PM Modi to hold high-level meeting amid rising COVID-19 cases
What's the story
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to hold a high-level meeting on Wednesday at 4:30 pm to review the present situation and the preparedness of public health services in view of the surge in COVID-19 cases.
As per the Union Health Ministry's update on Wednesday, 1,134 new cases were recorded across the country, while the total number of active cases reached 7,026.
Context
Why does this story matter?
Despite the fact that the coronavirus pandemic began three years ago, the fear of the virus lingers, and the recent increase in COVID-19 cases has brought the government on its toes.
On Wednesday alone, five deaths from the virus were recorded in Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Kerala combined, taking the country's total death toll to 5,30,813.
Information
Over 1.03 lakh COVID-19 tests conducted in last 24 hours
So far, 92.05 crore COVID-19 tests have been conducted, of which 1,03,831 were conducted in the last 24 hours. The daily positivity rate, on the other hand, reached 1.09%, while the weekly positivity rate was at 0.98%. The total number of COVID-19 cases reached 4,46,98,118.
Information
2.21 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccine administered so far
Additionally, as many as 4,41,60,279 people recovered from the disease, while the case fatality rate stood at 1.19%. As per the Health Ministry's data, 2.21 billion doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered across the country so far.
H3N2
H3N2 cases also on the rise, symptoms similar to COVID-19
Meanwhile, the number of flu infections caused by the H3N2 virus is increasing, which has been exacerbated by unseasonal rains this month. It primarily affects children and the elderly, causing doctors and health officials to be concerned.
The symptoms of H3N2 infection include cough, body ache, fever, and sore throat, which are similar to COVID-19. So far, nine people have died from the virus.