India Covid-19 cases: The active cases in the country presently stand at 22,23,018. (File)
India recorded 2,85,914 new coronavirus cases today, 11.7 per cent higher than yesterday's 2.55 lakh figure. The total infection tally in India - the second worst-hit country after the US - has crossed 4 crore cases, according to Union Health Ministry data.
The active cases in India now comprise 5.55 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate marginally increased to 93.23 per cent. The active cases presently stand at 22,23,018.
The daily positivity rate, which is the share of coronavirus tests that return positive -- considered to be a key marker of the pandemic's status -- has marginally risen to 16.16 per cent from yesterday's 15.5 per cent, while the weekly positivity rate was recorded at 17.33 per cent.
The country also added 665 fresh fatalities in the past 24 hours, taking the Covid-related death count since the start of the pandemic to 4,91,127.
Here are the Highlights on coronavirus cases in India:
Govt to review situation, decide about reopening tourist places: Aaditya ThackerayMaharashtra tourism minister Aaditya Thackeray on Wednesday said the chief minister will review the coronavirus situation next week and take decision about reopening tourist places and monuments in the state.
He was speaking to reporters after holding a meeting of tourism department officials here.
"Covid infection figures in Aurangabad have not yet come down much. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray will review the situation next week and decide about opening the monuments and tourist places," Aaditya Thackeray said.
Over half of Delhi citizens want weekend curfew to continue: SurveyFifty four per cent of Delhiites are in favour of lifting the odd-even restrictions in markets but want the weekend curfew to continue till the positivity rate declines to five per cent, a survey has claimed.
Delhi had seen an uptick in COVID-19 infections, mainly triggered by the Omicron variant, but the cases have seen a decline over the last 10 days.
Gujarat reports 14,781 COVID-19 cases, 21 deathsThe coronavirus caseload in Gujarat on Wednesday crossed the 11 lakh-mark with addition of 14,781 new cases, the state health department said.
The tally of infections in the state reached 11,07,749.
With 21 patients succumbing to the viral infection during the day, the death toll reached 10,323.
Mumbai reports 1,858 COVID-19 cases, 13 deathsMumbai reported 1,858 new coronavirus infections and 13 deaths on Wednesday, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said in a release.
The city has been reporting fewer than 2,000 cases for the last three days.
The caseload of the financial capital of the country went up to 10,40,363, while death toll rose to 16,569.
Active COVID-19 cases reduce by 50% within 2 weeks in DelhiThe number of active Covid-19 cases in Delhi has halved in just 12 days after rising to a high of 94,160 on January 13, while it took 21 days for the active caseload to drop by half during the second wave last year.
The third wave of the pandemic saw the active cases peaking to 94,160 on January 13. The number dropped to 42,010 by Tuesday.
During the ferocious second wave last year, active cases had risen to a high of 99,752 on April 28 and the number reduced to 45,047 by May 19.
Each dose of Covishield, Covaxin likely to be capped at Rs 275
The price of Covishield and Covaxin, the Covid vaccines which are expected to soon get regular market approval from India's drug regulator, is likely to be capped at Rs 275 per dose plus an additional service charge of Rs 150, official sources said.
According to them, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has been directed to start working towards capping the price to make the vaccines affordable.
Despite Covid, India displays tremendous resilience, capability: Kerala Governor in Republic Day speech
Leading the 73rd Republic Day celebrations in Kerala, Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Wednesday said as the largest democracy in the world, India's voyage has been steered by modern ideas of governance, the urge to ensure equality and justice and firm resolve to defend against all forms of aggression.
Despite the pandemic spread, the nation has displayed tremendous resilience and capability, scope of synergy and leadership in every sphere and our spirit of patriotism and pride in our march towards the pinnacle of prosperity and power are boundless, he said.
2.85 lakh new Covid cases in India, 11.7% higher than yesterday
India reported 2,85,914 new Covid cases in the last 24 hours, while its active caseload stands at 22,23,018. The daily positivity rate is at 16.16%.
Coronavirus News: US Withdraws Covid Vaccination-Or-Testing Mandate For BusinessesPresident Joe Biden's administration on Tuesday formally withdrew the Covid vaccination-or-testing mandate for large businesses that was struck down by the Supreme Court.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) said that although it was withdrawing the mandate it "strongly encourages vaccination of workers against the continuing dangers posed by Covid-19 in the workplace."
The conservative-dominated Supreme Court delivered a blow to Biden this month when it blocked his vaccination-or-testing mandate for businesses with 100 employees or more.