Covid-19: Record 4,205 Fatalities In 24 Hours, 3.48 Lakh New Cases

PM reviews availability of oxygen, drugs; Health minister urges states to focus on 2nd dose of vaccine

NEW DELHI: India saw a record rise in COVID-19 deaths with 4,205 fresh fatalities taking the country’s death toll to 2,54,197, while 3,48,421 new Coronavirus infections were reported.

The total tally of COVID-19 cases in the country now stands at 2,33,40,938 out of which 1,93,82,642 patients have recuperated, while the case fatality rate stands at 1.09 per cent.

The active cases have reduced to 37,04,099 comprising 15.87 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has improved to 83.04 per cent, the data updated at 8 am showed.

According to the ICMR, 30,75,83,991 samples have been tested up to May 11 with 19,83,804 samples being tested on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, at a high-level meeting which Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired to review the availability and supply of oxygen and medicines, it was noted that states are being provided medicines in good quantities with the Centre in regular touch with the manufacturers to enhance their production and extend all help needed. The supply of oxygen is now more than three times of what it was during the peak of the first COVID-19 wave, the Prime Minister’s Office said, noting that production of all drugs, including Remdesivir, has been ramped up significantly in the last few weeks as India battles the nationwide surge in infections.

Modi said India has a very vibrant pharma sector and the government’s continued close coordination with them will ensure proper availability of all medicines.