India's COVID-19 caseload went past 86 lakh on Wednesday, while the number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 80.13 lakh, pushing the national recovery rate to 92.79 per cent, according to the Union Health Ministry's data.
With 44,281 more people testing positive for coronavirus in a span of 24 hours, the infection tally mounted to 86,36, 011, while the death count rose to 1,27,571 after 512 new fatalities were reported, the data updated at 8 am showed.
The number of active cases dropped below five lakh. At present, there are 4,94,657 active cases in the country which comprise 5.73 per cent of the total caseload, the data stated.
The total recoveries have surged to 80,13,783, pushing the national recovery rate to 92.79 per cent, while COVID-19 case fatality rate stands at 1.48 per cent.
Meanwhile, the third phase of clinical trials for Covaxin, the coronavirus vaccine being developed by pharmaceutical firm Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), has started. The Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) registered as the first volunteer for the trails which will take place at the university's JN Medical College and Hospital (JNMCH).
Vice Chancellor Professor Tariq Mansoor on Tuesday encouraged others to participate in the trials.
"Volunteered myself for Phase III trial of COVID19 vaccine "Covaxin"- a study led by AMU in collaboration with ICMR & Bharat Biotech aimed at evaluating the safety and efficacy of this vaccine. I fervently appeal to everyone to volunteer/register for this trial and participate in this ground breaking research for developing better cures and treatment options," Professor Mansoor tweeted.
