Coronavirus News Highlights: India is witnessing a second wave of COVID-19 pandemic. So far, the country has recorded over 2.46 crore confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 2,70,284 deaths. A total of 2,07,95,335 people have recuperated from COVID-19 so far. There are 36,18,458 active cases in the country as of date, which comprises 14.66 percent of the total caseload, the data stated. India's recovery rate now stands at 84.25 percent. Globally, more than 16.21 crore people have been infected by the coronavirus and 33.64 lakh have died so far. India has begun the third phase of the vaccination drive in which everyone above 18 years of age will be able to get the COVID-19 vaccine. India's regulator has granted restricted emergency use approval for three vaccines -- Covishield, Covaxin and Sputnik V. The cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in India has crossed 18 crore, according to the Union Health Ministry.
Gujarat reported 8,210 fresh coronavirus positive cases, taking the tally to 7,52,619 while 82 fatalities, including 13 deaths in Ahmedabad pushed the toll to 9,121, the state health department said.
A total of 14,483 patients were discharged during the day, taking the count of recoveries so far in Gujarat to 6,38,590, it said, adding the state's case recovery rate has improved to 84.85 percent.
The COVID-19 death toll in Rajasthan climbed to 6,777 on May 16 with 156 more fatalities, while 10,290 new cases pushed the infection tally to 8,59,669, according to an official report.
The number of active cases in the state currently stands at 1,94,382 from 2,08,688 a day before, it said.
The maximum deaths and positive cases on Sunday were reported from Jaipur at 41 and 2,558 respectively, it added.
The railways has delivered more than 9,440 tonnes of liquid medical oxygen (LMO) in nearly 590 tankers to various states across the country since April 19, the national transporter said.
Around 150 Oxygen Express trains have completed their journey so far and brought relief to various states, it added.
Twelve Oxygen Express trains were on the run with more than 970 tonnes of LMO in 55 tankers, it said.
Maharashtra reported 974 deaths due to COVID-19, taking the toll to 81,486 while the number of fresh cases at 34,389 remained below 40,000 for the third consecutive day.
The overall caseload in Maharashtra has reached 53,78,452, the state health department said.
At least 181 more people, including a two-month-old baby and three security personnel, tested positive for COVID-19 in Mizoram on May 16, taking the tally in the northeastern state to 8,679, an official said.
The death toll rose to 24 as a man succumbed to the disease while undergoing treatment at Zoram Medical College. Aizawl reported the highest number of fresh cases at 103, followed by Lunglei at 53.
The COVID-19 death toll in Uttar Pradesh jumped to 17,546 with 311 succumbing while the infection tally climbed to 16,19,645 as 10,682 new coronavirus cases were reported.
Of the fresh deaths, Meerut reported 27 followed by Lucknow (20), Kanpur (13), Chandauli and Basti (12), Mathura (10), the state government said in a report.
