12 States Have Over 1 Lakh Covid Cases, 187 Districts Showed Decline In 2 Weeks: Health Ministry

The Health Ministry also informed that as many as 187 districts have shown a continued decline in cases since last 2 weeks.

New Delhi: Asserting it is highly essential to break the chain of Covid-19 transmission, the Union Health Ministry on Thursday informed that 12 states have more than one lakh active cases, eight states have over 50,000 cases and 16 states have less than 50,000 active cases.

Union Health Ministry Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal, who briefed the media here on the present Covid-19 situation in the country, said as many as 187 districts have shown a continued decline in cases since the last two weeks.

He also informed that the cumulative number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered in the country has exceeded 17.72 crore under phase three of the nationwide vaccination Drive.

“17.72 crore doses of Covid-19 vaccine have been administered till now,” said Agarwal, adding 13.53 crore doses have been given to the people above 45 years, 1.62 crore doses to Health Care Workers, 2.22 crore doses to Front Line Workers and 34.81 lakh doses to the people aged 18-44 years.

The Joint Secretary also urged all to follow social distancing in a bid to break the chain of Covid-19 transmission through physical distancing and requested the people who have been infected with the virus to properly isolate themselves at home.

Meanwhile, NITI Aayog Member (Health) Dr VK Paul said 216 crore doses of vaccines will be overall manufactured in India between August and December and added “there should be no doubt that vaccine will be available for all as we move forward”.

“We are happy to report that one-third of 45 and above are protected. 45 and above age group contributes to 88% of deaths. So, you can imagine how much dent it would have made to reduce the risk of death of this population,” he said.

The NITI Aayog Member (Health) informed that 35.6 crore vaccine doses have been procured till now.

“Under PM Cares Fund, 6.6 crore doses (5.6 crore Covishield and 1 crore Covaxin) were procured and they have been received and utilized fully. Additional 16 crore doses are in the pipeline to states and private hospitals,” he said.

The Health Ministry further said the country’s active caseload stands at 37,10,525 while the cumulative recoveries have been 1,97,34,823 and 2,58,317 people have succumbed to the virus.