Covid-19, Omicron Cases In India Updates: Schools closed, New Year restrictions at universities as cases rise

Due to surge in Odisha Covid-19 cases, the Odisha government on Sunday said that it was withholding its decision to reopen schools for students of Classes 1 to 5 from Monday. Odisha schools were scheduled to open on January 3 as per the directions of the chief minister. Physical classes were planned to be resumed in about 27,000 schools in Odisha. However, physical classes for students of classes 6 to 10 will continue

The vaccination against COVID-19 of 36 lakh schoolchildren in the 15-18 age group in Madhya Pradesh will begin from Monday, with plans afoot to administer doses to 12 lakh beneficiaries in this segment on the first day, a senior health official said, as per PTI.

Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan writes to chief secretaries of all States/UTs on measures to deal with a possible surge in COVID cases; advises them to initiate process of setting up makeshift hospitals & constitute special teams to monitor patients in home isolation pic.twitter.com/NNWJiLsmon

— ANI (@ANI) January 1, 2022

Registration for vaccination of children against COVID-19 in the 15-18 age group began in Delhi on Saturday, as centres here have geared up to start inoculating the younger population from January 3, PTI reported.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Saturday sought people’s cooperation to entirely eliminate the pandemic and informed that his government will soon roll-out a COVID-19 vaccination drive targetting the 15 - 18 years age group, PTI reported.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said India will fight the Covid-19 pandemic with full caution and vigilance, and protect its national interests, PTI reported.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday prayed for peace and prosperity of one and all urged people to follow COVID-19 protocols as they ushered in 2022. Banerjee also greeted the students' community on the occasion of Students Day in the state, PTI reported.

Pattali Makkal Katch founder, S Ramadoss on December 30, 2021, urged the Tamil Nadu government to direct schools and colleges to cancel offline classes and shift to online mode, as COVID-19 cases see a surge, the Hindustan Times reported.

The Nagpur Municipal Corporation on Friday said curbs announced by the Maharashtra government to check the spread of COVID-19 amid the Omicron scare will come into force from midnight, PTI reported.

More than ten ministers and at least 20 MLAs in Maharashtra have tested positive for coronavirus so far, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said on Saturday and added that strict restrictions might be clamped if the new COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the state. Pawar's warning came a day after Maharashtra reported 8,067 fresh coronavirus positive cases, as much as 50 per cent more than Thursday, PTI reported.

Registration for vaccination of children in the 15-18 age group against COVID-19 is beginning on Saturday on the COWIN portal, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said. Taking to Twitter, he requested people to register eligible children in their families for this.

Omicron in West Bengal: A vaccination drive for children aged 15 to 18 years, would be carried out in Kolkata on January 3 at schools and at Covid vaccination centres. The Kolkata Municipal Corporation health department team of vaccinators will reach 16 government and private schools located across 16 KMC boroughs, reported the Times of India.

Omicron Update In West Bengal: With rising new Covid cases in Kolkata in last 24 hours, Kolkata Municipal Corporation will mark out 17 containment zones in different parts of the city to combat omicron cases in West Bengal's Kolkata city, said Mayor Firhad Hakim on Friday. Hakim told reporters with over 1,000 Covid cases in Kolkata, the KMC will also set up 'Safe Homes' for people who cannot self-isolate themselves.

Karnataka Covid Cases : 23 new Omicron cases in Karnataka confirmed today. 19 Omicron cases were detected in international travellers from the USA, Europe, Middle East and Africa, tweeted Sudhakar K, minister for health and family welfare and medical education of Karnataka. Karnataka coronavirus cases are on the rise.

Twenty three new cases of Omicron confirmed in Karnataka today, of which 19 are international travellers from USA, Europe, Middle East and Africa. #Omicron #COVID19 @BSBommai @mansukhmandviya

— Dr Sudhakar K (@mla_sudhakar) December 31, 2021

Number of Corona Cases In Karnataka In Last 24 Hours : Covid in Karnataka is on the rise with 8223 active cases.

Night Curfew In Kerala: Kerala reported 44 more cases of Omicron variant of COVID-19 on Friday, taking the total number of Kerala covid cases of omicron variant to 107, the state Health Department said. A statewide night curfew was imposed from Thursday onwards, reported PTI.

Kerala Night Curfew Timings: The curfew timings will be from 10 pm to 5 am.

Latest Update On Omicron In India: Owing to increasing Omicron cases in Delhi today, the night curfew imposed at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) from December 27 will be continuing. The JNU night curfew is imposed from 11 pm to 5 am as per the order by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA).

All concerned to pay attention please! pic.twitter.com/dqVOSow1AR

— Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) (@JNU_official_50) December 28, 2021

Delhi Night Curfew Timings: Delhi Police is following strict surveillance to enforce the Covid-19 night curfew imposed in Delhi from 11 pm to 5 am owing to the increasing Covid case in Delhi today.

