India on Wednesday witnessed a surge in new Covid-19 cases with 41,965 fresh coronavirus infections reported in the last 24 hours, against Tuesday’s 30,941 cases. With this, the total tally rose to 3,28,10,845, according to Union Health Ministry’s data released on Wednesday.
At the same time, the country created a record in vaccination with 1.33 crore people inoculated in a single day. This is the highest-ever single-day number, taking the total vaccination coverage in the country under the nationwide drive to touch 65.41 crore mark.
India also recorded more deaths compared to the previous day. According to the Health Ministry, on Wednesday, the country reported 460 deaths due to Covid, while on Tuesday 350 deaths were recorded.
Now, the cumulative deaths due to Covid in the county has risen to 4,39,020 till Wednesday morning.
Out of total fresh Covid infections reported on Tuesday, 19,622 of them were from Kerala alone, the highest among the states, prompting Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to hold a telephonic conversation with health ministers of its neighbouring states Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Mandaviya discussed matters related to Covid-19 management in those areas of States of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, which border Kerala.
Highlighting the need to take adequate steps to contain the inter-state spread of Covid-19, Mandaviya requested the health ministers of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to increase the pace of vaccination in the bordering districts to Kerala.
The Union Health Ministry officials said that there is a need for “smart and strategic lockdown” as over 85% of Kerala’s Covid-19 were isolated at home.
Kerala has not been following the Centre’s advice while reporting the highest daily cases in the country, officials insisted, adding that neighbouring states are feeling the heat.
The Minister highlighted the importance of micro-containment zones, and focus on track, test and treat strategy to contain the cases, said the officials.