With that it's a wrap to the LIVE updates on the coronavirus pandemic for today. Do join us tomorrow for the top developments on the COVID-19 situation from India and around the world, until then stay safe and good night.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: 1,141 new cases in Karnataka, 14 deaths

Karnataka on Tuesday logged 1,141 new cases of COVID-19 and 14 related fatalities, taking the total number of infections to 9,11,382 and the death toll to 12,029. The day also saw 1,136 patients getting discharged after recovery. A total of over 1,32,17,127 samples have been tested so far, out of which 95,708 were tested on Tuesday alone, and 13,427 among them were rapid antigen tests. Out of 1,141 fresh cases reported, 585 cases were from Bengaluru urban alone. As of December 22 evening, cumulatively 9,11,382 COVID-19 positive cases have been confirmed in the state, which includes 12,029 deaths and 8,85,341 discharges, the health department said in its bulletin. It said, out of 13,993 active cases, 13,777 patients are in isolation at designated hospitals and stable, while 216 are in ICU.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: Railways permits general public to travel on Chennai suburban trains during non-peak hours from Dec 23

Railway Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday said general public will be allowed to travel on Chennai suburban trains during non-peak hours from December 23. Currently, Southern Railway has been running suburban train services exclusively for Railway employees as workmen's special in the Chennai region after the COVID-19 lockdown was enforced. With unlock guidelines being issued from time to time and taking into account the prevailing pandemic situation, Southern Railway has also been making relaxation in the pattern of train services in the suburban sector in various phases. Under phase-I, employees engaged in the organisations rendering essential services were permitted to travel. Female passengers were allowed to travel during the non-peak hours under phase-2. "From 23rd December, Indian Railways permits general public to travel by suburban train services in Chennai during non-peak hours. With adequate safety measures in place, this will greatly enhance ease of movement & passenger convenience," Goyal said in a tweet.

Coronavirus News LIVE updates: Haryana reports 10 COVID-19 deaths, 534 fresh cases

Haryana on Tuesday reported 10 more COVID-19 fatalities, taking the death toll to 2,842, even as 534 fresh cases pushed the state's tally to 2,58,731. According to the state health department's daily bulletin, the fatalities included two each from Rewari and Jhajjar districts and one each from Gurgaon and Faridabad districts. Among other districts to report new cases included Gurgaon (92) and Faridabad (69). The number of active cases in the state were 5,387, patients discharged so far are 2,50,502, while the recovery rate was 96.82 percent.

Coronavirus News LIVE updates: Ahmedabad records 209 new COVID-19 cases; five deaths

With the addition of 209 new cases, the COVID-19 tally in Gujarat's Ahmedabad district rose to 56,005, an official from the health department said on Tuesday. As many as five patients died of the infection, while 213 recovered from it, the official said. With this, the toll in the district stood at 2,219, while the number of recoveries rose to 50,792, he said. As per an official release, Ahmedabad city reported 201 new cases and 200 recoveries, while the rural parts reported eight new cases and 13 recoveries.

Coronavirus News LIVE updates: New Delhi airport aims to start distributing COVID vaccine in January

India's largest airport plans to start distributing COVID-19 vaccines in January with up to 5.4 million vials a day, its CEO said on Tuesday, underscoring the logistical challenge of reaching everyone in the country of 1.3 billion. The Indian government is considering emergency use authorization for three vaccine candidates - one from AstraZeneca (AZN.L, another from Pfizer (PFE.N), and a separate one developed by the Indian firm Bharat Biotech. "If we are able to rotate cargo twice a day, then 5.4 million (vials) can be distributed in a day," Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) said. Overall, the airport had the capacity to handle up to 8 million vials a day, he said.

Coronavirus News LIVE updates: Swiss starts rolling out COVID-19 vaccine, elderly first in queue

Switzerland got its first doses of COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday, paving the way for jabs to begin just as the country imposes a month-long clampdown on public life in an attempt to curb stubbornly high infection rates, health officials said. Switzerland's drugs regulator authorised use of jabs from Pfizer and partner BioNTech on Saturday in what officials called the world's first such approval under a standard procedure.

Coronavirus News LIVE updates: Tripura reports 13 new COVID-19 cases; tally rises to 33,188

Thirteen more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Tripura on Tuesday, pushing the tally in the state to 33,188, a health department official said. The COVID-19 death toll in the state remained at 377 as no fresh fatality was reported, he said. West Tripura district, of which state capital Agartala is a part, has accounted for 189 of the 377 COVID-19 deaths, the official said. Tripura currently has 216 active coronavirus cases, while 32,572 people have recovered from the disease and 23 patients have migrated to other states, the official said.

Coronavirus News LIVE updates: 8 new COVID-19 cases in Nagaland, tally rises to 11,866

Nagaland on Tuesday reported eight new COVID-19 cases, pushing the tally in the state to 11,866, a health department official said. Fifty more people also recovered from the disease, taking the total number of recoveries in the state to 11,244, he said. "8 +ve cases of #COVID-19 have been detected today.Mokokchung- 5, Dimapur- 3. Also, 50 +ve patients have recovered. Dimapur- 35, Kiphire- 10, Kohima- 4, Peren- 1," said Health Minister S Pangnyu Phom in a tweet.

