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India recorded 40,715 coronavirus cases in a day, taking the nationwide infection tally to 1,16,86,796, while the active caseload at 3,45,377 registered an increase for the 13th day in a row, the Union health ministry said on Tuesday.
The active caseload now comprises 2.96% of the total infections, while the recovery rate has further dropped to 95.67%, the ministry data updated at 8 a.m. stated.
The COVID-19 death toll of the country increased to 1,60,166, with 199 daily new fatalities, it said. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 1,11,81,253, while the case fatality rate has further dropped to 1.37%, the data stated.
You can track coronavirus cases, deaths and testing rates at the national and State levels here. A list of State Helpline numbers is available as well.
Here are the latest updates:
New Delhi
All those above 45 years will be eligible for the vaccine from April 1
Highlights from briefing by Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar after Union Cabinet meeting:
“We know the vaccination is going well and speedily in India. 4.85 crore people have received the vaccination. Yesterday, a record of 32.54 lakh doses were given in 24 hours.
“All those above 45 years will be eligible for the vaccine from April 1. The Cabinet discussed it today and decided after taking into account the task force and scientific experts’ advice.
“Our request is that those above 45 years register and take appointments for vaccination. Vaccines are available in adequate quantity. There is no need to worry. Both the vaccines are successful.
“The advise given by scientists is that second dose can be administered between 4 and 8 weeks after the first, particularly for Covishield. Doctors will advise when you need to take the second dose.
“The vaccine campaign is very important as there are new variants. We will have to keep wearing masks for another year or year-and-a-half, maintain distance and wash hands. The vaccine is the only protective shield.” — Damini Nath
Punjab
81% of samples in Punjab turn out positive for U.K. variant
With 81% of the latest 401 COVID-19 samples sent by the State for genome sequencing turning out positive for the U.K. variant, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Tuesday appealed to the people to get themselves vaccinated, even as he urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to widen the vaccination ambit to cover those under 60 since this mutant had been found to be infecting young people more. — Vikas Vasudeva
Karnataka
Preference to those in containment zones, says advisory committee
The COVID-19 Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) has recommended to the State government that senior citizens and people above the age of 45 years with co-morbidities who are in containment zones and test negative for COVID 19 should be given preference in getting the vaccination.
M.K. Sudarshan, chairman of the TAC said that people in this age bracket should be vaccinated within 24 hours after they are tested negative in micro containment zones and within 72 hours in regular containment zones.
Maharashtra
CM favours lockdown in some cities if cases keep rising: Tope
Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Monday said people must follow COVID-19 safety protocols if the State is to avoid another lockdown.
Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray was of the view that lockdown may become necessary in some cities if the new cases continue to climb, Mr. Tope told reporters here.
At the same time, he also defended the State’s response to rising cases and pointed out that in terms of cases per million population, many States have fared worse.
He met the Chief Minister two days ago, Mr. Tope said.
“He told me that if the number of daily cases in the state remains in the range of 25,000 to 30,000 for the next some days, then we will have to take some stringent steps. He is of the opinion that if the numbers continue to increase, we will have to impose lockdown in some cities,” the Minister said.
“I appeal people to respond to CM’s warning (about possibility of lockdown) positively and follow the COVID-19 protocols such as mask wearing, hand hygiene and physical distancing to avoild lockdown,” Mr. Tope said. – PTI
(With inputs from Agencies)
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