Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 25

As India’s daily cases dropped below 2 lakh for the first time after 40 days, the Centre today urged states to accelerate vaccination amid a slow pace and high wastage. The daily cases fell to 1,96,427 for the first time since April 14 when 1,84,372 cases were reported. Daily deaths fell below 4,000 for the first time after three days, settling at 3,511.

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Fresh cases: 1,96,427

Active cases: 25,86,782

Deaths in 24 hrs: 3,511

Total deaths: 3,07,231

The national vaccine wastage rate is 6.3 per cent, with Jharkhand reporting maximum wastage at 37.3 per cent, followed by Chhattisgarh at 30.2 per cent, Tamil Nadu at 15.5 per cent, J&K at 10.8% and MP at 10.7%. The Health Ministry today held a detailed review with states, urging them to speed up inoculation and keep vaccine wastage below 1 per cent.

“States were informed that Sputnik V has been added to the CoWIN portal. They were told to enhance vaccination through available stock and anticipated supplies till the end of June,” the ministry said, amid vaccine shortage hitting the drive.