India reported 9,111 fresh coronavirus infections and 27 deaths in the last 24 hours, according to an update by the health ministry on Monday.
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Active cases have climbed to 60,313 and the daily positivity rate was recorded at 8.40%. Total reported cases now stand at 44.9 million, with death toll at 531,141.
Active cases comprise 0.13% of total infections, and the recovery rate stands at 98.68%, according to the ministry. Case fatality rate was recorded at 1.19%.
According to epidemiologists, covid cases have been doubling every four to five days. Scientists have said that the XBB.1.16 variant of coronavirus is responsible for the current surge.
But in a relief, the infection is supposed to be milder in nature and may not lead to a rise in hospitalisation rate as Indians have likely developed hybrid immunity due to vaccination and natural exposure to the disease. The Centre, however, has urged people to wear masks in crowded places and complete their vaccination doses.
New Zealand epidemiologist Michael Baker says that the country is experiencing its fourth wave of COVID-19 infection and warns people to stay vigilant.
He said it is not as intense as the previous waves but it is definite, with a gradual rise in the number of self-reported cases every day, as seen in RNZ’s ongoing database of COVID-19 information.
XBB.1.16 Arcturus is new COVID-19 variant under monitoring by the WHO.
The XBB.1.16 has gone from being about 0.21 percent of all COVID-19 cases worldwide in late February to an estimated 3.96% a month later. In the U.S, the XBB.1.16 accounted for an estimated 7.2% of all COVID-19 samples from April 9 to April 15, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That’s up from 3.9% the week before and 2.1% the week prior to that.
The NHS has warned Somerset residents the risk of COVID-19 remains as a new booster campaign gets underway.
The NHS in Somerset will begin the next phase of COVID-19 vaccinations from April 17 with its Spring programme, which is geared to protect the most vulnerable residents.
Adults in an older persons care home have already been receiving the vaccination since early April and almost a third have already had theirs. ■