West Bengal Covid Update: As COVID-19 cases are increasing at an alarming rate, the West Bengal School Education Department has instructed teachers and non-teaching staffers having cough, cold or mild fever to not attend schools till they test negative for the infection.

Omicron Cases in West Bengal: More than 1,000 fresh cases were reported by Covid 19 tracker West Bengal on Wednesday. The daily count crossed 2,000 on Thursday.

Offline classes for Classes 9 to 12 was resumed in West Bengal on November 16. The government was planning to reopen lower classes too in a phased manner, according to Bratya Basu, education minister. However, owing to the Covid situation in West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, chief minister of WB said that the situation has to be reviewed before reopening schools.

A school and two colleges shut down in Gujarat's Anand district as students and teaching staff tested positive for Covid-19. Four teachers at a secondary school in Sunav village of Petlad taluk in Anand district were tested corona positive. The school was closed for 15 days. Two students of a physiotherapy and an arts college in Anand town also tested positive. Both colleges were closed to prevent further spread, reported the Time of India.

Gujarat Covid Cases Today: There are 2371 active Covid cases in Gujarat as per data shared by the Gujarat government.  Gujarat has extended Covid restrictions owing to rising omicron cases in Gujarat.

All are advised to self-isolate and go into quarantine if Covid 19 omicron symptoms are noticed.

Omicron News Maharashtra: Since Covid cases in Mumbai has been on the rise, section 144 has been imposed, and extended till January 15.

"Section 144 of CrPC imposed in the backdrop of rising Covid cases in Mumbai today, has been extended till January 15. People are prohibited from visiting public places from 5 pm to 5 am. Mumbai Police will take action if the restrictions are violated," reported ANI.

Maharashtra | Restrictions under Section 144 of CrPC extended in Mumbai till Jan 15. Mumbai Police prohibits citizens from visiting beaches, open grounds, sea faces, promenades, gardens, parks, or similar public places, from 5 pm to 5 am. #Omicron pic.twitter.com/AbHYEJiFKr

— ANI (@ANI) December 31, 2021

Section 144 Meaning: Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) is a government ruling that prohibits public gatherings in the area where it is imposed. It is issued during emergency cases.

Omicron cases in Mumbai today: Around 4000 Covid cases are reported in Mumbai on December 30 according to various media reports. Omicron virus cases in India is increasing at an alarming rate.

Noida Covid Cases: “Both vaccinated and unvaccinated people are vulnerable towards the Omicron variant. Hence, parents cannot gamble on the lives of their unvaccinated children. We have requested the district inspector of schools (DIOS) to close all schools and to discontinue offline classes taking into consideration the rise of the Covid case in UP district Gautam Buddh Nagar. Once children get vaccinated too, we can think of physical classes,” said Yatendra Kasana, president of All Noida School Parents Association (ANSPA), reported the Hindustan Times.

Covid Case in UP Today: Uttar Pradesh has 419 active Covid cases as of now. Omicron in UP is also on the rise. The UP government's orders insisted on the continuation of offline classes in schools with strict Covid safety protocols.

Mizoram's COVID-19 tally rose to 1,41,400 on Friday as 243 more people, including 63 children, tested positive for the infection, a health official said. The northeastern state's coronavirus death toll remained unchanged at 542 as no fresh fatality was reported, he said.

Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad has announced winter vacation for primary and junior high school from December 31 to January 15, 2022. UP schools for up to Class 8 will be closed, as per the academic calendar 2022.

IIT-Bombay saw a spurt in Covid-19 cases. Of the 40 cases detected in December on the campus, 24 were reported in just 10 days. About half of these 24 are students. In fact, eight campus residents, including five students, tested positive on Thursday.

Telangana health authorities have closed down a private junior college in Narsingi in Hyderabad’s Ranga Reddy district after 38 students tested positive for Covid-19. On Wednesday, the authorities instructed the management to shut the college down for a week.38 students in Sri Chaitanya Junior College tested Covid-19 positive in Narsingi, Ranga Reddy district. According to various media reports, the district medical authorities said 20 students tested positive on Tuesday and 18 on Wednesday after conducting a Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) for Covid-19. Most of the students who had tested positive were living in hostels.

“Omicron scare in Dibrugarh University after the Regional Medical Research Centre for Northeast region - ICMR-RMRC, Dibrugarh reported suspected infection by this new variant of Covid-19 in three students from Africa staying in the university's international hostel,” as per the TOI report.

Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education has requested the state government to vaccinate Class 10, 12 students on priority as board exam 2022 is in March, TOI reported. The Covid-19 vaccination for children falling under the category for 15-18 years will start on January 3, 2022.

Pattali Makkal Katch founder S Ramadoss urged the Tamil Nadu government to direct schools and colleges to cancel physical classes and shift to online mode, amid an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, The Hindu reported. “School children have not been vaccinated so far and the situation is concerning. Only solution available now is declaring holiday for schools till the situation improves, “ he said.

