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: Over 4 million Britons receive first COVID-19 vaccine dose

More than 4 million people have received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine in Britain, according to official data on Monday which showed there had been a further 37,535 cases reported and 599 deaths within 28 days of a positive test. A total of 4,062,501 people have received their first shot Public Health England said as the government ramps up the vaccination programme.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: No 'serious or severe' adverse effect post COVID-19 immunisation report so far

There has been "no case of serious or severe" adverse event following immunisation (AEFI) till date, the health ministry said on the third day of the COVID-19 vaccination drive on Monday. Two men -- one each in Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka -- have died after they received COVID-19 jabs. In a press conference, additional secretary in the health ministry Manohar Agnani said the man from Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh died due to cardiopulmonary disease. The death "is not related to vaccination as per the post-mortem report", he said. The health worker who was vaccinated on January 16 and died the next evening. Agnani further said that the cause of death of another man from Bellary in Karnataka is anterior wall infarction with cardiopulmonary failure. The post-mortem of the man, who was vaccinated on January 16 and died on Monday, is scheduled to be conducted at Vijayanagar Institute of Medical Sciences in Bellary.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: 43-year old dies of heart attack 2 days after getting vaccinated

A 43-year-old Health Department employee in Bellary district of Karnataka died due to massive heart attack two days after getting vaccinated. The Health Department said that he was vaccinated on January 16 at around 1 pm and was normal until today (January 18) morning. "Today morning when he came to duty, he complained of chest pain at around 9.30 am and collapsed. He was admitted at Jindal Sanjeeveni Hospital at 11.15 am, but he couldn't be saved. None of the other healthcare workers who were administered the vaccine from the same vial had any adverse events," the department said.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: Healthcare workers’ vaccination drive in Delhi dips, only 8 get jabs at AIIMS

Nearly 3,600 healthcare workers received the COVID-19 vaccine shots in Delhi on Monday, a further dip in the figures compared to that on opening day of the immunisation drive, with sources saying just eight medical staff got the jabs at AIIMS. Under the nationwide mega vaccination drive launched on Saturday, a total of 4,319 (53 per cent) health workers against a target of 8,117were administered the vaccines at 81 centres across the city. The sharp fall comes after one severe and 50 minor cases were reported, following the vaccination drive on Saturday.

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Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: 3.81 lakh beneficiaries vaccinated in India until January 18

As on January 18, 2021 (5 pm), a total of 3,81,305 beneficiaries had been vaccinated for COVID-19 in 7,704 sessions since the vaccination drive commenced in the country. The cumulative adverse event following immunization (AEFI) were 580. Seven hospitalisations were reported in Delhi (two patients discharged), one patient who fainted is under observation at Max Hospital, Patparganj. On January 18 alone, 1,48,266 beneficiaries were vaccinated until 5 pm.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: Kerala reports over 3,000 new COVID-19 cases, 3,921 recoveries

Kerala recorded 3,346 COVID-19 cases on Monday, taking the caseload to the 8.50 lakh mark as the toll mounted to 3480 with 17 more fatalities. As many as 3921 people have been cured, pushingthe total recoveries to 7,79,097. Presently, 68,399 people are undergoing treatment for the infection, Health minister K K Shailaja said in a press release. The total number of cases now is 8,50,597. In the last 24 hours, 33,093 samples were tested and the test positivity rate has touched 10.11 per cent. So far, 89,54,140 samples have been sent for testing. Ernakulam accounted for the maximum of 574 cases, Kozhikode 385, Malappuram 357, Kollam 322 and Kottayam 308. None of the returnees from the UK tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, the minister said.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: Andhra Pradesh reports 81 COVID-19 cases

A seven-month low of 81 COVID-19 cases was reported in Andhra Pradesh, while 263 patients recovered from the infection and one succumbed in the state during the 24 hours ending 9 am on Monday. The latest bulletin said 27,861 samples were tested during the period. The state COVID-19 chart showed the caseload at 8,86,066 with 8,77,212 recoveries and 7,141 deaths. The active caseload is now 1,713, according to the bulletin. Kadapa, which reported zero cases on Sunday, added the highest 19 on Monday. Chittoor reported 15 and Guntur 13 new cases, while the remaining 10 districts added below seven cases each. Anantapuramu saw zero addition in cases in 24 hours. Visakhapatnam district saw one fresh coronavirus fatality. In all, 1.26 crore sample tests were completed so far with an overall positivity rate of 7.03 per cent.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: Russians queue for COVID vaccine at luxury Red Square mall

