Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Fresh 10,488 Covid Cases in India; WHO 'Very Worried' about Virus Spread in Europe

Coronavirus LIVE Updates: In the last 24 hours, India recorded 10,488 cases and 313 deaths, as per data released by the Health Ministry. Meanwhile, the total number of vaccinations climbed to 1,16,50,55,210 on Sunday.

The BJP-led Uttarakhand government has withdrawn all Covid-19 restrictions from the state. However, wearing masks remains mandatory at public places, workplaces and on public transport, the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority said in its latest guidelines. The decision of the state government has drawn flak from the opposition Congress, which called the move “careless”.

Harish Rawat said, “I think the state govt decided this without considering precautionary measures, without seeing Covid situation in the state and the country or perhaps without taking note of reports of an increase in Covid cases in many countries. They should take all take precautionary measures.”

Meanwhile, the critical Covid-19 situation in Europe has left people in a state of helter-skelter as one section of the population continues to protest against vaccination, and the inoculated other half is pitted against the former. In an interview with the BBC, the World Health Organization’s Europe director Dr Hans Kluge said that he is “very worried” about the spread of coronavirus in Europe as the continent battles a fresh wave of infections. He has warned that the continent may register 500,000 more deaths by March unless urgent action is taken.

“An increase in mask wearing could immediately help,” Kluge said, adding that factors like the winter season, insufficient vaccine coverage and the regional dominance of the more transmissible Delta variant were behind the spread.

Besides, the world health body has called for increased vaccine uptake and the implementation of basic public health measures and new medical treatments to help fight the rise.

Read all the Latest India News here