India reports 2,151 fresh Covid-19 cases, highest since October 2022

India recorded its highest single-day rise of 2,151 new coronavirus cases in five months, according to Union health ministry data updated on Wednesday. This marks an increase from the 2,208 cases recorded on October 28 last year.

The active cases have also increased to 11,903.

Meanwhile, the COVID-19 death toll has increased to 5,30,848, with seven latest fatalities reported in Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Kerala.

The daily positivity rate was recorded at 1.51 per cent, while the weekly positivity rate was pegged at 1.53 per cent.

The total tally of Covid cases was recorded at 4.47 crore (4,47,09,676). 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.

The number of people who have recovered from the disease surged to 4,41,66,925, 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.

Meanwhile, Delhi has reported 214 new COVID-19 cases on March 28, crossing the 200 mark for the first time since September 2021.

The city’s positivity rate increased to 11.82%, according to the health department’s data. Delhi’s total COVID-19 cases now stand at 20,09,061, with a death toll of 26,524. The recent surge in cases comes amid a sharp rise in H3N2 influenza cases across the country.

The number of active cases in the city is currently 538, with 46 of the 7,985 Covid-19 hospital beds occupied, and 410 patients in home isolation. On March 27, 1,811 Covid-19 tests were conducted, reflecting an increase in testing.

Amid a gradual increase in the number of Covid cases in Delhi, medical experts say the new XBB.1.16 variant of the virus could be driving the surge. However, they maintain that there is no need to panic and people should follow Covid-appropriate behaviour 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.

Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj had said there were not many influenza cases in the city hospitals and the situation was being monitored closely.

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.

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