Coronavirus cases in India maintained the upward trend on Saturday, as the country reported 1,45,384 new infections in the last 24 hours, data from the health ministry showed. The country’s overall count of infections rose to 1,32,05,926 since the pandemic broke out last March. The toll went up to 1,68,436, with 794 more fatalities in the last 24 hours.

The active caseload went past the 10 lakh-mark and stood at 10,46,631. The number of active cases in the country is now at its highest level since the outbreak of pandemic, according to the Hindustan Times.

The number of single-day cases has now hit record highs for three successive days, and has gone past the one lakh-mark on five of the last six days.

The consistent rise in cases has coincided with multiple states flagging concerns of vaccine shortages. At least seven states – Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Maharashtra, Odisha and Telangana – have closed vaccination centres over the past few days because of the crunch.

Meanwhile, Congress President Sonia Gandhi will hold a meeting on Saturday, with chief ministers of states ruled by the party, NDTV reported. The meeting will be held to review coronavirus situation in these states. Party MP Rahul Gandhi will also attend the meeting.

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