Noida parents association has demanded the closure of schools in Noida in view of rising Covid-19 cases. The All Noida School Parents Association (ANSPA) in a letter to the district inspector of schools (DIOS), Gautam Budh Nagar, requested the closure of schools in the district, as per reports. Noida's Gautam Buddh Nagar on Thursday logged 38 new COVID-19 infections that pushed the number of active cases in the district to 135 – a figure it last saw over six months ago, official data showed. Ghaziabad, adjoining Gautam Buddh Nagar, also recorded 17 new cases that pushed its tally of active infections to 90, the data showed.

Fifteen students of Thapar University, Patiala, tested positive for Covid on Thursday. Following this, the district health authorities have declared one of the hostels as a containment zone, the Hindustan Times reported.

India logged 309 fresh Omicron infections, taking the total tally of such cases in the country to 1,270, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday. The 1,270 cases have been detected across 23 states and UTs so far, and 374 people have recovered or migrated.  Maharashtra recording the maximum number of 450 cases followed by Delhi  at 320, Kerala 109 and Gujarat 97. The daily rise in COVID-19 cases crossed the 16,000 mark after around 64 days, PTI reported.

Maharashtra Government has capped the attendance at gatherings in open or closed spaces at 50, following a surge in coronavirus cases in the state.

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) imposed night curfew from 11 pm to 5 pm till further orders following Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) orders. “Stakeholders of the University are hereby informed that the curfew will be in force in the University premises from 11 pm to 5 am till further orders,” as per the latest JNU circular.

JNU circular on night curfew

Delhi schools will remain closed as yellow alert continues in the national capital due to rise in Covid-19 and Omicron cases. Delhi government has also imposed night curfew in view of surge in cases and to avoid New Year crowding.

Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) Vice Chancellor Professor Najma Akhtar has asked all students and employees of the university to strictly follow Covid Appropriate Behaviour (CAB) in view of the surge in Covid-19 and its new variant Omicron cases in the national capital.

National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE) has also informed students residing on campus hostels that they are not allowed to visit outside the campus on December 31, 2021, and January 1 (New Year 2022). This decision is taken as precautionary measures due to a surge in COVID-19 cases in Mumbai.

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay said that the exit rules post Januray 1 will be reviewed as per BMC's evolving guidelines. As per IIT Bombay's latest notification:

• Exit will be allowed only for medical emergencies and to those who have already booked travel tickets to visit home or for other purposes associated with academics.
• Academic purposes should be certified by the respective supervisor. Such permission requests should be sent to A/Dean.SA by December 29.
• Request CSO to pass the appropriate message to all security at gates to implement the above decision.

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has informed students on campus and who are staying in hostels that there will be a blanket ban to visit outside the campus on December 31, 2021, and January 1, 2022. This decision was taken as precautionary measures due to a surge in Covid-19 cases in Mumbai and in the campus.

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay

Gujarat reported 573 new cases of coronavirus during the last 24 hours, taking the tally of positive cases in the state to 8,31,078, the health department said in a release on Thursday evening. In good news, no new case of the Omicron variant was reported in the state.

Punjab on Thursday reported 167 fresh coronavirus infections, a jump of 67 cased in a day. With this, the infection tally rose to 6,04,594 in the state, according to a medical bulletin.

Noida's Gautam Buddh Nagar on Thursday logged 38 new COVID-19 infections that pushed the number of active cases in the district to 135 – a figure it last saw over six months ago, official data showed. Ghaziabad, adjoining Gautam Buddh Nagar, also recorded 17 new cases that pushed its tally of active infections to 90, the data showed.

Chhattisgarh on Thursday continued to witness a surge in COVID-19 cases with 150 people testing positive for the infection, which took its overall tally to 10,07,997, an official said. This is the second consecutive day when more than 100 cases were reported in the state.

Assam's COVID-19 tally rose to 6,20,573 on Thursday as 101 more people tested positive for the infection while two fresh fatalities pushed the death toll to 6,164, a National Health Mission (NHM) bulletin said.

Five persons, who returned to West Bengal from foreign countries recently, were found to be infected with the omicron variant of COVID-19, an official said on Thursday. With this, the state's omicron tally rose to 16, PTI reported. Meanwhile, the state government is mulling over shutting schools, colleges in the state, as per reports.

From court case to doctors being manhandled by police, so much has happened since October 25, the day when counselling was supposed to start.

Read more : NEET PG Counselling 2021: Supreme Court case, delay, protests, year without admission, story so far

Maharashtra higher education minister Uday Samant tweeted: "An emergency meeting with the Vice-Chancellor will be held tonight at 9.30 am. Covid-19 will be reviewed in each university."

आज रात्री 9.30 वाजता कुलगुरू सोबत तातडीची बैठक आयोजित करण्यात आली आहे.. प्रत्येक विद्यापीठातील कोविड19 चा आढावा घेण्यात येईल.

