India reported 260 new cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus), with active cases rising to 1,828, as per the latest data from the Union Health Ministry on December 18. The death toll reached 5,33,317 according to the 8 am update.

Further, India's total COVID-19 cases count stands at 4.50 crore (4,50,05,076). And recoveries have increased to 4,44,69,931, bringing the national recovery rate to 98.81 percent, as stated on the health ministry's website.

The case fatality rate remains at 1.19 percent.

The ministry's website indicates that 220.67 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered across the country to date