CONTRARY to the fears that winter would trigger a fresh wave of Covid-19 infections, India has witnessed a drastic drop in the daily tally of the cases. On Tuesday, India recorded only 22,065 new coronavirus cases, the lowest one-day figure in over five months. The total Covid caseload now stands at over 99.06 lakh. The death toll has risen to 1,43,709. According to the Health Ministry more than 70 per cent of the deaths have occurred due to co-morbidities. On a positive note, the national recovery rate is now at over 95 per cent, according to data updated by the Union Health Ministry. There are now only 3,39,820 active cases. Maharashtra continues to lead the infection tally followed by four southern states in terms of the Covid case count – Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Jammu and Kashmir has also witnessed a progressive decline in the number of fresh cases. On Monday, only 246 new positive cases were reported – 126 from Jammu division and 120 from Kashmir division. The total number of positive cases in the former stare is now at 116254.
However, in other parts of the world like the US and some countries of Europe, the infections have risen with the onset of winter. London and its surrounding areas will be placed under strict coronavirus restrictions beginning Wednesday as a new variant of the virus has triggered a surge in infections.
A year on, the world is still struggling with the pandemic. The world economy has been battered. More so, Indian economy which has been worst hit, losing one-fourth of its GDP in the first quarter to the Covid-19 lockdown. Indian economy remains in bad shape.
But there’s hope as the vaccines are now being cleared for administration. The UK, the US and the Canada have okayed the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for use. The US kicked off a mass vaccination drive on Monday, with a New York nurse becoming the first person in the country to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech shot. Similarly, Canada too began Covid vaccinations on Monday, with an Ontario caregiver and an octogenarian in Quebec becoming the first people vaccinated against Covid in the country.
India too has issued guidelines for the COVID-19 inoculation drive. Around 100 to 200 people who will be vaccinated in each session will have to monitored for 30 minutes after administering the shots for any adverse event.
Meanwhile, global Covid-19 cases have soared past 7.28 crore, with the US remaining the country hit hardest by far, with over three lakh deaths. Here’s hoping that the vaccine brings this unprecedented healthcare crisis under control and restores normalcy.
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