— Uday Samant (@samant_uday) December 30, 2021

Long queues of people were seen outside various Delhi Metro stations for the second consecutive day on Thursday, after the imposition of fresh curbs by authorities to check the spread of a rising number of COVID-19 cases in the national capital., PTI reported.

Assam education minister Ranoj Pegu tweeted: "The COVID-19 vaccination drive for students of 15 to 18 years will start from 3rd January, 2022. The Dept of Secondary Education has issued a set of instructions for the smooth conduct of the drive in coordination with the Dept of Health & Family Welfare."

The COVID-19 vaccination drive for students of 15 to 18 years will start from 3rd January, 2022.
The Dept of Secondary Education has issued a set of instructions for the smooth conduct of the drive in coordination with the Dept of Health & Family Welfare. pic.twitter.com/SVbZiygGgW

— Ranoj Pegu (@ranojpeguassam) December 30, 2021

As per ANI, "I urge everyone to avoid crowding and follow guidelines to avoid infection. Schools students (15-18 yrs) should be taken in batches to vaccination centres. This will result in a high rate of vaccination. Schools will not be closed as of now: Rajesh Tope, Maharashtra Health Minister"

I urge everyone to avoid crowding & follow guidelines to avoid infection. Schools students (15-18 yrs) should be taken in batches to vaccination centres. This will result in a high rate of vaccination. Schools will not be closed as of now: Rajesh Tope, Maharashtra Health Minister pic.twitter.com/bSDrWi65wj

— ANI (@ANI) December 30, 2021

The Goa government on Thursday received the first consignment of Covaxin doses to inoculate over 74,000 children in the age group of 15 to 18 years against COVID-19, PTI reported.

Several organisations had last week called for a day-long state wide bandh on December 31. However, schools and college associations have offered only moral support and said they will not participate in the bandh and will function as usual, PTI reported.

The government on Thursday said that Maharashtra, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Karnataka and Gujarat are emerging as states and UTs of concern on the basis of weekly COVID-19 cases and positivity rate, PTI reported.

Delhi Technological University (DTU) said in a tweet: "ORDER. In compliance of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority, Order dated 28.12.2021, DTU shall be closed for all Academic Activities in Physical Mode. however, Academic Activities will be conducted through online mode till further order."

ORDER
In compliance of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority, Order dated 28.12.2021, DTU shall be closed for all Academic Activities in Physical Mode. however, Academic Activities will be conducted through online mode till further order. pic.twitter.com/Jy5SIOQSdF

— Delhi Technological University (Official) (@dtu_delhi) December 28, 2021

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said on December 29 schools and colleges in the state could be closed for some time amid rising number of Covid-19 cases, the Hindustan Times reported.

As the doctors’ protest in the capital against the delay in postgraduate admissions in medicine rages on, another batch of medical students, in Kerala, are staring at the possibility of losing a year of their careers to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing chaos...

Read More: Year-Ender 2021: Why Kerala’s MBBS students may miss NEET PG 2022

Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad has announced winter vacation for primary and junior high school from December 31 to January 15, 2022. UP schools for up to Class 8 will be closed, as per the academic calender 2022.

Read More : UP schools closed till January 15; UPMSP likely to announce UP board exam dates 2022 soon

#IndiaFightsCorona :

????? ???? 63 lakh (63,91,282) ??????? ????? ???????????? ?? ??? ???? 24 ?????.

☑️Together we can win the battle against #COVID19 . #We4Vaccine #LargestVaccinationDrive #Unite2FightCorona pic.twitter.com/9FY5lnzOrR

— #IndiaFightsCorona (@COVIDNewsByMIB) December 30, 2021

Over 5 crore people have been inoculated with both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in Madhya Pradesh, which is the highest in the country, an official from the state health department claimed on Thursday, PTI reported.

National PG College, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh has instructed students to get vaccinated and show their Covid vaccination certificates before appearing in the upcoming semester exams as UP covid cases go up. For semester exams scheduled in January, February 2022, students must bring their vaccination certificates, says the notification issued by the college.

Uttar Pradesh Ccovid cases are on the rise according to various media reports.

"Omicron cases are very high because these infections are occurring in both vaccinated and unvaccinated. However, the vaccine is still protective as hospitalisation and the need for critical care has not gone up proportionally. This indicates that previous immunity developed due to vaccine or previous infection is providing some protection", says Soumya Swaminathan, WHO chief scientist.

The total vaccination in India till today is 1,43,83,22,742 according to the data available with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. All citizens are entitled to free vaccination provided in the country.

Covid-19 vaccine certificate download pdf: The vaccine certificate can be downloaded from the CoWin platform. Visit cowin.gov.in for Covid-19 vaccine certificate.

The Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday directed the teaching staff of J-K schools to handle COVID-19 mitigation duties. "The deployment will be for only three months duration, not more than one member from a single school shall be deployed for Covid duty", says the order, reported the Greater Kashmir.

Omicron Symptoms Covid: Citizens are advised to go into quarantine if symptoms are noticed.

