With that it's a wrap to the LIVE updates on the coronavirus pandemic. 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: AstraZeneca CEO says co likely to run new global trial on COVID-19 vaccine

AstraZeneca Plc is likely to run an additional global trial to assess the efficacy of its COVID-19 vaccine, according to the company's Chief Executive Pascal Soriot, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday. Instead of adding the trial arm to an ongoing U.S. process, a new trial would be run to evaluate a lower dosage that performed better than a full amount in AstraZeneca's studies, the report said. AstraZeneca is facing tricky questions about its success rate that some experts say could hinder its chances of getting speedy U.S. and EU regulatory approval. Several scientists have raised doubts about the robustness of results showing the shot was 90% effective in a sub-group of trial participants who, by error initially, received a half dose followed by a full dose. Soriot said he did not expect the additional trial to delay UK and European regulatory approvals. Clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may take longer though because the agency is unlikely to approve the vaccine based on studies carried out elsewhere, especially given the questions over the results, he said. Authorisation in some countries is still expected before the end of the year, he added. AstraZeneca research chief Mene Pangalos told Reuters on Monday that researchers had stumbled upon the half-dose regime by accident, saying a sub-group of the trial was given a smaller initial dose by mistake. Earlier he had said that the firm would start discussions with the FDA to change the design of its experimental COVID-19 vaccine trial to add the more-effective dosage regime.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: Maharashtra records 6,406 fresh cases of COVID-19, 65 deaths

Maharashtra's COVID-19 case count on Thursday crossed 18 lakh to reach 18,02,365 as 6,406 new infections came to light, a health official said. The state also reported 65 deaths, taking the death toll due to the pandemic to 46,813, he said. A total of 4,815 patients were discharged during the day, taking the tally of recovered people to 16,68,538. With this, the number of active patients reached 85,963. Mumbai city reported 1,147 new coronavirus cases during the day, which pushed its overall case count to 2,79,744 while its death toll rose to 10,740 with 15 new fatalities. The state has so far conducted 1,05,47,333 tests.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: Rajasthan reports 3,180 new cases, 19 more deaths

Rajasthan recorded 19 more fatalities due to the novel coronavirus, bringing the death toll from the disease to 2,237 on Thursday while the infection count climbed to 2,56,947 with 3,180 fresh cases, according to a health department bulletin. The number of active COVID-19 cases stands at 27,302 in the state, the bulletin said. According to it, 2,27,408 people in Rajasthan have so far been discharged after recovering from the infection. The death toll from the pandemic is 424 in Jaipur, followed by 228 in Jodhpur, 177 in Ajmer, 159 in Bikaner, 130 in Kota, 103 in Bharatpur, 88 in Udaipur and 84 in Pali. Of the fresh COVID-19 cases, 630 were recorded in Jaipur, 517 in Jodhpur, 260 in Kota, 200 in Ajmer, 152 in Alwar, 132 in Udaipur, 127 in Bikaner, 108 in Bhilwara, 97 in Sriganganagar, 95 in Nagaur, besides cases reported in other districts of the state.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: Karnataka logs 1,505 new COVID-19 cases, 12 deaths

Karnataka has reported 1,505 new cases of COVID-19 and 12 related fatalities, taking the total number of infections to 8,79,560 and the death toll to 11,726, the Health department said on Thursday. The day also saw 1,067 patients getting discharged after recovery. Out of 1,505 fresh cases reported on Thursday, 844 cases were from Bengaluru Urban alone. As of November 26 evening, cumulatively 8,79,560 COVID-19 positive cases have been confirmed in the state, which includes 11,726 deaths and 8,42,499 discharges, the Health department said in its bulletin. It said, out of the 25,316 active cases, 24,907 patients were in isolation at designated hospitals and are stable, while 409 are in ICU. As many as 7 of the total 12 deaths reported on Thursday were from Bengaluru Urban, followed by Bengaluru Rural, Kodagu, Kolar, Mysuru and Tumakuru (1 each).

