got infected by a cleaner who was responsible for helping people quarantine when they arrive in the state from across the borders.

The infections increased after a man lied about his whereabouts during contact tracing. The security guard, who had tested positive, also worked at a pizza shop as a part-time employee. However, when he was asked by the officials, he had lied that he had only purchased a pizza from the shop, and purposely didn't reveal that he worked several shifts in that pizza joint.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/not-even-dog-walks-allowed-this-country-has-imposed-worlds-toughest-lockdown-344054">Not even dog walks allowed: This country has imposed world's toughest lockdown</a>

This claim led to the officials believing that he had been infected from a very short exposure while purchasing the pizza. However, it was later revealed that he worked several shifts which cleared many doubts of the medical experts.

The medical staff attending him had assumed that he might have been affected by a very strong strain of the novel coronavirus if he only purchased a pizza. With the truth being revealed, they later realised that the strain of coronavirus is not as strong as they predicted if the patient worked in the pizza place.

"To say I am fuming about the actions of this individual is an absolute understatement. This selfish actions of this individual have put our whole state in a very difficult situation. His actions have affected businesses, individuals, family groups and is completely and utterly unacceptable. I’m so proud of the efforts of South Australians who have been working with SA Health and with SA police this week to keep our state safe and strong," the state Premier&nbsp;Steven Marshall said.

Marshall has now announced that the lockdown will soon be eased down, considering the virus is not as strong and dangerous as they had earlier perceived it to be. Earlier, the officials had imposed a lockdown where only one person from a family was allowed to step out once in a day for essential shopping, and nobody was allowed to step out even for exercising or walking their pets.

The phrase 'one bad fish can spoil the whole pond' may have come true for people of this one country as one lie of a man has led to the world's toughest lockdown in one country.

The phrase 'one bad fish can spoil the whole pond' may have come true for people of this one country as one lie of a man has led to the world's toughest lockdown in one country. South Australia imposed a strict lockdown after twenty-three people in the state capital Adelaide got infected by a cleaner who was responsible for helping people quarantine when they arrive in the state from across the borders. The infections increased after a man lied about his whereabouts during contact tracing. The security guard, who had tested positive, also worked at a pizza shop as a part-time employee. However, when he was asked by the officials, he had lied that he had only purchased a pizza from the shop, and purposely didn't reveal that he worked several shifts in that pizza joint. Also read| Not even dog walks allowed: This country has imposed world's toughest lockdown This claim led to the officials believing that he had been infected from a very short exposure while purchasing the pizza. However, it was later revealed that he worked several shifts which cleared many doubts of the medical experts. The medical staff attending him had assumed that he might have been affected by a very strong strain of the novel coronavirus if he only purchased a pizza. With the truth being revealed, they later realised that the strain of coronavirus is not as strong as they predicted if the patient worked in the pizza place. "To say I am fuming about the actions of this individual is an absolute understatement. This selfish actions of this individual have put our whole state in a very difficult situation. His actions have affected businesses, individuals, family groups and is completely and utterly unacceptable. I’m so proud of the efforts of South Australians who have been working with SA Health and with SA police this week to keep our state safe and strong," the state Premier Steven Marshall said. Marshall has now announced that the lockdown will soon be eased down, considering the virus is not as strong and dangerous as they had earlier perceived it to be. Earlier, the officials had imposed a lockdown where only one person from a family was allowed to step out once in a day for essential shopping, and nobody was allowed to step out even for exercising or walking their pets.

Pizza boy's blatant 'lie' leads to harshest COVID-19 lockdown in this city

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday voiced concern over the country's rising coronavirus fatality rate but said the outbreak was under control.

Russia has recently registered a sharp rise in new infections but has stopped short of introducing strict measures like some European countries.

