The total confirmed case count in India has now crossed 9.1 million. India reported 44,404 fresh Covid-19 cases, taking its tally to 9,140,312. The country’s death toll has mounted to 133,773. At 1,780,208, Maharashtra has the highest number of coronavirus cases, followed by Karnataka 873,046, Andhra Pradesh 862,000, Tamil Nadu 769,000 and Kerala 562,735.
Meanwhile, the Serum Institute of India, the world’s largest manufacturer of vaccines by volume, will first focus on supplying AstraZeneca Plc’s Covid-19 vaccine to Indians before distributing it to other countries, Reuters reported Serum’s Chief Executive Adar Poonawalla as saying on Monday.
“It’s very important we take care of our country first, then go on to COVAX after that and then other bilateral deals with countries. So I’ve kept it in that priority,” said Poonawalla, referencing the global COVAX facility, which has been set up to provide Covid-19 vaccines to poorer countries.
The company remains in discussion with the Indian government about inking a purchase agreement for the vaccine, Poonawalla said in an interview with CNBC-TV 18, adding that Serum should have quantities of it ready to sell into India’s private market in the first quarter of 2021.
Looking at the tallies of individual states and UTs, Delhi reported 4,454 new Covid-19 cases, 7,216 recoveries, and 121 deaths in the last 24 hours. Total cases in the state have risen to 5,34,317, total recoveries till date have been recorded are 4,88,476. The national capital has 37,329 active cases till date with the death toll at 8,512.
Maharashtra reported 4,153 new coronavirus cases, 3,729 recoveries and 30 deaths in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of positive cases in the state to 17,84,361 till date. There are 81,902 active cases in the state, and 16,54,793 patients have recovered so far. The death toll is at 46,653.
Haryana reported 2,633 new Covid-19 cases, 2,567 discharges, and 28 deaths. Total cases are at 2,19,963, the number of discharged patients till date stands at 1,97,335, and the deaths so far are at 2,216. Active cases now stand at 20,214.
Meanwhile, Chandigarh reported 98 new coronavirus cases, taking the total positive cases to 16,769. A total of 15,389 patients recovered from the infection till date and the death toll is at 263. Active cases stand at 1,117.
Rajasthan reported 3,232 new Covid-19 cases, 18 deaths, and 2,288 recoveries/discharges in the last 24 hours. Total cases in the state have risen to 2,47,168, including 2181 deaths, and 2,20,871 recoveries/discharges. Active cases stand at 24,116.
A total of 487 new coronavirus cases, 1,234 discharges/recoveries, and 17 deaths have been reported in Gujarat in the last 24 hours. Total cases stand at 1,98, 899 while recoveries are at 1,81,187. Active cases in the state are currently 13,836. The death toll is at 3,876.
Andhra Pradesh reported 545 fresh cases from 47,130 sample tests in the last 24 hours. This is by far is the lowest number of daily cases reported in the state after a gap of close to five months. The gross Covid-19 positive cases stood at 8,62,758. After 1,390 got cured in 24 hours, the total recoveries touched 8,42,416. Jammu & Kashmir reported 351 new coronavirus cases, 608 recoveries, and 12 deaths in the last 24 hours. Total positive cases are now at 1,06,899, including 5,431 active cases, 99,827 recoveries, and 1,641 deaths.