New Delhi: India reported 1,32,788 new coronavirus cases and 3,207 deaths in the last 24 hours with a total caseload of about 17.93 lakh. As the country starts witnessing a fall in new Covid19 cases, the total number of active cases have also reduced by more than a lakh now.
The weekly positivity rate has dropped below five per cent in 344 districts – nearly half of India's 718 districts. Deaths due to Covid-19 complications have also dropped below 3,000 for the past two days.
As cases come down, states like Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir have already started gradual unlocking in their respective states.
According to Dr Balram Bhargava, ICMR Director General and a member of India's Covid-19 task force, "Gradual lifting of restrictions will not witness a massive surge".However, he has urged the districts to "ensure that vaccination has to be prioritized".
Meanwhile, The Delhi High Court on Tuesday urged the Centre to prioritise the youth in its nationwide vaccination drive. "The administration of the drug to patients who have better chances of survival may have to be prioritised," it said.
As per the Health Ministry's data, only 32 per cent of those in the 45+ age group have got their first dose.