India reported over three lakh new COVID-19 infections for the fifth straight day even though the caseload over the last 24 hours was eight per cent lower than a day before, data released by the government showed.
With the addition of 3.06 lakh cases reported today, the Covid tally in India – the second worst-hit country after the US – now stands at 3.95 crore.
The active cases now comprise 5.69 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has decreased to 93.07 per cent. The daily positivity rate – the share of coronavirus tests that return positive and considered a key marker of the pandemic’s status – is up from 17.78% to 20.75% while the weekly positivity rate was recorded at 17.03 per cent.
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 162.26 crore dose. At least 72 per cent of India’s adult population is fully vaccinated whereas around 52 per cent of children in the 15-18 years old age group have been inoculated with the first dose of Covid vaccine.
As many as 439 people have died of Covid during the past 24-hour period, according to the Health Ministry. At least 60 per cent of the patients who died during the current wave of Covid pandemic were either partially or fully unvaccinated.
Maharashtra added 40,805 COVID-19 cases, taking its tally to 75,07,225, while 44 fatalities put the total number of deaths at 1,42,115. Mumbai reported 2,550 new COVID-19 cases and 13 deaths. Schools in Maharashtra, including Mumbai, are reopening today for offline classes for the students of pre-primary and classes 1-12.
Delhi added 9,197 new cases, which is 19 per cent lower than yesterday’s number (11,486). At 13.3 per cent, the positivity rate (the number of cases detected per 100 tests) saw a dip from 16.3 per cent a day before. The national capital also reported 35 Covid deaths in the last 24 hours. The number of daily cases in Delhi has been declining after touching the record high of 28,867 on January 13.
In the south, Karnataka reported 50,210 Covid cases in the last 24 hours, two days after the state lifted the weekend curfew. Presently, there are as many over 3.57 lakh active cases in the state. On the other hand, the daily Covid curve in Tamil Nadu saw a marginal improvement with the state registering 30,580 new infections.
The Omicron variant is in the community transmission stage in the country and has become dominant in several metros where new cases have been spiking exponentially, INSACOG, the Centre’s research body, said in its latest bulletin.
The Omicron variant has moved the Covid-19 pandemic into a new phase and could bring it to an end in Europe, the WHO said Sunday. WHO Europe director Hans Kluge told news agency AFP that Omicron could infect 60 percent of Europeans by March.
The world recorded more than two million daily coronavirus cases on average between January 1 and 7 with figures doubling in 10 days, news agency AFP reported. The virus has killed over 5.4 million people since the outbreak emerged in China in December 2019.
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
