New Delhi, Mar 16 (UNI) India recorded 24,492 new COVID-19 cases after registering more than 20,000 cases for the sixth day in a row, taking the infection tally to 1,14,09,831, the Union Health Ministry said on Tuesday.

The number of active cases in the country has increased to more than 2.23 lakh. At least 131 deaths were reported on Monday. The recoveries are 1,1007,352 and constitute nearly 97 per cent of the caseload.

Monday’s case count has been the highest in 2021 and it is also the seventh time it breached the 20,000-mark. The last time these many cases were seen was on December 20, 2020, when 26,624 cases were reported.

In view of the rising cases, Prime Minister Narendra Modi may chair a meeting with chief ministers on Wednesday.

A statement issued by the ministry said, "Maharashtra has reported the highest daily new cases at 16,620 (accounting for 63.21 per cent of the daily new cases). It is followed by Kerala with 1,792 while Punjab reported 1,492 new cases."

Other states like Kerala, Punjab, Delhi, Haryana, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have also reported a rising number of coronavirus cases.

Meanwhile, Monday saw the highest number of vaccinations against Covid-19 in India, with over 30 lakh citizens being administered shots. Now, 3,29,47,432 people have been inoculated, according to data from the Union Health Ministry. Of the total, 30,39,394 shots were administered on March 15; 26,27,099 beneficiaries were given the first dose and 4,12,295 individuals the second.

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