India on Friday morning reported 1,17,100 new cases in the last 24 hours, taking the total since the pandemic began in 2020 to 3,52,26,386, data from the health ministry showed. The recovery rate improved to 97.57%.
Friday’s figures were 28% higher than Thursday’s count of 90,928 infections. After seven months, the daily caseload has crossed the 1 lakh-mark in the country. On June 6, India reported 1,14,460 cases, when the second wave of the pandemic had started to wane.
The daily positivity rate is 7.74%. The active caseload stood at 3,71,363.
Daily Covid deaths rose by 302 on Friday, taking the tally to 4,83,178.
Cases of the Omicron variant increased to 3,007 from Thursday’s count of 2,630, the government said. Omicron was first reported in the country on December 2 and has now spread to 27 states and Union Territories.
Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata are experiencing a huge surge of coronavirus cases. Mumbai on Thursday reported 20,181 new coronavirus cases, a 33.06% rise as compared to Wednesday’s count of 15,166 infections.
As many as 2,847 people recovered from Covid-19 or were discharged from hospitals, a sharp rise from the previous day’s count of 714 such persons.
Mumbai civic chief Iqbal Singh Chahal had earlier said that “stringent measures” may be implemented in the city if daily Covid-19 cases cross the 20,000-mark.
Meanwhile, Delhi on Thursday registered 15,097 new Covid-19 cases, a rise of 41.55% as compared to Wednesday’s count of 10,665 cases.
The city’s Covid-19 tally on Thursday was the highest single-day rise since May 8. The positivity rate in the Capital also increased steeply to 15.34% from 11.88% a day earlier.
Six people died due to the coronavirus in Delhi and the case fatality rate currently is 1.69%. There are presently 31,498 active Covid-19 cases in the Capital.
A decision on lockdown in Mumbai will be taken by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope said as Mumbai crossed 20,000 fresh Covid cases – the threshold limit for more restrictions. The total number of fresh cases – 20,181 – is a 33 per cent spike over yesterday’s figures. Four related deaths were also recorded. The financial capital had reported 15,166 cases yesterday.
Of the fresh cases detected over the last 24 hours, 85 per cent show no symptoms. But 1,170 Covid patients have been hospitalised and 106 are on oxygen support.
The health department had earlier said a lockdown, or lockdown-like restrictions, will be considered when the demand for medical oxygen crosses 800 metric tonnes per day, or more than 40 per cent of hospital beds for Covid patients are occupied. The Brihanmumbai corporation had said that it will be considered when the daily spike in cases crosses 20,000.
The big area of concern now is the rising number of doctors and health workers testing positive in the city.
Over 150 doctors in the city’s King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital have contracted the virus, as have another 80 at the Sion Hospital and nearly as many at others.
Across Maharashtra, more than 260 doctors have tested positive, the Association of Resident Doctors has said.
More about Omicron
The Omicron variant has been called a variant of concern by WHO based on studies that shows it has several mutations.
Still a lot of research is underway to evaluate its transmissibility, severity and reinfection risk.
The Omicron variant has been detected in several regions of the world. WHO reports that the likelihood of the Omicron variant spreading further globally is high.
It is not currently known if the Omicron variant is more or less severe than other strains of COVID-19, including Delta. Studies are ongoing and this information will be updated as it becomes available.
It is not yet clear whether Omicron can spread more easily from person to person compared to other variants, such as Delta.
However, being vaccinated and taking precautions such as avoiding crowded spaces, keeping your distance from others and wearing a mask are critical in helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and we know these actions have been effective against other variants.
Researchers are looking into any potential impact the Omicron variant has on the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines. Although information is still limited, WHO believes it is a reasonable assumption that the currently available vaccines offer some protection against severe disease and death.
It is also important to be vaccinated to protect against the other widely circulating variants, such as the Delta one. When it’s your turn, make sure to get vaccinated. If your vaccination involves two doses, it’s important to receive both in order to have the maximum protection.
According to WHO, early evidence suggests that people who have previously had COVID-19 could be reinfected more easily with Omicron, in comparison to other variants of concern. Information is still limited though and we will share updates as it becomes available.
Source: UNICEFRead more Health News
Latest update Omicron
