INDIA ‘ON WAR FOOTING’ AS COVID CASES CROSS 2.4 CRORE

As India recorded 3,43,144 new Covid-19 cases in 24 hours, as per the Union Health Ministry on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he empathised with people’s pain and suffering because of the infection and assured that his government is “on a war footing” to contain it.

“Because of this coronavirus, we have lost people close to us. The pain that citizens have suffered, that many experienced, I am feeling it equally,” PM Modi said in his online address at a farmers’ event on Friday. “As your Pradhan Sevak, I share your every sentiment.”

“All departments of the government, all resources, our armed forces, our scientists, everyone is working day and night to counter Covid, together,” he said.

“The pandemic, the worst in 100 years, is testing the world at every step. There is an invisible enemy before us… The blocks in our resources are being removed on a war-footing,” PM Modi further said, calling the virus “an invisible and shape-shifting enemy”.

The total number of Covid cases in the country now stand at 2,40,46,809, given the rapid spread of the virus, especially the highly transmissible B.1.617 variant, which was first detected in India and has now been found across the globe.

“The outbreak is reaching rural areas with great speed,” PM Modi said, warning those who live in villages about the virus. This was the first time he referred specifically to the virus’ spread through the rural areas since the second wave erupted in February, reported Reuters.

PM Modi also urged people to get vaccinated, calling it the best defence against Covid-19, and said that the Central and state governments are doing their best to increase vaccination. “Free vaccination is being done in government hospitals across the country. So whenever your turn comes, make sure to get inoculated. This will give us protection and reduce the risk of serious illness,” he said.

“This vaccine will be our shield against the coronavirus and will protect us from serious infection. And even after vaccination, we cannot abandon precautions like masks and social distancing… We will fight and win this battle against Corona,” he added.

The cumulative number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered in the country reached nearly the 18 crore mark as per the 8 pm provisional report, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare stated on Thursday.

“4,37,192 beneficiaries of the age group 18-44 years received their first dose of Covid vaccine today and cumulatively 39,14,688 across 32 States/Union Territories (UTs) since the start of Phase-3 of the vaccination drive,” the Ministry’s press release informed.

At least 10,10,856 beneficiaries were vaccinated for the first dose and 9,64,320 beneficiaries received the second dose as per Thursday’s provisional report.

Besides the 3,43,144 new Covid cases, 3,44,776 recoveries were reported in India by the Union Health Ministry on Friday. 4,000 new deaths were also recorded, taking the country’s death toll to 2,62,317 since the beginning of the pandemic.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), 31,13,24,100 samples have been tested in the country up till 13 May.