Coronavirus India Updates: Government Announces Phase 3 Of Vaccination As Infection Spreads

Active coronavirus infections in India continued to climb at a time the country announced the third phase of vaccinations.

Authorities detected more than 40,000 fresh cases in 24 hours taking the total tally above 1.16 crore in the world’s second-worst infected country, according to the Health Ministry’s update as of 8 a.m. on March 23, 2021.

New infections have been exceeding single-day recoveries since March 11. That caused active cases to rise to 3.45 lakh. India’s active cases had crossed 10 lakh in mid-September.

Key Figures

• Total confirmed cases: 1,16,86,796
• Total number of active cases: 3,45,377
• Total patients cured/discharged/migrated: 1,11,81,253
• Total deaths: 1,60,166
• Fresh cases in 24 hours: 40,715
• One-day recoveries: 29,785
• One-day deaths: 199

India has administered nearly 4.85 crore vaccination shots since the immunisation drive began in January, according to government data. Over 32 lakh beneficiaries were given the jab in the last 24 hours.

The government on Tuesday announced the third phase of the country’s vaccination drive starting April 1, where everyone above the age of 45 would be eligible for the shot. Currently everyone over 60 years of age and those aged 45 and above with specified comorbidities can avail vaccines.

“Our appeal is that all above 45 years should take vaccine as early as possible, that will provide them the shield against coronavirus, and they should register for getting vaccinated,” Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said while briefing the media of decisions taken at Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting.