Covid-19 Updates: India has 2,067 new Covid-19 cases, up 66% from the previous day

In the last 24 hours, India reported 2,067 new cases of Covid-19, more than double the number recorded the day before, and 40 related deaths, according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. According to the health ministry, there were 1,247 cases and one death on Tuesday. According to the ministry’s data, 480 active cases were recorded during the same time period, bringing the total active case count to 12,340.

Following an uptick in Covid-19 cases in a few states, the Union health ministry directed four states — Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Mizoram, as well as the Union Territory of Delhi — to strictly enforce Covid-19 behaviour, with a focus on wearing masks in crowded areas. Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan raised a red flag on Tuesday, ordering them to keep a close eye on any areas of concern and take proactive measures to prevent the spread of infection.

Meanwhile, in the wake of an increase in Covid cases in Delhi, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) will meet on Wednesday to discuss the situation and is expected to reimpose a fine for not wearing face masks in public places, according to official sources. Delhi reported 632 new Covid-19 cases, with a positivity rate of 4.42 percent, down from 7.72 percent on Monday, while Maharashtra reported 137 new Covid-19 cases and three deaths.

Three cases of Covid-19 infection in a healthcare professional have been reported by the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Virology (ICMR-NIV) in Pune. On Tuesday, the study was published in the Journal of Infection. Over a 16-month period, the professional had primary SARS-CoV2 infection, breakthrough infection with Delta, and reinfection with Omicron. The findings of the study, according to NIV researchers, demonstrate the Omicron variant’s immune evasion potential, even after infection and vaccination. Researchers at NIV said the patient, a 38-year-old healthcare professional from New Delhi, had a breakthrough infection with Delta derivative (AY.112) and reinfection with the Omicron sub-lineage BA.2. Although the primary infection’s clinical specimens could not be identified, the chances of B.1 being the infecting variant are higher because the infection occurred in October 2020, when emerging variants had not been detected in India.

Picture Courtesy: Google/Images are subject to copyright