1. India records 841 new COVID-19 cases, the highest daily increase in over seven months.
2. The active caseload rises to 4,309 from 3,997.
3. Three new deaths reported in Kerala, Karnataka, and Bihar.
New Delhi, Dec 31: India recorded 841 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, marking the highest daily increase in over seven months, according to data from the Union Health Ministry.
The active caseload increased to 4,309 from 3,997 the previous day, with three new deaths reported in Kerala, Karnataka, and Bihar.
The spike in cases follows a period of relatively low infection rates, with daily cases in double digits until December 5.
The emergence of the JN.1 sub-variant and colder weather conditions have contributed to the recent increase. Since the beginning of the pandemic in January 2020, India has reported a total of 4.50 crore cases and 5,33,361 deaths.
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Despite the recent surge, India maintains a high recovery rate of 98.81%, with 4.44 crore people having recovered from the illness.
The country has administered over 220.67 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccines as part of its nationwide vaccination campaign.
As the new year approaches, health authorities remain vigilant, closely monitoring the situation and urging citizens to adhere to COVID-19 safety protocols to prevent further spread of the virus.
Experts recommend that individuals with comorbidities and the elderly avoid crowded places and wear face masks, emphasizing that there is currently no need for additional public health measures.
The JN.1 sub-variant has been reported in nine states, with Goa and Kerala having the highest counts at 47 and 41, respectively. Other states with JN.1 cases include Gujarat (36), Karnataka (34), Maharashtra (9), Rajasthan (4), Tamil Nadu (4), Telangana (2), and Delhi (1).
Health officials are actively monitoring the situation and addressing concerns related to the new variant.
