COVID-19: India logs 7,554 new cases; 223 more deaths
India on Wednesday reported over 7,000 new COVID-19 cases, a slight increase of over 500 cases from the previous day. The active caseload in the country currently stands at 85,680, which accounts for 0.20% of the total cases. In the past 24 hours, 7,554 new cases and 223 fatalities were reported. Meanwhile, India's COVID-19 recovery rate has reached 98.60%.
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India on Wednesday reported slightly higher COVID-19 cases than the day before. However, both active caseload and weekly positivity rate continued with their declining trend on Wednesday. The COVID-19 situation is improving in India after the country 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 Omicron variant.
Over 14,000 patients discharged
According to data shared by the Union Health Ministry, India reported a total of 4,29,38,599 COVID-19 cases till Wednesday morning, while the cumulative death count reached 5,14,246. With 14,123 fresh discharges, the number of total recoveries in the country climbed to 4,23,38,673. The daily positivity rate and the weekly positivity rate were recorded at 0.96% and 1.06%, respectively.
Kerala adds most new cases
Maharashtra reported 675 new COVID-19 cases along with 1,225 more recoveries. Kerala, the second worst-hit state after Maharashtra, reported 2,846 new cases and 4,325 discharges. The third worst-hit Karnataka added 202 fresh cases and 971 recoveries. Tamil Nadu, the fourth worst-hit state, witnessed 348 new cases and 1,025 discharges. Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh reported 141 new cases and 450 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 177 crore vaccine doses administered
Till 9:30 am on Wednesday, India administered over 177.7 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses. Overall, over 79.2 crore people have been fully vaccinated, while more than 96.5 crore people have received one dose. On Wednesday alone, India administered over 37,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses till 9:30 am, including nearly 30,000 second doses and nearly 4,000 first doses, according to Co-WIN.
1.89 crore 'precautionary' doses administered
Meanwhile, India has administered over 1.89 crore "precautionary" doses since January 10. On Wednesday, over 1,700 healthcare/frontline workers and 32,400 elderly people were given the precautionary dose till 9:30 am.
India extends ban on international flights
India on Monday extended the ban on scheduled international flights "till further notice." On January 19, the suspension was extended till February 28. Notably, scheduled international passenger flights have been suspended in India since March 23, 2020, following the outbreak of the coronavirus. However, special flights are operating between India and around 45 countries under an air bubble arrangement.
