A total of 1,892 cases of Omicron variant of coronavirus have been detected across 23 States and Union Territories so far. India’s Covid tally rose to 3,49,60,261 with 37,379 new cases, while the active cases increased to 1,71,830, according to the data updated at 8 a.m.

You can track coronavirus cases, deaths and testing rates at the national and State levels here. A list of State Helpline numbers is available as well.

Here are the updates:

Punjab

80 doctors, students at Patiala medical college test positive for COVID-19

A total of 80 people, including doctors, students and support staff, of the Government Rajindra Hospital and Medical College in Punjab’s Patiala have tested positive for COVID-19, officials said on Tuesday.

This comes as Patiala is turning out to be the worst-hit district in Punjab in terms of a rising number of coronavirus cases.

Patiala reported 143 fresh coronavirus cases, accounting for 34 per cent of the 419 cases in Punjab, with a positivity rate of 23.95 per cent, on Monday.

District Epidemiologist Dr Sumeet Singh on Tuesday said 22 resident doctors, 34 medical students, nine faculty members and 15 support and paramedical staff at the Government Rajindra Hospital and Medical College have tested positive for COVID-19.

The officials said directions have been issued to evacuate nearly 1,000 medical students from the hostel after conducting their Covid tests.- PTI

West Bengal

IIT Kharagpur reports 60 COVID-19 cases

Sixty persons, including 40 students and researchers residing on IIT Kharagpur’s campus have tested positive for COVID-19, an official said Tuesday.

Most of those infected are mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic and either at home isolation or at isolation wards created in the prestigious engineering institution’s hostels, Tamal Nath, IIT Kharagpur’s Registrar told PTI.

Other than the student-researchers, 20 other infected are from non-teaching staff and faculty.- PTI

New Delhi

Weekend curfew to be imposed in Delhi

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia: Today in the DDMA meeting, government has taken some decisions. There will be curfew in Delhi on Saturday and Sunday.

All government offices, except for essential services, others will work from home.

Private offices will be allowed 50% capacity offline and 50% to work from home. Buses and metros will run at full capacity. But no one will be allowed without a mask.- Nikhil M Babu

 

West Bengal

Cricketer Laxmi Ratan Shukla, TMC’s Babul Supriyo test COVID-positive

Cricketer Laxmi Ratan Shukla said on Tuesday that he has tested positive for COVID-19.

Mr. Shukla, a former minister in the West Bengal government, said he was in home isolation.

“I have tested positive for COVID-19 and in home isolation. I have a high fever and I am following the doctor’s advice. Other members of my family are fine,” Mr. Shukla, the captain of the Bengal Ranji Trophy team, told PTI.

Former Union minister Babul Supriyo said he along with his wife, father and several members of his staff have tested positive for COVID-19.

“Me, my wife, Dad, multiple staff, hv all tested positive, but my concern is the superhigh Rs.61000/- price of the Cocktail jab that needs to be given SOS to seriously ill #COVID19 patients. Dad who is 84, needed the jab SOS & I hv to buy it on-the-spot. Hw can the EWS afford it? (sic),” he tweeted.- PTI

Odisha

Odisha registers 60% jump in daily cases, highest in three months

Odisha on Tuesday registered a 60% jump in daily COVID-19 cases by reporting 680 new ones compared to Monday’s 424.

While 31 students tested positive from the campus of the National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar, an autonomous institute under Department of Atomic Energy, the office of Deputy Commissioner of Police, Bhubaneswar, was sealed following the detection of COVID-19 positive cases.

Monday’s sudden rise in cases is the highest in almost three months as the State last reported over 600 cases on October 12. Khordha district, of which capital city of Bhubaneswar is a part, saw its COVID-19 graph shooting up from 151 to 263 in 24 hours.

 

Gujarat

Former Saurashtra player Ambapratasinh Jadeja dies of COVID-19 infection

Former Saurashtra cricketer Ambapratasinhji Jadeja died of COVID-19 infection on Tuesday, the Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) said.

He was 69-years-old.

“Everyone at Saurashtra Cricket Association are deeply saddened on the sad demise of Saurashtra’s yesteryears’ cricketer late Shri Ambapratapsinhji Jadeja. He passed away today early morning at Valsad fighting hard battle against Covid-19,” the SCA said in a media statement issued here.

