COVID-19: India records 39,796 cases, 723 fatalities in past 24 hours

India on Monday logged 39,796 new Covid infections, which took the tally of cases to 3,05,85,229, while the death count climbed to 4,02,728 with 723 more fatalities, the lowest in around 88 days, according to Union Health Ministry database updated on Monday.

Kerala reported 11,551 new infections, followed by Maharashtra (9,336), Tamil Nadu (3,867), Andhra Pradesh (3,175), Karnataka (1,564), Delhi (94) and West Bengal (1,297).The five most affected states by total cases are Maharashtra (6,098,177), Kerala (2,973,135), Karnataka (2,853,643), Tamil Nadu (2,296,287), and Andhra Pradesh (1,902,923).

Meanwhile, Avascular necrosis, or death of bone tissues, has become a cause of worry for doctors after its detection among post-Covid patients after the outbreak of mucormycosis or black fungus two months back.

At least three confirmed cases of avascular necrosis after Covid-19 have been scientifically reported from Mumbai, and doctors fear more are likely in the next few months. The common factor between mucormycosis and avascular necrosis is the use of steroids, the only drug proven to help Covid patients.

The active cases have further declined to 4,82,071 and comprise 1.58 per cent of the total infections, while the national Covid recovery rate has improved to 97.11 per cent, the data updated at 8 am showed

It said that there has been a decline of 3,279 active cases in a span of 24 hours.

The ministry said that 15,22,504 tests were conducted on Sunday, taking the total cumulative tests conducted for detection of Covd in the country to 41,97,77,457.

Meanwhile, a report by The Economic Times has suggested that the US drugmaker Moderna's Covid-19 messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine is likely to reach India this week and will be available in a few major government hospitals by the middle of this month. Health officials expect Moderna vaccines to reach hospitals by July 15 for administration. While the vaccines may reach India this week, the distribution to hospitals will take another week or so.

India has administered 35,28,92,046 total doses of the anti-Covid vaccine so far. Of this, 28,83,23,682 are first doses while 6,45,68,364 are second doses.

Among the States, Uttar Pradesh is leading in terms of first doses with 2,78,02,597 doses. It is followed by Maharashtra with 2,71,81,412 doses and Rajasthan at 2,14,02,124 doses.