Active cases of nCOV touches 72K mark in past 24 hours, 459 succumbs

New Delhi:India reported over 72,330 Covid-19 cases and 459 deaths in the 24 hours that have pushed the infection tally to 1,22,21,665 and death toll to 1,62,927, the Union Health Ministry data updated on Thursday.Of the total daily cases, 39,544 were from Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh recorded its highest ever count, with 4,563 cases, Karnataka also reported over 4,000 cases.

With a steady increase for the 22nd day in a row, the active caseload in the country is 5,84,055 comprising 4.78 per cent of the total infections while 1,14,74,683 people have recovered from disease so far.The recovery rate has further dropped to 93.89 per cent, the data stated.

The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 1,14,74,683. The case fatality rate has further has dropped to 1.33 per cent.

From today onwards, India has opened up its vaccination drive for all those above the age of 45, a key group which is at the highest risk -- 90 per cent of Covid-19 deaths in India have been in the category of those above the age of 45.

According to the ICMR, 24,47,98,621 samples have been tested up to March 31 with 11,25,681 samples being tested on Wednesday.

39,544 active cases & 227 fatalities in M'rashtra,  Health Minister warns public of 2nd lockdown

Mumbai: Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope has indicated that he is planning to impose stricter restrictions in view of growing Covid infection across the state.

Talking to the press in Mumbai on Wednesday he said that at present, no decision has been taken regarding the lockout. "Follow the rules and avoid lockdown," he appealed.

He further said that while no such decision has been made in the case of a lockdown, the state government will definitely take steps to tighten the existing restrictions.

The price of the RTPCR test in private laboratories of the state has been reduced once again to Rs 500. In addition, Rs 150 will be charged for rapid antigen antibodies - antigen testing, Tope said.

The health minister said all private laboratories needed to carry out the test at the revised rates.The state continues to reel under the second wave of COVID-19 and recorded 39,544 fresh cases and 227 casualties during the past 24 hours.

Eight districts of Maharashtra's Marathwada region recorded the highest single-day surge in COVID-19 cases after 5,009 people were tested positive, health authorities here told media on Thursday.As many as 76 patients also succumbed to the disease during the same time.

Covid-19 cases in Thane district continue to rise as 3,171 new cases were registered in the last 24 hours, pushing the infection tally at 3,19,011, an official said on Thursday.(UNI)