With 2,76,110 new coronavirus infections reported in preceding 24-hour, India’s tally of COVID-19 cases has mounted to 2,57,72,440. Meanwhile, the daily deaths were recorded below 4,000 after four days, pushing the overall fatality count to 2,87,122, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Thursday. A total of 3,874 fatalities due to COVID-19 were registered in a span of 24 hours.
The active cases have further come down to 31,29,878, comprising 12.14 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has improved to 86.74 per cent, the data updated at 8 am showed.
The number of people who have recovered from the disease surged to 2,23,55,440, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.11 per cent, the data stated.
The Health Ministry said that a total of 18,70,09,792 people have been vaccinated so far in the country, including 11,66,090 who were administered vaccines in the last 24 hours.
According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), 32,23,56,187 samples have been tested up to May 19 for Covid-19. Of these 20,55,010 samples were tested on Wednesday, which is the highest so far.
Here’s more updates:
*The ICMR made it clear that only symptomatic individuals and immediate contacts of people who tested positive in the laboratory should use the home test. “Indiscriminate testing is not advised,” the top medical body said.
*Vaccination for coronavirus can be taken three months after recovery, the Centre said today. The second dose of Covid vaccine should also be delayed by three months for anyone contracting the disease after the first dose.
*Reversing the trend, with 49,953 discharged in a day, including 29,238 in Bengaluru recoveries outnumbered 34,281 new Covid cases in Karnataka, said the state health bulletin on Wednesday.
* In order to effectively tackle Covid-19 pandemic in rural areas of J&K, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha has directed Deputy Commissioners and the Health Department to ensure a minimum five-bed Covid Care Centre including one oxygen supported bed in every panchayat for patients requiring immediate medical attention, officials said on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the overall global Covid-19 caseload has topped 164.6 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 3.41 million, according to the Johns Hopkins University.