India reports 35,499 new cases and 447 deaths in last 24 hours

India on Monday recorded 35,499 new Covid cases in the past 24 hours, slightly lower than yesterday's 39,070, taking the total infections to over 3.19 crore, as per the Union Health Ministry's database. 447 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours taking the total fatalities to over 4.28 lakhs so far.

Active Covid cases have declined to 4.02 lakh in India. Active cases constitute 1.26 per cent of total infections. 39,686 patients recovered in the last 24 hours taking total recoveries so far to over 3.11 crore.

Meanwhile, Kerala, the state which has been alarmingly witnessing a surge in covid cases has recorded 18,607 new Coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, taking the total tally to 35,52,525, as mentioned in the state health bulletin.

The state registered 93 more deaths in a single day as the total death toll in the state reached 17,747 on Sunday.

The number of active cases in Kerala stands at 1,76,572, an official press release said.

Considering the increasing number of cases, the Kerala government has started the mass vaccination drive which will continue till August 31. The aim of the drive is to inoculate as much people as possible.

The recovery rate in the country has been steadily increasing. It is currently at 97.40 per cent. The daily positivity rate is at 2.59 per cent - less than 3 per cent for 14 straight days in a sign of relief.

As many as 13,71,871 COVID-19 tests were conducted in the country on Sunday, taking the total number of such examinations so far to 48,17,67,232.

The daily positivity rate was recorded at 2.59 per cent.

It has been less than three per cent for the last 14 days, the ministry said, adding that the weekly positivity rate was recorded at 2.35 per cent.

Cumulatively, 50.86 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered under the nationwide vaccination drive till Monday morning.