Before this, the lowest number was recorded on January 5 when 16,375 cases were reported in a day.

 

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said 161 deaths were reported in the past 24 hours taking the death toll to 1,51,160,

 

Since the last 17 days, less than 300 new deaths have been recorded in the country.

 

As per the ministry data, till now, 1,00,92,909 have recovered. Currently, there are 2,22,526 active cases.

 

The recovery rate stands at 96.43 per cent while the fatality rate is 1.44 as per cent.

 

The total number of samples tested up to January 10 are 18,17,55,831 including 6,59,209 samples tested on Sunday, the Indian Council of Medical Research said.

 

Maharashtra continues to be the worst-hit state till date with 19,69,114 total cases. About 82.25 per cent of the daily new cases are being reported by nine states -- Kerala, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Bihar and Gujarat.

 

Meanwhile, the most-awaited mass vaccination drive is slated to begin from January 16, with approval of two vaccines. The Central government plans to vaccinate nearly 30 crore people in the first phase of drive.

 

It will be offered to one crore healthcare workers, along with two crore frontline and essential workers, 26 crore people above the age of 50 and one crore below 50 with comorbidities.