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: Bengal records 3,507 new COVID-19 cases, 52 fatalities

West Bengal's COVID-19 toll rose to 8,224 on Thursday after 52 more people succumbed to the disease, a state health department official said. The tally mounted to 4,70,498 after 3,507 fresh cases were reported from different districts. Since Wednesday, 3,537 recoveries have been registered in the state, improving the discharge rate to 93.01 per cent, the department said in its bulletin. As many 4,37,604 recoveries have been recorded in the state so far, the bulletin said. Bengal currently has 24,670 active cases. Over the last 24 hours, 44,713 samples have been examined in the state.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: Mumbai's COVID-19 case count rises by 1,147, death toll by 16

Mumbai reported 1,147 new coronavirus positive cases on Thursday, which took its overall case count to 2,79,737, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said. This is for the second day in a row the city has recorded over 1,100 cases in a 24-hour period. On Wednesday, it had reported 1,144 new cases. The death toll due to the virus mounted to 10,739 with 16 fresh fatalities reported from the city. So far, 18.36 lakh COVID-19 tests have been conducted in the country's financial capital. According to theBMC data, the number of recovered patients increased to 2,54,152, which is about 91 per cent of the total number of cases, as 548 patients got discharge from hospitals during the day. With the surge in the daily cases, the city's average case doubling rate declined to 198 days, while the growth rate increased to 0.35 per cent.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: AstraZeneca-Oxford COVID-19 vaccine faces questions after error, says report

AstraZeneca Plc and the University of Oxford are facing questions about their COVID-19 vaccine and whether regulators would quickly authorise its emergency use after the pharma company acknowledged an error in the vaccine dosage received by some participants and other irregularities and omissions, according to a media report. AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford announced this week that their inexpensive, easy-to-produce coronavirus vaccine appeared effective, with the average efficacy of about 70 per cent. However, AstraZeneca has acknowledged a key mistake in the vaccine dosage received by some study participants, the New York Times said in a report. This admission has added to questions about whether the "vaccine's apparently spectacular efficacy will hold up under additional testing." Along with the error, scientists and industry experts said a series of other irregularities and omissions in the manner in which AstraZeneca initially disclosed the data have also eroded confidence in the reliability of their results. As it came to light that the vaccine's most promising results did not reflect data from older people, it appears difficult that regulators in the US and elsewhere will quickly authorise the emergency use of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: AP adds 1,031 new COVID-19 cases, 8 deaths push toll to 6,970

Andhra Pradesh's Covid-19 tally increased by 1,031 to 8,65,705 on Thursday. The total recoveries touched 8,46,120 after 1,081 patients got cured in 24 hours ending 9 am on Thursday. The latest bulletin said eight more succumbed to coronavirus, pushing the overall toll upward to 6,970. The active caseload in the state is now 12,615, the bulletin added. After 98.55 lakh sample tests so far, the overall infection positivity rate stood at 8.78 per cent. The recovery rate and the mortality rate remained steady at 97.74 per cent and 0.81 percent, respectively. Krishna district crossed the 45,000 mark on Thursday after 162 cases were added afresh. Neighbouring West Godavari went past 92,000 total cases after 126 more were reported in a day. Guntur district reported the highest 172, East Godavari 117 and Chittoor 102 in 24 hours. Eight other districts reported less than 100 cases each.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: 5378 new COVID-19 cases in Kerala,27 fatalities

Kerala recorded 5,378 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, taking the total caseload to over 5.83 lakh while the death toll mounted to 2,148 with 27 more fatalities, Health minister K K Shailaja said. In the last 24 hours,55,996 samples have been tested, as the test positivity rate touched 9.60 per cent, the minister said in a press release. So far, 60,74,921 samples have been sent for testing. The total COVID tally in the state has gone up to 5,83,510 with the addition of the fresh cases which included 50 health workers. Malappuram accounted for 719 cases, Kozhikode 686, Thrissur 573 and Ernakulam 472, while Kasaragod 86, the least. Of the positive cases, 76 people had come from outside the state and 4,670 had been infected through contact. With 5,970 getting cured from the infection, the recoveries have touched 5,16,978 and 64,486 are undergoing treatment.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: Tripura reports 50 new COVID-19 cases

