India reported 6,987 new cases over past 24 hrs; active caseload at 76,766

India reported 6,987 new cases of Covid 19 over the last 24 hours taking country’s active caseload to 76,766 according to a Government release. Active cases constitute 0.22 per cent of the country's total positive cases, which is the lowest since March 2020, the release said.

The recovery of 7,091 patients in the last 24 hours has increased the cumulative tally of recovered patients (since the beginning of the pandemic) to 3,42,30,354, the release said. Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 98.40 per cent, highest since March 2020.

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Weekly Positivity Rate at 0.62 per cent remains less than 1 per cent for the last 42 days now. The Daily Positivity rate reported to be 0.74 per cent. The daily Positivity rate has remained below 2 per cent for last 83 days and below 3 per cent for 118 consecutive days now.

With the administration of 32,90,766 vaccine doses in the last 24 hours, India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 141.37 cr (1,41,37,72,425) as per provisional reports till 7 am today.

This has been achieved through 1,50,19,426 sessions, the release said.

“Sustained and collaborative efforts by the Centre and the States/UTs continue the trend of less than 15,000 Daily New Cases that is being reported for last 59 days now,” the release said.

The testing capacity across the country continues to be expanded, the release said. The last 24 hours saw a total of 9,45,455 tests being conducted. India has so far conducted over 67.19 Cr (67,19,97,082) cumulative tests.

The testing capacity has been enhanced across the country. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced that vaccination against COVID-19 for children between 15-18 years will start in the country from January 3, while "precaution dose" for healthcare and frontline workers begin from January 10.

In an address to the nation amid increasing Covid cases through the Omicron variant of the virus, he said the precaution dose will also be available for citizens above 60 years of age and with comorbidities on the advice of their doctor from January 10 next year as well.