New Delhi: India logged 169 new coronavirus infections in the last 24 hours, taking the total case count to 4.49 crore, according to union health ministry data released on Friday. The active caseload stands at 2,555, following a significant decline in cases over the past month after a surge triggered by the XBB.1.16 Omicron variant.
The pandemic, which began in early 2022, has resulted in around 531,886 deaths in the past three and a half years.
Meanwhile, hospital admissions have dropped in line with the declining caseload, health experts said. Despite the decrease in overall cases, elderly individuals and those with comorbid conditions remain susceptible to the virus. Doctors continue to advise these vulnerable populations to receive their booster vaccinations if they haven’t yet and to adhere to covid-safe protocols.
Scientists attribute the current situation to “hybrid immunity”, developed through vaccination and natural infection, which they believe will protect against severe symptoms from current variants of the virus.
India’s health ministry has asked local governments to continue to monitor the conditions at the micro-level (district & sub-districts) and to implement necessary measures for prompt and efficient management of the virus, ensuring effective compliance.
More than 220.67 crore vaccine doses have been administered across the country as part of the national vaccination drive, with 887 doses administered in the last 24 hours.
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