Coronavirus India Updates: Tally Tops 76 lakh; Over 54,000 Infected In A Day
Track the latest updates on the Covid-19 pandemic in India, here.
Confirmed Covid-19 cases in India crossed the 76-lakh mark today, as the country and its masses enter a festive season that could lead to new outbreaks.
Authorities reported over 54,000 fresh cases in 24 hours, according to the Health Ministry’s update at 8 a.m. on Oct. 21.
The slower pace of daily infections and an improved recovery rate has kept active cases in India below the 8 lakh mark for five consecutive days. India's active caseload had crossed 10 lakh in mid-September. In a presentation, the Covid-19 Supermodel Committee led by M. Vidyasagar said this was the peak in active cases and that India may be able to contain the world’s second-largest outbreak by February.
“If the model is correct, we may have reached herd immunity” with 380 million people already infected, the committee said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, however, warned masses to maintain precautions going into the festive season. “The lockdown may have ended, but the virus is still around us,” he said in an address to the nation last evening.
“Recent images and videos show many people may have become careless. Not wearing a mask or taking adequate precautions will put your family at risk.”
Key figures:
- Total number of confirmed coronavirus cases: 76,51,107
- Active cases: 7,40,090
- Cured/discharged/migrated: 67,95,103
- Deaths: 1,15,914
- Fresh cases in 24 hours: 54,044
- One-day recoveries: 61,775
- One-day deaths: 717
Recovered cases have risen to make up 89% of India’s Covid-19 pie, as per the latest numbers while active cases stand at around 10%. Only 1.5% of the total confirmed Covid-19 patients have died due to the virus in India. However, the death toll remains high when looked at in absolute numbers.
Global Update
Europe’s leaders intensified efforts to slow the contagion, reviving lockdowns in some areas after piecemeal curbs made little impact. New cases hit daily records in Germany and the Netherlands, and Spain is weighing a curfew in Madrid. Britain’s Boris Johnson forced the Manchester area, a hot spot in northwest England, into the country’s strictest measures.
Globally, cases surged past 40.4 million with over 1.1 million dead.
Track the latest updates on the Covid-19 pandemic in India, here.
Maharashtra Government Caps Prices Of Masks
The Maharashtra government has capped the prices of N-95, double and triple layer masks for suppliers and private hospitals in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, state health minister Rajesh Tope has said.
Wearing mask in public places is mandatory for all citizens as part of the government's guidelines to prevent the spread of the coronavirus infection.
"We have put a cap on the prices of masks and the rates which can be quoted by their suppliers and private hospitals," Tope said on Tuesday.
The N-95 masks can be supplied in the state in the price range of Rs 19 to Rs 49, while double and triple layer masks will be available at Rs 3 to Rs 4 per unit, he said.
"Suppliers can quote 70% of MRP of the mask while hospitals can charge patients up to 110% of the purchase price. No hospital will be allowed to charge more than 110% of the procurement price," Tope said.
The Food and Drugs Administration commissioner and district-level officials can be contacted in case of complaints, the minister said.
Source: PTI