Hailing from Jamnagar, Jadeja was a prominent right-arm medium pacer and right-handed batsman. He played eight Ranji Trophy matches representing Saurashtra.- PTI

Mumbai

Actor Drashti Dhami tests positive for COVID-19, under home quarantine

Popular TV actor Drashti Dhami on Tuesday said she has tested positive for the novel coronavirus and is under home quarantine.

The 36-year-old actor took to Intagram to share news about her COVID-19 diagnosis with her fans.

Ms. Dhami is recognised for her roles in TV shows such as “Madhubala – Ek Ishq Ek Junoon”, “Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi Rani”, “Silsila Badalte Rishton Ka” and features in historical drama ‘Empire on Disney+Hotstar among others.- PTI

Odisha

Bengal tourist among 3 found omicron-positive in Puri, hotel declared micro-containment zone

A hotel in Odisha’s Puri was declared a micro-containment zone after three people were found to be positive for the omicron variant of coronavirus, officials said on Tuesday.

One of the patients is a tourist from West Bengal, while the other two are staff members of the hotel, they said.

The hotel in ward 11 was declared a micro-containment zone after the three cases were detected, Puri District Collector Samarth Verma said.

No one would be allowed to enter the hotel, and no one from inside would be allowed to come out, he said.

All the employees of the hotel will undergo RT-PCR tests, he said.

All the shops on the premises of the hotel have been closed, while the administration is providing essential items to those living inside, he said.- PTI

Andhra Pradesh

Intermediate students being vaccinated at the premises of Maris Stella College in Vijayawada on Tuesday, as vaccination for teenagers began across the State.

 

Punjab

Night curfew imposed, educational institutions shut in Punjab

Amid rising COVID-19 cases, the Punjab Government on January 4 decided to clamp night curfew, shut educational institutions and allow cinema halls to operate with 50% capacity to arrest the spread of the infection, officials said.

Movement of individuals for all non-essential activities shall remain prohibited between 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. within municipal limits of all cities and towns of Punjab, according to an order issued by the Home Affairs and Justice Department on January 4.

All educational institutions, including schools, colleges, universities, and coaching institutions, shall remain closed, it further said.

New Delhi

BJP MP Manoj Tiwari tests positive for COVID-19

Bharatiya Janta Party MP from North East Delhi and former State unit chief Manoj Tiwari on Tuesday said he tested positive for COVID-19 and has isolated himself at home.

He has developed fever and cold two days back and tested positive on Tuesday. “Was feeling unwell since January 2 night. I could not go for poll campaigning in Rudrapur in Uttarakhand due to mild fever and cold. Have tested positive today. As precautionary measure I have isolated myself yesterday (Monday) only. Please take care of you and your families,” Mr. Tiwari said in a tweet in Hindi on Tuesday.

 

Mumbai

No move as of now to put curbs on suburban train travel: BMC official

There is no proposal at present to put any restrictions on suburban train travel in Mumbai, a senior civic official has said amid the metropolis recording a surge in new coronavirus cases.

Though the number of daily COVID-19 cases and positivity rate have been increasing in the city, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is working on preventive measures and is ready to handle any crisis, Additional Municipal Commissioner Suresh Kakani told reporters on Monday.

He said at present there is no proposal to put any curbs on suburban train travel.- PTI

U.S.A.

Whoopi Goldberg tests positive for COVID-19

Veteran actor and “The View” co-host Whoopi Goldberg has tested positive for COVID-19.

Joy Behar, co-host of the ABC talk show, revealed 66-year-old Goldberg’s diagnosis on the programme Monday.

“Whoopi unfortunately tested positive over the break, but she will hopefully be back next week. Since she is vaxxed and boosted, her symptoms have been very, very mild, but we are being super cautious here at The View,” Ms. Behar (79) said.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, another co-host Sunny Hostin (53) also said she tested positive for COVID-19 before Christmas.- PTI

Gujarat

Gujarat HC restricts entry of people in its premises

The Gujarat High Court has restricted the entry of people in its premises in the wake of a rise in coronavirus cases in the state, and barred the entry of litigants while making it mandatory for those required to appear in person to carry COVID-19 negative report.

The curbs will come into effect from Wednesday, as per a circular issued by the HC’s registrar general on Monday.

According to the circular, the Chief Justice has also ordered for the closure of all the canteens located in the high court premises from Wednesday.

Screening has been made mandatory for all those entering the court premises, with strict adherence to social distancing norm and cooperation with the medical screening team, it said.- PTI

National

Omicron tally in India rises to 1,892

 

A total of 1,892 cases of Omicron variant of coronavirus have been detected across 23 states and Union Territories so far, out of which 766 have recovered or migrated, according to the Union health ministry’s data updated on Tuesday.

