Covid update: 31,923 new cases in the last 24 hours, India ramps-up vaccination and more

• Follow

India has reported 31,923 new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours. The total recoveries across the country so far are 3,28,15,731. According to the health ministry’s data, 31,990 patients recovered during the last 24 hours. The active caseload is currently at 3,01,640, which is the lowest in 187 days with a cumulative total of more than 3.35 crore cases. The national recovery rate of Covid-19 has increased to 97.77%, which is the highest since March 2020 with 31,990 patients recovering during the last 24 hours till 8:00 am. The active cases account for less than 1% of total cases, currently at 0.90%.

The weekly positivity rate stands at 2.11%, less than 3% for the last 90 days. The daily positivity rate was reported to be less than 3% at 2.09% for the last 24 days.

The testing capacity has also been substantially ramped up to 55.83 crore in the country.

India’s vaccination drive

Cumulative vaccine doses administered so far have reached 83.39 crores. In the month of August, more than 18.3 crore doses have been administered.

In a landmark achievement, India’s Covid-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 83 Crore landmark milestone (83,33,46,676) on September 22. More than 64 lakh (64,98,274) vaccine doses had been administered till 7 pm yesterday. Out of 83,33,46,676, 61,81,01,021 eligible population received first dose of Covid-19 vaccination and 21,52,45,655 eligible population received second dose of Covid-19 vaccination.

The new phase of universalisation of the vaccination programme commenced from June 21. Under the programme, the central government made inoculation free of cost for all adults. Vaccines were earlier free for people above 45 years of age.

According to the ministry, more than 70% of the deaths that have been reported are due to comorbidities.

India ramps-up vaccination

By November 2021, India aims to vaccinate the entire population, with at least one dose of the Covid vaccine, if it continues with its average pace of 5.6 million doses administered daily. This average was achieved for the week ended September 17, which was Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday, when a record 25 million doses were administered in the country. The administration hopes to achieve 100 percent vaccination by April 2022.

US permits third dose of Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine

The United States has allowed the use of the third dose of Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine to people above 65 and those at high risk of severe coronavirus infection. The Pfizer booster shot is also allowed to people 18 and older who have a higher risk to Covid-19 due to their occupation. Pfizer’s booster dose can be administered at least six months after a person received both shots, according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).