Health officials reported a total of 1.99 million infections on Wednesday, which is the fifth-highest caseload in the world.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-to-monitor-virus-cases-no-cash-handout-for-second-time-finance-minister-taro-aso-344016" hreflang="en">Japan to monitor virus cases, no cash handout for second time: Finance Minister Taro Aso</a>

"The number of new cases is rising... and what's most alarming -- the death rate is increasing," Putin said at a government meeting broadcast on state television.&nbsp;

Health authorities Wednesday also reported a new record of 456 coronavirus deaths over 24 hours.&nbsp;

Russia's total virus deaths of 34,387 is significantly lower than other badly-hit countries, raising concerns that the authorities are downplaying the severity of the crisis.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pfizer-biontech-coronavirus-vaccine-deliveries-could-begin-before-christmas-344012" hreflang="en">Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine deliveries could begin before Christmas</a>

Data published by Russia's federal statistics service earlier this month indicated excess deaths of more than 117,000 year-on-year between March and September, suggesting that virus fatalities could be much higher.

Moscow, the epicentre of Russia's outbreak, is better prepared for the second wave than the poorly-funded regions.&nbsp;

Putin acknowledged Wednesday that several regions were experiencing medicine shortages and long waiting times for ambulances but said authorities had a handle on the situation.

He added that regional heads should not sugar-coat the situation, noting that "it is completely unacceptable to pretend that all is fine".&nbsp;

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-coronavirus-death-toll-crosses-250000-as-several-cities-shut-down-schools-343988" hreflang="en">US coronavirus death toll crosses 250,000 as several cities shut down schools</a>

"We went through this in the spring. We know what and how it needs to be done," Putin said, adding that vaccines are on the way.

Russia in August registered the world's first coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V -- named after the Soviet-era satellite -- but before beginning large-scale clinical trials.&nbsp;

Its developers have since reported that interim test results showed the vaccine to be 92 percent effective, slightly lower than its international competitors.

Last month, Putin announced that Russia had registered a second coronavirus vaccine, EpiVacCorona.&nbsp;

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday voiced concern over the country's rising coronavirus fatality rate but said the outbreak was under control. Russia has recently registered a sharp rise in new infections but has stopped short of introducing strict measures like some European countries.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday voiced concern over the country's rising coronavirus fatality rate but said the outbreak was under control. Russia has recently registered a sharp rise in new infections but has stopped short of introducing strict measures like some European countries. Health officials reported a total of 1.99 million infections on Wednesday, which is the fifth-highest caseload in the world. Also read| Japan to monitor virus cases, no cash handout for second time: Finance Minister Taro Aso "The number of new cases is rising... and what's most alarming -- the death rate is increasing," Putin said at a government meeting broadcast on state television. Health authorities Wednesday also reported a new record of 456 coronavirus deaths over 24 hours. Russia's total virus deaths of 34,387 is significantly lower than other badly-hit countries, raising concerns that the authorities are downplaying the severity of the crisis. Also read| Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine deliveries could begin before Christmas Data published by Russia's federal statistics service earlier this month indicated excess deaths of more than 117,000 year-on-year between March and September, suggesting that virus fatalities could be much higher. Moscow, the epicentre of Russia's outbreak, is better prepared for the second wave than the poorly-funded regions. Putin acknowledged Wednesday that several regions were experiencing medicine shortages and long waiting times for ambulances but said authorities had a handle on the situation. He added that regional heads should not sugar-coat the situation, noting that "it is completely unacceptable to pretend that all is fine". Also read| US coronavirus death toll crosses 250,000 as several cities shut down schools "We went through this in the spring. We know what and how it needs to be done," Putin said, adding that vaccines are on the way. Russia in August registered the world's first coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V -- named after the Soviet-era satellite -- but before beginning large-scale clinical trials. Its developers have since reported that interim test results showed the vaccine to be 92 percent effective, slightly lower than its international competitors. Last month, Putin announced that Russia had registered a second coronavirus vaccine, EpiVacCorona.

Putin 'alarmed' by Russia's spike in virus deaths

The Asian country Japan is observing a surge in coronavirus cases, months after the country successfully battled the deadly virus. However, the government has decided to not declare an emergency for now.

A government chief spokesman said the government officials and experts will monitor the infection rates and the capacity of hospitals to cope with the demand.&nbsp;

The residents have been urged to stay home and step out only in case of emergencies, and use face masks when stepping out. The revised guidelines came as the country recorded a record high of&nbsp;2,201 cases on Thursday morning. Following the new record, the country is expected to go an alert level in the next few days. However, the claim has not been substantiated by the Japanese government.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pfizer-biontech-coronavirus-vaccine-deliveries-could-begin-before-christmas-344012">Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine deliveries could begin before Christmas</a>

"We will respond appropriately based on conditions,"&nbsp;Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato told a regular press briefing.

