COVID-19: India reports spike of 2,59,170 new COVID-19 cases, 1,761 deaths

The COVID-19 situation in India has been deteriorating amid the second wave of coronavirus infections. For the past three days, the country has been reporting in excess of two lakh coronavirus infections and over 1,000 related deaths on a daily basis.

India reported a spike of coronavirus cases with over 2,59,170 fresh infections and 1,761 deaths in the last 24 hours.

According to the Health Ministry, India reported at least 2,59,170 new COVID-19 cases, taking the total number of positive cases in the country to 1,53,21,089. There are currently 20,31,977 active cases in the country as of Tuesday.

The death toll reached 1,80,530 with additional 1,761 fatalities.

In the last 24 hours, as many as 1,54,761 people recovered from the virus. With this, the total number of recoveries reached 1,31,08,582 in India.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research, 15.19 lakh samples were tested on Monday. And, overall 26.94 samples have been tested so far.

Meanwhile, the cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country rose to 12.71 crore till today, after 32.76 lakh jabs were administered in a day.

The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) approved the use of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine against coronavirus in the country on April 12. Now, India has three vaccines Covishield, Covaxin and Sputnik V for its inoculation programme against COVID-19.

From May 1, the government will start vaccinating all people above 18 years. India started its vaccination drive on January 16 with priority given to all healthcare and frontline workers.

India reports 2,59,170 new #COVID19 cases, 1,761 deaths and 1,54,761 discharges in the last 24 hours, as per Union Health Ministry

Total cases: 1,53,21,089
Total recoveries: 1,31,08,582
Death toll: 1,80,530
Active cases: 20,31,977

Total vaccination: 12,71,29,113 pic.twitter.com/3pNdIGZVdy

— ANI (@ANI) April 20, 2021