933 die in 24 hrs, states to test vendors

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 8

As India’s Covid cases climbed to 20,88,611 today with 61,537 new infections in a day, the Centre asked states to test vendors and grocery store and shop workers who could carry a potential viral load.

Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan wrote to states to test the vendors and also held a virtual meeting with the highest Covid load districts in India, asking them to ensure zero tolerance for ambulance delays and refusals.

Although overall deaths rose to 42,518 today with 933 mortalities in 24 hours, the Health Ministry said overall case fatality rate of India remained low at 2.04 per cent and was consistently dropping.

All states have been asked to lower death rates by improving clinical management and ensuring mass testing.