Japan's capital city, Tokyo, has however raised the city to an alert level, and the local government made the announcement at a coronavirus panel meeting of the metropolitan government.

Meanwhile, the&nbsp;Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso has declined the rumours of a second cash handout for households after the surge in coronavirus cases. When asked in the parliament if he could consider a second handout, he declined saying he was not thinking about it this time.

The authorities are closely monitoring the situation and will be taking a decision based on the updates.

The Asian country Japan is observing a surge in coronavirus cases, months after the country successfully battled the deadly virus. However, the government has decided to not declare an emergency for now.

The Asian country Japan is observing a surge in coronavirus cases, months after the country successfully battled the deadly virus. However, the government has decided to not declare an emergency for now. A government chief spokesman said the government officials and experts will monitor the infection rates and the capacity of hospitals to cope with the demand. The residents have been urged to stay home and step out only in case of emergencies, and use face masks when stepping out. The revised guidelines came as the country recorded a record high of 2,201 cases on Thursday morning. Following the new record, the country is expected to go an alert level in the next few days. However, the claim has not been substantiated by the Japanese government. Also read| Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine deliveries could begin before Christmas "We will respond appropriately based on conditions," Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato told a regular press briefing. Japan's capital city, Tokyo, has however raised the city to an alert level, and the local government made the announcement at a coronavirus panel meeting of the metropolitan government. Meanwhile, the Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso has declined the rumours of a second cash handout for households after the surge in coronavirus cases. When asked in the parliament if he could consider a second handout, he declined saying he was not thinking about it this time. The authorities are closely monitoring the situation and will be taking a decision based on the updates.

Japan to monitor virus cases, no cash handout for second time: Finance Minister Taro Aso

Coronavirus cases have been on a rise for the past one week in India's national capital city, New Delhi. On Thursday, the capital recorded the highest daily COVID-19 deaths.

The city government reported 131 deaths due to the novel coronavirus and&nbsp;7,486 fresh cases in the capital in the last 24 hours. The city has recorded more than 500,000 total coronavirus cases till now.

Following the rise in cases, the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has decided to impose a fine of Rs. 2,000 for the people who will be spotted without a face mask even in their personal cars.

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Met Hon’ble LG. Briefed him about the corona situation in Delhi. We agreed that to create effective deterrent so that people don’t omit wearing masks, we need to increase fine from the present Rs 500 to Rs 2000.
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) <a href="https://twitter.com/ArvindKejriwal/status/1329347052577296386?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Various experts believe the sudden surge in cases can also be due to an increase in air pollution and a decrease in the air quality in the capital, following the Diwali weekend.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/one-in-five-indians-to-be-vaccinated-against-covid-19-by-july-2021-343970" hreflang="en">One in five Indians to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by July 2021</a>

With the surge in cases, New Delhi has become the worst affected city in the country, with Mumbai following the list with nearly 270,000 total cases. The financial capital, Mumbai, however, has more COVID-19 deaths (10,615) as compared to Delhi's total COVID deaths&nbsp;(7,943).

The rise in cases has also negatively affected the city's healthcare infrastructure, which has resulted in shortage of beds in the hospitals, leaving many patients stranded for proper treatment.

As per officials figures being provided in the Delhi Corona App, more than 90 per cent ICU beds with ventilators and 87 per cent ICU beds without ventilators are already occupied.

Meanwhile, India recorded&nbsp;38,617 coronavirus cases on Thursday morning, and the country's recovery rate has improved to&nbsp;93.52 per cent.

Coronavirus cases have been on a rise for the past one week in India's national capital city, New Delhi. On Thursday, the capital recorded the highest daily COVID-19 deaths.