Omicron in Delhi is gradually spreading in the community. The fast-spreading omicron variant accounts for almost half of the 115 Covid samples analysed in Delhi, said Satyendar Jain, health minister of Delhi.  As the total cases of omicron in Delhi are increasing, the DDMA imposed 'yellow alert' in Delhi will continue. The Delhi yellow alert includes night curfew, closure of schools and colleges, the opening of shops selling non-essential items on an odd-even basis and halved seating capacity in Metro trains and buses.

Covid Third Wave India: S Ramadoss, founder of Pattali Makkal Katch said that the increasing Covid cases signal an emerging third wave in Tamil Nadu. He urged the Tamil Nadu government to suspend physical classes for schools and colleges as Tamil Nadu Covid cases are on the rise, reported The Hindu

Covid 19 Omicron Cases Delhi: Yellow alert in Delhi has been declared by Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) as the Covid positivity rate in Delhi is increasing at an alarming rate. Apart from schools, colleges and other educational institutions in Delhi will remain closed as Delhi omicron cases are on the rise. Academic activities for Classes 9 to 12 will continue online.

A Covid cluster has emerged in an educational institution in Bengaluru. Students of an engineering college in Mysuru road alleged that 23 of them have been infected with Covid-19 after attending a Christman DJ concert. A student claimed that there is an attempt from the college to hide the cases in order to make the students attend offline classes. But the principal rejected the claim and said only four students were tested Covid-19 positive, reported the Deccan Herald.

According to various media reports, there are Covid restrictions in Bangalore. Those who are visiting Bengaluru are advised to check Bangalore airport Covid guidelines for domestic flights.

Covid cases Karnataka are on the rise according to various media reports

Assam schools of strength 100 to 200 students to be made Covid vaccination centres for vaccinating children as per the latest guidelines by the ministry of health and family welfare in the backdrop of rising covid cases in India. According to the guidelines, health departments can provide vaccine for children in India between the age of 15 and 18 years from January 3 onwards. Both Assam government schools and private schools will be turned into vaccination centres , reports Times of India .

Karnataka Covid cases are rising. 18 students tested Covid 19 positive in a Manipal campus on December 28. The health department is following Covid protocols to curb the spread of the virus and prevent a superspreader event, reported the Times of India

"It is likely that India will see a period of explosive growth in daily cases and that the intense growth phase will be relatively short," Paul Kattuman, professor at the Judge Business School at Cambridge University told Bloomberg. India saw the highest single-day rise of 180 cases of the Omicron variant of coronavirus, taking the total tally of such infections in the country to 961, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated today.

Telangana: 38 students in Sri Chaitanya Junior College tested Covid-19 positive in Narsingi, Ranga Reddy district. According to various media reports, the district medical authorities said 20 students tested positive on Tuesday and 18 on Wednesday after conducting a Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) for Covid-19. Most of the students who had tested positive were living in hostels.

Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad (UPMSP) has announced winter vacations for primary, upper primary and junior high schools from December 31 to January 15, according to media reports.

Minister Aditya Thackeray said that the decision to close schools and colleges of Maharashtra would be taken after assessing the situation in the state after 15 days. However, after state school education minister Varsha Gaikwad has tested positive for COVID-19 and the Delhi government shut schools, colleges amid a surge in Covid-19, Omicron cases, it is expected that the Maharashtra government will soon take a decision.

Closing Maharashtra schools, colleges; decision in 15 days

India saw the highest single-day rise of 180 cases of the Omicron variant of coronavirus, taking the total tally of such infections in the country to 961, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Thursday. The 961 cases have been detected across 22 states and UTs so far, and 320 people have recovered or migrated. Delhi recorded the maximum number of 263 cases followed by Maharashtra at 252, Gujarat 97, Rajasthan 69, Kerala  65 and Telangana 62, as per PTI report,

Those below 18-year-old and eligible for Covid-19 vaccination can register on CoWin from January 1 and those above 60-year-old with comorbidities don’t need a doctor's certificate to register for the third dose of a Covid-19 vaccine that a recipient has previously been inoculated with, the Centre said, as per The Hindu report.

There are around 1.96 lakh kids aged 15-18 studying in around 905 schools including 143 government ones in district. “The registration for them will begin from January 1 and they could also go for on-site registration from January 3," Times of India quoted District immunisation in-charge Dr Tarun Gupta. The vaccination will be carried out in schools based on cluster model

A day after the government announced vaccination guidelines for children, around 76,000 children between the age of 15 and 18 years have been identified eligible for the Covid vaccine in Chandigarh. The UT will start administering Covaxin to the eligible children from January 3, said UT Health Secretary Yashpal Garg, The Tribune reported

Delhi government schools will have winter vacation for pre-primary and primary classes from January 1 to 15. According to the Delhi government official notice, “All the heads of Sarvodaya Vidyalayas are informed that the winter break for pre-primary and primary classes shall be observed from Jan 1-15 and online/offline teaching-learning activities through worksheets shall not be conducted during this period."

