Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi called for a nationwide lockdown as the country’s tally of coronavirus infections surged past 20 million on Tuesday, becoming the second nation after the United States to pass the grim milestone.

The head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus -- who has become the face of the agency's battle against the pandemic -- will run for a second term, Stat News reported Monday.

The Covax global programme, which has relied heavily on AstraZeneca vaccines, said on Monday it has struck a deal to buy 500 million doses of Moderna's Covid-19 jabs.

The US Food and Drug Administration is preparing to authorise Pfizer Inc and German partner BioNTech SE's Covid-19 vaccine for adolescents aged between 12 and 15 years by early next week, the New York Times reported on Monday, citing federal officials familiar with the agency's plans.

Sixty-five people have died from Covid-19 in 24 hours (till 8am today), according to a press release issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

Bangladeshi pharmaceutical company Renata Limited has sought permission from the government to bring Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine to the country.

Pfizer is in discussions with the Indian government seeking an "expedited approval pathway" for its Covid-19 vaccine, its CEO Albert Bourla said on LinkedIn on Monday, announcing a donation of medicines worth more than $70 million.

Russia is turning to multiple Chinese firms to manufacture the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine in an effort to speed up production as demand soars for its shot.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s medical check-up is yet to be completed and she needs to stay in hospital for a few more days.

Sixty-nine people have died from Covid-19 in 24 hours (till 8am today), according to a press release issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

Treatment cost for Covid-19 patients is abnormally higher at private hospitals than at public healthcare facilities, revealed a study.

Sixty people have died from Covid-19 in 24 hours (till 8am today), according to a press release issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

Eight Covid-19 patients, including a senior doctor, of a hospital in Delhi died due to oxygen shortage, a hospital official said today.

A forum of scientific advisers set up by the government warned Indian officials in early March of a new and more contagious variant of the coronavirus taking hold in the country, five scientists who are part of the forum told Reuters.

With 185 new cases detected in 24 hours till 10pm yesterday (Friday), number of Covid-19 cases has crossed the 50,000 mark -- 393 days into the detection of the first case -- in Chattogram.

The Serum Institute of India, which manufactures the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, is planning to start vaccine production in other countries as it struggles to meet supply commitments, its chief executive officer told The Times.

Australian residents and citizens who have been in India within 14 days of the date they plan to return home will be banned from entering Australia as of Monday and those who disobey will face fines and jail, government officials said.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who tested positive for Covid-19, is physically stable, but she needs to stay in hospital for a few more days.

Leader of the Opposition Raushan Ershad has been admitted to the Combined Military Hospital in the capital.

The West Bengal government tonight imposed a partial lockdown in the state with immediate effect amid mounting cases of Covid-19.