India records 3,016 new Covid-19 cases, highest in nearly 6 months

India saw a single-day rise of 3,016 fresh coronavirus cases, the highest in nearly six months, while the active cases increased to 13,509, according to the Union health ministry data updated on Thursday. A total of 3,375 cases were recorded on October 2 last year.
The country’s Covid-19 death toll has increased to 5,30,862 with 14 latest fatalities — three reported by Maharashtra, two from Delhi and one reported by Himachal Pradesh in a span of 24 hours and eight reconciled by Kerala. According to the ministry data updated at 8am, the daily positivity was recorded at 2.73 per cent, while the weekly positivity was pegged at 1.71 per cent. The infection tally stands at 4.47 crore (4,47,12,692).
The active cases now comprise 0.03 per cent of the total infections, while the national Covid-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.78 per cent, according to the health ministry website.
The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,41,68,321, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.19 per cent.
According to the ministry’s website, 220.65 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide Covid-19 vaccination drive.
Several states plan to hold emergency meetings over the alarming rise in Covid cases this week. Delhi, where the infection count had dropped to 0 on January 16, recorded 300 cases in the last 24 hours. Delhi government today urged citizens not to panic.
After a meeting to review the situation, the Aam Aadmi Party government asked those with flu-like symptoms to visit masks when visiting hospitals.
Several districts in Maharashtra such as Mumbai, Pune, Thane and Sangli have also reported a sharp rise in Covid cases. Maharashtra government says that despite all their efforts, many people are not taking the Covid vaccine booster dose. Officials say that not even 1 crore people have taken the booster dose in the state yet.