India reported 90,928 fresh COVID-19 cases on Thursday, over 56 per cent higher than the previous day's cases. In order to deal with the surge, the government is speeding up vaccination drives across the country. Those in the age group 15-18 are now being inoculated.
The number of deaths climbed to 4,82,876 with 325 more fatalities, the data showed.
A total of 2,630 cases of Omicron variant of coronavirus have been detected across 23 states and Union Territories so far, out of which 995 have recovered or migrated, according to the Union health ministry's data updated on Wednesday.
Several states have announced restrictions like night curfew as Covid cases continue to rise.
Here are the Highlights on Coronavirus cases in India:
Assam reported 844 new cases of coronavirus on Thursday, in another massive spike in virus cases believed to be driven by the new Omicron variant. Of these, 369 new cases were reported in Guwahati alone. Active cases in the state stands at 2,689.
COVID-19 | Tamil Nadu reports 6,983 new cases, 721 recoveries and 11 deaths. Active cases 22,828 pic.twitter.com/dqUYzH6MGk
- ANI (@ANI) January 6, 2022
Karnataka reports 5,031 fresh #COVID19 cases and one death in the last 24 hours pic.twitter.com/mfKsamtILd
- ANI (@ANI) January 6, 2022
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- Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) January 6, 2022
Delhi reported 15,097 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, a 41% increase since yesterday (10,665). This is the highest daily infections recorded since May 8 in the city. Besides, six Covid-related deaths were also reported during this 24-hour period. Delhi's positivity rate stands at 15.34 per cent. Read here.
Uttar Pradesh today reported 3,121 new Covid cases, besides one virus-related death in the last 24 hours. Noida reported 600 new cases, Lucknow 408 and Ghaziabad 382. Noida, Ghaziabad and Lucknow all have over 1,000 active cases now. A day ago, all schools till Class 10 in UP were closed till January 16.
Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya meets doctors and health workers who have tested positive for COVID19 at AIIMS Delhi
- ANI (@ANI) January 6, 2022
Many of our doctors, health workers have been affected with COVID19 while serving patients, I pray for their good health, the minister says. pic.twitter.com/C3uGVyXYfw
More restrictions will be imposed in Uttarakhand if required, said Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday while assuring preparedness with the necessary healthcare infrastructure. Over the prevailing COVID-19 situation, he told news agency ANI that the state government does not want to take any risks and a check is being kept at airports, buses, educational institutions among other places. He further informed that a detailed discussion was held on Wednesday about the surge in cases and have decided to take decisions in this regard in a day or two.
With Congress deciding to go ahead with its 'padayatra' (march), demanding implementation of the Mekedatu project across the Cauvery river, despite the government's COVID-19 restrictions, Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra has warned of action in case of violation of rules. "They (Congress) are not behaving like a responsible opposition, at the time when the state is amid a pandemic. How to behave is left to them, people are watching. Not doing anything (on Mekedatu) for six and half years while in power, they are now saying they will agitate for the sake of water. During normal situations they had every right to do it, but this is not the time," Mr Jnanendra said.
Delhi, Mumbai, and other big cities in India are experiencing a surge in Covid cases, driven by the Omicron variant, which is now present in 26 states. India reported 90,928 new daily Covid cases today, the highest in over 200 days. Read the top 10 points of this big story here:
#BREAKING | Over 90,000 New Covid Cases In India, 56.5% Up From Yesterday pic.twitter.com/ZfKBt0pBRR
- NDTV (@ndtv) January 6, 2022
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday called for a sense of urgency in dealing with the new surge in COVID cases and to apply the lessons of the past waves of the pandemic. Read more here.