COVID-19: India reports 34,113 new cases; 346 more deaths
India on Monday reported over 34,000 new COVID-19 cases, a decline of around 10,000 cases from the previous day. The active caseload in the country currently stands at 4,78,882, which accounts for 1.12% of the total cases. In the past 24 hours, 34,113 new cases and 346 fatalities were reported. Meanwhile, India's COVID-19 recovery rate has reached 97.68%.
Why does this story matter?
India on Monday reported fewer COVID-19 cases than the day before. The declining trend recorded in both active caseload and weekly positivity rates reflects the improving COVID-19 situation in the country. This comes after India witnessed a massive spurt in cases in December-end and at the beginning of January. The spike in cases--dubbed India's third wave--has been attributed to the highly contagious Omicron variant.
Over 91,000 patients discharged
According to the Union Health Ministry, India reported a total of 4,26,65,534 COVID-19 cases till Monday morning, while the death toll reached 5,09,011. With 91,930 fresh discharges, the number of total recoveries climbed to 4,16,77,641. The daily positivity rate also continues to decline and currently stands at 3.19%. On the other hand, the weekly positivity rate was recorded at 3.99%.
Kerala adds most new cases
Maharashtra reported 3,502 new COVID-19 cases along with 9,815 more recoveries. Kerala, the second worst-hit state after Maharashtra, reported 11,136 new cases and 32,004 discharges. The third worst-hit Karnataka added 2,372 fresh cases and 5,395 recoveries. Tamil Nadu, the fourth worst-hit state, witnessed 2,296 new cases and 8,229 discharges. Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh reported 749 new cases and 6,271 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.
Nearly 173 crore vaccine doses administered
Till 10:30 am on Monday, India administered nearly 173 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses. Overall, more than 75.4 crore people have been fully vaccinated, while over 95.8 crore people have received one dose. On Monday alone, India administered over 2 lakh COVID-19 vaccine doses till 10:30 am, including over 1.4 lakh second doses and over 31,000 first doses, according to Co-WIN.
Over 1.6 crore 'precautionary' doses administered
Meanwhile, India has administered over 1.64 crore "precautionary" doses since January 10. On Monday, over 7,000 healthcare/frontline workers and over 22,000 elderly people were given the precautionary dose till 10:30 am.
70% children aged 15-18 received first dose: Mandaviya
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Sunday said over 70% of children in the 15-18 age group have received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine so far. "Young India further strengthening the world's largest vaccination drive," Mandaviya said while appealing all eligible in this age group to get inoculated at earliest. Notably, over 1.47 crore beneficiaries in the 15-18 age group are fully vaccinated.
