New Covid-19 cases in the country in a day rose to 8-month high as the Union Health Ministry data put the number at 12,591 on Thursday.

With 40 deaths in a day, the death toll has increased to 5,31,230. The active cases have increased to 65,286.

The total tally of Covid cases was recorded at 4.48 crore. The daily positivity rate was 5.46 per cent and the weekly positivity rate was 5.32 per cent.

Active cases now comprise 0.15 per cent of the total infections, while the national Covid-19 recovery rate was 98.67 per cent, according to the Health Ministry website.

The number of people who have recuperated from the disease has surged to 4,42,61, 476 while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.18 per cent.

According to the ministry’s website, 220.66 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide Covid-19 vaccination drive.

Delhi on Thursday logged 1,603 Covid-19 cases with a positivity rate of 26.75 per cent along with three fatalities.

With the new fatalities, the death toll from the pandemic rose to 26,581 in the national capital. Out of 7,976 Covid beds, 390 are occupied, the data showed.

 Delhi had recorded 1,537 Covid cases on Tuesday with a positivity rate of 26.54 per cent. On Wednesday, the city reported six deaths along with 1,757 new cases with a positivity rate of 28.63 per cent.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has tested positive for Covid-19, officials said on Thursday. He is currently under home quarantine with mild symptoms. A team of doctors examined him and advised him rest, the Defence Ministry said.

He was scheduled to attend the Indian Air Force Commanders’ Conference in Delhi on Thursday, but had to skip it after testing positive for the virus, it said.