In other news, actor Shilpa Shirodkar, known for films such as "Hum", "Khuda Gawah" and "Aankhen", on Thursday said she has been tested positive for the novel coronavirus. In an Instagram post, the 1990s popular star shared that she had tested four days ago.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday asked officials concerned to review the overall COVID-19 situation in the state, amid the threat of a possible third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic looming large. She also said that schools and colleges might be shut down for some time if the situation so demands.

Children in the age group of 15 to 18 years can register for Covid vaccines online on the government’s vaccination portal Co-WIN or walk-in at the centres. The ministry of health and family welfare issued guidelines for vaccination.

• Children who are 15 years or older — all those born in 2007 or before — can register on the Co-WIN portal.
• Online Covaxin booking can be done through either an existing Co-WIN account or by making a new account.
• Those eligible can also register on-site. The verifier or vaccinator can do this in facilitated registration mode.
• Only Covaxin will be administered to this age group.

Amid the rise in Covid-19 cases, resident doctors protest against the delay in NEET PG Counselling 2021 enters 14th day. Students from various educational institutions including DU staged a protest against the brutal attack on doctors by Delhi police.

READ | DU students protest against 'brutal attack' on resident doctors

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) imposed a night curfew at the university from 11 pm to 5 pm till further orders. While Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay and the National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE) have imposed exit ban for students on campus. IIT Bombay, NITIE Mumbai have put a blanket ban for students on campus on new year’s eve and new year’s day, December 31, 2021, and January 1, 2022.

IIT Bombay

Mumbai, Delhi and Gujarat on Wednesday recorded a big spike in fresh COVID-19 cases--their highest since the May-June period--while Punjab reported the first case of the Omicron variant to take the country-wide tally of the new strain past 900. According to data from the Centre and the states, the total number of COVID-19 cases in the country crossed 10,000 after a little over a month, PTI reported.

Over 4,300 violations related to Covid-appropriate behaviour were reported here on Wednesday, according to official figures. The figures for December 28 shared by the Delhi government said that out of the total 4,392 violations, 4,248 were related to face mask, 83 to social distancing protocol, and 60 to spitting in public places,PTI reported.

Jawaharlal Nehru University said in an official notification: "Due to the order of alert (level-1) announced by the Delhi government, the University (offline academic activities) and Dr BR Ambedkar Central Library will remain closed till further orders."

All concerned to pay attention please! pic.twitter.com/TDSboC4mks

— Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) (@JNU_official_50) December 29, 2021

The DDMA on Wednesday decided that Covid-related restrictions imposed in Delhi under the 'yellow alert' will continue for the time being and authorities will monitor the situation for a while before deciding on fresh curbs, official sources said. The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Lt Governor Anil Baijal, who is also the chairperson of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority. It was attended by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and experts., PTI reported.

Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) Vice Chancellor Professor Najma Akhtar has asked all students and employees of the university to strictly follow Covid Appropriate Behaviour (CAB) in view of the surge in Covid-19 and its new variant Omicron cases in the national capital.

Amid a spike in COVID-19 cases in the city, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Wednesday said many international travellers, who have tested negative at the airport, are testing positive after a few days and infecting their family members during the period, PTI reported.

Three African students of Assam's Dibrugarh University have tested positive for COVID-19, and their samples have been sent for whole genome sequencing, officials said on Wednesday, PTI reported.

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay and the National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE), also in Mumbai, have banned students from leaving the campuses given the rising number COVID-19 cases in Mumbai, especially of the Omicron variant.

Read More: COVID-19 Omicron India: IIT Bombay, NITIE ban students from leaving campus

Tripura and Maharashtra are the only states to have vaccinated all teaching staff in government and private unaided schools with at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine , the education ministry told Parliament.

Read More: Tripura, Maharashtra only states to vaccinate all teachers: Education Ministry

School education department, Madhya Pradesh tweeted: "In Bhopal, 1.25 lakh children will get the first dose of Covaxin from January 3. 48 Sankul Principal will do planning with the local medical officer."

भोपाल में सवा लाख बच्चों को 3 जनवरी से लगेगा कोवैक्सिन का फर्स्ट डोज

- स्थानीय मेडिकल ऑफिसर के साथ प्लानिंग करेंगे 48 संकुल प्राचार्य। #MPVaccinationMahaAbhiyan #JansamparkMP pic.twitter.com/DFHiJFjKPE

— School Education Department, MP (@schooledump) December 29, 2021

Children in the age group of 15 to 18 years can register for Covid vaccines online on the government’s vaccination portal Co-WIN or walk-in at the centres. The ministry of health and family welfare issued guidelines for vaccination of this new set of beneficiaries on December 28, amid the rising cases of the COVID-19 caused by the coronavirus’ omicron variant, considered a “variant of concern” by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The new guidelines will be in effect from January 3, 2022.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday asked officials concerned to review the overall COVID-19 situation in the state, amid the threat of a possible third wave of the pandemic looming large. She asked the officials to identify containment zones in the city, where cases have been on the rise, PTI reported.

