India records 13,154 fresh COVID-19 cases, highest single-day spike in 7 weeks

India witnessed a massive spike of 13,154 new COVID-19 cases, its largest single-day spike in seven weeks as the number of daily infections continued to rise in several regions on Thursday. Maharashtra reported the highest number of 3,900 new infections, followed by Kerala at 2,846 cases, West Bengal (1,089), and Delhi (923). India had reported 9,155 new cases on Tuesday, and 6,139 on Monday.

With 13,154 people testing positive for Coronavirus infection in a day, India's total tally of COVID-19 cases rose to 3,48,22,040, while the active cases increased to 82,402. The death toll has climbed to 4,80,860 with 268 fresh fatalities, the data stated.

The active cases comprise 0.24 percent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.38 percent, the Union Health Ministry said.

Omicron cases surge to 961

The surge is likely to be driven by the Omicron variant, which has been spreading at an alarming rate in several regions amid the festive season. The number of Omicron infections surged to 946 on Thursday, with 161 of these confirmed in the last 24 hours. At least 241 patients infected by the new “variant of concern” have recovered. Delhi saw the highest single day rise of 263 Omicron cases followed by Maharashtra at 252, Gujarat 91, Rajasthan 69, and Kerala 65.

An increase of 5,400 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of  24 hours. Earlier, India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16. It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19. India crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4 and three crore on June 23. 

(With inputs from agency)