With over 4 lakh COVID cases in 24 hrs, India sets new grim world record

New Delhi: India has set a grim, global record with 401,993 new COVID-19 cases within the past 24 hours, marking the largest daily increase since the start of the outbreak, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) said on Saturday.

The total number of those who tested positive for the coronavirus in India has reached 19,164,969, according to the ministry.

Within the same period of time, the death toll has risen by 3,523 to 211,853 people. More than 15.68 million patients have recovered since the start of the epidemic.

According to experts’ estimation based on a mathematical model, India’s coronavirus cases may peak next week between May 3 and 5. "Our belief is that by next week, the daily new cases nationwide would have peaked," M Vidyasagar, head of a government-appointed group of scientists modelling the trajectory of infections, told media.

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) data: 28,83,37,385 samples tested up to April 30 for COVID-19. Of these, 19,45,299 samples were tested yesterday.

Since January 16, 2021, a total of 15,49,89,635 people have been administered COVID-19 vaccines across the nation with 27,44,485 doses being given in the last 24 hrs.

The third phase of vaccination for those in the age group of 18-44 years starts today even as several states - Delhi, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Bengal, Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh - have said they’re running low on stocks. The government, however, has countered them saying 1 crore doses are still available with the states. (UNI)