India recorded 44,111 new cases of COVID-19 and 738 deaths in the last 24 hours, according to statistics released by the health ministry on Saturday. This brings India’s infection tally to 3,05,02,362, with the death toll increasing to 4,01,050.

There are currently 4,95,533 active cases throughout the country with 57,477 patients discharged in the previous 24 hours, bringing the total number of recoveries in the country to 2,96,05,779. The recovery rate now stands at 97.01%.

Health Ministry said that the number of active cases constitutes 1.67% of the total cases, while the weekly positivity rate is currently at 2.57%. The daily positivity rate is currently at 2.48.

A total of 41,64,16,463 samples have been tested for COVID-19 till July 3, according to data from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and 18,76,036 of these samples were tested on Friday.

34,46,11,291 individuals have been administered with at least one dose of COVID vaccine as of Friday. On January 16, India’s immunisation campaign had begun.

Meanwhile, after reporting an unprecedented rise in COVID cases in the summer, the country is witnessing a gradual drop in cases. During the second wave, India recorded over 400,000 daily infections.

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India’s COVID tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7; 50 lakh on September 16 and surpassed one crore on December 19. The country crossed the grim milestone of 2 crore cases on May 4 and 3 crore on June 23.

The Health Ministry has, however, stressed that over 70% of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities.

“Our figures are being reconciled with the Indian Council of Medical Research,” the ministry said on its website.

Earlier this week, Mumbai-based pharmaceutical firm Cipla was granted permission to import and sell the Moderna vaccine in India. Moderna vaccine could be India’s fourth vaccination to receive approval for emergency use from the Drugs Controller General (DCGI).