India Scales New Peak, Sees 1.26 Lakh New COVID-19 Cases in a Day

India on Thursday, 8 April, reported it’s highest ever tally with 1,26,789 new COVID-19 cases. Image used for representational purposes.

(Photo: PTI)

India on Thursday, 8 April, reported its highest-ever tally with 1,26,789 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, according to the the data shared by the Union Health Ministry.

The figure includes 59,258 discharges and 685 deaths.

The total case tally in India has now reached 1,29,28,574, including 1,18,51,393 total recoveries, 9,10,319 active cases and 1,66,862 deaths.

The number of people vaccinated so far stands at 9,01,98,673.

As India grapples with a second wave of the pandemic, several states have announced stricter measures and guidelines for COVID-appropriate behaviour, more containment zones and night curfews.

India Faces Vaccine Shortage

Meanwhile, several states are facing shortage of vaccines with many being turned away by hospitals and vaccination centres, as the government formulates strategies to ramp up supply.

The Centre on Tuesday had said that vaccination is being carried out on the basis of priority and cannot be opened for all.

“Globally vaccination drives have a single goal: to curb deaths of the most vulnerable group affected by COVID-19,” Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan had said.

“What will happen if maximum numbers of healthcare workers get affected by COVID-19? Our healthcare system will collapse. We don’t want this situation. Hence, the vaccination cannot be opened for all at present,” he added.

Bhushan further emphasised the aim of the vaccination drive which is to vaccinate the ones who need it most, rather than those who want to get vaccinated.