India records highest spike of 2021 with 72,330 new COVID-19 cases; highest daily number of deaths this year

India records highest spike of 2021 with 72,330 new COVID-19 cases; highest daily number of deaths this year

India reported the highest single-day spike of 2021 on April 1 with 72,330 fresh COVID-19 cases, taking the total tally to 1,22,21,665.

New Delhi: India reported the highest infections of 2021 on April 1 with 72,330 fresh COVID-19 cases taking the total tally to 1,22,21,665.

Currently, there are 5,84,055 active cases in the country. With 459 new deaths due to the coronavirus, the death toll stood at 1,62,927.

According to the Union Health Ministry, 1,14,74,683 people recovered from the virus while 6,51,17,896 people across India were vaccinated.

Death toll highest in around 116 days

The single-day rise in cases is the highest recorded since October 11, 2020, while the death toll is the highest in around 116 days.

The recovery rate has further dropped to 93.89 per cent, the data stated.

As many as 74,383 new infections were recorded in a span of 24 hours on October 11, reported PTI adding that the active caseload was at its lowest at 1, 35,926 on February 12 comprising 1.25 per cent of the total infections.

As per the Health Ministry’s data, the case fatality rate has further has dropped to 1.33 per cent.

According to the ICMR, 24,47,98,621 samples have been tested up to March 31 with 11,25,681 samples being tested on Wednesday.

COVID-19 vaccination for people above 45 years begins

Meanwhile, to combat the spread of coronavirus, the government will vaccinate people above 45 years starting today.

India launched the first phase of the vaccination drive on January 16 giving priority to all healthcare and frontline workers. The second phase started on March 1 with doses being administered to people above the age of 60 and those between 45 and 59 years with specific comorbidities.

Amid the rise in the number of active cases all over the country, the Centre on Tuesday issued a warning saying the situation is going from “bad to worse” and urged states to achieve 100 per cent vaccination coverage of people above the age of 45 in surge districts in the next two weeks.

Source:timesnownews