India continued its streak of low daily new cases as the number of fresh infections remained below 20,000 for the fifth consecutive day.

Till now, 99,97,272 have recovered. Currently, there are 2,27,546 active cases. The recovery rate stands at 96.36 percent while the fatality rate is 1.45 percent.

Maharashtra continues to be the worst-hit state to date. Over 84 percent of the daily new cases are being reported by 10 states -- Kerala, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan.

Mass vaccination drive is slated to begin soon, with the approval of two vaccines.

The Central government plans to vaccinate nearly 30 crore people in the first phase of the drive. It will be offered to one crore healthcare workers, along with 2 crore frontline and essential workers and 27 crore elderly, mostly above the age of 50 years with comorbidities.