COVID-19: India reports 2,876 new cases; 98 more deaths
India on Wednesday reported over 2,800 new COVID-19 cases, an increase of around 300 cases from the previous day. The active caseload in the country currently stands at 32,811, which accounts for 0.08% of the total cases. In the past 24 hours, a total of 2,876 new cases and 98 fatalities were reported. Meanwhile, India's COVID-19 recovery rate has increased to 98.72%.
Why does this story matter?
India on Wednesday reported higher COVID-19 cases than the day before. However, the declining active caseload and weekly positivity rate reflect the country's improving COVID-19 situation. Notably, India witnessed a massive spurt in coronavirus infections in December-end and at the beginning of January. The spike in cases—dubbed India's third wave—was attributed to the Omicron variant.
Over 3,000 patients discharged
According to data shared by the Union Health Ministry, India reported a total of 4,29,98,938 COVID-19 cases till Wednesday morning, while the cumulative death count reached 5,16,072. With 3,884 fresh discharges, the number of total recoveries in the country climbed to 4,24,50,055. The daily positivity rate and the weekly positivity rate were recorded at 0.38% and 0.44%, respectively.
Kerala adds most new cases
Maharashtra reported 207 new COVID-19 cases along with 290 more recoveries. Kerala, the second worst-hit state after Maharashtra, reported 1,193 new cases and 1,034 discharges. The third worst-hit Karnataka added 129 fresh cases and 206 recoveries. Tamil Nadu, the fourth worst-hit state, witnessed 77 new cases and 169 discharges. Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh reported 59 new cases and 83 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 180 crore vaccine doses administered
As of Wednesday, India administered over 180.5 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses. Overall, over 81.5 crore people have been fully vaccinated, while more than 96.9 crore people have received one dose. On Wednesday alone, India administered over 73,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses till 10 am, including nearly 60,000 second doses and more than 7,000 first doses, according to Co-WIN.
Over 2 crore 'precautionary' doses administered
Meanwhile, India has administered over 2 crore "precautionary" doses since January 10. On Wednesday, over 2,000 healthcare/frontline workers and more than 6,700 elderly people were given the precautionary dose till 10 am.
India starts vaccination for 12-14 age group today
India on Wednesday has started vaccinating children aged 12 to 14 years as it expands its COVID-19 vaccination coverage. India has also removed the condition of co-morbidity for people aged 60 and above to get a precautionary dose and thereby making everyone above 60 years eligible for booster doses. The COVID-19 vaccine to be administered in the 12-14 age group would be Corbevax.
