In 2022, 92% of COVID deaths have been in unvaccinated individuals, Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Dr. Balram Bhargava said on Thursday. He added that it’s evident that vaccines and the wide vaccination coverage have played a very important role in protecting hundreds of lives.
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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 latest updates
South Korea eases distancing despite record virus deaths
South Korean officials announced an easing of social distancing restrictions even as the country saw its deadliest day of the pandemic on Friday, reflecting reduced political capacity to deal with a fast-developing omicron surge in the face of a growing economic toll and a presidential election next week.
Jeon Hae-cheol, minister of the interior and safety, said the curfew at restaurants, bars, movie theatres and other indoor businesses will be extended by an hour from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. starting Saturday. He cited people’s fatigue and frustration with extended restrictions and the damage to livelihoods. -AP
Active COVID-19 cases in country dip to 69,897
With 6,396 people testing positive for coronavirus infection in a day, India’s total tally of COVID-19 cases rose to 4,29,51,556, while the active cases dipped to 69,897, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday. The death toll climbed to 5,14,589 with 201 fresh fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated. The daily COVID-19 cases have remained less than one lakh for 26 consecutive days.
The active cases comprise 0.16% of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has further improved to 98.64%, the ministry said. A reduction of 7,255 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.
The daily positivity rate was recorded as 0.69% and the weekly positivity rate as 0.90%, according to the ministry. -PTI
France to drop vaccine pass as Covid situation improves: PM
Object previewFrance will this month end most Covid-19 restrictions and scrap its vaccine pass for eating out or attending cultural events, the prime minister said on Friday.
After the surge in cases caused by the Omicron variant, the health situation has improved over the last weeks with less pressure on hospitals, Prime Minister Jean Castex said in a statement.
He said that from March 14 the vaccine pass -- proving that someone has been triple vaccinated against Covid-19 -- will no longer be needed. - AFP
