India recorded 43,846 new coronavirus cases in a day, the highest single-day rise so far this year, taking the nationwide Covid-19 tally to 1,15,99,130, according to the Union health ministry data. Registering an increase for the 11th day in a row, the total active caseload has increased to 3,09,087, which now comprises 2.66% of the total infections, while the recovery rate has further dropped to 95.96%, the data stated.
The daily rise in infections was the highest recorded in115 days.The death toll increased to1,59,755 with197 daily new fatalities, the highest in 97 days. As many as 44,489 new infections were recorded in a span of 24 hours on November 26. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to1,11,30,288, while the case fatality rate stands at 1.38%, the data stated.
India’s Covid-19 tally had crossed the 20,00,000 mark on August 7, 30,00,000 on August 23, 40,00,000 on September 5 and 50,00,000 on September 16. It went past 60,00,000 on September 28, 70,00,000 on October 11, crossed 80,00,000 on October 29, 90,00,000 on November 20 and surpassed the 10 million on December 19. According to the ICMR, 23,35,65,119 samples have been tested up to March 20 with 11,33,602 samples being tested on Saturday. Maharashtra also recorded 92 deaths, by far the highest in the country, followed by Punjab (44), Kerala (15), Chhattisgarh (11), Tamil Nadu (8) and Karnataka (7).
Besides Maharashtra, 15 other states reported their highest daily cases since January or earlier. Punjab, in the midst of its worst surge in cases since the pandemic's peak, reported 2,587 new infections on Saturday, the highest in over six months since September19 last year.
Karnataka reported 1,798 new cases, the highest since November 24; Gujarat 1,565, highest since November 28; Madhya Pradesh1,308, highest since December 10; Chhattisgarh 1,273, highest since December 23 and Tamil Nadu 1,243, highest since December14. Infections were inching up in Delhi, which logged 813 fresh cases, the highest since December 24.
Gujarat Covid cases double
Analysis of weekly cases in Gujarat reveals that the state recorded a spike of 82% in seven days – higher than the Covid-19 surge in the post-Diwali period. In fact, 10 out of 33 districts or 30% of the state districts at least doubled the cases. Only two districts – Anand (-9.8%) and Gir Somnath (-17.9%) – recorded negative trends, whereas 31 recorded rise in the cases. Gujarat in 24 hours added 1,580 new cases and reported deaths of seven patients.
Out of four major districts, Surat saw an increase in cases by 116% (1,270 to 2,746) whereas Ahmedabad by 112% (1,052 to 2,232). Rajkot and Vadodara reported a rise of 72% and 22% respectively. Among the districts reporting at least 20 new cases, Surendranagar (from 6 to 29) and Narmada (from 21 to 87) tripled the cases.
In a virtual interaction with the chief ministers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the disease seemed to be spreading in Tier II and III cities, in areas that were till now safe from the infection, and this could potentially put villages at risk. He said controlling the disease in villages would pose a serious challenge to the health infrastructure. Referring to use of vaccines, Modi said all efforts should be made to ensure minimum wastage and referred to a couple of states like Telangana and Andhra Pradesh where more than 10% of the shots were going waste. He said this meant people needing the shots were being deprived. "Set the goal of zero wastage," he said.
He urged the chief ministers to act in a manner that does not create panic, noting that India has done well in combating the pandemic with a recovery rate of 96% and a low fatality rate. He said India's response to the pandemic was being praised but also said there was no room for slackness given that vaccination would help but was not the only solution. "It’s the same with any disease. If you have been treated for a cold, you will still use warm clothes."
The PM urged the states to stress on micro containment zones, scaling up of RT-PCR tests and mass vaccinations to halt a countrywide outbreak once again.
