India reported a jump in coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours with 295,041 cases of Covid-19 and 2,023 deaths. Both these figures are the highest ever since the beginning of the pandemic as per the latest data released by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Wednesday morning.
While India struggles to cope with the second wave of covid-19 in which the mortality is also increasing at a rapid pace, in such situation Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday said “the challenge is huge, we have to overcome it collectively with determination, courage, and preparation.”
However, the country’s total infection toll has topped to 15.6 million and the active caseload stands at 2,157,538.
#IndiaFightsCorona:#COVID19Vaccination Status (As on 20th April, 2021, 8:00 PM)
✅ Total vaccine doses administered: 13,00,27,370
✅ Vaccine doses administered: 28,98,257#We4Vaccine #LargestVaccinationDrive@ICMRDELHI @DBTIndia pic.twitter.com/lbykiiSWoE
— #IndiaFightsCorona (@COVIDNewsByMIB) April 21, 2021
PM Modi has asked state governments to consider a complete shutdown only as the last resort, he said, “We have to concentrate on micro containment zones and have to try our best to avoid lockdown,” he said in his address to the nation last evening.
Meanwhile, Delhi Government has already imposed a six-day lockdown which will end on April 26 morning. On the other hand, Maharashtra is all set to announce its decision by today.
“Efforts to increase oxygen production and supply are on at various levels. Measures like installing new oxygen plants, providing one lakh new cylinders, diverting oxygen from the industrial use, Oxygen Rail are being undertaken,” he told the citizens.
The Prime Minister has assured that the government is working with speed and sensitivity to meet the increasing demand of injections while several states are struggling to meet the demand for oxygen, which is a key element in treating critically ill Covid-19 patients.
The government has also abolished import duty on Remdesivir that is used to treat Covid-19 patients and its raw materials for over six months to encourage domestic pharmaceutical companies to ramp up their production and reduce its cost amidst the rising demand for the treatment of Covid-19 patients.
“In line with PM @NarendraModi’s priority to ensure affordable medical care for COVID-19 patients, imports of Remdesivir API, injection, and specific inputs have been made import duty free. This should increase supply and reduce cost thus providing relief to patients,” Union minister Piyush Goyal said in a tweet.
