New Delhi:
As many 50,040 new COVID-19 cases were reported in India in the last 24 hours, taking the cumulative count of infections to 3,02,33,183, informed the Union Health Ministry on Sunday. The number of cases is 2.7 higher than yesterday when the infection count rested at 48,698.
Daily recoveries continue to outnumber the daily new cases for the 45th consecutive day, with 57,944 recoveries in the last 24 hours, dropping the active caseload down to 5,86,403. The recovery rate stands at 96.75 per cent. With this, the cumulative tally of positive COVID-19 cases in the country stands at 3,02,33,183, including 2,92,51,029 recoveries and 3,95,751 deaths.
The active cases constitute about 1.94 per cent of the total cases. Around 32.17 crore vaccine doses have been administered so far under the country's vaccination drive. 64.25 lakh doses were administered in the last 24 hours.
According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), 40,42,65,101 samples have been tested for coronavirus so far.
Meanwhile,the Centre on Saturday told the Supreme Court that till June 25 more than 31 crore Covid vaccine doses have been administered across the country which includes over 1.73 crore doses to Health Care Workers (HCWs).
Over 2.66 crore doses have been administered to Frontline Workers (FLWs), over 9.93 crores doses to persons between 45 to 59 years of age and over 8.96 crore doses to persons above the age of 60 years, it said.
The government said besides these, over 7.84 crore doses have been administered to persons between 18 to 44 years of age.
"Total 44.2 per cent of the priority population of persons above 45 years of age and 13 per cent of the population group of 18-44 years of age have received the first vaccine dose," the Centre said in its affidavit filed in the top court in the suo motu matter on COVID-19 management.
The Centre which gave the status of COVID-19 vaccines administered from January to June 25 said that a total of 27.3 per cent of the eligible population (18 years and above) have received one dose of vaccine.
"It is humbly submitted that prior to the initiation of the New Liberalized Pricing and Accelerated National COVID Vaccination Strategy on May 1, 2021; a total of 15,49,89,635 (15.49 crore) COVID-19 vaccine doses were administered in the country from January 16 to April 30, 2021, it said, adding that the total figure includes 94,12,140 doses to HCWs and 1,25,58,069 doses to FLWs.
This also includes 5,27,07,921 doses to people in the 45 to 59 years of age group and 5,23,78,616 doses for people above the age of 60 years, the Centre said.
"It is further stated that, in the month of May, 2021, a total of 4,03,49,830 doses were provided by Union government to the states and union territories (UTs) for vaccination of priority group of HCWs, FLWs and persons aged 45 years plus and above as supply from government of India channel, for which no amount is collected from anyone," it said.
The government said in May, 3,91,80,160 doses were available for states and UTs, and private hospitals, which would be proportionate to the people of 18-45 age group in each state and UT.
The Centre has also informed the Supreme Court that a total of 135 crore COVID-19 vaccines will be available in India between August to December.
The Centre informed about the projected availability of COVID-19 vaccines in an affidavit filed in the suo motu case on COVID-19 management initiated by the apex court.
As per the affidavit, out of the 135 crore vaccines, the estimated availability of Covishield doses is 50 crores, while of Covaxin doses is 40 crores.
It said that Russian made Sputnik V vaccine's estimated availability is 10 crores doses.
The affidavit filed by the Central government also informed that the Bio E Sub unit vaccine's 30 crore doses will be available while Zydus Cadila DNA vaccine's 5 crore doses will be available.
It said that there is no global scientific evidence of viruses selecting to affect a particular age group.
The central government said it has ensured that all state governments are geared-up to deal with any such potential threat to children.
Since health is a state subject and hospitals are under the state governments, the central government has proactively prepared two SOPs – one for prescribing an ideal clinical treatment and second prescribing the infrastructural facilities mandated in the hospitals, it said.
The Centre added that it is in constant and direct touch with state governments to ensure that these facilities are created and augmented on war footing.