India sees lowest one-day rise in COVID-19 cases in 88 days, but total nears 3-crore mark

There were 53,256 new coronavirus infections and 1,422 deaths in the last 24 hours in India.

New Delhi: India saw its lowest one-day rise in the COVID-19 cases in 88 days, the Union Health Ministry said on Monday (June 21, 2021). However, the total caseload is now nearing 3 crores after the country reported 53,256 new infections in the last 24 hours.

India's weekly positivity rate currently stands at 3.32%, whereas, the daily positivity rate has declined to 3.83%.

There were also 1,422 new coronavirus-related deaths between Sunday and Monday morning.

The total case tally has now increased to 2,99,35,221, of which, 2,88,44,199 have recovered while 3,88,135 have died of the virus. 

The number of active cases, however, has now dropped down to 7,02,887.

On the other hand, the total vaccination coverage across the country has crossed 28 crores.

Earlier in the day, on the occasion of the 7th International Yoga Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Yoga has proved a source of strength and poise for people during the COVID-19 pandemic. He pointed out that it was easy for countries to forget Yoga Day during the pandemic as it is not intrinsic to their culture but, instead, enthusiasm for Yoga has increased globally.

The Prime Minister stated that Yoga helped people to muster confidence and strength to fight the pandemic world over.

He also recalled how frontline COVID-19 warriors and doctors made Yoga their shield and made themselves strong through yoga. 

Meanwhile, an AIIMS Delhi doctor has said that the future COVID-19 wave depends on two factors -- virus mutation and human error. 

"Now, if the virus mutates and becomes more infectious. It is something that is beyond our control. But of course, if we do not allow this virus to replicate in our body then maybe this type of mutation can be avoided," Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine at New Delhi's AIIMS, Dr Neeraj Nischal said.

He added, "What we can do to control is our behaviour. We have been talking about COVID appropriate behaviour for 15-16 months and we know that by COVID appropriate behaviour, one can stop these waves altogether. That had happened in the second wave also."

This comes two days after AIIMS Delhi Director Randeep Guleria warned that the third wave of COVID-19 can strike India in the next six to eight weeks if crowds are not prevented and if rules are broken. 

"If COVID-appropriate behaviour is not followed, the third wave can happen in six to eight weeks. We need to work aggressively to prevent another large wave till vaccination kicks in," Guleria had said.

(With agency inputs) 

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