Dozens of Moscow residents queued on Monday to be vaccinated against COVID-19 at the GUM department store, opposite the Kremlin on Red Square, where the shot is given on a first-come, first-served basis. Surrounded by Christmas decorations, with the shop fronts of Chanel and Rolex nearby, Muscovites of all ages waited for their first shot of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine. Russia, with the world's fourth highest number of COVID-19 cases, started large-scale vaccinations last month, initially for people in key professions, including medical workers and teachers. On Monday it opened the programme to all. Moscow's health department announced it would be opening several mobile vaccination clinics around the city, including in the GUM store. Other locations include the busy DEPO food court and an opera theatre.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: China's Sinovac says its vaccine is more effective with longer dosing interval

China's Sinovac Biotech said on Monday that a clinical trial in Brazil showed its COVID-19 vaccine was almost 20 percentage points more effective in a small sub-group of patients who received their two doses longer apart. The protection rate for 1,394 participants who received doses of either CoronaVac or placebo three weeks apart was nearly 70%, a Sinovac spokesman said. Brazilian researchers announced last week that the vaccine's overall efficacy was 50.4% based on results from more than 9,000 volunteers, most of whom received doses 14 days apart, as outlined in the trial protocol. The spokesman said a small number of participants received their second shot late due to a various reasons, without elaborating. The dosing interval for COVID-19 vaccines has become a hot topic of debate among scientists, regulators and governments.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: Delhi reports 161 new COVID-19 cases, 8 deaths

Delhi reported 161 new COVID-19 cases, 362 discharges and 8 deaths in the last 24 hours, the Delhi Health Department said on January 18. There has a significant reduction in the number of deaths in the national capital, with eight being reported on January 17, ANI tweeted.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: Rajasthan govt ends night curfew after decline in COVID-19 cases

The Rajasthan government on Monday decided to withdraw night curfew and give a few more relaxations in a phased manner in view of a decline in COVID-19 cases. In the COVID-19 review meeting, it has been decided to end the night curfew in the state and to give some relaxations in a phased manner. But it will be necessary to follow health protocols, otherwise the number of infected patients may increase, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot tweeted. The state government had, on November 21, decided to impose a night curfew in eight districts from 8 PM to 6 AM following a spurt in coronavirus cases. The night curfew was initially imposed in Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Bikaner, Udaipur, Ajmer, Alwar and Bhilwara district headquarters, and a few days later it was extended to five more districts headquarters of Nagaur, Pali, Tonk, Sikar and Ganganagar.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: UP records 4 COVID-19 deaths, lowest in over 6 months, 379 deaths

Uttar Pradesh on Monday recorded four COVID-19 fatalities, the lowest in over six months, which took the death toll to 8,580 while 379 fresh infections pushed the caseload to 5,96,904, officials said. The number of active cases in the state stands at 8,631, they said. Four deaths, the lowest in the past six-seven months, were reported in the state the previous day and 622 people were discharged, Additional Chief Secretary, Health, Amit Mohan Prasad told reporters here. "There are 8,631 active cases in the state and the total number of recoveries has risen to 5,79,693. Of the active cases, 2,948 are in home isolation, 823 are undergoing treatment in private hospitals and the rest are in government hospitals," he added.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: Pfizer, BioNTech working with Norwegian authorities after several die following vaccination

Pfizer and BioNTech said that they were aware of the deaths following administration of BNT162b2 – their COVID-19 vaccine. "Our immediate thoughts are with the bereaved families," the companies said.  "We are working with the Norwegian Medicines Agency (NOMA) to gather all the relevant information. Norwegian Authorities have prioritised the immunization of residents in Nursing Homes, most of whom are very elderly with underlying medical conditions and some which are terminally ill," they added. NOMA has confirmed the number of incidents so far is not alarming, and in line with expectations. All reported deaths will be thoroughly evaluated by NOMA to determine if these incidents are related to the vaccine.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: UK says vaccine manufacturing is lumpy, supply not as good as hoped

Britain's vaccine rollout is limited by a "lumpy" manufacturing process with production changes by Pfizer and a delay by AstraZeneca that could lead to brief supply disruption, Vaccine Deployment Minister Nadhim Zahawi said on Monday. The United Kingdom, which has the world's fifth worst official COVID-19 death toll, is racing to be among the first major countries to vaccinate its population - seen as the best way to exit the pandemic and get the economy going again. The United Kingdom has vaccinated 3,857,266 people with a first dose and 449,736 with a second dose. On vaccines administered per 100 people, the United Kingdom is fourth in the world after Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

Coronavirus news LIVE updates: Swiss ski resort St Moritz quarantines hotels, shuts schools to contain COVID variant

Health authorities quarantined two hotels and closed ski schools in the posh Swiss resort of St Moritz on Monday to try to curb an outbreak of the highly infectious new coronavirus variant.

