India Sees Lowest Covid Case Count since March 31

India on Monday reported 70,421 new Covid-19 infections over the past 24 hours, the lowest since March 31, data from the health ministry showed.

The South Asian country's total Covid-19 caseload now stands at 29.51 million, while total fatalities are at 374,305, the data showed. India added 3,921 deaths overnight, reports Reuters.

NDTV reports: India's daily test positivity rate - the number of positive cases identified per 100 - continues to decline. For the seventh straight day, it was below the 5 per cent mark at 4.71.

Shops, malls and restaurants in Delhi will open from Monday as Covid numbers in the national capital drop to a three-month low. Shops will be open seven days a week instead of the earlier odd-even system. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has cautioned this will be on a trial basis for a week and strict action will be taken if the Covid numbers rise.

The office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the government on Sunday said ''Project O2 for India'' has been initiated to ensure supply of critical raw materials such as zeolites, setting up of small oxygen plants, and manufacturing of compressors. The second wave of Covid-19 saw an increase in demand for medical oxygen in different parts of the country.

A proposal by India and South Africa to temporarily waive patents on Covid-19 vaccines to ensure their equitable access received widespread support at the G7 summit in the UK, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Sunday. In a virtual address at an inaugural outreach session of the summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought the support of the grouping to lift patent protections for Covid-19 vaccines.

Russian Covid vaccine Sputnik V will be available in Delhi from June 15. The place where the two-dose vaccine will be available is the Indraprastha Apollo hospital in south Delhi. Sputnik has been priced at Rs 1,145, which will contain hospital charges and tax.