India Sees 1,300 New COVID-19 Cases In 24 Hours, The Highest In 140 Days

A day after India recorded the highest single-day rise in COVID-19 cases in 2023, the country added 1,300 fresh infections.

This is only the second time this year that the 24-hour COVID-19 cases have crossed the 1000-mark.

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COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra, Delhi

Among the states, Maharashtra on Wednesday reported 334 new cases and one COVID death.

Delhi on Wednesday reported 84 new COVID infections with a positivity rate of 5.08 per cent.

Himachal Pradesh logged 64 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours.

With this, India's total active caseload currently stands at 7,605, which is 0.02 per cent of total cases.

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The recovery of 718 patients in the last 24 hours took the cumulative tally to 4,41,60,997. Consequently, India's recovery rate stands at 98.79 per cent.

The daily positivity rate is 1.46 per cent, while the weekly positivity rate is 1.08 per cent.

3 COVID-19 deaths in 24 hours

The past 24 hours also saw three COVID-19 deaths, according to Thursday's Union health ministry data.

With the fresh fatalities, one each from Gujarat, Karnataka and Maharashtra, the death toll due to the virus reached 5,30,816.

PM Modi holds review meeting

On Wednesday, amid the rise in COVID-19 cases nationwide, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting and called for maintaining vigil and precaution.

Chaired a meeting to review the preparedness on COVID-19 and Influenza. Discussed ramping up genome sequencing, improving preparedness of hospitals and importance of Covid appropriate behaviour. It is important to remain vigilant and take all precautions. https://t.co/amrzlwtcUL

¡ª Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 22, 2023

Emphasising that the pandemic is "far from over", the PM stressed on the need to enhance genome sequencing and keep COVID-appropriate behaviour, an official statement said.

During the meeting, a comprehensive presentation was made covering the global COVID situation, including the rising cases in India, by the Secretary of Health Rajesh Bhushan.

The prime minister was briefed that India has been witnessing a slight rise in new cases, with average daily cases reported as 888 and weekly positivity reported as 0.98 per cent in the week ending March 22. However, 1.08 lakh daily average cases have been reported globally during the same week.

The action taken on the directions given by Modi during the last COVID review held on December 22, 2022, was also briefed, the statement said.

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He was informed that the availability and prices of 20 main COVID drugs, 12 other drugs, eight buffer drugs, and one influenza drug are being monitored.

A mock drill was also conducted on December 27, 2022, in 22,000 hospitals, and many remedial measures were taken by hospitals thereafter.

XBB.1.16 variant behind new spike

According to health experts, the new XBB.1.16 variant could be driving the recent rise in COVID-19 cases in India.

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On Wednesday, former AIIMS director Dr Randeep Guleria said that new variants will keep coming as the virus mutates over time.

"As long as they don't lead to severe illness, hospitalisation and deaths, it is alright because it helps in giving some degree of immunity to the population if they have mild illness," he said.

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