India Administers 1 Billion COVID-19 Doses Achieving A Milestone

Centre has asked  States and Union Territories to enhance second dose coverage of COVID vaccination as the world has witnessed the triumph of Indian science, enterprise and collective spirit of 130 crores plus  Indians for administering 100 crore doses COVID vaccines under the Nationwide Vaccination Drive launched on January 16. It was kicked off by PM Narendra  Modi. Health Minister  Mansukh Mandaviya launched a song and film at the historic Red Fort in  Delhi to mark the milestone. Union Health Ministry said, more than 48 lakh vaccine doses were administered in the last 24 hours. A total of 18 thousand 454 new cases were reported in the country in the last 24 hours. India’s Active caseload stands at one lakh 78 thousand 831. Active cases account for less than one percent of total cases and it is currently at 0.52 percent, the lowest since March last year. Prime Minister  Narendra Modi, President Ramnath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and other leaders have complimented doctors, nurses and all those who worked to achieve this feat.  The momentum picked up after the central government took charge following a dismal effort by States, opposition promoting vaccine hesitancy and worse. Great achievement no doubt, however, it seems that we will miss the target of 110 crores this month and 35 crores each of the next 2 months which were required to hit the target of 180 crores by the year-end. The vaccination drive has slowed down considerably in the past few weeks. A total of 17 thousand 561 people recovered from the infection in the last 24 hours and with this, total recoveries touched three crores 34 lakh 95 thousand and 808. The Ministry said the recovery rate is currently at 98.15 percent which is the highest since March last year. The weekly positivity rate currently stands at 1.34 percent which is less than three per cent for the last 118 days. The daily positivity rate is at 1.48 per cent which is less than three per cent for last 52 days. Over 59 crore 57 lakh COVID tests have been conducted so far. More than 12 lakh 47 thousand tests were conducted in the last 24 hours. Picture courtesy: IndiaSpend.com. Edited by @chakravartypk