On Monday, April 26, Union Health Ministry released the data of new COVID-19 cases in India, after that India saw another day with highest surge in cases.
Report released by the Union Health Ministry states that in the last 24 hours, India reported 3,52,991 new COVID-19 cases and 2,19,272 patients got discharge, while 2,812 people died of this deadly virus, and reached the milestone of highest single day deaths. Total active cases in India is now around 28.13 lakhs. The total death toll in India reached to 1,95,123.
India reports 3,52,991 new #COVID19 cases, 2812 deaths and 2,19,272 discharges in the last 24 hours, as per Union Health Ministry
Total cases: 1,73,13,163
Total recoveries: 1,43,04,382
Death toll: 1,95,123
Active cases: 28,13,658Total vaccination: 14,19,11,223 pic.twitter.com/32V7eKf1UR
— ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2021
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) also released a data that shows 27,93,21,177 samples were tested up to April 25, including 14,02,367 samples tested yesterday.
The cumulative number of COVID19 vaccine doses administered in the country stands at 14,19,11,223.
On April 25, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, addressed concerns raised by some quarters on the recently announced ‘Liberalized and Accelerated Phase 3 Strategy of Covid-19 Vaccination’. In his blog, he said there is no need for a ‘crisis of confidence’ regarding alleged shortages of diagnostics and vaccines, because there are no shortages. He said the need of the hour is a greater degree of Shared idealism by everyone.
As per the new policy, even after the launch of third phase of vaccination starting 1st of May 2021, the Government of India’s pricing shall continue for the free distribution bracket. Just as before, the Centre will continue giving vaccine doses from its 50% quota to the states and UTs for free. These vaccines shall continue to be administered by States and Union Territories.
The vaccination process through GOI route will continue as before and the entire expense of this will continue to be borne by the Centre. As the eligibility criteria to get vaccinated through this route evolves further, GOI will continue to provide full support to the states to vaccinate all eligible people free of cost.
The states, therefore, as per their own priority and commitments, have to vaccinate only those remaining people who have not been administered vaccines either through the GOI free route or through the private route.
Multiple states like Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, J & K, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Kerala, Sikkim, West Bengal, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, etc have already announced that they will inoculate those between the ages of 18 to 45 against coronavirus free of cost. This is a welcome decision and under the new liberalised policy, they have the full freedom to do this.
The vaccination process has now been taken to the next level along with an expanded role for the states, union territories and corporate and private sector. Support to the manufacturers has also been given, including financial support, to ramp up production.
