India logs 7,830 fresh COVID-19 cases, highest since September 1 last year

India on Wednesday witnessed a significant jump in the daily Covid-19 cases as compared to the day before with 7,830 new infections – taking the total tally to 4,47,76,002.

On Tuesday, a total of 5,676 cases were reported. According to the health ministry data, the active infections stand at 40,215.

A total of 4,42,04,771 people have recuperated so far with the recovery rate rising to 98.72%. Meanwhile, with 16 new fatalities, the death toll due the disease has increased to 5,31,016. The fatality rate stands at 1.19%, the health ministry data revealed.

The country had recorded a single-day jump of 7,946 COVID-19 cases on September 1 last year.

The ministry’s website confirmed that 220.66 crore doses of vaccines have been administered in the country under the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination campaign.

Delhi reported 980 fresh Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours ending Tuesday, which is the highest since August 20, 2022.

The national capital recorded a positivity rate of 25.98 per cent, and two deaths, according to a bulletin.

On August 20 last, Delhi recorded 1,109 fresh Covid-19 cases, with an increased positivity rate of 11.23 per cent, and nine fatalities due to the viral disease.

Mock drills were conducted at hospitals in Delhi to ascertain their preparedness to tackle COVID-19 amid a surge in cases in the national capital.

The mock drill conducted on Tuesday was part of a nationwide exercise to take stock of the hospitals” preparedness to tackle the surge in Covid cases.

Officials had already announced that both public and private facilities are expected to participate in the exercise conducted on April 10 and 11.

Amid a gradual increase in the number of Covid cases in Delhi, medical experts have 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)