COVID-19: India reports 1,938 new cases; 67 more fatalities
India on Thursday reported over 1,900 new COVID-19 cases, an increase of around 200 cases from the previous day. The active caseload in the country currently stands at 22,427, which accounts for 0.05% of the total cases. In the past 24 hours, a total of 1,938 new cases and 67 fatalities were reported. Meanwhile, India's COVID-19 recovery rate has increased to 98.75%.
Why does this story matter?
India on Thursday reported slightly higher COVID-19 cases than the day before. However, the country's improving COVID-19 situation continues to be reflected by declining active cases and positivity rates. 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.
2,531 COVID-19 patients discharged
According to data shared by the Union Health Ministry, India reported a total of 4,30,14,687 COVID-19 cases till Thursday morning, while the cumulative death count reached 5,16,672. With 2,531 fresh discharges, the number of total recoveries in the country climbed to 4,24,75,588. Meanwhile, the daily positivity rate and the weekly positivity rate were recorded at 0.29% and 0.35%, respectively.
Kerala adds most new cases
Maharashtra reported 149 new COVID-19 cases along with 222 more recoveries. Kerala, the second worst-hit state after Maharashtra, reported 702 new cases and 903 discharges. The third worst-hit Karnataka added 93 fresh cases and 128 recoveries. Tamil Nadu, the fourth worst-hit state, witnessed 44 new cases and 74 discharges. Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh reported 31 new cases and 66 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 182 crore vaccine doses administered
As of Thursday, India has administered over 182.1 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses. Overall, over 82.3 crore people have been fully vaccinated, while more than 97.7 crore people have received one dose. On Thursday alone, India administered over 1.6 lakh COVID-19 vaccine doses till 10:30 am, including over 62,000 second doses and more than 85,000 first doses, according to Co-WIN.
2.08 crore 'precautionary' doses administered
Meanwhile, India has administered over 2.087 crore "precautionary" doses since January 10. On Thursday, over 3,700 healthcare/frontline workers and more than 18,000 elderly people were given the precautionary dose till 10:30 am.
COVID-19 curbs end on March 31; except mask, distancing: Centre
Union Home Ministry has decided to end all COVID-19 containment measures from March 31 in view of the decline in cases in the country. However, wearing of face mask and maintaining social distancing norms will continue as earlier. The ministry had first issued preventive guidelines for COVID-19 under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, on March 24, 2020.