Coronavirus cases have been on a rise for the past one week in India's national capital city, New Delhi. On Thursday, the capital recorded the highest daily COVID-19 deaths. The city government reported 131 deaths due to the novel coronavirus and 7,486 fresh cases in the capital in the last 24 hours. The city has recorded more than 500,000 total coronavirus cases till now. Following the rise in cases, the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has decided to impose a fine of Rs. 2,000 for the people who will be spotted without a face mask even in their personal cars. Met Hon’ble LG. Briefed him about the corona situation in Delhi. We agreed that to create effective deterrent so that people don’t omit wearing masks, we need to increase fine from the present Rs 500 to Rs 2000. — Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 19, 2020 × Various experts believe the sudden surge in cases can also be due to an increase in air pollution and a decrease in the air quality in the capital, following the Diwali weekend. Also read| One in five Indians to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by July 2021 With the surge in cases, New Delhi has become the worst affected city in the country, with Mumbai following the list with nearly 270,000 total cases. The financial capital, Mumbai, however, has more COVID-19 deaths (10,615) as compared to Delhi's total COVID deaths (7,943). The rise in cases has also negatively affected the city's healthcare infrastructure, which has resulted in shortage of beds in the hospitals, leaving many patients stranded for proper treatment. As per officials figures being provided in the Delhi Corona App, more than 90 per cent ICU beds with ventilators and 87 per cent ICU beds without ventilators are already occupied. Meanwhile, India recorded 38,617 coronavirus cases on Thursday morning, and the country's recovery rate has improved to 93.52 per cent.

Delhi: Fine of 2,000 for not wearing mask in cars; 131 COVID-19 deaths recorded

A lot of countries have initiated a second lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus as many areas observed a second wave with the onset of the winter season. However, one specific area has imposed one of the toughest lockdowns.

South Australia has imposed a strict lockdown as per which nobody is allowed to step out of the house, not even for exercising or walking their pets.

The state is trying to contain the widespread of the novel coronavirus after twenty-three people in the&nbsp;state capital Adelaide got infected by a cleaner who was responsible for helping people quarantine when they arrive in the state from across the borders.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-troops-unlawfully-killed-39-civilians-and-prisoners-in-afghanistan-says-top-official-343987">Australian troops 'unlawfully killed' 39 civilians and prisoners in Afghanistan, says top official</a>

This spread of virus sent the entire state in a strict lockdown as the government is aiming to finish off the infections using the&nbsp;circuit breaker method.

"We want to go hard, go early, but get out of it as quickly as we can,"&nbsp;State Premier Steven Marshall said.

The authorities have asked people to stay indoors at all times. Only one member of the family will be allowed to step out of the house once in a day, only for essential work, and only on the condition of wearing a face mask and practicing social distancing. Other than that, all schools, cafes, restaurants and universities have been closed down on a temporary basis. The residents are also not allowed to step out for their daily exercises or for even walking their pets.

Majority of the infected people have not shown any symptoms and the State Premier is worried the virus may be circulating through surfaces. "It’s a real worry, especially because people who become infected are not showing the typical symptoms that we are used to," Marshall said.

A lot of countries have initiated a second lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus as many areas observed a second wave with the onset of the winter season.

A lot of countries have initiated a second lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus as many areas observed a second wave with the onset of the winter season. However, one specific area has imposed one of the toughest lockdowns. South Australia has imposed a strict lockdown as per which nobody is allowed to step out of the house, not even for exercising or walking their pets. The state is trying to contain the widespread of the novel coronavirus after twenty-three people in the state capital Adelaide got infected by a cleaner who was responsible for helping people quarantine when they arrive in the state from across the borders. Also read| Australian troops 'unlawfully killed' 39 civilians and prisoners in Afghanistan, says top official This spread of virus sent the entire state in a strict lockdown as the government is aiming to finish off the infections using the circuit breaker method. "We want to go hard, go early, but get out of it as quickly as we can," State Premier Steven Marshall said. The authorities have asked people to stay indoors at all times. Only one member of the family will be allowed to step out of the house once in a day, only for essential work, and only on the condition of wearing a face mask and practicing social distancing. Other than that, all schools, cafes, restaurants and universities have been closed down on a temporary basis. The residents are also not allowed to step out for their daily exercises or for even walking their pets. Majority of the infected people have not shown any symptoms and the State Premier is worried the virus may be circulating through surfaces. "It’s a real worry, especially because people who become infected are not showing the typical symptoms that we are used to," Marshall said.

Not even dog walks allowed: This country has imposed world's toughest lockdown

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