India on Tuesday reported 2,59,170 fresh cases of coronavirus and 1,761 deaths in 24 hours, the number of deaths accounts for the biggest one-day spike. The total tally of covid-19 now stands at over 1.53 crore. According to the Union Health Ministry, the country recorded a total of 1,54,761 discharges in the last 24 hours, taking the total recovery toll to 1,31,08,582. There are 20,31,977 active cases. The total death toll in the country has risen to 1,80,530. A total of 12,71,29,113 people have so far been vaccinated against COVID-19 in India.
As many as 26,78,94,549 samples have been tested up to April 18 with 13,56,133 samples being tested on Sunday, as per ICMR.
Meanwhile, on Monday the centre announced that all citizens who are 18 and above are eligible for Covid-19 vaccination from May 1 as cases see a record surge. Private hospitals and states will be able to purchase vaccines shots directly from manufacturers. Vaccine manufacturers will need to supply 50% of doses to the centre and the rest to state governments and the open market at a pre-declared price, the government said.
This decision to scale up vaccination came as 25 lakh new cases were added just in 15 days. Several states like Maharashtra, Delhi, Punjab and Rajasthan have urged the centre to lift the age restriction of 45 years for getting the anti covid jab.
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With 58,924 new covid cases, Maharashtra remains the worst-affected state. The total tally in the state has reached 38.98 lakh, while 351 new fatalities have pushed the death toll to 60,824. In terms of the total caseload, Maharashtra is followed by the southern states of Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
Delhi has announced a weeklong lockdown, as it recorded 240 deaths in the last 24 hours, the highest-ever registered in a single day in Delhi - and 23,686 fresh coronavirus cases were reported.