India reported over 20,000 new Covid-19 cases for the third day in a row. On Saturday, 20,044 new coronavirus infections were logged in taking the active caseload to over 1.40 lakh. The country also reported 56 more deaths and over 18,000 recoveries.
According to Health Ministry data updated on Saturday, the death toll has climbed to 5,25,660 with 56 more fatalities. Active cases increased by 1,687 in a day and now comprise 0.32 per cent of the total infections while the national recovery rate is 98.48 per cent.
The daily positivity rate has been recorded at 4.80 per cent while the weekly positivity rate is 4.40 per cent.
The total number of people who have recuperated from the Covid infection surged to 4,30,63,651, while the case fatality rate was 1.20 per cent. According to the ministry, 199.71 crore Covid vaccine doses have been administered in the country.
Of the 56 deaths, 27 are from Kerala, 10 from Maharashtra, five from West Bengal, two each from Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, and one each from Assam, Bihar, Karnataka, Punjab, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, and Uttarakhand. An increase of 1,687 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours. The active cases comprise 0.32 per cent of the total infections, the ministry said.
The total death toll in the country is now at 5,25,660. In India, the first death due to the Covid pandemic was reported in March 2020.
The daily positivity rate on July 16 was recorded 4.80 per cent. India's vaccine coverage has reached the 199-crore mark. Over 3.79 crore first doses and over 2.60 crore second doses have been administered for the age group of 12 to 14. Over 6.80 crore first doses and more than 5 crore second doses have been given to the 15 to 18 age group, as per the government data. Meanwhile, over 4.52 crore precaution doses (booster shots) have been given to people above 60 years of age, healthcare workers, and frontline workers.
Currently, India is also conducting a free Precaution Dose drive for all adults for 75 days which commenced yesterday to help all eligible citizens get their precaution dose.