India adds 2,075 more COVID-19 cases, 71 deaths
India on Saturday reported over 2,000 new COVID-19 cases, a decline of around 450 cases from the previous day. The active caseload in the country currently stands at 27,802, which accounts for 0.06% of the total cases. In the past 24 hours, a total of 2,075 new cases and 71 fatalities were reported. Meanwhile, India's COVID-19 recovery rate remained unchanged at 98.73%.
Why does this story matter?
India is witnessing a continuous fall in COVID-19 cases and reported fewer infections on Saturday than the day before. Meanwhile, both active caseload and positivity rates are also continuing with their declining trend. This comes after 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 3,383 patients recovered
According to data shared by the Union Health Ministry, India reported a total of 43,006,080 COVID-19 cases till Saturday morning, while the cumulative death count reached 5,16,352. With 3,383 fresh discharges, the number of total recoveries in the country climbed to 4,24,61,926 The daily positivity rate and the weekly positivity rate were recorded at 0.56 % and 0.41%, respectively.
Kerala has most active cases
At 7,289, Kerala has the highest active COVID-19 caseload in India. On Saturday, the state reported 533 new cases and 59 coronavirus-related deaths--including 44 deaths declared as per appeal cases, which is the highest across the country in the last 24 hours. It was followed by Maharashtra, which reported a total of 226 new infections and three deaths.
Over 181 crore vaccine doses administered
As of Saturday, India has administered over 181.04 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses. Overall, over 82 crore people have been fully vaccinated, while more than 97.06 crore people have received one dose. On Saturday alone, India administered over 1,16,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses till 10:30 am, including over 61,000 second doses and more than 47,000 first doses, according to Co-WIN.
Over 2 crore 'precautionary' doses administered
Meanwhile, India has administered over 2.04 crore "precautionary" doses since January 10. On Saturday, over 2,500 healthcare/frontline workers and more than 8,300 elderly people were given the precautionary dose till 10:30 am.
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 13 lakh 12-14 year olds registered for vaccination
On the third day of vaccination for 12-14 year olds, over 2 lakh vaccine doses were administered, as per Co-WIN. On Friday, 2,15,195 children in the age group were administered the first dose of COVID -19 vaccine. India started vaccinating children of this age group on Wednesday and 13,37,261 children have registered for the vaccination so far.
