Coronavirus India Updates: India's Covid Tally Crosses 98-Lakh-Mark, Deaths Top 1.42 Lakh
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Coronavirus infections in India continued to rise, albeit at a slower pace, at a time when researchers and authorities are rushing to get a vaccine ready for rollout.
India reported 30,006 new cases in the last 24 hours, taking the total tally to 98.3 lakh in the world’s second-worst infected nation, according to the Health Ministry’s update as of 8 a.m. on Dec. 12. That includes nearly 93.2 lakh recoveries and and more than 1.42 lakh deaths.
At over 33,494, daily recoveries continued to surpass new cases for over two weeks now. Active cases remained below the 4-lakh-mark for a sixth day in a row.
Key Figures
Total number of confirmed cases: 98,26,775
Active cases: 3,59,819
Cured/discharged/migrated: 93,24,328
Deaths: 1,42,628
Number of fresh cases in 24 hours: 30,006
One-day recoveries: 33,494
One-day deaths: 442
Earlier this week Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla reviewed the state governments' preparedness for a vaccination drive and asked them to prepare a priority list of who will be given the shots first.
The meeting came days after three vaccine manufacturers sought emergency approval for rolling out their vaccines. Authorities on Dec. 9 sought additional safety and efficacy data for vaccine candidates of Serum Institute of India Ltd. and Bharat Biotech International Ltd.
An estimated one crore frontline health workers are set to receive the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine whenever it becomes available, with around 92% of government hospitals and 55% of private hospitals across the country providing data identifying the workers.
Mumbai, one of the worst affected cities in the country, has formed 500 teams of at least five members each that will be deployed for administering the vaccine. The first to get inoculated will be health workers followed by frontline workers, people above the age of 50 and those suffering from co-morbidities.
Global Virus Update
Globally, cases exceeded 7 crore leaving over 15.9 lakh dead, as of Saturday morning.
The U.S. approved Pfizer Inc.’s Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use. Mexico also authorized the jab, and Canada will start immunizations as early as Monday. Meanwhile, the U.S. doubled its order of a Moderna Inc. vaccine candidate.
New cases in Los Angeles, and in California, rose to a record. Indoor dining at New York eateries will halt on Monday after the city breached virus benchmarks.
South Korea reported a record 950 new cases. Singapore is tightening border controls as the outbreak worsens in Hong Kong.
Track all news and developments around Covid-19 in India, here.