With 31,923 new Covid cases in the last 24 hours — which is an increase of 18.4 per cent from a day ago— the country’s total caseload now stands at 3,35,63,421. The top five states which have registered maximum cases are Kerala with 19,675 cases, followed by Maharashtra with 3,608 cases, Tamil Nadu with 1,682 cases, Andhra Pradesh with 1,365 cases and Mizoram with 1,294 cases. India reported 282 in the last 24 hours, taking the total death toll to 4,46,050.
Cautioning that the second Covid-19 wave is yet not over, the Government warned the people to avoid mass gatherings during festivities. Dr Balram Bhargava, Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research said, mass gatherings should be avoided in areas identified as containment zones and in districts reporting more than 5% case positivity.
Though India is showing a decline in new Covid-19 numbers, the surge isn’t over, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan too reiterated at the Health Ministry press conference. “We have to continue adhering to norms. We have to ensure that people should take their vaccination.”
The ministry recommended that relaxations and restrictions can be imposed based on weekly case positivity. The states have been asked to allow gatherings with advance permissions and limited people (as per the state’s cap) to be allowed in districts with a positivity rate of 5% and below. “Kerala and Mizoram remain states of concern.”
Dr Bhargava said that a detailed SOP has been issued by the centre to states and UTs regarding precautions to be taken during festive season. 33 districts in the country have over 10% test positivity rate, according to data presented by the ministry.
Weekly positivity rate is less than 3% for the 12th consecutive week, he said.
Six states and UTs - Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Goa, Sikkim, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Lakshwadeep have vaccinated 100% of their population with one dose.