Fifty more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Tripura on Thursday, pushing the coronavirus tally in the state to 32,578, a health department official said. The COVID-19 fatalities of the northeastern state remained at 367, with no person succumbing to the infection since Wednesday, he said. West Tripura district, under which Agartala falls, has reported 185 coronavirus fatalities so far, the official said. Eighty-five patients were released from GB Pant hospital, the main referral hospital for COVID 19 in the state, on Wednesday. Tripura now has 770 active coronavirus cases, while 31,418 people have been cured of the disease and 23 patients have migrated to other states, he said. The state has conducted 5,19,865 COVID-19 tests so far, including 2,03,369 RT-PCR and 3,16,496 rapid antigen tests, the official added.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: Goa records 148 new COVID-19 cases; two more deaths

Goa's coronavirus caseload rose to 47,341, after 148 people tested positive for the infection on Thursday, an official from the state health department said. With the death of two more patients during the day, the coastal state's toll has reached 685, the official said. At least 111 patients were discharged from various hospitals, raising the count of recoveries to 45,340, he said. There are currently 1,316 patients undergoing treatment in the state, the official said, adding that 1,892 samples were tested during the day. Goa's COVID-19 figures are as follows: Positive cases 47,341, new cases 111, death toll 685, discharged 45,340, active cases 1,316, samples tested till date 3,40,036.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: A third of England face toughest COVID curbs, London spared for now

More than 20 million people across large swathes of England will be forced to live under the toughest category of COVID-19 restrictions when a national lockdown ends on Dec. 2, while London was placed in the "high alert" second-toughest tier. Health minister Matt Hancock on Thursday announced final details of a regional system set to take effect when blanket restrictions on England's 55 million population end after a month-long lockdown - dictating the terms of daily life for the country's citizens and businesses. Britain has Europe's highest official death toll from the COVID-19 pandemic and has been hit hard by a second wave. The government's response on lockdown rules, procurement and testing has been criticised as disjointed, expensive and slow.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: Only 205 ICU beds with ventilators available in Delhi, no vacancy in 60 hospitals

Amid a surge in COVID-19 cases and fatalities in Delhi, the number of available Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds equipped with ventilators reduced to 205 in the city on Thursday, with zero vacancy in at least 60 hospitals. The national capital recorded 5,246 new infections on Wednesday, and the numbers are only expected to rise as dipping temperatures and worsening air quality are likely to aggravate respiratory ailments.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: Entire Delhi can be vaccinated in a month, says Immunization Officer

Delhi is geared up for the COVID-19 vaccination programme and the city's entire population can be covered in a month if hospital staff and nurses are involved, State Immunization Officer Suresh Seth said Thursday. "We have 600 cold storage points and around 1,800 outreach sites for the universal immunization programme for children. We have sufficient equipment for vaccines that can be stored at a temperature of 2 to 8 degrees Celsius and those that need minus 15 to minus 25 degrees Celsius. The central government is further strengthening the infrastructure and providing more equipment," Seth told PTI. He said the equipment and infrastructure for vaccines that need ultra-cold conditions (minus 70 degrees Celsius) are not there, but "we don't think there will be any problem logistically because the immunization programme will be carried out in a phased manner". "If we involve hospital staff and nurses etc., we can easily vaccinate the entire population in a month," he said, adding that at present, the Delhi government is collecting data of health care workers who are at top of the priority list of the Delhi government.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: Pakistan shuts schools to curb new coronavirus infections

Pakistan shut its schools and postponed exams on Thursday to try to curb new coronavirus infections and a rise in the number of people in hospital with COVID-19. Students, including those at higher educational institutions as well as in private schools, are expected to continue classes through distance learning until December 24, when schools are scheduled to go on winter break until January 11. "All efforts will be made to make sure that education continues from home," Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood said on Monday, announcing the closure of schools, adding that "if the situation improves" schools would reopen on January 11.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: China blames imported frozen food packaging as sources of virus

As global COVID-19 infections surge, China is pushing a narrative via state media that the virus existed abroad before it was discovered late last year in the central city of Wuhan, where it was traced to a seafood market. Chinese state media have cited the presence of the coronavirus on imported frozen food packaging, as well as scientific papers claiming that the coronavirus was circulating in Europe earlier than previously believed, as evidence that China may not have been its origin. "#COVID19 did not start in central China's Wuhan but may come through imported frozen food and packaging: experts," said a Wednesday Facebook post by the ruling Communist Party's official People's Daily.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: External Affairs minister interacts with Indians in UAE; assures govt support post-COVID