More than 4,00 FIRs were registered and 754 challans were issued for violations of Covid-appropriate behaviour during the first day of night curfew imposed across the national capital amid rising cases of coronavirus infections, the Delhi Police said on December 28, as per a PTI report.

The Congress on December 28 demanded the cancellation of Vibrant Gujarat 2022 Summit to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 10 in view of the rise in COVID-19 cases and the Omicron scare., PTI reported.

"The danger is not over yet. That's why don't let Corona ruin your new year, take precaution yourself and make others aware too. Only then will Corona be defeated, the country will win," Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar's office tweeted.

अभी ख़तरा टला नहीं है। इसीलिए कोरोना को अपना नया साल बर्बाद न करने दें, खुद भी एहतियात बरतें व दूसरों को भी जागरूक करें। तभी तो कोरोना की होगी हार, देश की होगी जीत। #IndiaFightsCorona #HaryanaFightsCorona pic.twitter.com/CXi42oUyZd

— CMO Haryana (@cmohry) December 29, 2021

The ministry of health and family welfare issued guidelines for vaccination of new set of beneficiaries on December 28, amid the rising cases of the COVID-19 caused by the coronavirus’ omicron variant, considered a “variance of concern” by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The new guidelines will be in effect from January 3, 2022.

Also Read | Omicron COVID-19: Covaxin only, walk-ins allowed in vaccine guidelines for children

National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE) has informed students residing in campus hostels that they are not allowed to visit outside the campus on December 31, 2021 and January 1, 2022. This decision is taken as precautionary measures due to a surge in COVID-19 cases in Mumbai.

National Institute of Industrial Engineering

In other news, the continuation of I League was on Wednesday thrown into doubt after multiple COVID-19 cases were reported among participating teams, staying and competing inside bio-bubbles. It has been learnt that more than 10 people, including at least seven players, have tested positive for the virus after tests conducted on Tuesday, PTI reported.

With the National Institute of Virology confirming 11 more cases of Omicron in Tamil Nadu, thus taking the total number to 45, State Health Minister M Subramanian said there was no need to panic as all the cases detected so far are asymptomatic. Moreover, they all had availed two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, he said. Asserting that the present situation is not alarming, the Minister said the emphasis should be more on COVID-19 appropriate behaviour. "On Tuesday the institute confirmed 11 cases including 5 old cases, totally 16 persons are undergoing treatment now,” he said after inspecting the metro’s first COVID-19 containment zone in Ashok Nagar.

In other news, Bollywood actor Arjun Kapoor tested positive for Covid-19. After Kareena Kapoor Khan recovered from the infection, now, Anshula Kapoor, Rhea Kapoor have also tested positive, as per reports.

The Goa government will make it mandatory for people to be fully vaccinated or carry a COVID-19 negative report to attend parties or enter restaurants in the coastal state, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Wednesday, PTI reported.

Puducherry registered 12 fresh COVID-19 cases during the last 24 hours raising the overall tally to 1,29,446. While Puducherry region accounted for 11 out of the 12 new cases, Mahe region reported the remaining one case. Karaikal and Yanam regions had no fresh infection. The active cases were 120 of whom 35 were in hospitals and the remaining 85 in home isolation.

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay said that the exit rules post Januray 1 will be reviewed as per BMC's evolving guidelines. As per IIT Bombay's latest notification:

• Exit will be allowed only for medical emergencies and to those who have already booked travel tickets to visit home or for other purposes associated with academics.
• Academic purposes should be certified by the respective supervisor. Such permission requests should be sent to A/Dean.SA by December 29.
• Request CSO to pass the appropriate message to all security at gates to implement the above decision.

IIT Bombay imposes no exit rule amid surge in Covid-19 cases on campus

Indian Institute of Technology Bombay has informed students on campus and who are staying in hostels that there will be a blanket ban to visit outside the campus on December 31, 2021, and January 1, 2022. This decision was taken as precautionary measures due to a surge in Covid-19 cases in Mumbai and in the campus, especially ~10 cases reported last week from various hostels.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is expected to release CBSE Class 10, 12 term 1 result 2022 in January 2022 on the official website, cbse.gov.in, cbseresults.nic.in. Class 12 minor exams are still pending and will conclude on December 30, 2021. The CBSE Class 10 and 12 major exams have already been concluded. The DDMA has also informed that the CBSE can conduct CBSE exams, registrations and Class 9 to 12 practicals as per the schedule.

The Delhi Disaster Management Authority said in its order that online teaching and learning activities, CBSE registration and examination and related activities such as CBSE Class 9 to 12 practicals and assignments will be conducted as per schedule.

All Delhi government, government-aided, unaided schools, NDMC, MCDs, Delhi cantonment board schools will remain closed till further orders, Delhi Disaster Management Authority said in its order.

