Guwahati, Jan 18 (IANS) The percentage of water birds at the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNP & TR) in Assam declined by 28.61 per cent in one year, officials said on Tuesday.

Bengaluru, Jan 18 (IANS) The Karnataka government on Tuesday warned medical practitioners of the state to exercise restraint while giving opinion on the Covid-19 situation in the state, otherwise they would be booked under various laws if they issue unsubstantiated comments in public.

New Delhi, Jan 18 (IANS) After a massive spike in Covid infections, Delhi has started seeing a declining trajectory of cases with a downward trend reported for the fifth day in a row on Tuesday. However, the hospitalisation rate in the city has not declined in proportion with the falling daily cases.

New Delhi, Jan 18 (IANS) Over 50 per cent teenagers in the 15-18 age group have been vaccinated with the first dose of vaccine. Since the beginning of inoculation drive for this age bracket, a total of 3,71,13,119 teens have received their first dose of vaccine, as per the CoWIN portal.

Mumbai, Jan 18 (IANS) The 160-year-old Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Zoo has got two new star attractions - Royal Bengal tiger cub 'Veera' and Humboldt penguin chick, aOscar', officials said here on Tuesday.

Hyderabad, Jan 18 (IANS) Telangana on Tuesday logged 2,983 Covid-19 cases while the health authorities conducted over one lakh tests during the 24-hour period.

New Delhi, Jan 18 (IANS) Delhi-NCR on Tuesday recorded its sixth consecutive cold day with isolated pockets recording a severe cold day, India Meteorological Department (IMD) data showed.

Bengaluru, Jan 18 (IANS) As many as 29 migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh have tested positive in Madikeri city of Kodagu district which borders Kerala, officials said on Tuesday.

Hyderabad, Jan 18 (IANS) Bharat Biotech has urged healthcare workers to ensure that only Covaxin is administered to individuals in the 15-18 years age group.

Jammu, Jan 18 (IANS) Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday reported its highest single-day spike of 4,651 new Covid cases while three more patients succumbed.

Jerusalem, Jan 18 (IANS) More than 90 per cent of Covid patients treated with Pfizer's antiviral drug Paxlovid showed significant improvement within three days, according to a report.

New Delhi, Jan 18 (IANS) Continuing a declining trend for fifth day in a row, Delhi on Tuesday recorded 11,684 fresh Covid cases in the last 24 hours, but there were 38 new deaths against 24 the day before.

Washington, Jan 18 (IANS) US drugmaker Moderna is working on a combined Covid-19 and flu booster shot, which could be available in some countries by fall 2023 at the earliest, CEO Stephane Bancel has said.

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 18 (IANS) The daily Covid positive cases in Kerala continue to rise as 28,481 people turned positive from 80,740 samples tested, taking the positivity rate (TPR) to 35.27 per cent on Tuesday, state Health Minister Veena George said in a statement.

New Delhi, Jan 18 (IANS) Most of India will see a peak in Omicron cases by mid February, health experts said on Tuesday.

Hyderabad, Jan 18 (IANS) Telangana police and state secretariat saw a big spurt in Covid-19 cases on Tuesday while state director of public health and family welfare has also tested positive.

Bangkok, Jan 18 (IANS) A startup in Thailand is aiming to develop the country's first Covid vaccine based on tobacco.

Puducherry, Jan 18 (IANS) With the hike in the number of Covid-19 cases, the Puducherry education department has declared closure of physical classes in all schools and colleges of the territory till January 31.

Jaipur, Jan 18 (IANS) Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra on Tuesday directed officials to identify the children orphaned due to Covid pandemic and provide them immediate and long-term assistance and protection.

New Delhi, Jan 18 (IANS) New Covid cases in Mumbai seem to be stabilising, but infections in other places like Bengaluru and Pune are increasing during the ongoing third wave of the pandemic, SBI Research said in a report.

Bengaluru, Jan 18 (IANS) Clamor against weekend and night curfew in Karnataka appears to be rising with BJP senior leaders opposing the restrictions publically.

New Delhi, Jan 18 (IANS) People infected in the second wave of Covid have experienced four times more long Covid conditions than those from the first wave, said experts here on Tuesday.

Belagavi, (Karnataka) Jan 18 (IANS) At a time when the whole administration and health authorities, including Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, are vehemently propagating wearing of masks among people, the ruling BJP minister in Belagavi has not only flouted the mask rule but also defended his act by quoting from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech on Tuesday.

Hyderabad, Jan 18 (IANS) The Telangana government has urged the Centre to reduce the interval between the second and the precautionary dose from the current nine months to six months.

Canberra, Jan 18 (IANS) Australia recorded its highest ever number of Covid-19 deaths on Tuesday, as the latest resurgence continued to push up the hospitalisation rates to record levels.