No COVID-19 deaths in last 24 hours in 18 states, UTs: Health ministry

Eighteen states and Union Territories, including Uttar Presh, Rajasthan and Andhra Presh, have t reported any death due to COVID-19 in last 24 hours, Union health ministry said on Wednesday. India's cumulative recoveries have been showing a progressive increment on a daily basis, ministry said.

"Eighteen states/UTs have t reported any COVID-19 death in last 24 hours. se are Uttar Presh, Rajasthan, Andhra Presh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Puducherry, Himachal Presh, Lakshweep, Manipur, Lakh, Assam, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram, Arunachal Presh, Dra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu," ministry said in a statement.

Nearly 90 lakh vaccine doses have been given to beneficiaries through 1,91,373 sessions till 8 am on Wednesday, as per provisional report. se include 61,50,922 healthcare workers (first dose), 2,76,377 healthcare workers (second dose) and 25,71,931 frontline workers (first dose). A total of 36 cases of hospitalisation and 29 cases of deaths were reported among those who have been vaccinated till 4 pm on February 16, ministry said. Out of 36 cases of hospitalisation, 22 were discharged after treatment.

"Two are still under treatment and 12 cases (people) died. Out of 29 deaths, 17 are outside hospital whereas 12 deaths are in hospital," it said.

ministry said case of serious or severe AEFI (verse event following immunisation) or death is attributable to vaccination till date. ministration of second dose of COVID-19 vaccination started on February 13 for beneficiaries who h completed 28 days after receipt of first dose.

As on day 32 (February 16) of vaccination drive , a total of 2,76,943 doses were given across 7,001 sessions.  "Out of which, 1,60,691 beneficiaries were vaccinated for first dose and 1,16,252 HCWs received second dose of vaccine," it said. "Eight states account for 57.8 per cent of total vaccine doses ministered in India. Uttar Presh alone accounts for 10.4 per cent (9,34,962)," it said.