For the first time in nearly four months and amid the fear of a third Covid wave, India on Wednesday recorded 43,654 new coronavirus cases — 47 per cent higher than a day ago when fresh cases dipped below 30,000 with just one State Kerala with 22,128 infections contributing over half of the total national caseload.
Likewise, the test positivity rate nationally stood at 2.51 per cent while in Kerala it was 12.35 per cent. The Southern State, which is facing criticism for the Eid relaxations, has also become the first in the last 50 days to report over 20,000 fresh Covid cases in a single day. The country reported 640 deaths in the last 24 hours, said the Union Health Ministry.
An official from the Ministry said that the surge in Kerala is worrying even as other states have seen a considerable drop in infections. “Up to 50 per cent of new cases are coming from Kerala and Maharashtra. The fatalities are low because their health infrastructure is good,” he said. Also, a “cause for concern” is that 22 districts across seven states including Kerala and Maharashtra are witnessing an uptrend in daily Covid-19 cases, which might be an indication that the second wave of coronavirus is not over yet in the country.
While Maharashtra recorded 6,258 fresh Covid cases, Karnataka reported 1,501 cases and Tamil Nadu recorded 1,767 infections.
So far, 3,06,63,147 people from across the country have recovered. Recovery Rate currently is at 97.39 per cent with 41,678 patients recovered during the last 24 hours, according to the Ministry. Total deaths recorded in India are 4,22,022.
On the vaccination front, more than 46.23 crore (46,23,27,530) vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far, through all sources and a further 1,20,70,820 doses are in the pipeline. Of this, the total consumption including wastages is 44,29,95,780 doses while more than 2.18 Cr (2,18,10,422) balance and unutilized COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs and private hospitals to be administered, said the Ministry.