Coronavirus India Updates: New Covid Cases Cross 22,000-Mark First Time Since Dec. 26

India reported its biggest single-day spike in fresh Covid-19 cases in over two months.

The country reported 22,854 fresh infections in the last 24 hours, according to the health ministry's 8:00 a.m. update. New cases crossed the 22,000-mark for the first time since Dec. 26.

18,100 people recovered from the virus in the last 24 hours, while 126 lost their lives.

Key Figures:

• Total confirmed Covid-19 cases: 1,12,85,561

• Active cases: 1,89,226

• Cured/discharged/migrated: 1,09,38,146

• Deaths: 1,58,189

• Fresh cases in the last 24 hours: 22,854

• One-day recoveries: 18,100

• One-day deaths: 126

• Total vaccinations: 2,56,85,011

The western state of Maharashtra reported nearly 13,700 new Covid infections in the last 24 hours, according to the health ministry's 8:00 a.m. update. That's 59.7% of the total number of new cases reported across the country in the time period.

Kerala added almost 2,500 infections, while Punjab reported nearly 1,400 new cases.

A "strict lockdown" will be enforced in Nagpur from March 15 to 21 in view of spike in Covid-19 cases, the district's Guardian Minister Nitin Raut announced.

The district has been reporting a spike in daily cases since the last month. On Wednesday, Nagpur reported 1,710 new coronavirus cases, which pushed its overall tally to 1,62,053. There are 12,166 active COVID-19 cases at present in Nagpur.

Here's what else the minister said:

• During the lockdown, private offices will remain closed, while government offices will work at 25% capacity.

• Shops selling essential commodities will remain open.

• Liquor will only be sold online only during the lockdown period.

• People should not move out unnecessarily.

(Source: PTI)

Brazil reported a record number of deaths for the second day in a row, breaching the 2,000 level. Brazil looks set to surpass India in coronavirus infections, retaking the post of second hardest-hit country in the world.

President Joe Biden said he will double the U.S. order of Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine, bringing the country’s supply to enough for 500 million people. He said the U.S. will provide vaccines to other countries after it is satisfied there is enough supply to meet contingencies.

Total number of coronavirus cases across the world neared 11.8 crore, while deaths topped 26 lakh, as of Thursday morning.

Indian authorities vaccinated over 13.17 lakh people since yesterday, taking the total number of beneficiaries to 2.56 crore, according to the health ministry.