Live updates: India's Covid-19 tally climbed to 42,802,505 on Saturday as 22,270 more people tested positive for the viral disease, while the active cases came down to 253,739, according to Union health ministry data. The death toll reached 511,230 with 325 fresh fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated.
The active cases comprise 0.59 per cent of the total infections. The national Covid-19 recovery rate has further improved to 98.21 per cent, the ministry said.
While there is consensus on the Omicron’s mild nature and lesser hospitalisations, public health experts said going, forward vaccination is our best defence and booster doses for the vulnerable need to be speeded up.
VK Paul, Member-Health, NITI Aayog on Friday advised all the citizens not to lower the guard against the Covid-19 pandemic as the current surge has settled and added that the government has invited other vaccine manufacturers to collaborate with scientists and develop vaccines in the country.