NEW DELHI, March 7 (Xinhua) -- The countrywide recovery rate that was showing an increase for quite some time has decreased to 96.94 percent on Sunday, data released by the Indian health ministry showed.
"Till now 10,868,520 patients have been cured and 184,523 patients are under active medical supervision," the ministry said. "The national recovery rate is now 96.94 percent."
The recovery rate had surpassed the 97 percent mark at the beginning of February.
The health ministry Sunday said over 80 percent of the fresh COVID-19 cases are from Maharashtra, Kerala, Punjab, Karnataka, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.
"They collectively account for 84.71 percent of the 18,711 new daily cases reported in last 24 hours," the ministry in a statement said. "Maharashtra continues to report the highest daily new cases at 10,187. It is followed by Kerala with 2,791, while Punjab reported 1,159 new cases."
The federal government is continuously engaging with the states, reporting a higher caseload of active cases and those showing a rise in the daily cases. The government has deputed high-level teams to Maharashtra and Punjab to assist local authorities in the containment measures.
According to the federal health ministry, the actual caseload in the country currently stands at 1.64 percent.
"India's total active caseload stands at 1,84,523 today. The country's present active caseload consists of 1.64 percent of the total positive cases," the ministry said.
During the last 24 hours, 18,711 fresh positive cases were reported in the country.
"While 18,711 persons were found positive in the past 24 hours, India has registered 14,392 new recoveries during the same period," the ministry said.
The health ministry said eight states -- Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Gujarat, Karnataka and Haryana -- are showing an upward trajectory in the daily new cases.
India has progressively maintained a low case fatality rate (CFR) compared to the global average. The national CFR has fallen to 1.40 percent.
During the last 24 hours, 100 deaths were reported across the country.
"Six States account for 87.00 percent of the new deaths. Maharashtra saw the maximum casualties of 47. Kerala followed with 16 daily deaths. Punjab reported 12 deaths," the ministry said.
The federal government has asked eight states reporting a surge in COVID-19 cases to return to test, track, treat strategies.
The federal government has also directed the states to promote COVID-19 appropriate behavior through communication and enforcement.
Health officials said people should remain vigilant and resort to appropriate behavior of wearing masks and washing hands.
India began inoculation drive against COVID-19 on Jan. 16. The second phase of vaccination was started on March 1.
In the first phase, healthcare and frontline workers were vaccinated, in the second phase inoculations are being carried on people above 60 years old and those above 45 years of age but with co-morbidities.
On Sunday morning the ministry said the number of COVID-19 cases in the country has reached 11,210,799 and the death toll has risen to 157,756.
India is in the grip of an ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and globally it is the second worst-hit country. Enditem
