Punjab among 5 states logging 86% cases; jab for 50+ from March

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 22

Fuelled by a surge in cases in Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Punjab, India’s Covid-19 active caseload today crossed 1.50 lakh for the first time in 17 days and the fresh cases saw the steepest rise in five days.

The Health Ministry today recorded 1,50,055 active cases as against 1,45,634 yesterday, clocking 4,421 cases in a day. Active cases have been rising since February 17, when the load was 1,36,549. The daily new cases have also been outstripping the recoveries for five days with 14,199 new infections today as against 9,695 new recoveries. The deaths today were 83, taking the toll to 1,56,385.

The Health Ministry said 86.3 pc of the new cases today were from Maharashtra (6,971), Kerala (4,070), Tamil Nadu (452), Karnataka (413) and Punjab (348).

A total of 1,14,24,094 vaccine doses have been administered so far in 38 days. Today, 3,07,238 doses were given, with two deaths reported in the last 24 hours and post-mortem results awaited.

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Lakshadweep, Gujarat, Rajasthan and MP have had over 75 per cent vaccine coverage while less than 40 per cent coverage has been reported in Punjab (39.3 pc), Chandigarh (37.2 pc) and Puducherry (33.4 pc).

The Ministry said seven states have not reported any new case in the last 24 hours. With infections rising, a debate has ensued on whether the government should allow easy access to vaccination through the open markets. From March, the government plans to cover 50 plus people. From March, the government plans to cover 50 plus people. The Health Ministry has asked states to prepare facility to deliver the shots starting March 1.

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