Coronavirus India Highlights: Only Covaxin approved for beneficiaries aged less than 18 years

Coronavirus Omicron Highlights: While cases of Omicron variant have been rising in India, the country recorded nearly 1.3 lakh fresh cases of Covid-19 during the week (December 27-January 2). Meanwhile, India has started the Covid-19 vaccination of children of 15-18 years age-group. Several states have been forced to impose restrictions in an order to contain the spread of the virus. Punjab on Sunday reported 417 Covid-19 cases and 3 fatalities. The infection tally in Punjab rises to 6,05,509 while the death toll has climbed to 16,648. The number of active cases now stands at 1,369. Also Read | This state now shuts schools, colleges amid Covid surge; offices to function with 50% staff Experts suggest that the Omicron variant is not the deadliest but it is more infectious as compared to the Delta variant. Also Read | Covid-19 vaccination of children aged 15-18 years begins As India started the Covid-19 vaccination of children of 15-18 years age-group, the States and UTs have been further advised to ensure the orientation of vaccinators and vaccination team members for vaccination of 15-18 years age-group and the identification of dedicated session sites for vaccination of 15-18 years age-group.

Coronavirus Omicron Highlights:

15:23 pm | South Korea on Monday confirmed its first two deaths linked to the Omicron COVID-19 variant amid rising worry about the highly transmissible variant. 15:00 pm | Film director and producer Ekta Kapoor tests positive for Covid-19. 14:48 pm | A total of 14 people including 3 police constables, who were to attend Bihar CM's 'Janta Darbar', tested positive for Covid-19. 14:10 pm | '84 percent of the Covid-19 cases reported in Delhi in the past 2 days were of the Omicron variant. Delhi's expected to report around 4,000 cases on Monday with the positivity rate rising to 6.5%. Currently, 202 patients are admitted to Delhi hospitals," said Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain. 13:22 pm | Omicron: Bombay High Court's principal seat to hear matters through hybrid mode (virtual/physical) from Tuesday. 12:33 pm | Six people, who were in Patna to attend Bihar CM's 'Janta Darbar', tested positive for Covid-19. 11:48 am | Number of registrations for COVID vaccination of children aged 15-18 crosses 12 lakh, CoWIN data sated. 11:39 am | "Omicron has emerged as a new threat. Everyone should take precautions against the coronavirus. Experts say Omicron causes mild disease in vaccinated persons...I appeal to all families to make sure that everyone in your family above 60 is fully vaccinated," Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin said. 11:28 am | Delhi Govt stated that Rs 1.15 crore was collected in penalty and 45 FIRs were lodged for offenses related to violation of Covid norms in Delhi on January 2. 11:15 am | "Only Covaxin is approved for beneficiaries aged less than 18 years. Beneficiaries aged 18 & above are eligible for all vaccines. Validations have been put in place in the Co-WIN system to ensure that vaccination is carried out as per government policy," said Union Health Ministry. 10:45 am | "Precautionary dose program to begin from Jan 10 for frontline workers & senior citizens with comorbidities. Assam's 1st dose coverage is almost complete &2nd dose is 70% covered. I'm hopeful that all citizens will get fully vaccinated by this month," said Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma. 10:30 am | COVID vaccination for children in the 15-18 age group has started. "We've seen a very good response from parents & children so far. We've 15 lakh, such children, in Kerala and we hope to vaccinate them within 10 days," State Health Minister Veena George said. 10:15 am | Chandigarh: Vaccination begins for children in the age group of 15 to 18 years at Govt Model Senior Secondary School, Manimajra. "All arrangements are in place and dose supplies are adequate," says Sonia, a vaccinator. 10:06 am | Telangana Congress president Revanth Reddy tests positive for COVID-19. 09:59 am | The number of confirmed Omicron cases in India reached 1,700, the Union Health Ministry stated. 09:52 am | Vaccination starts for children in the age group of 15-18 years in Rajkiya Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya, Laxmi Nagar. "Children are excited to take the vaccine. All the children are being kept in the observation room for 30 minutes," said vaccinator Jyoti Grewal.

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09:49 am | "Omicron spreads fast but causes very mild disease. The virus has weakened. It is like viral fever but precautions are necessary. However, there is no need to panic," said UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. 09:47 am | Covid-19 vaccination for children aged 15-18 starts in Uttar Pradesh. "There are 1.4 crore children in the age group of 15-18 in the state. 2,150 booths have been set up across the state to vaccinate the children," CM Yogi Adityanath said. 09:45 am | Vaccination for children aged 15-18 years begins in Ahmedabad. "We've made a micro plan as per which we'll vaccinate 600 students above 15 years of age with COVAXIN," said Dr. Rajnikanth Contractor, Medical Officer-In-Charge of Chandlodiya Urban Health Center, AMC. 09:40 am | India reported 33,750 fresh Covid-19 cases, 10,846 recoveries, and 123 deaths in the last 24 hours. The active cases now stand at 1,45,582 while total recoveries  at 3,42,95,407 and death toll at 4,81,893. 09:30 am | Amid the surge in Omicron cases, the Rajasthan government has imposed a fresh set of Covid-19 guidelines which has shut schools in Jaipur till January 9 for classes 1 to 8. However, colleges will have to ensure that students above 18 years of age should be fully vaccinated. 09:24 am | While coronavirus cases across the country have been rising rapidly, Punjab on Sunday reported 417 cases of Covid-19 and 3 deaths. Read more 09:15 am | Bollywood actor-producer John Abraham and his wife Priya have tested positive for Covid-19 and are currently home quarantined. Read more 09:10 am | Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Sunday apprised Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi of the current Covid-19 situation and the preparedness against the pandemic in the state. Read more 09:00 am | All universities and colleges shall remain closed till January 12 for students, the Haryana Higher Education Department said on Sunday in view of rising Covid-19 cases across India. Read more. -PTC News