Coronavirus updates | November 7, 2021

The death toll has climbed to 4,60,791 with 526 more fatalities, according to the data updated at 8 am.

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:

COVID-19 AY.4.2 variant frequency too low to be of concern, says INSACOG

The frequency of the new AY.4.2 variant of COVID-19 is less than 0.1 % of all VOI/VOC and is too low to be of concern at this time, the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) said.

Its weekly bulletin said the vaccine effectiveness does not seem to be different for AY.4.2 when compared to other Delta variants. The INSACOG said that AY.4.2 variant of COVID-19 is less than 0.1 % of all of all variants of concern and variant of interest (VOC/VOI) and is too low to be of concern at this time.

"There is currently no biological basis for increased transmissibility of AY.4.2, as judged epidemiologically, and assays are in progress," it said.

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Centre places purchase order for one crore doses of Zydus Cadila's needle-free Covid vaccine

Zydus Cadila's three-dose Covid vaccine ZyCoV-D is set to be included in the national anti-coronavirus inoculation programme this month with the Centre placing a purchase order with the Ahmedabad-based firm for one crore doses, official sources said on Sunday.

The Union Health Ministry is learnt to have given the go ahead to initiate the preparatory work for the introduction of the indigenously developed world's first DNA-based Covid jab, which in all probability will be given to adults initially under the country's vaccination drive, sources in the know of developments said.

ZyCoV-D is the first vaccine cleared by India's drug regulator for inoculation of those aged 12 years and above.- PTI

Active COVID-19 cases in country lowest in 260 days

India saw a single-day rise of 10,853 COVID-19 infections, which took the country's total tally of cases to 3,43,55,536, while active cases have declined to 1,44,845, the lowest in 260 days, according to Union health ministry data updated on Sunday.

The death toll has climbed to 4,60,791 with 526 more fatalities, according to the data updated at 8 am.

The daily positivity rate has been recorded at 1.18%. It has been less than two per cent for the last 34 days.- PTI

Bengal medicos write to Mandaviya for booster dose

A doctors' forum in West Bengal wrote to Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Saturday requesting quick roll out of a booster dose programme for front line warriors fighting COVID-19 while expressing apprehension that the efficacy of the two jabs which are being administered now will “not go further over time”.

The West Bengal Doctors Forum (WBDF) in its two-page letter to Mr. Mandaviya cited studies stating that administration of booster doses is an effective measure to prevent COVID infection by maintaining the vaccine's efficacy.- PTI

Costa Rica issues COVID-19 vaccine requirement for children

Costa Rican children aged five and up must get COVID-19 vaccinations, according to a new health ministry mandate, making the Central American country one of the first to adopt such a requirement for kids.

Coronavirus infection rates in Costa Rica have been trending down recently, with confirmed COVID-19 deaths totaling more than 7,000, according to official data, out of a population of around 5.1 million.- Reuters

L-G reviews Covid situation in J&K; directs for strict enforcement of norms

Jammu and Kashmir Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha reviewed the coronavirus situation in the Union Territory on Saturday and directed for strict enforcement of Covid-appropriate behaviour to check any spike in the cases.

He termed rapid asymptomatic testing and contact tracing as important tools to help reduce the spread of the virus.

The Lieutenant Governor directed the deputy commissioners, superintendents of police and health department to strictly enforce Covid-appropriate behaviour in hospitals, shopping complexes and other public places.- PTI