COVID-19
India recorded 11,109 new COVID-19 infections, the highest in 236 days, while the active cases increased to 49,622, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday.
Death toll increased
The death toll climbed to 5,31,064 with 29 latest deaths.
While three deaths each were reported from Delhi and Rajasthan, two each were from Chhattisgarh and Punjab and one each from Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharastra, Odisha, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh besides nine reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated.
The daily positivity rate was recorded at 5.01 per cent while the weekly positivity rate was pegged at 4.29 per cent.
The COVID-19 case tally was recorded at approx. 4.47 crore (4,47,97,269)
The active cases now comprise 0.11 per cent of the total infections and the national COVID-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.70 per cent, the ministry said.
The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,42,16,586 and the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.19 per cent.
According to the ministry’s website, 220.66 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide vaccination drive.
What do experts say?
Amid the increase in coronavirus cases, experts said the virus’ new XBB.1.16 variant could be driving the surge. However, they maintained that there is no need to panic and people should follow COVID-19-appropriate behaviour and get their booster shots.
Moreover, they added that the surge in the number of cases could be the result of more people getting tested for COVID-19 as a precaution when they actually get infected with the influenza virus and develop fever and related symptoms. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has said the rise in the number of influenza cases is due to the Influenza A sub-type H3N2. The H3N2 virus is leading to more hospitalisation than the other subtypes. The symptoms include a runny nose, persistent cough and fever.
