COVID-19: After seven months, India’s active cases below 2 lakh

Security personnel stand guard as a vehicle carrying a consignment of Covishield leaves Birsa Munda International Aiport in Ranchi. PIC/PTI

India's COVID-19 active caseload has fallen below the 2-lakh mark after nearly seven months and comprises just 1.86 per cent of the total infections, the Union Health Ministry said on Wednesday. It said that 72 per cent of the active cases are concentrated in Kerala, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and West Bengal. Thirty-four states and UTs have less than 10,000 active cases.

"The active cases have fallen to 1,97,201. This is the lowest after 207 days. The total active cases were 1,97,387 on June 27, 2020," the ministry said. A total of 16,988 people have recovered in 24 hours. This has led to a decline of 3,327 from the active caseload, it said.

Bhutan, Maldives first to receive vaccines from India
Bhutan and Maldives on Wednesday became the first two countries to receive COVID-19 vaccines sent by India in sync with its ‘neighbourhood first' policy. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar shared on Twitter photos of the consignments reaching the two countries.On Tuesday, India had said it would send vaccines under grant assistance to Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar and Seychelles from Wednesday.

18,000 vaccine doses to reach Goa
A consignment of 18,000 vaccine doses against COVID-19 reached Goa by a flight from Mumbai on Wednesday morning and the immunisation drive in the state will resume from Friday, a senior health department official said.

1,05,95,660
Total number of cases in the country as of today

1,52,718
Total no. of deaths due to the virus in India

1,02,45,741
Patients Recovered and discharged in India as of today