Coronavirus India Updates: Record Spike In Infections Prompts Third Vaccine Approval

India reported more than 1.5 lakh Covid-19 infections for the second consecutive day, prompting the government to allow Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine to be administered in the country.

Nearly 1.7 lakh people tested positive for the coronavirus in the last 24 hours, the most in any single day, according to the Health Ministry’s update as of 8:00 a.m. on April 12.

Active cases stood above 12 lakh for the first time ever.

Key Figures

• Total number of confirmed cases: 1,35,27,717
• Active cases: 12,01,009
• Total cured/discharged/migrated: 1,21,56,529
• Total deaths: 1,70,179
• New infections in 24 hours: 1,68,912
• Recoveries in a day: 75,086
• Deaths in a single day: 904
• Total vaccination shots given: 10,45,28,565

India has administered more than 10 crore doses of vaccines so far, with nearly 30 lakh beneficiaries receiving the shot in the past day. The country is running a five-day Tika Utsav to speed-up inoculations among citizens above 45 years of age.

The government has given emergency use approval to Russia's Sputnik V vaccine, the third vaccine that will administered in India.

Dr. Reddy's Laboratories has partnered with Russia to supply the doses and had approached the government seeking approval in February. Russia has also tied up with Gland Pharma Ltd., Panacea Biotech Ltd., Virchow Biotech Private Ltd. and Stelis Biopharma to produce the shots.