More than 30 mn Indians get shots
2 min read 15 Mar 2021, 01:20 PM ISTOn Monday, 1.86 mn citizens were vaccinated till 7 pmSo far 7.41 mn healthcare workers were administered the first dose of a covid-19 vaccine
PremiumIndia has vaccinated more than 30 million citizens against covid-19, and 31.8 million doses have so far been administered, showed the provisional report of the Union health ministry released at 7pm on Monday.
So far, 7.41 million healthcare workers were administered the first dose of a covid-19 vaccine, while 4.4 million have also received the second dose. That apart, 7.43 million other frontline workers were given the first dose, while 1.32 million have been fully vaccinated. Since the second phase of the vaccination drive was launched on 1 March, 1.7 million beneficiaries aged 45 or more with specific comorbidities and 9.52 million senior citizens have received the first dose.
On Monday alone, 1.86 million beneficiaries were vaccinated till 7pm, including 1.6 million receiving the first dose and 265,487 receiving the second dose, according to the report. The nationwide vaccination programme was rolled out on 16 January.
However, as the vaccination drive against covid-19 picks up pace, the surge in fresh cases after witnessing a decline in January has been a cause for concern. Six states account for 78.4% of the 26,291 new cases recorded in the past 24 hours. Maharashtra alone accounted for 63.2% of the daily new infections, with 16,620 cases, followed by Kerala (1,792) and Punjab (1,492). Karnataka, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu have also reported significant numbers over the last 24 hours. The rising trajectory in daily cases is also visible in Delhi and Haryana. However, cases in Kerala have been on a decline in the past month.
India’s active caseload on Monday stood at 219,262, or 1.93% of the total positive cases reported so far. Maharashtra, Kerala and Punjab account for 77% of the active cases, the ministry data showed. Maharashtra accounts for more than 58% of the total active cases, the government said.
At least 118 covid-19 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours, with six states accounting for 82.2% of the fatalities. Maharashtra reported maximum casualties (50), followed by Punjab (20) and Kerala (15).
“The rise in infections reflects that covid-appropriate behaviour is at an all-time low, especially over the last 4-5 weeks. Since the lockdown was lifted, people are not adhering to social distancing norms, not wearing masks, and not maintaining hand hygiene. Even screening mechanisms and effective contact-tracing systems are not being followed," said Dr Rahul Pandit, director, critical care, Fortis Hospitals, Mumbai.
Meanwhile, a high-level central team led by |Dr. S.K. Singh, director, National Centre for Disease Control, and comprising additional director Dr. S. K. Jain, and deputy director Dr. Meera Dhuria, is visiting Haridwar to review the healthcare infrastructure for the Kumbh Mela.
