India reports 3,038 fresh Covid cases, Delhi’s positivity rate rises to 18.53%

India recorded 3,038 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, bringing the country’s total Covid-19 tally to 4.47 crore (4,47,29,284), according to the Union Health Ministry.

Active cases increased to 21,179, while the death toll climbed to 5,30,901 with nine deaths reported in the last 24 hours.

Two deaths each were reported from Delhi and Punjab, one each was reported from Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra and Uttarakhand, and two were reconciled by Kerala.

The ministry added that the active cases now comprise 0.05 per cent of the total infections, and the national COVID-19 recovery rate stood at 98.76 per cent.

As per the ministry’s website, India has administered 220.66 crore doses of Covid vaccine so far under the nationwide vaccination drive.

Meanwhile, Delhi recorded 293 fresh Covid-19 cases on Monday, with a positivity rate of 18.53 per cent.

Two Covid-related deaths were reported, but the primary cause of death was not coronavirus. The city’s COVID-19 death toll stands at 26,532. Delhi has witnessed an increase in the number of fresh Covid cases over the last few days amid a sharp rise in the figure of H3N2 influenza cases in the country.

Medical experts believe that the new XBB.1.16 variant of the virus could be driving the surge in cases. However, they maintain that there is no need to panic and people should follow Covid-appropriate behavior and get booster shots of the vaccines.

They also say this rise in the number of cases could be a result of more people getting themselves tested for Covid 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 virus, which is leading to more hospitalization than other sub-types. The symptoms include a runny nose, persistent cough, and fever.

The Delhi government is keeping an eye on the spurt in Covid cases in the national capital and is “prepared to face any eventuality,” Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had said.

The city has 1,406 active cases, and a hundred of the 7,989 beds are occupied in dedicated Covid hospitals.

The health department said that 1,022 patients are in home isolation, and 1,581 Covid tests were conducted on Sunday. (With inputs from PTI)