India reported 1,761 Covid-19 deaths in the last 24 hours, the biggest one-day spike, and 2,59,170 new cases. The total number of cases, which shows a worrying rise in the second wave of the pandemic, now stands at 1,53,21,089, according to union health ministry data on Tuesday.
This is the second straight day that the South Asian country is reporting over two lakh cases. India is second only to the United States in the total number of cases reported since the beginning of the pandemic.
A total of 1,80,530 deaths have been reported so far in the country. The health ministry stressed that more than 70 percent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities.
Maharashtra, the country’s worst-impacted state, reported 58,924 fresh coronavirus cases, taking the tally to over 38.98 lakh, while 351 new fatalities pushed the death count to 60,824. In terms of the total caseload, Maharashtra is followed by the southern states of Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
Delhi is under a weeklong lockdown amid the deteriorating COVID-19 situation in the capital. In the last 24 hours, 240 deaths – the highest-ever registered in a single day in Delhi – and 23,686 fresh coronavirus cases were reported.
Meanwhile, the government on Monday announced that all citizens who are 18 or above can get COVID-19 vaccinations from May 1, as cases there surge to record highs. Vaccine manufacturers will need to supply 50% of doses to the centre and the rest to state governments and the open market at a pre-declared price, the government said.
(Source : NDTV, Business Today)
