Delhi’s positivity rate drops from 36% to 14.24% since 24 April, says Satyendar Jain-India News , Technomiz

Indians wait to refill oxygen cylinders for COVID-19 patients at a gas supplier facility in New Delhi. AP

Coronavirus Latest News LIVE Updates: Yesterday Delhi reported 10,489 positive cases and the positivity rate was 14.24%. The highest positivity rate was 36% in Delhi so now it is less than half of it, said the health minister.

America’s top infectious disease expert Dr Anthony Fauci said increasing the gap between Covishield doses is unlikely to impact the vaccine’s efficacy, a day after the government increased the gap between SII-produced vaccine’s doses to 12-16 weeks.

With 3,43,144 people testing positive for coronavirus in a day, India’s COVID-19 tally of cases climbed to 2,40,46,809, while the death toll rose to 2,62,317 with 4,000 daily fatalities.

The cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country inched closer to 18 crore, the Union health ministry said on Thursday.

It said 4,37,192 beneficiaries in the age group of 18-44 years received their first dose of COVID vaccine on Thursday and cumulatively 39,14,688 across 32 states and union territories since the start of the third phase of the vaccination drive.

“The cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country stands at 17,91,77,029 as per the 8 pm provisional report,” the ministry said.

The total of 17,91,77,029 include 96,16,697 healthcare workers (HCWs) who have taken the first dose and 66,02,553 HCWs who have taken the second dose, 1,43,14,563 frontline workers (FLWs) who have received the first dose and 81,12,476 FLWs who have taken the second dose and 39,14,688 individuals in the 18-44 years of age group have taken the first dose.

Besides, 5,65,82,401 and 85,14,552 beneficiaries over 45 to 60 years old have been administered the first and second dose, respectively, while 5,42,32,598 and 1,72,86,501 beneficiaries above 60 years have taken the first and second dose.

As on day-118 of the vaccination drive (13 May), total 19,75,176 vaccine doses were given.

A total of 10,10,856 beneficiaries were vaccinated for the first dose and 9,64,320 beneficiaries received the second dose of vaccine as per the provisional report till 8 pm, the ministry said, adding that final reports would be completed for the day by late night.

The vaccination exercise as a tool to protect the most vulnerable population groups in the country from COVID-19 continues to be regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level, the ministry said.