India recorded less than 40,000 new cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours, government COVID-19 data shows. The number of fresh infections was 7 per cent lower than Sunday's, taking India's Covid tally past the 94-lakh mark.
With a one-day jump of 38,772 fresh COVID-19 cases and 443 deaths, India's total cases of coronavirus shot to 94.31 lakh with 1,37,139 deaths, so far. In this period, 45,333 people also recovered from the highly infectious disease, taking the number of overall recoveries to 88.47 lakh. Total active cases now stand at around 4.46 lakh.
Meanwhile, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Monday said that up to 30 crore Indians would be inoculated against COVID-19 by August 2021 according to the central government's plans. However, he also reiterated the need to follow appropriate protocols to fight off the disease.
Distributing masks and soaps at the Old Delhi Railway Station today, the minister, who is also Chairman of the Indian Red Cross Society, said the vaccine will be available before the middle of next year in India.
"In the first 3-4 months of next year, there is a possibility we will be able to provide vaccine to the people of the country. By July-August, we have a plan to provide vaccines to around 25-30 crore people and we are preparing accordingly," Mr Vardhan told reporters.