India has recorded 781 cases of the Omicron variant of coronavirus across 21 states and UTs so far. Of which Delhi recorded the maximum number of 238 cases followed by Maharashtra at 167, Gujarat 73, Kerala 65 and Telangana 62.

The Odisha government Tuesday announced that physical classes would resume for students of Classes 1 to 5 from January 3. The announcement was made by School and Mass Education minister S R Dash barely a few hours after Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik directed officials to make preparations on war-footing to deal with a possible third wave of COVID-19 following the detection of at least eight cases of Omicron variant in the state.

The Odisha government Tuesday announced that physical classes would resume for students of Classes 1 to 5 from January 3. The announcement was made by School and Mass Education minister S R Dash barely a few hours after Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik directed officials to make preparations on war-footing to deal with a possible third wave of COVID-19 following the detection of at least eight cases of Omicron variant in the state.

33 medical students have been tested positive for Covid-19 in Karnataka. Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai indicated that he is likely to review the COVID-19 containment measures announced by his government, including the "night curfew", in the wake of opposition from businesses. The night Curfew announced by the government for 10 days as part of its containment measures to control further COVID spread, has come into effect across the state from Tuesday night, PTI reported.

13 engineering college students in Pune, Maharashtra have tested positive for coronavirus, an official from the institution said on Monday. All these students, currently in the third year of the engineering course, are "largely asymptomatic" and isolated at home, said Prashant Dave, registrar of the MIT World Peace University, to which the institution is affiliated.

From January 1, educational institutions in Chandigarh will not allow anyone who has not received both doses of the Covid vaccine to enter, reports Hindustan Times .

Long queues of people were seen outside various Delhi Metro stations on Wednesday morning, a day after new restrictions were put in place by authorities, including running of its trains with only 50 per cent seating capacity and no provision for standing for commuters, in view of rising cases of COVID-19 in Delhi, PTI reported.

Meanwhile, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University, Lucknow is conducting the AKTU odd semester exam 2021 in offline mode even after students requested for online exam due to Omicron fear and rise in Covid-19 cases in the state. Several students have also shared images on social media of students not wearing masks, and exam centres not following the Covid-19 protocol.

Also read | No masks, Covid-19 protocol followed during offline exam, allege AKTU students

AKTU students are sharing images of students not wearing masks and maintaining social distance (Source: Twitter/@AktuStuUnion)

Government and private schools in Assam with 100-200 students enrolled will turn into Covid vaccination centres for children in Assam, reported the Times of India .

School Update In Delhi: Although Delhi schools have been shut due to the rising cases of COVID-19 in Delhi, leading to a "yellow alert", confusion pervades Delhi schools. According to the Government Schools Teachers' Association, some schools are still calling teachers in to hold online classes.

Sir @gupta_iitdelhi please take cognisance of the letter attached. Due to lack of clarity in order Dist. authorities are unable to implement them correctly and thus HOS interpret them as per their own understanding which creates gap b/w them and teachers. @Dir_Education pic.twitter.com/bSkvWKxUsd

— GSTA Delhi (@GSTADelhi) December 29, 2021

As the country is witnessing a rise in Covid-19, Omicron cases, Calcutta University has decided to hold the examinations of the first, third and fifth semesters at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels in online mode in January and February. Classes have already started at UG and PG levels, in over 150 affiliated colleges and on the university campus respectively on alternate dates.

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) from December 27 from 11pm to 5pm till further orders following Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) orders. “Sll stakeholders of the University are hereby informed that the curfew will be in force in the University premises from 11 pm to 5 am till further orders,” as per the latest JNU circular.

All concerned to pay attention please! pic.twitter.com/dqVOSow1AR

— Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) (@JNU_official_50) December 28, 2021

33 medical students have been tested positive for Covid-19 in Karnataka . These students have been isolated in a hospital, Charani, district surveillance officer said. 43 medical students in Telangana also tested positive for COVID-19. The students belonged to the Chalmeda Anand Rao Institute of Medical Sciences, Karimnagar.

Maharashtra school education minister Varsha Gaikwad has tested positive for COVID-19. The minister announced on social media that she has mild symptoms and requested people who met her to take precautions.

Amid a rise in Covid-19 cases and Omicron fear in Delhi, the government issued a yellow alert and imposed a mild lockdown. As a first step, the Delhi schools were closed with immediate effect. The winter vacation for primary school students will begin from January 1 to 15, 2022.

Read | Delhi schools closed as govt issues yellow alert over rise in Covid-19, Omicron cases

India has recorded 781 cases of the Omicron variant of coronavirus across 21 states and UTs so far out of which 241 people have recovered or migrated, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday. Delhi recorded the maximum number of 238 cases followed by Maharashtra at 167, Gujarat 73, Kerala 65 and Telangana 62. With 9,195 people testing positive for coronavirus infection in a day, India's total tally of COVID-19 cases rose to 3,48,08,886, while the active cases increased  to 77,002 , according to the data updated at 8 am.