On Friday, April 16, Union Health Ministry released the data of new COVID-19 cases in India, after that India reached the milestone of highest single day surge.
Report released by the Union Health Ministry states that in the last 24 hours, India reported 2,17,353 new COVID-19 cases and reached the milestone of highest single day surge and 1,18,302 patients got discharge, while 1,185 people died of this deadly virus. Total active cases in India is now around 15.6 lakhs.
India reports 2,17,353 new #COVID19 cases, 1,18,302 discharges and 1,185 deaths in the last 24 hours, as per Union Health Ministry
Total cases: 1,42,91,917
Total recoveries: 1,25,47,866
Active cases: 15,69,743
Death toll: 1,74,308Total vaccination: 11,72,23,509 pic.twitter.com/dQYtH8QCN6
— ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2021
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) released that 26,34,76,625 samples were tested up to April 16 including 14,73,210 samples tested yesterday.
The total vaccinations across the country have crossed the 11.70 crore mark today with more than 26.02 lakh vaccine doses administered till 8 pm. Today, 67,400 COVID Vaccination Centres (CVCs) were operational, marking a rise of an average of 22,400 operational Vaccination Centres (45,000 CVCs on an average are functional on any given day). Workplace vaccinations have also enabled such a high turnout of beneficiaries.
The cumulative number of COVID19 vaccine doses administered in the country stands at 11,72,23,509.
On April 15, a meeting of Empowered Group 2 (EG2) was held to review the availability of essential medical equipment and oxygen during COVID.
To give clarity and assurance to the states on oxygen supplied over the next few weeks of surge in cases, a mapping exercise was undertaken jointly by DPIIT, MOHFW, Ministry of Steel, various critically affected states, Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) along with key stakeholders including the representatives from oxygen manufacturers, All India Industrial Gas Manufacturers Association (AIIGMA) as per the directions of Empowered Group -2 (EG2).
Sources of medical oxygen and their production capacity was mapped to match the requirement of states and an indicative framework has been developed to guide the states on the sources of medical oxygen.
Accordingly, 4880 MT, 5619 MT and 6593 MT have been indicated to states for meeting their projected demand as on 20th April, 25th April and 30th April, respectively. MOHFW is issuing orders in this regard and the same would be notified by Ministry of Home Affairs.
In view of increasing demand for medical oxygen, EG2 decided to float a tender for import of 50,000 MT of medical oxygen. MOHFW has been directed to finalise the tender for the same and also explore possible sources for import identified by the missions of MEA.
EG2 is monitoring the situation of demand and supply of medical oxygen continuously to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to support the uninterrupted supply of medical oxygen.
