Witnessing a decline, India on Friday reported 3,43,144 new Covid cases and 4,000 fatalities, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said. In the past 22 days, India's daily Covid tally has plateaued over the three lakh mark and over 3,000 casualties for a fortnight.
On Wednesday, India recorded 4,205 fresh Covid deaths, while on May 7, the country had recorded its highest ever cases of 4,14,188. India's total tally of Covid-19 cases now stands at 2,40,46,809 with 37,04,893 active cases and 2,62,317 deaths so far. A total of 3,44,776 people have been discharged in the last 24 hours, with 2,00,79,599 being cured of Covid till date.
Vaccine hopes dwindle
The Health Ministry said that a total of 17,92,98,584 people have been vaccinated so far in the country, including 20,27,162 who were administered vaccines in the last 24 hours. However, many states have been facing severe shortage of vaccine doses and desperately seeking tenders from global manufacturers for crores of doses.
Sputnik Vax begins
Meanwhile, Dr Reddy's Laboratories on Friday announced that the first consignment of imported doses of the Sputnik V vaccine that landed in India on May 1 received regulatory clearance from the Central Drugs Laboratory, Kasauli, on May 13.
As part of a limited pilot, the soft launch of the vaccine has commenced and the first dose of the vaccine was administered in Hyderabad on Friday. Further consignments of imported doses are expected over the upcoming months. Subsequently, supply of the Sputnik V vaccine will commence from Indian manufacturing partners.
The imported doses of the vaccine are presently priced at an MRP of Rs 948 + 5% GST per dose, with the possibility of a lower price point when local supply begins. The Company is working closely with its six manufacturing partners in India to fulfill regulatory requirements to ensure smooth and timely supply.
Dr Reddy's will work closely with stakeholders in the Government and private sector in India to ensure the widest possible reach of the Sputnik V vaccine as part of the national inoculation effort. This is a reaffirmation of the Company's commitment to explore every avenue in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic in India.
G.V. Prasad, Co-Chairman and Managing Director, said: "With the rising cases in India, vaccination is our most effective tool in our battle against Covid-19. Contributing to the vaccination drive in India is our biggest priority right now to help Indians be healthy and safe."
