COVID-19: India Records 15144 New Cases, 181 Deaths In Last 24 Hrs

New Delhi: India's COVID-19 caseload climbed to 1,05,57,985 on Sunday with 15,144 fresh infections while recoveries surged to 1,01,96,885, pushing the national recovery rate to 96.58 per cent, according to the Union Health Ministry data.

The death toll increased to 1,52,274 with 181 more fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.

India reports 15,144 new #COVID19 cases, 17,170 discharges and 181 deaths in last 24 hours: Union Health Ministry

Total cases: 1,05,57,985
Active cases: 2,08,826
Total discharges: 1,01,96,885
Death toll: 1,52,274

— OTV (@otvnews) January 17, 2021

There are 2,08,826 active cases of coronavirus infection in the country which constitute 1.98 per cent of the total caseload, the data showed.

The COVID-19 case fatality rate stands at 1.44 per cent, it said.

The total number of samples tested up to January 15 were 18,57,65,491, including 8,03,090 tested on Friday, the Indian Council of Medical Research said.

About 76 per cent of the daily new cases are reported from seven states -- Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh and Gujarat.

Meanwhile, the most-awaited mass vaccination drive was launched on Saturday, with approval of two Covid vaccines.

The Central government has planned to vaccinate nearly 3 crore people including healthcare and frontline workers in the first phase of the drive.

The Union Health Ministry has said that 1.1 crore 'Covishield' and 55 lakh 'Covaxin' doses have been procured at the cost of Rs 200 and Rs 206 per dose, respectively.

(With Agency Inputs)