It is reported by the Union health ministry on Thursday that as many as 55,839 new Covid-19 infections were recorded in the last 24 hours, mounting India's caseload to above 77 lakh. The death toll climbed to 1,16,616 with 702 fatalities being recorded in a span of 24 hours. The total Covid-19 cases tally stands at 7,706,946. With 79,415 recoveries in a day, the tally crossed 6,874,518 lakh while active cases of coronavirus infection remained below 8 lakh for the fourth successive day.

As per ICMR, a cumulative total of 9,86,70,363 samples tested for COVID-19 up to 21st October. Of these, 14,69,984 samples were tested on Wednesday. It can be seen that the total recovery rate has gone up to 89.19 percent. There are 7,15,812 active cases of covid-19 infection in the country which comprises 9.28 percent of the total caseload, the data indicated. Meanwhile, noting that at least a couple of coronavirus vaccines could be available by early next year, World Health Organisation chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan said the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of investing in public health and primary healthcare.

While addressing the fifteenth JRD Tata Memorial Oration from Geneva, Swaminathan highlighted the impact of COVID-19 on education, violence against women, reproductive health and services. "Of the lessons that I have learned over the last nine or ten months, the most important one is the importance of investing in public health and primary healthcare," she said.

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