Five States—Maharashtra, Kerala, Punjab, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat — continue to cause serious concern for the Centre by showing a consistent surge in new Covid-19 cases. Put together, they contributed 84 per cent of the 15,510 fresh infections reported in a day on Monday.
The Union Health Ministry said on Monday, India’s total number of active Covid-19 cases was recorded at 1,68,627, comprising 1.52 per cent of the total infections.
Maharashtra alone accounts for 46.39 per cent of India’s total active cases, followed by Kerala with 29.49 per cent. “A total of 15 states and union territories have registered more than 1,000 active cases. Kerala and Maharashtra are the two states with over 10,000 active cases, while the rest of the 13 States and UTs have between 1,000-10,000 active cases,” the Ministry said.
The total number of cases with the UK, South Africa and Brazil variants of SARS-CoV-2 in the country as on date has reached 213, the Ministry said.
A total 15,510 new cases were registered in a span of 24 hours. Maharashtra continues to report the highest daily new cases at 8,293, followed by Kerala with 3,254 cases while Punjab has reported 579 new cases.
The Centre is continuously engaging with the states and union territories manifesting higher number of active cases and those reporting a rise in the daily new Covid-19 cases.
States and UTs have been advised to maintain a continued rigorous vigil for containing the spread of COVID-19. Need for effective testing, comprehensive tracking, prompt isolation of positive cases and quick quarantine of close contacts are strongly emphasised, the Ministry said.
“Eight states are displaying an upward trajectory in the daily new cases,” it underlined.
So far, a total of 1,43,01,266 vaccine doses have been administered to beneficiaries through 2,92,312 sessions. These include the first dose to 66,69,985 healthcare workers, second dose to 24,56,191 healthcare workers and 51,75,090 frontline workers who have taken the first dose.
“The next phase of COVID-19 vaccination has commenced from today for those who are over 60 years of age and for people aged 45 and above with specified comorbid conditions.
“A simplified process of registration has been set up, whereby potential beneficiaries can have the option of advance self-registration, on-site registration or facilitated cohort registration,” the ministry said.
Five States account for 86.79 per cent of the new deaths. Maharashtra saw the maximum casualties of 62 deaths. Kerala followed with 15 daily deaths and Punjab has reported seven fatalities in a span of 24 hours.
A total of 20 States and UTs have not reported any Covid-19 deaths in the last 24 hours.