With 20,346 new coronavirus infections and 222 deaths in the past 24 hours, India's overall tally stood at 1,03,95,278 on Thursday, while the death toll touched 1,50,336, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said.

India continued its streak of low daily new cases. Till now, 1,00,16,859 have recovered. Currently, there are 2,28,083 active cases. The recovery rate stands at 96.36 per cent while the fatality rate is 1.45 as per cent.

The total number of samples tested up to January 6 is 17,84,00,995 including 9,37,590 samples tested on Wednesday, the Indian Council of Medical Research said.

Maharashtra continues to be the worst-hit state till date with 1,954,553 total cases.

Over 79 per cent of the daily new cases are being reported by 10 states and union territory -- Kerala, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan.

Meanwhile, the most-awaited mass vaccination drive is slated to begin soon, with approval of two vaccines. The  government plans to vaccinate nearly 300 million people in the first phase of drive.

(IANS)