On Tuesday, India has reported 2,568 fresh Covid-19 cases along with 97 deaths in the last 24 hours, as per the data updated by the Union Health Ministry. With this, the death toll in the country has reached to 5,15,974. Meanwhile, the total active Covid cases in the country have further declined to 33,917, which counts to 0.08 per cent of the total cases, the data showed.

With 4,722 recoveries in the last 24 hours, the country's recovery rate has reached to 98.72 per cent. So far, 4,24,46,171 people have recovered from the disease. 

The daily positivity rate further fell to 0.37 per cent, while the weekly positivity rate stands at 0.46 per cent. 

As per the data, a total of 77.97 crore Covid tests have been conducted so far which includes 7,01,773 tests conducted in the last 24 hours.

India administered a total of 180.40 crore vaccine doses under the nationwide vaccination drive. 

China reports highest daily surge 

On Tuesday, China has reported 3,602 fresh Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, which is the highest daily count since the start of the pandemic, as reported by Reuters. Around 10 cities have been locked down due of the current surge, including the tech hub of Shenzhen. 

Vaccination in India against Covid-19 for Children in the age group of 12 - 14 years to start tomorrow 

The government has announced to begin the Covid vaccination for children in the age group of 12-14 years. Vaccination will begin from March 16 and Corbevax will be administered to this age group. Moreover, the government has also announced to scrap off the condition of comorbidity for those above 60 years for receiving booster or “precaution dose”. 

In an announcement, health minister Mansukh Mandaviya said, “If children are safe, then the country is safe. I am happy to announce that from March 16, Covid vaccination will start for children belonging to the age group of 12-14 years. Also, all 60 years and above will now be able to take the precaution dose. I request guardians of all children and persons in the 60 and above age group to come forward and take the vaccine shot." 

Around 75% Adolescents Vaccinated 

Till now, more than 75% of adolescents in the age group of 15-17 years have got vaccinated with at least one dose of Covaxin while more than 46% are fully vaccinated with two doses.