India reported 309 fresh Omicron infections, taking the total number of such cases in the country to 1,270, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday.
The 1,270 cases have been detected across 23 states and Union Territories so far, and 374 people have recovered or migrated. Maharashtra recording the maximum number of 450 cases followed by Delhi at 320, Kerala 109 and Gujarat 97.
The daily rise in COVID-19 cases crossed the 16,000 mark after around 64 days taking India's total number of COVID-19 cases to 3,48,38,804, while the active cases increased to 91,361 ,according to the data updated at 8 am.
India saw 16,764 new infections being reported in a day, while the number of deaths climbed to 4,81,080 with 220 daily fatalities, the data stated.
The active cases have increased to 91,361 comprising 0.26 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.36 per cent, the health ministry said.
Here are the Highlights on Coronavirus cases in India:
Mumbai today logged a massive 47% jump in daily Covid cases as 5,428 infections were reported from the financial capital in 24 hours. At 8,067 Covid cases, Maharashtra saw a 50% spike in daily cases. Eight deaths were reported in the same period.
"Ending the year on a great note," Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya tweetd as India achieved the milestone of administering 145 crore Covid doses on New Year's Eve.
The biggest challenge India will face amid the Omicron crisis will be the sudden need for medical care, WHO Chief Scientist Soumya Swaminathan said.
An unsung arm of the immune system appears to protect against severe disease with the omicron variant even when antibodies wane, helping to explain why a record wave of infections hasn't engulfed hospitals so far.