COVID-19: India reports less than 20,000 new cases; 673 deaths
What's the story
India on Sunday reported less than 20,000 new COVID-19 cases, a decline of over 2,000 cases from the previous day.
The active caseload in the country currently stands at 2,24,187, which accounts for 0.52% of the total cases.
In the past 24 hours, 19,968 new cases and 673 fatalities were reported.
Meanwhile, India's COVID-19 recovery rate has reached 98.28%.
Context
Why does this story matter?
India on Sunday reported fewer COVID-19 cases than the day before.
Notably, both active caseload and weekly positivity rate continue to record a sharp decline.
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.
Statistics
Over 48,000 patients discharged
According to the Union Health Ministry, India reported a total of 4,28,22,473 COVID-19 cases till Sunday morning, while the death toll reached 5,11,903.
With 48,847 fresh discharges, the number of total recoveries climbed to 4,20,86,383.
The daily positivity rate also continues to decline and currently stands at 1.68%.
On the other hand, the weekly positivity rate was recorded at 2.27%.
States
Kerala adds most new cases
Maharashtra reported 1,635 new COVID-19 cases along with 4,394 more recoveries.
Kerala, the second worst-hit state after Maharashtra, reported 6,757 new cases and 17,086 discharges.
The third worst-hit Karnataka added 1,137 fresh cases and 3,870 recoveries.
Tamil Nadu, the fourth worst-hit state, witnessed 1,015 new cases and 3,561 discharges.
Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh reported 425 new cases and 1,486 recoveries.
Trend
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.
Vaccination
Over 175 crore vaccine doses administered
Till 9:30 am on Sunday, India administered over 175.3 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses.
Overall, more than 77.2 crore people have been fully vaccinated, while over 96.2 crore people have received one dose.
On Sunday alone, India administered over 21,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses till 9:30 am, including over 17,000 second doses and over 3,600 first doses, according to Co-WIN.
Data
Over 1.7 crore 'precautionary' doses administered
Meanwhile, India has administered over 1.78 crore "precautionary" doses since January 10. On Sunday, 257 healthcare/frontline workers and 680 elderly people were given the precautionary dose till 9:30 am.
Recent news
80% of India's adults now fully vaccinated: Government
Over 80% of India's adult population is now fully vaccinated against COVID-19, the Centre has said.
On the other hand, nearly 97% of the adult population have received at least one dose.
"With the mantra of 'sabka prayas' under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, the country is moving at a fast pace towards 100% immunisation," Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said.