India records fewer new cases, recoveries rise too

Image Courtesy:business-standard.com

In the last 24 hours 2,59,269 cases of Covid-19 and 4,209 deaths have been reported in India, but there is a silver lining. According to government data the daily recoveries now outnumber new cases, and for the fourth day, less than three lakh daily new cases have been reported. Around 3,69,077 recoveries were registered in the last 24 hours, according to the Press Information Bureau, and the National Recovery Rate is now at 86.74%.

The states account for 75.11% of the new recoveries include Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala, which were all reeling under the Covid-19 surge till recently. While they still have a high number of news cases still being reported, the rise in recoveries is worth noting.

Even though India’s total active caseload decreased to 31,29,878, eight states still account for 69.23% of the country’s total active cases. The “six most affected states” are: Maharashtra (5,497,448), Karnataka (2,335,524), Kerala (2,337,146), Tamil Nadu (1,699,225), Uttar Pradesh (1,651,574), and Delhi (1,409,950).

Cases continue rising Globally

Coronavirus has reportedly infected around 16,58,32,620 people around the world so far, with a global death toll of around 3,444,266. According to news reports, the United States of America is the worst-hit country with 33,832,744 cases followed by India, Brazil, France. India, however, has reported the highest number of fresh cases at 2,068,573, in the past week, stated news reports.

Vaccine slowdown in Delhi again?

Delhi’s stock of Covishield vaccine for the 18-44 age group has run out, and the national Capital is likely to shut down around 150 Covid-19 vaccination centres, said Aam Aadmi Party leader Atishi on Thursday evening. Delhi has two days’ stock of Covaxin, and nine days’ stock of Covishield left for the 45+ age group, she added, asking the Central government to “immediately send us the required amount of vaccines”. Walk-in vaccinations for 45+ remain open. Meanwhile, in Mumbai the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has begun vaccinating for those above 45 years of age on Friday and Saturday.

Home testing the way forward?

A home test for Covid-19 is soon going to be available at local pharmacists, after the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) announced its approval on Thursday. The self-test kit, called CoviSelf, costs Rs 250, and is available without a prescription from pharmacies as well as online pharmacies. This is India’s first home-use Covid-19 test and has been developed by pune based MyLab Discovery Solutions. According to the ICMR, it should be used only by those who have Covid-19 symptoms or were exposed to an infected person. The ICMR said, “Indiscriminate testing is not advised. All individuals who test positive may be considered as true positives and no repeat testing is required. All test positive individuals are advised to follow home isolation and care as per the ICMR and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare protocol.”