India reports 16,738 new Covid-19 cases, 138 deaths

NEW DELHI: As many as 16,738 new Covid-19 cases and 138 deaths were reported in the country in the last 24 hours, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) said on Thursday.

With the new cases, the Coronavirus tally in the country has reached 1,10,46,914 including 1,51,708 active cases and 1,07,38,501 discharges.The death toll has mounted to 1,56,705 with the loss of 138 lives.

As per the health ministry, a total of 1,23,66,633 vaccine doses have been given through 2,63,224 sessions till Wednesday evening.

“This includes 65,24,726 health care workers who have taken the first dose 14,81,754 health care workers who have taken the second dose, along with 43,60,153 frontline workers who were administered the first dose,” it said.

The countrywide vaccination drive was rolled out on January 16, 2021. The vaccination of the frontline workers started on February 2.

The total number of samples tested up to Wednesday was 21,38,29,658, according to the Indian Council of Medical Research. The ICMR also said that 7,93,383 samples were tested on February 24. (Agency)