Coronavirus News LIVE updates: 44% rural Indians willing to pay for COVID-19 vaccine: Survey

Nearly 44 per cent of rural Indians are willing to pay for the COVID-19 vaccine, while more than half of the population in India's villages believe the coronavirus crisis is a "conspiracy by China', a survey showed on Tuesday. The survey, conducted by Gaon Connection among 6,040 rural respondents across 60 districts in 16 states and one union territory, found that 36 per cent said they would not want to pay for it. The remaining 20 per cent said they are yet to decide on paying for the vaccine.

Coronavirus News LIVE updates: Ireland to shut restaurants, bars from December 24 as COVID-19 surges

Ireland will shut restaurants, pubs serving food and some shops from Christmas Eve, less than a month after they emerged from the previous lockdown after health officials warned the country had quickly spiralled into a third wave of COVID-19 infections. Ireland has one of the lowest incidence rates of COVID-19 in Europe after moving early in October to temporarily shut shops, bars and restaurants. Unlike much of Europe, they have largely been open again during the busy December trading period.

Coronavirus News LIVE updates: 939 fresh cases; positivity rate 1.14% in Delhi

Delhi recorded 939 fresh COVID-19 cases and 25 new fatalities on Tuesday, even as the positivity rate slipped to 1.14 percent, authorities said. The infection tally in the city mounted to over 6.18 lakh and the death toll rose to 10,329, they said. This is the second consecutive day when the daily cases count has remained below the 1,000-mark. On Monday, 803 cases were reported, the lowest since August 17. These 939 cases came out after the 82,386 tests conducted the previous day, including 39,843 RT-PCR tests and 42,543 rapid antigen tests, according to the latest bulletin issued by the Delhi health department.

Coronavirus News LIVE updates: COVID-19 cases go past 19 lakh in Maha; 4,112 recover in day

Maharashtra on Tuesday reported 3,106 fresh COVID-19 cases, taking the count of infections to 19,02,458, the state health department said. With 75 more patients succumbing to the viral disease, the cumulative death toll in the state mounted to 48,876, an official said. A total of 4,112 patients were discharged after treatment from hospitals during the day, taking the number of recoveries to 17,94,080. The state now has 58,376 active cases, the official said.

Coronavirus News LIVE updates: Goa's COVID-19 tally rises by 96, toll by 2; 88 recover

The number of COVID-19 cases in Goa increased by 96 to reach 50,239 on Tuesday, while two patients died and 88 people were discharged during the day, an official said. The state's toll now stands at 725 while the recovery count is 48,567, leaving it with 947 active cases, he said. A total of 1,888 samples were tested for the infection on Tuesday, the official informed. Goa's COVID-19 figures are as follows: Positive cases 50,239, new cases 96, death toll 725, discharged 48,567, active cases 947, samples tested till date 3,84,740.

Coronavirus News LIVE updates: Nine new cases take Mizoram's COVID-19 tally to 4,133

Nine more people, including an eight-year-old girl, tested positive for COVID-19 in Mizoram on Tuesday, taking the tally in the state to 4,133, a health department official said. Of the fresh cases, four were reported from Aizawl, three from Lawngtlai and one each from Lunglei and Kolasib districts, he said. Five new patients have travel history, while three were detected during contact tracing and it is yet to be ascertained how the remaining one person contracted the disease, the official said, adding that they were asymptomatic. Mizoram now has 153 active cases, while 3,973 people have recovered from the disease so far and seven died.

Coronavirus News LIVE updates: New COVID strain will not jeopardise England tour of Sri Lanka, says SLC

The new strain of COVID-19 that has hit the United Kingdom will not jeopardise England's upcoming tour of Sri Lanka even though the development is a cause of concern, the country's cricket board (SLC) said on Tuesday. Sri Lanka Cricket's (SLC) medical team feels that the tour starting January 14 is on schedule but additional COVID-19 protocols might be enforced for the visitors either before leaving their country or after arriving here.

Coronavirus News LIVE updates: Amritsar: 7 passengers, crew member on flight from UK test positive for COVID

Seven passengers and a crew member who arrived here from the UK in an Air India flight tested positive for coronavirus on Tuesday. Punjab Minister for Medical Education and Research O P Soni said those who tested positive for the infection will be quarantined. Among the infected passengers are six men and two women, he said. The Air India flight from London had landed at Amritsar's Sri Guru Ramdas Jee International Airport with 250 passengers and 22 crew members at 12.30 am last night.

Coronavirus News LIVE updates: 402 new COVID-19 cases in AP, four deaths

Andhra Pradesh's COVID-19 tally rose to 8,79,339 as 402 fresh cases were added on Tuesday. In 24 hours ending 9 am on Tuesday, the state reported 412 more recoveries and four deaths. A health department bulletin said the total recoveries increased to 8,68,279 and deaths to 7,082, leaving 3,978 active cases. Chittoor and Krishna districts continued to report a high caseload with the addition of 86 and 72 fresh cases in a day.

