Amid a rise in Covid cases in several countries, official sources on Wednesday said that the Serum Institute of India (SII) has offered 20 million coronavirus vaccines, Covishield, free of cost to the central government.&nbsp;The source said that the Director of Government and Regulatory Affairs at the Serum Institute, Prakash Kumar Singh, has in written offered the vaccine doses worth Rs 420 Crore ($50 million) free of cost to the Indian government, PTI reported.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-pm-modis-mother-heeraben-hospitalised-is-in-stable-condition-hospital-547303">Also&nbsp;read |&nbsp;India’s PM visits mother at Ahmedabad hospital; her condition is stable, say doctors</a>

SII has previously provided vaccines to the government in its campaigns. Till now, the SII has provided over 170 crores (1.7 billion) doses of Covishield to the government.&nbsp;

It is believed that Singh has sought to know how to deliver the doses.&nbsp;

The Indian government is on alert and has asked states and Union Territories to be prepared amid a rise in Covid cases in countries including China and South Korea.

The government has increased its surveillance and is genome sequencing Covid positive cases.

It made random Covid testing mandatory on Saturday for two per cent of travellers arriving on each international flight.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-government-school-teachers-to-be-stationed-at-airport-on-covid-duty-546801">Also read |&nbsp;Delhi government school teachers to be stationed at airport on Covid duty</a>

With only 27 per cent of Indians eligible to take precautionary doses, officials have urged to those due for it to take it.&nbsp;

Officials sources have also listed that the next 40 days are crucial for India as it might see a spike in coronavirus cases in January.&nbsp;

Health Ministry sources said that even if there is a wave in India, deaths and hospitalisations will be very low.&nbsp;

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya have held meetings to assess India's preparedness for a surge in cases.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Amid a rise in Covid cases in several countries, official sources on Wednesday said that the Serum Institute of India (SII) has offered 20 million coronavirus vaccines, Covishield, free of cost to the central government.

Amid a rise in Covid cases in several countries, official sources on Wednesday said that the Serum Institute of India (SII) has offered 20 million coronavirus vaccines, Covishield, free of cost to the central government. The source said that the Director of Government and Regulatory Affairs at the Serum Institute, Prakash Kumar Singh, has in written offered the vaccine doses worth Rs 420 Crore ($50 million) free of cost to the Indian government, PTI reported. Also read | India’s PM visits mother at Ahmedabad hospital; her condition is stable, say doctors SII has previously provided vaccines to the government in its campaigns. Till now, the SII has provided over 170 crores (1.7 billion) doses of Covishield to the government. It is believed that Singh has sought to know how to deliver the doses. The Indian government is on alert and has asked states and Union Territories to be prepared amid a rise in Covid cases in countries including China and South Korea. The government has increased its surveillance and is genome sequencing Covid positive cases. It made random Covid testing mandatory on Saturday for two per cent of travellers arriving on each international flight. Also read | Delhi government school teachers to be stationed at airport on Covid duty With only 27 per cent of Indians eligible to take precautionary doses, officials have urged to those due for it to take it. Officials sources have also listed that the next 40 days are crucial for India as it might see a spike in coronavirus cases in January. Health Ministry sources said that even if there is a wave in India, deaths and hospitalisations will be very low. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya have held meetings to assess India's preparedness for a surge in cases. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Serum Institute of India to provide 20 mln Covishield vaccines worth $49.5 million to govt free of cost

In view of the sharply rising Covid cases in China and some other countries, the Indian Medical Association Thursday asked the people to go back to following Covid-appropriate behaviour with immediate effect. In an advisory, it has appealed to the people to wear face masks in all public places, maintain social distancing and wash hands with soap and water or use sanitiser.&nbsp;

The public has also been asked to avoid large gatherings, such as weddings, as well as international travel. People have been advised to consult doctors in case of any symptoms like fever, sore throat, cough, loose motions etc. Those eligible should also get vaccinated and get their booster shots, the IMA advisory said.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-reports-three-cases-of-omicron-subvariant-bf7-ministry-steps-up-measures-545157">India reports 3 cases of Omicron subvariant BF.7, which is ravaging China now</a>

"In view of the sudden surge of Covid&nbsp;cases in different countries, Indian Medical Association alerts and appeals the public to follow COVID appropriate behaviour with immediate effect," it&nbsp;said.

"As per the available reports, nearly 5.37 lakh new cases have been reported in last 24 hours from major countries like the USA, Japan, South Korea, France, and Brazil. India has reported 145 new cases in last 24 hours, out of which four cases are of the new China variant — BF.7," it said.

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The IMA has also asked the government to increase preparedness in case the situation unfolds like it did in 2021, and arrange for emergency medicines, oxygen supply, and ambulance services. "As of now, the situation is not alarming and therefore there is no need to panic. Prevention is better than cure," it added.

China is witnessing an unprecedented surge in Covid cases, with hospitals overwhelmed. It is being reported that the present surge in Covid infections in China is believed to be driven by the BF.7 — a sub-variant of Omicron. The same variant was dominant in the United States and several European countries in October.

(With inputs from agencies)

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In view of the sharply rising Covid cases in China and some other countries, the Indian Medical Association Thursday asked the people to go back to following Covid-appropriate behaviour with immediate effect.

In view of the sharply rising Covid cases in China and some other countries, the Indian Medical Association Thursday asked the people to go back to following Covid-appropriate behaviour with immediate effect. In an advisory, it has appealed to the people to wear face masks in all public places, maintain social distancing and wash hands with soap and water or use sanitiser. The public has also been asked to avoid large gatherings, such as weddings, as well as international travel. People have been advised to consult doctors in case of any symptoms like fever, sore throat, cough, loose motions etc. Those eligible should also get vaccinated and get their booster shots, the IMA advisory said. Also Read | India reports 3 cases of Omicron subvariant BF.7, which is ravaging China now "In view of the sudden surge of Covid cases in different countries, Indian Medical Association alerts and appeals the public to follow COVID appropriate behaviour with immediate effect," it said. "As per the available reports, nearly 5.37 lakh new cases have been reported in last 24 hours from major countries like the USA, Japan, South Korea, France, and Brazil. India has reported 145 new cases in last 24 hours, out of which four cases are of the new China variant — BF.7," it said. × The IMA has also asked the government to increase preparedness in case the situation unfolds like it did in 2021, and arrange for emergency medicines, oxygen supply, and ambulance services. "As of now, the situation is not alarming and therefore there is no need to panic. Prevention is better than cure," it added. China is witnessing an unprecedented surge in Covid cases, with hospitals overwhelmed. It is being reported that the present surge in Covid infections in China is believed to be driven by the BF.7 — a sub-variant of Omicron. The same variant was dominant in the United States and several European countries in October. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

IMA advises people to mask up, go back to practicing other Covid protocols

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Serum Institute of India to provide 20 mln Covishield vaccines worth $49.5 million to govt free of cost

IMA advises people to mask up, go back to practicing other Covid protocols