India reports 3.66 lakh infections, 3,754 deaths due to COVID in 24 hrs

New Delhi:India recorded 3,66,161 fresh Covid-19 cases and 3,754 related deaths in the last 24 hours, the Union Ministry of Health said on Monday.With the fresh cases and fatalities, the country's cumulative total has mounted to 2,26,62,575 and 2,46,116, respectively.

India presently accounts for 37,45,237 cases.However, as compared to the usual 18-19 lakh samples a day, only 14.74 lakh samples were tested on Sunday, ICMR data stated, adding that 30,37,50,077 samples have been tested up to May 10.

Total 17,01,76,603 people have been administered COVID-19 vaccines since January 16, 2021, with 6,89,652 being inoculated against the virus in the past 24 hrs.

World Health Organization's Chief Scientist Soumya Swaminathan has said that B.1.617 variant of the coronavirus, which was detected in India back in October last year, is the reason behind the devastating Covid surge in the country. Though WHO has not added the new mutant in its 'variant of concern' list, Swaminathan said that B.1.617 has a higher degree of transmission rate and may also escape the vaccine immunity.

The Modi govt has so far said that the double mutant is a key factor for the second wave. But it needs more clinical research on the same, she added.

48,401 fresh cases of COVID-19 in Maharashtra

Meanwhile, during the past 24 hours, 48,401 fresh cases of COVID-19 were recorded across the Maharashtra state, mounting the total number of infections to 51,01,737.The state also registered 572 more deaths, taking the death toll to 75,809.

Meanwhile, a record 60,223 patients recovered in the state, taking the total number of recoveries to 44,07,818.The state's recovery rate currently stands at 86.4 per cent and the fatality rate is 1.49 per cent.

At present, there are 6,15,783 active patients across the state undergoing treatment at different COVID-19 centres and hospitals, added the health authorities.In view of the rising number of cases, the state government has extended strict restrictions in the state till May 15 under the 'break the chain’ initiative.Emergency services have been exempted.(UNI)