Coronavirus News LIVE updates: COVID-19 testing facility set up at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru

The Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) has launched a round-the-clock COVID-19 testing facility at the Kempegowda International Airport here. Located near the arrivals area of the terminal, the NABL and ICMR certified RT-PCR testing centre is managed and operated by Bengaluru-based Auriga Research Private Limited, BIAL said in a statement. BIAL has launched a round-the-clock COVID-19 testing facility at the Kempegowda International Airport here. Located near the arrivals area of the terminal, the NABL and ICMR certified RT-PCR testing centre is managed and operated by Bengaluru-based Auriga Research Private Limited, BIAL said in a statement.

Coronavirus News LIVE updates: Scientists say UK strain unlikely to affect efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines, warn against more mutations

The faster spreading coronavirus strain first detected in the UK is unlikely to make vaccines less effective as of now but the preventives may need to be appropriately altered if more mutations occur over time, say scientists. More than 40 countries, including India, have banned travel to and from the UK, a move several scientists said was necessary in view of the rapid spread of the new viral strain, VUI-202012/0, that was detected on September 21. According to Jeremy Farrar, director of the London-based research charity Wellcome Trust UK, there is no indication at the moment that the new strain would evade treatments and vaccines. However, the mutation is a reminder of the power of the virus to adapt, and that cannot be ruled out in the future. Acting urgently to reduce transmission is critical, Farrar said in a statement.

COVID-19 vaccine update: SEC to meet soon on Pfizer, SII's emergency use application, say sources

Subject Expert Committee (SEC) will meet soon to take up the application of Pfizer and SII for emergency use authorization (EUA) for their COVID-19 vaccine candidates. Pfizer has written to the drug controller seeking fresh date to present their case for EUA for its COVID-19 vaccine. Pfizer was the first to apply for EUA in India on December 5. However, on the day of presentation, Pfizer sought time from SEC as its experts were busy and could not present their case. SEC will also take up SII case for COVISHIELD in the same meeting. SEC has asked SII to first conduct phase 2 trials of COVOVAX in India. SII had sought permission from SEC to conduct phase III trials in India, it had already conducted Phase I and II trials in the US.

Coronavirus News LIVE updates: No plan for vaccines for kids, sources to CNBC-TV18

Since the COVID-19 vaccine trials took place on adults, there is no plan in place for vaccine effective for kids, reports CNBC-TV18. "There are no guidelines generally for vaccinating children. It is by and large for higher age since the new vaccines have not been tested in the pediatric population," said VK Paul, member of NITI Aayog. Based on evidence, there is no reason to consider vaccination of children, he added.

Coronavirus News LIVE updates: SII has submitted additional data that was sought for EUA: Sources to CNBCTV-18

Just in: Serum Institute of India (SII), India's indigenous vaccine maker has submitted additional data demanded by subject matter experts for emergency use authorization. SEC had asked SII and Bharat BioTech to submit additional information and data on the trials for EUA in India. Experts have assured that the vaccines-in-development can treat the new strain of the virus as well.

Coronavirus News LIVE updates: Anyone with recent travel history to UK will be under surveillance, says Aviation Minister Puri

Civil Aviation Minister, Hardeep Puri told CNBC-TV18 in an interview that the government is monitoring the situation and will keep testing passengers coming in. He said anyone with recent travel history of the UK will be under surveillance. Speaking on the flight suspension to UK, Puri said these measures are temporary. UK Prime Minister is the Chief Guest of Republic Day events on January 26. The govt is confident that by Dec 31, India will be at pre-COVID levels in terms of air traffic. We will be at 300,000-350,000 daily air traffic by March 2021, Puri said. Govt is planning to increase the domestic capacity beyond 80 percent in the coming days. Speaking about the vaccine, Puri told CNBC-TV18 that authorization for emergency use of COVID-19 vaccine may come in India in a few weeks. All stakeholders are working on vaccine distribution.

Coronavirus News LIVE updates: No change in treatment guidelines due to new COVID-19 strain, says Paul

Government is not changing guidelines due to the new coronavirus strain, said NITI Aayog member, VK Paul. He added that vaccine development won't be hampered by the new strain. "No need to panic, we are yet to spot this mutated virus in the country as of now. We need to be more vigilant and take precautions," he added.

Coronavirus News LIVE updates: 17 mutations seen in the new COVID-19 strain, says VK Paul

VK Paul, member, NITI Aayog, said that the new coronavirus strain has developed 17 mutations, which has increased its infectiousness and transmissibility. However, he added that its severity is not impacted by the mutation. Indian labs are conducting genomic studies of various mutations in the virus. The new coronavirus strain was discovered in the UK yesterday. So far, 5 passengers who arrived from the UK to Delhi have tested positive for coronavirus. In the light of this development, other passengers were asked to home quarantine for 3 days. Govt has sent samples to check whether it is the new strain, there is no reason for anxiety, said Paul. He added that agency will review the suspension on UK flights in 5-6 days.