Delhi records 28,867 new Covid-19 cases; rise of 1,300 cases from previous day, positivity rate 29.21%

The National Capital on Thursday reported 28,867 new Covid-19 cases and 31 deaths in the last 24 hours, which is a 27% jump from Wednesday. The positivity rate stood at 29.21% in the capital. According to data shared by the Delhi government, the number of active cases is 94,160 cases. The Capital had recorded 27,561 new cases on Wednesday.

India registered 2,47,417 new coronavirus infections, the highest in 236 days, taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 3,63,17,927, which includes 5,488 cases of the Omicron variant, according to the data updated by the Union Health Ministry on Thursday.

The country saw a single-day jump of 620 cases of the Omicron variant, the highest so far, taking the total tally of such cases to 5,488. The number of active cases have increased to 11,17,531, the highest in 216 days, while the death toll has climbed to 4,85,035 with 380 fresh fatalities.

Though cases are rising in the national capital, hospitalisation has remained stable for the last four days, stressed Delhi health minister Satyendar Jain. “Hospital admissions have stabilised over the last four days. The hospital admission rate when 27,000 cases are being reported is the same as the time when 10,000 cases were logged. Bed occupancy rate stands at 15%,” he added.

The minister said that a stable hospitalisation rate indicated that the wave had plateaued in Delhi and pointed out that daily infections might see a decline soon. He reiterated that no lockdown would be imposed as of now. A day earlier, he said that if daily cases reduce in the next few days, the existing restrictions could also be lifted.

In Delhi, 1,700 Delhi Police personnel have tested positive for the coronavirus since January 1, officials said on Wednesday. The Delhi Police force comprises over 80,000 personnel.

Mumbai on Thursday reported 13,702 Covid-19 cases and 6 deaths in the last 24 hours. According to data shared by the BMC, the number of active cases in the city stood at 95,123. Karnataka on Thursday reported 25,005 fresh Covid-19 cases of which 18,374 infections were recorded from Bengaluru. The state also logged eight deaths, including three in the capital.

Kerala reports 13,468 fresh Covid-19 cases and 117 deaths; West Bengal reported 23,467 new Covid-19 cases and 26 deaths in the last 24 hours. Maharashtra recorded the maximum number of 1,367 cases of the Omicron variant followed by Rajasthan at 792, Delhi 549, Kerala 486 and Karnataka 479.