Coronavirus Live Updates: Covaxin, Covishield effective against Delta variant, says Health Secretary
India recorded less than 50,000 new coronavirus infections, the lowest in 91 days, taking the total tally of cases to 2,99,77,861, while active cases fell below 7 lakh after 79 days. A total of 42,640 COVID-19 infections were reported in a day, while the death toll climbed to 3,89,302 with 1,167 daily fatalities, the lowest in 68 days.
Addressing a press conference today, Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said that both Covaxin and Covishield are effective against the highly transmissible Delta variant.
Cumulatively, 28.87 crore vaccine doses have been administered so far under the nationwide inoculation drive.
A net decline of 40,366 cases has been recorded in the caseload in a span of 24 hours.
The BJP on Monday hit out at the Arvind Kejriwal government, accusing it of creating confusion over the ongoing vaccination drive, even as senior AAP leader and Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia charged the Modi government with spending money on advertisements instead of COVID vaccines.
The central government is pressurising Delhi government officials to publish advertisements thanking its vaccination drive, Sisodia alleged in an online briefing.
The free vaccination drive for 18 years and above age group kicked in on Monday with BJP national president Nadda saying the country is ready for full swing vaccination of people with two doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
Underlining that the overall COVID-19 situation in Bengal has improved, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged people to take all forms of measures to protect children amid warning by experts that the third wave of the pandemic may pose a greater risk to them.
Banerjee also said that the number of beds in the pediatric divisions of hospitals has been increased.
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