After witnessing a drop in January 2021, India is again reporting a surge in COVID-19 cases. In the past 24 hours, the nation recorded 40,953 new COVID-19 cases.
Day before yesterday, the 18th of March, India recorded close to 26,0000 and on the 19th of March, the cases were close to 39,000. The increasing number of cases is a matter of concern for the Union Health Ministry. The rise in the cases came at a time, when India had 400 cases of three variants of COVID-19, discovered in the United Kingdom (U.K.,) Brazil and South Africa.
Besides 40,953 new cases, the Union Health Ministry confirmed 188 deaths and 23,653 recoveries in the past 24 hours. According to the updated data, India has 11,107,332 recovered/discharged cases, 2,88,394 active cases and 1,59,558 deceased cases. The updated data is available on the official website of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW.)
In addition, according to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) a total of 23,24,31,517 samples were tested for COVID-19 till date including 10,60,971 samples, tested on the 19th of March.
On the other hand, the COVID-19 vaccination drive, which started on the 16th of January, gave 4,20,63,392 doses of vaccines. Two India made vaccines, Covisheild of the Serum Institute of India (SII) and COVAXIN of the Bharat Biotech International Private Limited are being administered to the citizens of India.
Concerned with the rise in cases, the Union Government urged people to strictly follow COVID-19 guidelines like wearing face masks, following social distancing and sanitization.
