COVID-19: India reports 1,335 new cases, 52 more fatalities
India on Friday reported over 1,300 new COVID-19 cases, slightly higher than the previous day. The active caseload in the country currently stands at 13,672, which accounts for 0.03% of the total cases so far. In the past 24 hours, a total of 1,335 new cases and 52 fatalities were reported. Meanwhile, India's COVID-19 recovery rate has increased to 98.76%.
Why does this story matter?
India on Friday reported a slightly higher number of cases than the day before. However, the overall COVID-19 situation in the country is improving as both active caseload and positivity rates are continuing with their declining trend. Meanwhile, the Centre has also lifted all COVID-19-related restrictions from Friday, except wearing of masks and social distancing, in view of declining cases in the country.
1,918 patients discharged
According to data shared by the Union Health Ministry, India reported a total of 4,30,25,775 COVID-19 cases until Friday morning, while the cumulative death count reached 5,21,181. With 1,918 fresh discharges, the number of total recoveries in the country climbed to 4,24,90,922. On the other hand, the daily and weekly positivity rates were recorded at 0.22% and 0.23%, respectively.
Kerala adds most new cases
Kerala saw 429 new cases and 620 discharges in the last 24 hours. Maharashtra reported 183 new COVID-19 cases along with 219 more recoveries and one death during the same period. Karnataka added 78 fresh cases along with 93 recoveries. Tamil Nadu witnessed 35 new cases and 51 discharges. Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh reported eight new cases and 45 recoveries.
India's second wave peaked on May 7
India's second wave peaked on May 7, 2021, when 4.14 lakh single-day cases were reported, over four times the number of cases reported during the first wave in mid-September 2020. Although infections declined after the second wave peaked, India crossed the three-crore mark on June 23. The country crossed the one-crore mark on December 19, 2020, and the two-crore mark on May 4, 2021.
Over 184 crore vaccine doses administered
As of Friday morning, India has administered over 184.31 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses. Overall, over 83.13 crore people have been fully vaccinated, while more than 98.90 crore people have received one dose. On Friday alone, India administered over 2.20 lakh COVID-19 vaccine doses till 11:00 am, including over 97,000 second doses and nearly 90,000 first doses, according to Co-WIN.
2.18 crore vaccine precautionary doses administered
Moreover, India has administered over 2.19 crore "precautionary" doses since January 10. On Friday, over 6,100 healthcare/frontline workers and nearly 31,000 elderly people were given the precautionary dose till 11:00 am.
COVID-19-related restrictions to end today
Two years after the implementation of COVID-19 guidelines to curb the spread of the virus, all these measures will come to an end in the country from Friday. Notably, the decision was conveyed by the Centre to states and UTs last week in view of declining COVID-19 cases. However, the Centre maintained the wearing of face masks and maintaining social distancing norms will continue.
