COVID-19 News Updates

However, medical and nursing colleges may continue to function normally.

The ship had to be sent back after some of the passengers who tested positive refused to get admitted to a COVID-19 facility in Goa.

The decision came as the Omicron variant is spreading rapidly across the US and has led to record high hospitalisations among younger people.

An increase of 26,248 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.

The three cases of Omicron variant of Covid-19 detected in Hotel Sona International include a tourist from West Bengal and two hotel staffs.

Adding another feather in the cap of India’s vaccination drive, the much-awaited inoculation of teenagers in the 15-18 years age group kicked off across the country on Monday (January 3). About 42 lakh children in the age group were inoculated on the first day of Covid vaccination.

The US continues to be the worst-hit country with the world's highest number of cases and deaths at 56,149,558 and 827,726, according to the CSSE.

Only Covaxin vaccine has been given to those who are in the 15-18 age group.

With the drive starting mostly from schools, many principals and other officials said they received a positive response from students and their families.

India on Monday logged 33,750 new Covid-19 cases in a span of 24 hours, with an additional 123 fatalities, according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The rise in cases took the active caseload to 1,45,582, and pushed the nationwide death toll to 4,81,893.

In Photos | COVID19 Vaccination Of Children Across India

All the heads of departments shall also continue to ensure that all employees wear masks at all times and follow Covid-appropriate behaviour strictly, the order said.

Israel has reportedly documented the first case of "Florona". Florona is being attributed to simultaneous infection with Covid-19 and Influenza.

The vaccine used for inoculating children is Bharat Biotech's Covaxin, according to a set of new guidelines issued by the Union health ministry.

State Health and Family Welfare Minister, Naba Das said that there will be no shortage of oxygen in the State while dealing with the cases. During the second wave of Covid-19, Odisha government not only managed to ensure round-the-clock of medical oxygen but also assisted 18 other States who were facing oxygen shortage during the crisis situation, he said.