India reports 5,676 new Covid cases, active infections cross 37,000-mark

India has recorded 5,676 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the total tally to 4.47 crore (4,47,68,172), according to the Union Health Ministry’s latest update on Tuesday. The active cases have increased to 37,093, accounting for 0.08% of the total infections, and the national COVID-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.73%.

The death toll has increased to 5,31,000 with 21 deaths. Three deaths each were reported from Delhi, Punjab, and Rajasthan, two in Karnataka, and one each in Gujarat, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu, besides six reconciled by Kerala.

The ministry also reported that 220.66 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered so far under the nationwide vaccination drive.

Meanwhile, Delhi on Monday logged 484 fresh Covid-19 cases with a positivity rate of 26.58 per cent, meaning that nearly one in every four people tested returned a positive result, according to data shared by the city government’s Health department.

Three people suffering from Covid-19 died in the national capital. However, the health bulletin stated that Covid-19 was not the primary cause of death.

With the addition of the fresh cases, Delhi’s Covid-19 tally has risen to 20,15,121. The death count stands at 26,543, the bulletin stated.

Delhi logged 699 Covid-19 cases with a positivity rate of 21.15 per cent on Sunday while four patients had died.

The city recorded 535 cases on Saturday with a positivity rate of 23.05 per cent.

The national capital logged 733 cases — the highest in more than seven months — on Friday with a positivity rate of 19.93 per cent.

On Thursday, 606 cases were recorded with a positivity rate of 16.98 per cent, and one fatality.

On Wednesday, Delhi added 509 cases with a positivity rate of 26.54 per cent, the highest in nearly 15 months. In January last year, the positivity rate had touched the 30-per cent mark.

According to the bulletin, 1,821 Covid-19 tests were conducted in Delhi on Sunday. Delhi has witnessed a spurt in the number of fresh Covid infections over the last fortnight amid a sharp rise in H3N2 influenza cases in the country.

The number of fresh cases had dropped to zero on January 16, the first time since the outbreak of the pandemic.

The Health department on Monday said 151 of the 7,940 beds in the city’s dedicated Covid hospitals are occupied while 1,715 patients are in home isolation.

The number of active cases currently stands at 2,338, it added.

Amid a gradual increase in the number of Covid cases in Delhi, medical experts said the virus’ new XBB.1.16 variant could be driving the surge.

However, they maintained that there is no need to panic and people should follow Covid-appropriate behaviour and get booster shots of vaccines.

They also said this rise in the number of cases could be the 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 has said the rise in the number of influenza cases is due to the Influenza A sub-type H3N2.

The H3N2 virus is leading to more hospitalisation than the other subtypes. The symptoms include a runny nose, persistent cough and fever. ( With inputs from PTI)