While cases have surged, experts say India has reached a stage of endemicity, i.e. the stage where an infectious disease does not overwhelm the health infrastructure every time it appears again.
The Covid case tally was recorded at 4.47 crore (4,47,97,269). The active cases now comprise 0.11 per cent of the total infections and the national COVID-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.70 per cent, the ministry said. COVID-19 Surge: India Records 11,109 New Coronavirus Cases in Past 24 Hours, Highest in 236 Days; Death Toll Rises by 29.
Hospitalisation due to COVID-19 occurred in 32 participants who received a bivalent mRNA booster vaccination and 541 who did not receive a bivalent booster vaccination. Analysis showed this to mean a 72 per cent reduction in hospitalisation risk in those receiving the bivalent booster. Pfizer Bivalent Vaccine Reduces COVID-19-Related Death Risk by 68% in Older People: Study.
Amid a gradual increase in the number of Covid cases in Delhi, medical experts have said the virus new XBB.1.16 variant could be driving the surge. However, they maintained that there is no need to panic and people should follow Covid-appropriate behaviour and get their booster shots. 📰 COVID-19 Cases in Delhi May Peak in Couple of Weeks, Says LNJP Hospital Medical Director.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Manoj Agrawal said: "We are focusing on contact tracing to nip virus transmission in the bud. For every one positive case, around 50 odd persons are being tested. People should start following Covid-19 protocols." COVID-19 Surge in Uttar Pradesh: Lucknow Reports Highest Single-Day Spike Coronavirus Cases in 2023.