On Monday India recorded 3,68,147 new cases of the COVID-19, along with 3,417 deaths due to the infection. According to the data shared by the Union Health Ministry, the country saw a total of 3,00,732 discharges in the last 24 hours, taking the total recovery toll to 16,29,3003. The country has been reporting more than three lakh infections every day for more than 10 days now. On Sunday, India posted a grim global record in daily Covid surge with 4 lakh infections. The total cases of COVID-19 in India have now mounted to 1,99,25,604, with 34,13,642 active cases, the data showed. The total death toll in the country is now at 2,18,959. A total of 15,71,98,207 people have so far been vaccinated against COVID-19 in India.
India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5, and 50 lakh on September 16. It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20, and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19.
The country crossed the grim milestone of 1.50 crore on April 19.
The Supreme Court has told the center to make sure the deficit of oxygen supply in Delhi is rectified by midnight. Shortage of medical oxygen has worsened the Covid crisis in the national capital with hospitals sending desperate appeals - on social media - nearly every day.
"We would seriously urge the Central and State governments to consider imposing a ban on mass gatherings and super spreader events. They may also consider imposing a lockdown to curb the virus in the second wave in the interest of public welfare," the top court said on Sunday.Haryana, Punjab, and Odisha on Sunday announced fresh restrictions to check Covid spread. A strict one-week lockdown has been announced in Haryana while Odisha has announced a two-week lockdown.
Punjab has said a Covid negative report will be necessary for those entering the state via air, rail, or road. Cinema halls, bars, and gymnasiums are to be shut and no dine-in is allowed in restaurants.
The government may call final-year MBBS students for Covid duty, sources said on Sunday after Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a review meeting.
The government on Sunday said foreign missions should not hoard oxygen and other essential supplies. The directions came as at least two of them turned to the opposition Congress for help.AIIMS chief Dr. Randeep Guleria said India's healthcare system is "stretched to the limit" and "aggressive lockdowns" - like the one imposed in March last year - in areas with positivity rates over 10 percent are needed to contain the second COVID-19 wave.
India's positivity rate, the percentage of people who test positive out of all of the tests done, stood at 24.46 percent this morning.
The second wave has burdened the healthcare system. In April, India recorded 66 lakh fresh cases, much higher than 10.25 lakh cases recorded in March, 3.5 lakh cases recorded in February, and 4.79 lakh cases recorded in January. Over 45,000 people died in April alone across the country due to Covid as compared to 5,417 deaths in March.
