With a record daily increase of 27,094 COVID cases and 676 deaths on Sunday, India’s coronavirus count has gone past 6,97,358 and the death tally has reached 19,963. India has become the third worst-hit country after the United States and Brazil.
India recorded over 20,000 cases for the third consecutive day as it overtook Russia which has reported 6,81,251 COVID cases. In terms of infections, India is ranked third in the world. In terms of death, India is ranked eighth in the world.
According to the site worldometer that has been compiling COVID-19 data from around the world, only, two countries are ahead of India in terms of infections – the United States and Brazil, both of whom have reported more than a million cases. Brazil has confirmed close 15,78,376 cases while the United States has reported 29,54,999 cases. The state of Kerala, in order to cut the transmission chain, has become the first state in India to amend its Epidemic Disease ordinance as it extended the COVID-19 regulations for the next year as well. This means that people are made to wear masks and maintain social distancing and avoid social and religious gatherings for at least a year.
Government Rules Out Vaccine In 2020
While India was hoping for a vaccine by the 15th of August after ICMR’s statement, the ministry of science and technology issued a press release on Sunday and said that it is unlikely that a vaccine will be ready for mass consumption before the year 2021. This statement comes after two Indian vaccines – Covaxin and ZyCov-D have received approval to go into human trials. However, the Indian Council of Medical Research says they are confident of getting a vaccine ready by the scheduled date. They also clarified that all the processes have been followed meticulously.
The state of Maharashtra continues to be the worst-hit state by the novel coronavirus. It is looking at an unpleasant milestone of 2 lakh COVID infections after it reported a single-day increase of 7,000 fresh infections. The state of Tamil Nadu reported 4,280 cases on Sunday while the states of Delhi, Telangana, Karnataka, Assam, and Bihar added a tally of 10,000 cases.
Source: Deccan Chronicle
