Omicron Coronavirus Live Updates: PM Modi Chairs Covid Meet; Kejriwal Rules Out Delhi Lockdown
Follow the latest updates on the omicron variant, coronavirus pandemic and vaccination stats in India here.
Bengaluru Reports Over 9,000 Fresh Covid-19 Cases
Karnataka Health Minister Sudhakar K tweeted that the state has reported 12,000 fresh Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, with Bengaluru reporting 9,020 of them.
The positivity rate in the state has spiked to 6.33%.
Tripura, Himachal Pradesh Impose Fresh Curbs
The Tripura government has imposed night curfew from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. in the state till Jan. 20. Movie halls, sports complexes, stadiums, entertainment parks and bars have been allowed to operate with 50% capacity, while gyms and swimming pools can operate at 33% capacity.
The government in Himachal Pradesh has ordered all public offices to remain closed on weekends and work with 50% physical staff on weekdays. All social and religious gatherings in the state have also been banned. The fresh guidelines will remain in effect till Jan. 24.
PM Modi Chairs Meeting To Review Covid-19 Situation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting with various ministries and departments to review Covid-19 preparedness in the country, through video conferencing.
This comes as India's daily case count and active cases have risen rapidly over the past week. The nation's positivity rate has spiked to 10.2%.
Pregnant, Divyang Government Employees Exempted From Attending Office
Pregnant women employees and Divyang employees have been exempted from attending office due to rising Covid-19 cases, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said today.
Further, the minister said physical attendance of government servants below the level of Under Secretary has been restricted to 50% of the actual strength and the remaining 50% shall work from home.
Maharashtra Revises Covid Curbs, Allows Gyms To Open
The Maharashtra government has allowed gyms to operate, albeit with 50% capacity. "Only fully vaccinated persons shall be allowed to use these services," the government said in an order.
The order comes after several gym owners protested against the decision.
Beauty salons have also been grouped with hair cutting salons and allowed to remain open with 50% capacity.
Over 400 Parliament Staff Test Positive For Covid, Reports ANI
Ahead of the Budget session, over 400 staffers at the Parliament have tested positive for the coronavirus between Jan. 4 and Jan. 8. Several contacts of these officials were put in isolation, ANI reported citing government sources.
Rajya Sabha Issues Guidelines For 50% Employee Attendance
The Rajya Sabha Secretariat has restricted staff attendance in view of rising Covid-19 cases. Half the staff below the rank of under secretary/executive officer will be required to work from home till the end of this mont.
The measures have been taken to contain the spread of the virus among the Secretariat staff ahead of the Budget session which is to begin towards the end of this month. The move follows reports that claimed that over 400 Parliament officials have tested positive for the virus between Jan. 4 and Jan. 8.
No Intent To Impose Lockdown Currently, Says Delhi CM
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said there are currently no plans to impose a lockdown in the state.
"We don't want to impose lockdown. We won't, if you wear masks," he said in an address. "We will review the situation tomorrow."
He added that the rise in Covid-19 cases is concerning. "About 22,000 cases are expected in today's health bulletin. Increasing cases are concerning but need not be scared. I am saying so after comparing data from the last wave," he said.
PM Modi To Review The Covid-19 Situation In The Country Today
Prime Minister Narendra Modi to chair a meeting to review the Covid-19 situation in the country at 4:30 p.m. today, ANI reported citing government sources.
Omicron Tally Rises Above 3,600
India’s Omicron tally stood at 3,623, with the variant being the major reason for the third wave of the virus, as stated by ICMR's Dr. Balram Bhargava.
At present, nine states—Delhi, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Telangana and Karnataka—have more than 100 Omicron cases.
Over 1.6 Lakh Fresh Cases Reported, Active Cases Soar
India continued to add fresh Covid-19 cases at a rapid pace as the Omicron variant spreads.
The nation reported as many as 1,59,632 fresh coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, according to the Health Ministry’s update at 8 a.m. on Jan. 9. That compares with 30,836 recoveries recorded during the period.
Fresh cases have jumped more than 12% in a day. The daily positivity rate spiked to 10.2%.
Key Figures:
Total confirmed cases: 3,55,28,004
Total number of active cases: 5,90,611
Total patients cured/discharged/migrated: 3,44,53,603
Total deaths: 4,83,790
Number of fresh cases in last 24 hours: 1,59,632
One-day recoveries: 40,863
One-day deaths: 327
Total vaccines administered: 1,51,57,60,645
Vaccines administered in the last 24 hours: 89,28,316