Coronavirus in India Updates: Delhi reports 20,718 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours

Jharkhand Government has extended present COVID 19 related restrictions in the state till January 31

West Bengal has reported 19,064 fresh COVID cases and 39 deaths in the last 24 hours.

Maharashtra has reported 42,462 new COVID cases in the last 24 hours. The state has reported 125 Omicron cases today.  

Goa has reported 3,274 new COVID cases and 4 deaths in the last 24 hours.

Punjab has reported 6,883 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours

A total of 5,705 new COVID cases and 2 deaths have been reported in the Pune Municipal Corporation area in the last 24 hours.

Tamil Nadu has reported 23,989 new COVID cases and 11 deaths in the last 24 hours.

Mumbai has reported fresh 10,661 COVID cases in the last 24 hours.

"Test positivity rises to 15% in Karnataka with 32,793 new cases reported today", Karnataka Minister Dr K Sudhakar informed.

Jammu and Kashmir has reported 3251 new COVID cases in the last 24 hours, 1129 from Jammu Division and 2122 from Kashmir Division. 

Chandigarh has reported 1,795 new COVID cases in the last 24 hours.

Kerala has reported 17,755 new COVID19 cases and 17 deaths in the last 24 hours.

Delhi has reported 20,718 new COVID cases and 30 deaths in the last 24 hours.  And with this, the active COVID cases stand at 93,407. The positivity rate has remained at 30.64%. 

Mizoram has reported 477 new COVID cases in the last 24 hours.

"Those not fully vaccinated will not be allowed to enter public places like district courts, hotels, markets etc. from tomorrow. There is no situation of a lockdown in Assam yet, but wearing a mask is a must", said, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma. 

"Restrictions, relaxation measures & advisory as already in force under the Disaster Management Act read with WB Epidemic Disease, COVID-19 Regulations 2020, stand extended up to January 31, 2022", the West Bengal government informed.

"Marriage-related functions will be allowed with a maximum of 200 people at a time or 50% seating capacity of the hall/venue, whichever is lower. Fairs may be allowed in open-air venues in a very restricted manner, following COVID-19 appropriate protocols", the guidelines read. 

Unvaccinated children in the 15 to 18 age group will not be allowed to enter schools: Haryana minister Anil Vij

"We have decided that everyone purchasing self-test kits will have to provide their Aadhar cards to the chemists to maintain a record. If anyone tests positive they must inform the authorities and update this online," added Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar.

"I appeal to the leaders party workers to abide by EC guidelines, COVID protocols whenever they come to the office...I have also heard that a notice was also put up at our office today," added SP chief Akhilesh Yadav.

Ahead of SP chief Akhilesh Yadav's presser today, Lucknow Police puts up a notice outside their party office in view of the violation of Model Code of Conduct, Section 144, COVID protocols by the party yesterday, January 14:

Evidence of early community transmission of Omicron (B1.1.529) in Delhi: Department of Clinical Virology at the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS), New Delhi

"Today, Delhi COVID cases are expected to be reduced by 4,000- positivity rate will be around 30%; hospital admission rate hasn't risen in past 5-6 days," informed Delhi Health Min Satyendra Jain.

However, Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain also said that 'Cases' peak has arrived, let's see when the decline begins'

Amid growing concerns over COVID-19 spread, sources also revealed that Union Health Secretary will also be present in the meeting with Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra to take a call over rallies in poll-bound states. 

Taking cognizance of the report presented Lucknow DM in view of the violation of COVID protocols yesterday - January 14 (at SP office) in-charge Gautampalli, Dinesh Singh Bisht to be suspended with immediate effect due to gross negligence in the discharge of duties: UP CEC

India reports 2,68,833 fresh COVID cases (4,631 more than yesterday) and 1,22,684 recoveries in the last 24 hours:

Restrictions imposed in Jammu & Kashmir shall continue to remain in force till further orders. There shall be complete restriction on non-essential movement during weekends; night curfew to remain in force from 9 pm-6 am with complete restriction on non-essential movement:

Mizoram COVID-19 update:

Assam on Friday reported 2,348 new COVID-19 cases, 5 deaths and 861 recoveries:

White House announces website to order free COVID19 tests starting January 19:

The Drugs Controller General of India's (DCGI) Subject Expert Committee (SEC) has asked for more data from the COVID vaccine manufacturers- Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech for granting them full market approval for their vaccines Covishield and Covaxin respectively, reported ANI. 

Read full story here.

There have been some media reports claiming a 'significant undercounting' of actual COVID-19 deaths in the first two waves, alleging that the final death toll may be 'substantially greater' crossing the three million mark. The Centre has, however, clarified the reports as being false.

"Government of India has a very comprehensive definition to classify COVID deaths, based on globally acceptable categorisation. All deaths are being independently reported by States, and are being compiled centrally. The backlog in COVID-19 mortality data being submitted by the States at different times are being reconciled in the data of Govt of India on a regular basis," the Press Information Bureau said, adding, "A large number of States have regularly reconciled their death numbers and have reported arrear deaths in a broadly transparent manner. Therefore, to project that deaths have been under-reported is without basis and without justification."

In view of surge in COVID cases, West Bengal BJP writes to State Election Commissioner requesting to postpone the municipality elections for one month:

Haryana reports 8,841 new cases, Active case stands at 41,420, positivity rate 17.31%:

"We'll are facing downfall & there is no change in our rent, salary structure. My entire restaurant is run by specially-abled people & I can't leave them. More stringent SOPs should be laid down instead of closing down a business" said a restaurant owner in Pune.