Corona Update: Caseload Stagnant at more than 2 Lakh per day; Government Declares Third Emergency Order

New Delhi: The Indian subcontinent registered more than 2 lakh cases for the third day in a row. The Union health ministry data revealed 2,34,002 cases in the past 24 hours taking the total caseload above 1.45 crore. Around 1,338 deaths were registered along with 1,22,886 recuperations.

12 states across the country have been categorized as high COVID’ burden’ including Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan. Weekend restrictions are back in Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh among other states.  Maharashtra, earlier this week, announced tough restrictions for 15 days.  

The Union Health Minister has scheduled a meeting with the health minister of the above states at 11:30 am to discuss the situation. 

PM Modi appealed to the devotees to consider Kumbh Mela now only be symbolic’ after it is suspected to be a super spreader event. A third emergency order was issued in 24 hours to ensure the uninterrupted supply of cylinders across state borders, and to allow manufacturers and suppliers to serve hospitals across India. 

State’s hospitals and crematoriums report grim scenes. Shortage of oxygen supply and exhaustion of crematoria has spread caution amongst the authorities.

The alarming surge in cases is being reported as states continue to report vaccine shortages. Over 12 crore doses of vaccines have been administered so far, according to the Health Ministry data. Yesterday, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stressing that “vaccine stocks have completely run out.”