India logged 2,47,417 new Covid cases, this is the highest in 236 days. The total tally of COVID-19 cases stands at 3,63,17,927 which also includes 5,488 cases of the Omicron variant, as per the Union Health Ministry data updated Thursday.
Also, India recorded a single-day jump of 620 cases of the Omicron variant. This is also the highest so far, taking the total caseload to 5,488, out of which 2,162 people have recovered or migrated.
Moreover, Maharashtra recorded the maximum number of 1,367 cases of the Omicron variant. Rajasthan stands at 792, Delhi 549, Kerala 486 and Karnataka 479 respectively.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been keeping a close watch on the rising Covid cases in the country.
Mr Modi is holding an online meeting with a number of chief ministers today.
The PM also urged all state leaders to ensure adequate health infrastructure at the district level.
The current surge in cases comes as five densely populated states including Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Goa, Manipur and Uttarakhand are to go for Assembly polls.
The Election Commission has banned physical campaign events and rallies till January 15.
The government rolled out vaccinations for children between 15 and 18 years old, as well as booster doses for frontline workers and those over 60 with co-morbidities.
This morning India reported over 2.47 lakh new cases in the last 24 hours.
Experts believe the third wave of Covid in India, to a great extent, is fueled by the Omicron variant that was first reported in South Africa.
As per the government data, the positivity rate in Delhi has increased to 26.22 per cent. This is the highest since May 4 when it was at 26.7 per cent.
Delhi has already recorded 133 fatalities in the first 12 days of this month.
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