India records 277 Covid deaths, positivity rate 10.64

Private offices closed in Delhi; Kerala sees alarming rise in Corona cases.

New Delhi: India on Tuesday reported 1,68,063 new Covid-19 cases and 277 related deaths even as the country’s active count mounted to 8,21,446, according to data from the Union Ministry of Health.

The daily positivity rate stood at 10.64 per cent. The Omicron tally, meanwhile, has reached 4,461, with Maharashtra reporting the highest number of cases (1,247), followed by Rajasthan (645) and Delhi (546).

Delhi logged 23 COVID-19 fatalities on Tuesday, the highest since June 16, and the positivity rate rose to 25.65 per cent with the government directing closure of all private offices, except those in exempted categories.

Kerala on Tuesday reported an alarming rise in daily Covid-19 cases. The state recorded 9,066 new Covid-19 cases, 2064 recoveries, and 19 deaths in the last 24 hours.

According to data shared by the health department, 21,259 cases were reported on Tuesday, the highest single-day infection since May 1.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that his government had to impose restrictions out of compulsion but a complete lockdown will not be implemented.

Noting that it is difficult to predict when the third wave of infections will peak, Kejriwal said the Centre’s representatives have assured the Delhi government that Covid-related curbs imposed in the capital will be replicated across the NCR.

The Delhi government directed the closure of all private offices, except those in exempted categories. The private offices, which were till now operating with 50 per cent workforce, have been asked to allow employees to work from home. —(PTI)