Coronavirus India Updates: Deaths Rise To The Highest In 2021; Vaccination Phase 3 Announced
Follow all developments around the Covid-19 outbreak in India here.
India reported the most number of deaths due to Covid-19 in almost three months at a time the country announced the third phase of vaccinations.
Authorities detected more than 47,000 new cases in 24 hours taking the total tally above 1.17 crore in the world’s second-worst infected country, according to the Health Ministry’s update as of 8 a.m. on March 24.
275 patients succumbed to the illness in a single day, the most since Jan. 1, taking total fatalities over 1.6 lakh.
Key Figures
- Total confirmed cases: 1,17,34,058
- Total number of active cases: 3,68,457
- Total patients cured/discharged/migrated: 1,12,05,160
- Total deaths: 1,60,441
- Fresh cases in 24 hours: 47,262
- One-day recoveries: 23,907
- One-day deaths: 275
India has administered more than five crore vaccination shots since the immunisation drive began in January, according to government data. Over 23 lakh beneficiaries were given the jab in the last 24 hours.
The government on Tuesday announced the third phase of the country’s vaccination drive starting April 1, where everyone above the age of 45 would be eligible for the shot. Currently everyone over 60 years of age and those aged 45 and above with specified comorbidities can avail vaccines.
“Our appeal is that all above 45 years should take vaccine as early as possible, that will provide them the shield against coronavirus, and they should register for getting vaccinated,” Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said while briefing the media of decisions taken at Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting.
More Than 28,000 Fresh Cases In Maharashtra
Authorities in Maharashtra detected 28,699 new cases of Covid-19 to take the state’s total tally to 25,33,026. Active infections in the state stood at 2,31,942, as of March 24.
West Bengal reported the maximum number deaths in a single day at 275, followed by Maharashtra at 132.