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday interacted virtually with the members of the Indian community in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and assured them of the government's responsiveness on issues pertaining to post-COVID normalcy. Jaishankar is currently visiting the UAE. He arrived here on Wednesday night on the second leg of his six-day three-nation tour to Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Seychelles, which began on Tuesday. The visit is seen as important as it comes in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic that has wreaked havoc across the world. "Welcomed the interaction with members of the Indian community in Abu Dhabi," Jaishankar said in a tweet. "Appreciated their stepping forward to work with the Embassy @IndembAbuDhabi to meet the COVID challenge. Assured them of Government's responsiveness on issues pertaining to post-COVID normalcy," he wrote.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: Phase-3 trial of Bharat Biotech's Covaxin commences in AIIMS

The phase-three human clinical trial of indigenously developed anti-coronavirus vaccine candidate Covaxin began at the AIIMS here on Thursday with Dr M V Padma Srivastava, the chief of Neurosciences Centre at the premier institute, and three other volunteers receiving the first dose.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: 80% ICU beds reserved for COVID-19 patients, HC says the number of cases are alarming

The Delhi High Court on Thursday termed the number of COVID-19 cases in the national capital as alarming while hearing a plea challenging AAP government's decision to reserve 80 percent of ICU beds for coronavirus patients in 33 private hospitals here. The numbers, we know, are presently in an alarming state, said Justice Navin Chawla while listing the next hearing on December 9 for further consideration of the matter.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: Uttar Pradesh records 30 more COVID-19 deaths, 2,094 new cases

The COVID-19 tally in Uttar Pradesh rose to 5,35,449 on Thursday with 2,094 fresh cases, while 30 more fatalities pushed the death toll to 7,674, a health department bulletin said. There are 25,422 active cases in the state, of which 12,443 are in home isolation.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: Schools won't reopen till govt is convinced of student safety, says Delhi health minister

Schools in the national capital will not reopen till the government is convinced about students' safety, Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain said on Thursday. While several restrictions have been eased in different 'unlock' phases, educational institutions continue to remain closed. According to 'Unlock 5' guidelines, states can take a call on reopening schools in phases. 

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: Increase COVID-19 testing in rural areas of Rajasthan: CM to officials

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday stressed on the need to increase COVID-19 testing in rural areas of the state and directed officials to intensify awareness programmes on the coronavirus. The chief minister issued the directions during a meeting to review the COVID-19 situation of the state. The chief Minister reviewed the implementation of the measures such as night curfews put in place to check the spread of the coronavirus.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: Delhi records over 2,300 COVID-19 deaths in less than a month: Official data

The national capital has witnessed 2,364 deaths due to coronavirus since October 28, when the daily rise in infections breached the mark of 5,000 cases for the first time, according to official data. Amid a surge in COVID-19 cases and deaths, 99 more fatalities on Wednesday pushed the city's total death toll due to the disease to 8,720. It was after five days that Delhi recorded single-day deaths below 100. 

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: 6 states/UTs contributed to 60.72% of 44,489 fresh COVID-19 cases, says Health Ministry

The Union health ministry on Thursday said 60.72 percent of the 44,489 fresh COVID-19 cases registered in a span of 24 hours have been contributed by six states and UTs, with Kerala leading the tally followed by Maharashtra, Delhi, West Bengal, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. It said 60.50 percent of the 524 latest fatalities are concentrated in six states and Union territories -- Delhi, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. Kerala leads the tally with 6,491 new COVID-19 cases registered in a span of 24 hours, while Maharashtra has reported 6,159 new cases followed by Delhi with 5,246 new cases.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: U'khand - No holy dip in Ganga on Kartik Purnima due to COVID-19

People will not be allowed to take a holy dip in the Ganga river on the occasion of Kartik Purnima on November 30 in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the district administration said on Thursday. Those who violate the orders will be punished under the Epidemic Act 1897 and the Disaster Management Act 2005, Haridwar District Magistrate C Ravishankar said.