New Delhi (NVI): Active coronavirus cases in India dropped below the 2-lakh mark and stood at 1,97,201 at a time when the country is undergoing the world’s biggest vaccination drive.
India saw a rise of 13,700 fresh cases in the last 24 hours, taking the total number to 10,595,660, Union Health Ministry confirmed.
The death toll due to the virus rose to 1,52,718, with 162 new fatalities being reported during the same period.
Currently, a total of 10,245,741 million patients have recovered across the country.
In worst-affected Maharashtra, the COVID-19 cases increased to 19,94,977 followed by Karnataka with 9,33,077 and Andhra Pradesh with 8,86,245 positive cases.
In another development, India’s Covid-19 vaccination programme crossed the 5-lakh mark on the fourth day with the Centre urging states to address “vaccine hesitancy” among some in the priority group, and indicating that the drive will soon be extended to the larger population.
Meanwhile, India will officially begin its vaccine diplomacy on Wednesday by supplying Made-in-India Covid-19 vaccines to its neighbouring and key partner countries.
Bhutan and Maldives will be the first to get the vaccines, followed by Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar and Seychelles. Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Mauritius will also get doses once they give necessary regulatory approvals.
-CHK
