India has recorded 1,590 fresh Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, the highest in 146 days, taking the cumulative tally to 8,601 cases across the country. The recent surge in coronavirus infections that is said to be dominated by the XBB.1.16 subvariant of the Omicron strain has raised a cautionary alarm over preparedness across hospitals.
With the fresh cases, India'sCovid-19 tally has climbed to 4,47,02,257. This is also at a time when India has reported a spike in influenza cases, particularly in the H3N2 viral infections.
Maharashtra, Telangana, Gujarat and Delhi are among the states reporting a higher number of Covid infections recently. All of these states have reported the XBB.1.16 subvariant, according to the Union health ministry.
The death count due to the viral disease has gone up to 5,30,824 with six more fatalities in the last 24 hours – three reported from Maharashtra and one each recorded in Karnataka, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand, according to the ministry's data updated at 8 am.
The daily positivity was recorded at 1.33 per cent while the weekly positivity was pegged at 1.23 per cent.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting to review the situation and public health preparedness. The prime minister emphasized Covid-appropriate behaviour including the wearing of masks on hospital premises by patients, health professionals and health workers, a statement from the prime minister’s office said.
He also advised wearing face masks to senior citizens and those with co-morbidities when they visit crowded areas.
According to the ministry's website, 220.65 crore doses of anti-Covid vaccines have so far been administered to beneficiaries across the country.
