COVID-19: India reports 58,077 new cases; 657 more deaths
India on Friday reported over 58,000 new COVID-19 cases, a sharp decline of around 9,000 cases from the previous day. The active caseload currently stands at 6,97,802, which accounts for 1.64% of the total cases. In the past 24 hours, 58,077 new cases and 657 fatalities were reported. Meanwhile, India's COVID-19 recovery rate has reached 97.17%.
Why does this story matter?
India on Friday reported fewer COVID-19 cases than the day before. The rapid decline in active caseload and daily positivity rate reflects the improving COVID-19 situation in the country. Notably, this is the fifth consecutive day when India's daily infections remained below the one-lakh mark. This comes after India witnessed a massive spurt in cases in December-end and at the beginning of January.
1.5L patients discharged
According to the Union Health Ministry, India reported a total of 4,25,36,137 COVID-19 cases till Friday morning. The death toll reached 5,07,177. With 1,50,407 fresh discharges, the number of total recoveries climbed to 4,13,31,158. The daily positivity rate also continued to decline and currently stands at 3.89%. On the other hand, the weekly positivity rate was recorded at 5.76%.
Kerala adds most new cases
Maharashtra reported 6,248 new COVID-19 cases along with 18,942 more recoveries. Kerala, the second worst-hit state after Maharashtra, reported 18,420 new cases and 43,286 discharges. The third worst-hit Karnataka added 5,019 fresh cases and 13,923 recoveries. Tamil Nadu, the fourth worst-hit state, witnessed 3,592 new cases and 14,182 discharges. Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh reported 1,345 new cases and 6,576 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 171 crore vaccine doses administered
Till 10 am on Friday, India administered over 171.7 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses. Overall, more than 74.5 crore people have been fully vaccinated, while over 95.5 crore people have received one dose. On Friday alone, India administered over 95,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses till 10 am, including over 65,000 second doses and over 17,000 first doses, according to Co-WIN.
Over 1.5 crore 'precautionary' doses administered
Meanwhile, India has administered over 1.57 crore "precautionary" doses since January 10. On Friday, nearly 4,400 healthcare/frontline workers and nearly 11000 elderly people were given the precautionary dose till 10 am.
COVID-19 situation very optimistic, but cannot lower guard: VK Paul
Dr. VK Paul, Member-Health, NITI Aayog on Thursday said the overall COVID-19 situation in the country is optimistic, however, India cannot lower its guard. He further pointed out that some states, including Kerala, Mizoram, Himachal Pradesh are still reporting a large number of cases. Stressing the need to remain vigilant, Paul said, "The world doesn't know everything about this virus."
