India reported 26,382 new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, the third straight day when the number of new cases has remained below 30,000. 

The total number of infections now stand at 99,32,548, according to data from the Union Health Ministry.

Out of the total cases, over 3.32 lakh cases are active while over 94.56 lakh people have recovered. With 387 new fatalities, the death toll now stands at 1,44,096.

Daily deaths have remained below 400 for the fourth consecutive day. Kerala was the only state to report more than 5,000 cases on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, at a press briefing on Tuesday, Health Ministry’s Rajesh Bhushan said that 29000 cold chain points, 240 walk-in coolers, 70 walk-in freezers, 45000 ice-lined refrigerators, 41000 deep freezers and 300 solar refrigerators will be used for the Covid-19 vaccine storage. 

“All necessary resources of vaccination have been delivered to the states,” he added. Bhushan also said, “Adverse events following immunisation is a critical issue. When we undertake a universal immunisation program, which has been done for decades, then some adverse effects are seen in children and pregnant women after vaccination.”

COVID-19 cases and deaths are declining in India which is very reassuring, the Centre said on Tuesday but cautioned against any laxity saying an overwhelming proportion of the country’s population is still “very very susceptible” to the virus and the situation may escalate unexpectedly. 

While there is a continuous increasing trend in COVID-19 cases and deaths globally, particularly in America and Europe and the situation in the world is becoming worrisome, in contrast the scene in India is satisfying as the cases and deaths are declining, Dr V K Paul, member (health) at NITI Aayog, said.

Source: The Indian Express

BDST: 1450 HRS, DEC 16, 2020
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