This is also the first time after January 8 that daily new cases remained under the 1.5 lakh mark.
The daily positivity rate is currently at 9.27%, while the weekly positivity rate is at 12.03%. India’s Active caseload currently stands at 14,35,569.
However the country also passed the grim milestone of 5 lakh Covid deaths, with another 1,072 people succumbing to the disease. India is only the third country after US and Brazil to record 5 lakh fatalities in the pandemic.
The last 1 lakh fatalities were recorded in 217 days. In contrast, the toll climbed from 2 lkah to 3 lakh in just 26 days, when the Delta wave was at its peak.
Experts point out that the nationwide vaccination drive has helped in curbing the severity of infections, while also reducing hospitalisations and deaths.
168.47 cr vaccine doses have been administered so far under the vaccination drive, with over 55 lakh doses administered in the last 24 hours.
Vaccination was opened for the 15-18 years age group in early January, and 65% of that population has already been given one shot of vaccine.
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