Delhi reported over 700 COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours this year
The national capital today reported over 700 cases of COVID-19 in a 24-hour period for the first time this year. At least 716 cases were reported in the last 24 hours, according to government data released this evening.
The number is the highest for Delhi this year and also the highest since the last time it breached the 700-mark on December 27 with 757 cases.
The city reported 609 cases yesterday.
The recovery rate as of today is 97.81 per cent and mortality rate is 1.69 per cent. The daily positivity rate is 0.93 per cent.
There has been a surge in COVID-19 cases in several states including Maharashtra and Punjab. Several states have announced fresh lockdowns in a limited way in small pockets and districts.
Health experts and doctors have attributed the surge in cases to people turning complacent, not following Covid-appropriate behaviour and assuming all is well now.
Mumbai reported its biggest rise in COVID-19 cases for a second day in a row. The financial capital reported 3,062 cases today, up from yesterday's 2,877 cases.
Delhi has not announced any fresh measures or hinted at a lockdown. Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, however, while asking people to strictly follow safety rules warned that a full state lockdown is possible if cases kept rising.
Overall, there has been a big jump in cases of mutant coronavirus strains since their presence was detected in India. They are suspected to be behind the rise in cases.
The rise in cases also comes amid the ongoing vaccination drive across the country. The drive will be expanded in the coming days, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said today.
During Question Hour in Lok Sabha, Mr Vardhan said India has vaccinated 3.5 to 4 crore people so far and any likely side effect of the vaccines has been recorded at 0.000432 per cent.
"Every vaccine doesn't require universal immunisation and all these priority groups whom we are vaccinating today like healthcare staff first and then senior citizens and people aged between 45 and 59 years, it will be extended in the coming days... All these are based on expert opinion, not only Indian experts, but we have also consulted WHO guidelines regarding priority groups," Mr Vardhan said.