Covid update: 31,222 new cases in the last 24 hours, multi variant vaccine in work and more
he national recovery rate of Covid-19 has increased to 97.48% with 42,942 patients recovering during the last 24 hours till 8:00 am
India has reported 31,222 new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours. The total recoveries across the country so far are 3,22,24,937. According to the health ministry’s data, 42,942 patients recovered during the last 24 hours. The active caseload is currently at 3,92,864 with a cumulative total of more than 3.30 crore cases. The national recovery rate of Covid-19 has increased to 97.48% with 42,942 patients recovering during the last 24 hours till 8:00 am. The active cases account for less than 2% of total cases, currently at 1.19%.
The weekly positivity rate stands at 2.56%, less than 3% for the last 74 days. The daily positivity rate was reported to be less than 3% at 2.06% for the last 8 days.
The testing capacity has also been substantially ramped up to 53.31 crore in the country.
India’s vaccination drive
Cumulative vaccine doses administered so far have reached 69.90 crores. More than 1.13 crore vaccine doses were administered in the last 24 hours. In the month of August, more than 18.3 crore doses have been administered.
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.
Multi variant vaccine
India is working to produce a multi-variant Covid-19 vaccine. The idea is similar to the multi-variant flu shots in the market. Government institutions, along with the pharmaceutical industry are in talks to build a ‘cocktail’ approach for a multi-variant Covid-19 vaccine that will work against multiple strains of Coronavirus, a senior government official told Business Standard.
Ramping up oxygen production
The medical oxygen production capacity will be ramped up to 15,000 tonnes per day. India aims to prepare for any potential third wave of coronavirus infections that is expected to hit the country.
It is observed to witness a 50% jump in oxygen production capacity. Earlier this year during the peak of the second Covid-19 wave, the maximum output of almost 10,000 tonnes was achieved.