Covid Cases News LIVE Updates: India’s state governments say “all is well,” ramp up surveillance and vaccine drives

In the face of growing skepticism that Covid deaths are being underestimated, the Chinese government defended the accuracy of its official count by revealing that it had updated its method of counting deaths from the virus, CNN reported.

According to the National Health Commission’s latest guidelines, only deaths caused by pneumonia and respiratory failure after contracting the virus are classified as Covid deaths, said Wang Guiqiang, chief infectious disease doctor.

He said those believed to have died from another disease or underlying condition, such as a heart attack, will not be counted as deaths from the virus, even if they were sick with Covid at the time, CNN reported.

Telangana Health Minister T Harish Rao on Friday requested the Center to increase the dose coverage in the state for supply of COVID-19 vaccines.

Participating in a video conference held by Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Rao said Telangana has achieved 48 per cent booster dose coverage against the national average of 23 per cent, an official release said.

It has asked the Center to inform states on various issues including the spread of the virus, its impact and treatment in view of the rise in Omicron sub-variant BF 7 cases in different countries. This will help states improve their preparation, he said.

Chhattisgarh on Friday reported three COVID-19 cases with a positivity rate of 0.23 percent, taking the total to 11,77,748, a health official said.

The number of deaths and the number of recoveries have not changed at 14,146 and 11,63,595, respectively, he added.

The active case count in the state was seven, the official said, adding that the new cases were two in Raipur and one in Durg.

US forces around the world will no longer be required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine after it was removed under an $858 billion defense spending bill passed by Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden on Friday.

The Pentagon is likely to encourage troops to get the shot, but has 30 days to work out the details of canceling the vaccine order.

Biden opposed the Republican-backed provision, and agreed with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin that removing the mandate was not in the best interests of the military, according to White House officials. But he ultimately conceded to GOP demands to pass the legislation.

Noting that there is no need to panic in view of the rise in COVID-19 cases in neighboring countries as there has been no rise in Jammu and Kashmir, the Lieutenant Governor’s administration on Friday said it is fully prepared to deal with the situation.

Officials said genome sequencing facilities are being set up in the capitals of Jammu and Srinagar and urged people to go for voluntary testing if they develop symptoms.

In a meeting with health experts, Chief Secretary Arun Kumar Mehta called for precautionary measures so that the administration is fully prepared to face any contingency.

With the number of coronavirus cases on the rise in several countries, including China, the Odisha government on Friday issued a fresh advisory to citizens to follow proper COVID-19 behaviors, such as wearing masks during Christmas and New Year.

The advice was given after a high-level meeting on the situation of COVID-19.

The state administration has asked people to avoid crowded places and wear masks, maintain social distance and get tested if symptoms are found.