COVID-19: India reports 6,915 new cases; 180 more deaths
What's the story
India on Tuesday reported nearly 7,000 new COVID-19 cases, a decline of over 1,000 cases from the previous day. The active caseload in the country currently stands at 92,472, which accounts for 0.22% of the total cases. In the past 24 hours, 6,915 new cases and 180 fatalities were reported. Meanwhile, India's COVID-19 recovery rate has reached 98.59%.
Context
Why does this story matter?
India on Tuesday reported fewer COVID-19 cases than the day before. Meanwhile, the active caseload in the country has also dropped below the one-lakh mark on Tuesday. This comes after India 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 highly contagious Omicron variant.
Statistics
Over 16,000 patients discharged
According to data shared by the Union Health Ministry, India reported a total of 4,29,31,045 COVID-19 cases till Tuesday morning, while the cumulative death count reached 5,14,023. With 16,864 fresh discharges, the number of total recoveries climbed to 4,23,24,550. The daily positivity rate and the weekly positivity rate were recorded at 0.77% and 1.11%, respectively.
States
Kerala adds most new cases
Maharashtra reported 407 new COVID-19 cases along with 967 more recoveries. Kerala, the second worst-hit state after Maharashtra, reported 2,010 new cases and 5,283 discharges. The third worst-hit Karnataka added 268 fresh cases and 1,119 recoveries. Tamil Nadu, the fourth worst-hit state, witnessed 366 new cases and 1,013 discharges. Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh reported 71 new cases and 595 recoveries.
Trend
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.
Vaccination
Over 177 crore vaccine doses administered
Till 10:30 am on Tuesday, India administered over 177.6 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses. Overall, nearly 79.1 crore people have been fully vaccinated, while more than 96.5 crore people have received one dose. On Tuesday alone, India administered over 60,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses till 10:30 am, including over 48,000 second doses and over 7,000 first doses, according to Co-WIN.
Data
1.89 crore 'precautionary' doses administered
Meanwhile, India has administered over 1.89 crore "precautionary" doses since January 10. On Tuesday, over 1,800 healthcare/frontline workers and 3,000 elderly people were given the precautionary dose till 10:30 am.
Recent news
Railways resumes general class passenger services
The Indian Railways on Monday announced the resumption of general class passenger services which were suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. Railways had been running fully reserved 'special trains' during the pandemic to prevent crowding in trains so as to contain the spread of the disease. The development comes as COVID-19 cases continue to show a consistent decline across the country.