Coronavirus news LIVE updates: Total COVID-19 recoveries nearly 50 times active cases in country: Health Ministry

India's total COVID19 recoveries have surpassed the active caseload by more than one crore, the Union Health Ministry said on Monday, terming it as a landmark achievement. The total number of recoveries has touched1,02,11,342, while the active cases in the country stand at 2,08,012 today.

Coronavirus news LIVE updates: Health worker dies in Moradabad day after receiving COVID shot

A 46yearold health worker died here a day after receiving the coronavirus vaccination, officials said on Monday. While Mahipal's family is blaming the death on vaccination, the authorities said that he suffered from a cardiac disease.

Coronavirus news LIVE updates: China reports more than 100 new COVID cases as New Year holiday exodus looms

China reported more than 100 new COVID19 cases for the sixth consecutive day, with rising infections in the northeast fuelling concerns of another national wave when hundreds of millions travel for the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday.

Coronavirus news LIVE updates: 4 Kerala MLAs test positive for COVID-19 after attending current session of Assembly

Four MLAs in Kerala have tested positive for COVID19 after participating in the ongoing session of the Assembly. The members representing Neyyattinkara, Kollam, Koyilandy and PeermeduK Ansalan (CPIM), K Dasan (CPIM), Mukesh (CPIM) and E S Bijimol (CPI) respectively are the lawmakers who have tested positive, Assembly sources said.

Coronavirus news LIVE update: Odisha logs 134 new COVID-19 cases, 1 death

Odisha's COVID19 caseload on Monday rose to 3,33,444 as 134 more people tested positive for the infection, while one new fatality took the state's coronavirus death toll to 1,901, a health department official said. The new cases were detected in 21 of the state's 30 districts, 79 of them reported from different quarantine centres while the remaining 55 are local contact cases.

Coronavirus news LIVE updates: Indian Embassy in China restricts R-Day flag hoisting ceremony to staff due to COVID-19 measures

The Indian Embassy here on Monday announced that the flag hoisting ceremony for this year's Republic Day on January 26 will be confined to its staff only, citing the resurgence of coronavirus cases in provinces adjoining Beijing and related restrictions. In view of the COVID19 pandemic related current scenario in Beijing and its adjoining provinces, Hebei and Heilongjiang and related measures, including restriction of movements, observation of prevention and control measures and prohibition of large gatherings, the flag hoisting ceremony will be held with participation of officials of embassy only, a note from the embassy said.

Coronavirus news LIVE updates: Puducherry logs 23 fresh COVID-19 cases, one death pushes toll to 643

Puducherry logged 23 new coronavirus cases during the last 24 hours taking the overall tally to 38,669, a top Health department official said on Monday. The fresh cases were identified following the examination of 1,584 samples, Director of Department of Health and Family Welfare S Mohan Kumar said in a release.

Coronavirus news LIVE updates: Steve Martin receives COVID-19 vaccination

Veteran actor comedian Steve Martin has announced that he has received his first round of COVID19 vaccination. In a Twitter post on Sunday night, the "Father of the Bride" star said he was doing fine. "Good news/bad news. Good news: I just got vaccinated! Bad news: I got it because I'm 75. Thank you all, and thank you science, Martin wrote. The actor, who lives in New York, said he waited in person at the Javits Center to receive his jab. "The operation in NYC was smooth as silk (sorry about the cliche @BCDreyer!) and hosted to perfection by the US Army and National Guard. Thank you all, and thank you science," he added. Martin said that the vaccine has had no side effects till now.

Coronavirus news LIVE updates: Amitabh Bachchan's voice removed from caller tune on COVID-19 awareness, HC told

The Delhi High Court was on Monday told that megastar Amitabh Bachchan's voice has been removed from the caller tune on precautions against coronavirus and therefore, nothing remains in the PIL which sought its removal. The submission was made before a bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh by the petitioner who said that with the removal of the actor's voice from the caller tune his plea has become infructuous.

Coronavirus news LI VE updates: COVID vaccination continues in Bengal, CoWIN glitches reported

The COVID19 vaccination drive resumed on Monday at 207 sites across West Bengal with beneficiaries, mostly frontline workers, reaching there as scheduled to receive the doses, a senior official of the Health Department said. Glitches in the CoWIN portal were reported from several sites, following which health officials chose to manually complete the process of documentation and allocation, he added.