India recorded 1,68,063 new Covid cases today, 6.4 per cent lower than yesterday, which included 4,461 cases of Omicron variant. The country also reported 277 deaths in the last 24 hours due to coronavirus.
The daily positivity rate came down to 10.64 per cent today from 13.29 per cent yesterday. The weekly positivity rate was recorded at 8.85 per cent. On Monday, the country had recorded 1.79 lakh Covid cases.
The number of active cases at present stands at 8,21,446, which is 2.29 per cent of the total cases. The overall Covid case tally has increased to 3,58,75,790 while the death count rose to 4,84,213 in India.
At least 69,959 recoveries in the last 24 hours took the total number of recoveries to 3,45,70,131. The recovery rate in India is currently at 96.36 per cent.
India has administered 152.89 crore vaccine doses till now. The country began administering a “precautionary” dose against the infection from Monday. More than 9 lakh healthcare and frontline workers and 60-plus citizens with comorbidities received their third Covid jab on the first day, the Health Ministry said.
Maharashtra, one of the worst-hit states by the Covid pandemic, reported 33,470 new COVID-19 cases, which included 1,247 cases of Omicron variant, and eight deaths on Monday. Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope said the third wave of the coronavirus pandemic has started which will peak by January-end.
India has conducted 69.31 crore Covid tests till now, of which 15,79,928 were tested yesterday, the Ministry of Health said.
In a new advisory, the government’s top medical body said contacts of COVID-19 patients, unless identified as high-risk, don’t need to be tested. It said asymptomatic individuals in community settings, patients who stand discharged as per home isolation guidelines, also patients discharged from a COVID-19 facility and individuals undertaking inter-state domestic travel need not be tested.
Delhi reported 19,166 cases on Monday every fourth person getting tested for Covid in the city is being found positive. The positivity rate in the national capital stood at 25 per cent, the highest since May 5. New restrictions have been imposed on dining out and restaurants amid rising cases.
India is witnessing a hospitalisation rate of 5-10 per cent in the third Covid wave, the government has said, adding that the situation is “dynamic and evolving and the need of hospital care may change rapidly”.
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday called on states and Union territories to ensure there is no lapse in the preparation to battle Covid surge and stressed maintaining a holistic synergy for seamless management of the pandemic.
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
