Coronavirus LIVE | Omicron Found In 94% Of Positive Samples In Kerala: Health Minister

Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Keep refreshing this space for all the accurate COVID-19 related news.

Representative Photo.

Coronavirus LIVE: Hello and welcome to ABP Live blog! Follow the space to get all the latest information and news from in and around the world on COVID-19.

In the view of ongoing third wave of Coronavirus pademic driven by Omicron variant, Union Home Ministry on Thursday extended the existing Covid-19 containment measures in the country till February 28.

While addressing all states and union territories (UTs), Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla said that active cases have increased to over 22 lakh even though a majority of the patients are recovering fast and a low percentage of cases are in hospitals.

"Though a majority of active cases are recovering fast and a low percentage of cases are in hospitals, it is still a matter of concern that 407 districts in 34 states and UTs are reporting a positivity rate of more than 10 per cent. Therefore, looking at the current trends of Covid virus, there is a need to exercise caution and vigilance," Bhalla said.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry informed that there are 22,02,472 active Covid cases in India. The case positivity rate is at 17.75 per cent. 11 states have reported more than 50,000 active cases. Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala have more than 3 lakh active cases.

Maharashtra on Thursday recorded 25,425 new coronavirus cases, a drop of more than 10,000 compared to the previous day, and 42 deaths. The new cases included 72 Omicron infections.

Delhi again reported a considerable decline of 42 per cent in daily Covid cases, at 4,291, against 7,498 cases on Wednesday, while there were 34 deaths.

On the other hand, Uttar Pradesh reported 8,901 fresh COVID-19 cases on Thursday, taking the number of active cases in the state to 72,393, while 20 more fatalities shot the death toll up to 23,125.

West Bengal's COVID-19 tally rose to 19,82,862 on Thursday as 3,608 people tested positive for the infection, 1,361 less than the previous day. Thirty-six more people succumbed to the infection, pushing the state's death toll to 20,481.