Maharashtra has recorded the maximum number of 568 cases, followed by Delhi (382), Kerala (185), Rajasthan (174), Gujarat (152), and Tamil Nadu (121).

India’s Covid tally rose to 3,49,60,261 with 37,379 new cases, while the active cases increased to 1,71,830, according to the data updated at 8 am.

The death toll climbed to 4,82,017 with 124 more fatalities, the data showed.- PTI

New Delhi

Arvind Kejriwal tests positive for COVID-19

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday, January 4, 2022, said he has tested positive for COVID-19 and isolated himself at home.

The Chief Minister urged people who came in contact with him in the last few days to quarantine and get tested.

 

Australia

Australia’s COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations hit new records

New virus cases in Australia surged to record levels on Tuesday, increasing the strain on hospitals and testing centers across the country.

In New South Wales, Australia’s most-populous state, 23,131 new cases were reported, an increase on the record of 22,577 cases on New Year’s Day. There were 1,344 people in hospitals, up 140 on the previous day and 78 more than the record previously set in late September. The new cases were detected from 83,376 tests, a positivity rate of 28%.

Victoria state reported 14,020 cases on Tuesday, eclipsing the record of 8,577 set on Monday. There were 516 people in hospitals, including 108 in intensive care.

The new numbers mean Australia has passed the grim milestone of 500,000 COVID-19 cases.- AP

National

Priyanka Gandhi in home isolation

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is in home isolation after a member of her family and one of her staff members tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday.

 

U.S.A.

FDA expands COVID boosters for more U.S. teens

The U.S. is expanding COVID-19 boosters as it confronts the Omicron surge, with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allowing extra Pfizer shots for children as young as 12.

Boosters already are recommended for everyone 16 and older, and federal regulators on Monday decided they’re also warranted for 12- to 15-year-olds once enough time has passed since their last dose.

Uttar Pradesh

Union Minister Mahendra Nath Pandey tests positive for COVID-19

Union Minister for Heavy Industries Mahendra Nath Pandey was admitted at a hospital here on Monday after he tested positive for COVID-19.

Mr. Pandey (65) who is a BJP MP from Chandauli constituency, had earlier also tested positive for the coronavirus.

“‘I was unwell for the last two days due to which I underwent the COVID test and the report came positive. All those who have come in contact with me in the last few days are requested to take care of themselves and get the necessary investigations done,” he tweeted.

The minister was admitted at the Yashoda hospital in Kaushambi.- PTI

National

33,000 new COVID-19 cases in India; all States record rise

Union Health Ministry data at 8 a.m. on Monday showed India confirmed over 33,000 new COVID-19 cases in the previous 24 hours. The number of deaths increased by 123, bringing the total to nearly 4,82,000. Authorities say that even as cases have started to rise rapidly, hospitalisations have not gone up.

Maharashtra leads the surge in cases, with the State recording 12,160 new infections on Monday taking its active case tally to 52,422.

New Delhi

Delhi Govt asks school principals to daily upload status of vaccinated students on Google Tracker

The Delhi government has asked all school principals to daily upload the status of vaccinated students on Google Tracker by 4 pm without fail, officials said on Monday.

Over 20,900 teenagers received their first vaccine dose as the inoculation drive for the 15 to 18 age group began at 169 vaccination centres in Delhi on Monday.

The national capital reported 4,099 new Covid cases on Monday, 28 per cent more than Sunday, and one death as the positivity rate rose to 6.46%, according to data shared by the Health Department.- PTI

National

Allegations on expiry of vaccines are false: Health Ministry

The Health Ministry, on Monday, clarified that all allegations about expired vaccines being administered in India under its national COVID-19 vaccination programme are false and misleading and based on incomplete information.

National

Centre allows work from home for 50% of its staff below Under Secretary-level

The Centre has allowed 50% of its employees below the level of Under Secretary to work from home amid rising coronavirus cases, according to a Personnel Ministry order issued on Monday.

Persons with disabilities and pregnant women employees have been exempted from attending the offices, it said.

Central government officers/staff will have to follow staggered timing to avoid overcrowding in the offices, the order said.

All the officers/staff residing in Covid containment zones have also been exempted from coming to office till containment zones are de-notified, it said in the order issued to all central government departments.- PTI

(With inputs from Agencies)