Coronavirus Update: India Reports 949 COVID Cases As Infections Surge In Delhi, Active Cases Rise

The COVID positivity rate in the national capital jumped from 0.5 per cent to 2.39 per cent in a week.

An increase of 133 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours. (Representative Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: India on Friday reported 949 new coronavirus infections, 810 recoveries, and 6 deaths in 24 hours.

According to the Union health ministry data, India's infection tally rose to 4,30,39,972, while the active cases have risen to 11,191.

The ministry data updated at 8 am showed that the total recoveries were at 4,25,07,038, while the death toll climbed to 5,21,743.

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 country's daily COVID positivity rate was reported to be at 0.23 per cent and the weekly positivity rate at 0.25 per cent.

186.30 crore vaccine doses have been administered so far under the Nationwide Vaccination Drive.

COVID Surge In Delhi

Notably, Delhi reported 325 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, while the positivity rate stood at 2.39 per cent, according to data shared by the city's health department.

There were no fresh COVID-related fatalities. However, the COVID positivity rate in the national capital jumped from 0.5 per cent to 2.39 per cent in a week.

Reports of infections from schools have sparked concerns in the national capital, weeks after they opened for completely offline classes following a two-year gap due to the pandemic.

The Delhi government has issued a fresh advisory for schools amid reports of a few students testing positive for COVID-19 across the national capital and NCR.

Noting a "slight" rise in COVID-19 cases, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said, "COVID cases have slightly increased but there is no rise in hospitalisation, so we need not worry. There is no need to panic but (we have to) stay alert. We have to learn to live with COVID. We are constantly monitoring the situation."

Schools in Delhi have been asked to close the entire premises or specific wings temporarily if any student or staff tests positive for COVID-19.

In view of the uptick in COVID cases, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) will hold a meeting on April 20 where it may consider bringing back the mask mandate.

(With Agency Inputs)