India logged 1,109 new coronavirus infections taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 4,30,33,067,while the active cases dipped to 11,492, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday.
The death count climbed to 5,21,573 with 43 fresh fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated.
The active cases comprise 0.03 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate remained at 98.76 per cent, the ministry said.
A reduction of 147 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.
The daily positivity rate was recorded as 0.24 per cent and the weekly positivity rate as 0.23 per cent, according to the ministry.
Here are the Highlights on Coronavirus cases in India:
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Researchers in the UK on Friday reported that the Omicron variant of SARS-COV-2 (COVID-19) has a lower risk of hospitalisation and a shorter duration in the vaccinated population than previous variants, including Delta.
King's College London and ZOE COVID Study scientists studied the symptoms of 62,002 vaccinated individuals to conclude that those infected with Omicron are more likely to have a sore throat and less likely to experience loss of smell compared to Delta.
The findings, published in 'The Lancet' this week, show the duration of symptoms were also significantly shorter for Omicron compared to the Delta variant - 6.87 days versus 8.89 days respectively - and participants were less likely to be hospitalised.
The cumulative COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country surpassed 185.53 crore on Friday, the Union Health Ministry said.
More than 2.16 crore (2,16,25,438) vaccine doses have been administered in the 12-14 years age group so far, it said.
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday termed the extension of the COVID-19 vaccination drive of precaution dose to all above 18 years of age as an "extra layer of safety".
The Centre on Friday announced that precaution dose will now be available to all ages above 18 years from April 10 at private vaccination centers.
"Adding an extra layer of safety! Precaution Dose to be available to 18+ age group from 10th April, 2022, at Private Vaccination Centres. All 18+ who have completed 9 months after administration of 2nd dose, would be eligible for Precaution Dose," Mandaviya tweeted.
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At least 123 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Mizoram in the last 24 hours, taking the tally to 2,25,336, a health department official said on Friday.
The COVID-19 death count remained at 687 as the state had not reported any new fatality since Monday.
The single-day positivity rate increased to 17 per cent from 13.69 per cent the previous day, he said, adding that the state had reported 101 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday.
COVID-19 "Don't Sleep Together, Hugs And Kisses Not Allowed": Residents Of Locked-Down Shanghai WarnedShanghai, China's financial hub, has fallen largely silent after the city imposed harsh movement restrictions to stem the spread of COVID.
The union territory of Puducherry continued to remain coronavirus-free for a ninth straight day as no fresh infections were reported in the last 24 hours and the active cases stood at nil, a senior Health department official said on Friday.
As many as 278 samples were tested in the last 24 hours ending 10 AM Friday and no new cases were detected, Director of Health G Sriramulu said in a release.
Shanghai Increases Covid Testing Amid Massive Covid SpikeShanghai on Friday announced a record 21,000 new cases and a third consecutive day of COVID testing as a lockdown of its 26 million people showed no sign of easing and Chinese cities tightened curbs - even in places with no recent infections.
Arunachal Pradesh's COVID-19 tally rose to 64,489 after two more persons tested positive for the infection on Friday.
The new cases were detected in West Kameng district. The COVID-19 death count in the frontier state remained at 296 as no fresh fatality was registered in the past 24 hours. As many as 64,189 people have recuperated from the disease so far in the state, including one on Thursday.
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Thane district of Maharashtra reported five new coronavirus positive cases, which raised its overall infection count to 7,08,827, an official said on Friday.
These cases were reported on Thursday.
As nobody succumbed to the infection during the day, the death toll in the district remained unchanged at 11,883. Thane's COVID-19 mortality rate is 1.67 per cent, he said.
India recorded 1,109 fresh Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours, 7.3 per cent lower than yesterday's number (1,033).
Omicron Varaint Of Covid Lasts 3 Days Less Than Delta For Boosted: StudyPeople who are vaccinated and have had a booster shot against Covid-19 recover from symptoms from the Omicron variant more than three days earlier than those with the Delta variant, a study said Friday.
