A woman wearing a protective face mask walks past a mural on a street, amidst the spread of the coronavirus in Mumbai, India. (Reuters)
With the third wave of the coronavirus pandemic showing signs of waning in the national capital, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority has decided to revoke several Covid restrictions, including the weekend curfew and odd-even rule at markets. Cinema halls have also been permitted to open at 50 per cent capacity.
India saw a marginal rise in fresh cases, reporting over 2.86 lakh (2,86,364) in the last 24 hours, ending at 9 am on Thursday. With around 3.06 lakh (3,06,357) recoveries, the number of active cases has declined to 22 lakh (22,02,472). The daily positivity rate has increased slightly to 19.59 per cent, while the weekly positivity rate is now 17.75 per cent.
Here are the day’s biggest stories: Amid a huge spike in cases, the Haryana government on Wednesday extended Covid-related restrictions in the state till February 10, but allowed malls and markets to remain open till 7 pm, extending the relaxation by one hour. Meanwhile, an ICMR study has demonstrated that individuals infected with Omicron have a significant immune response which could neutralise not only the Omicron, but also other variants of concern, including the most prevalent Delta variant. It suggests that the immune response induced by the Omicron could effectively neutralise the Delta variant, making the re-infection with Delta variant less likely, thereby displacing the Delta as dominant strain, the study said emphasising the need for Omicron-specific vaccine strategy. In other news, with daily Covid cases as well as positivity rate gradually dipping in the capital, curbs such as the weekend curfew and odd-even scheme for markets and malls could soon be lifted, said sources Wednesday.
India reported 2.85 lakh (2,85,914) new Covid-19 cases and 665 deaths in the 24 hours ending 9 am Wednesday. The country has 22.23 lakh active cases, 5.55 per cent of its caseload. The daily positivity rate is 16.16 per cent, while the recovery rate is 93.23 per cent. In the last 24 hours, 17.69 lakh tests were conducted. And, India has administered 163.58 crore vaccine doses so far. While a few cities recorded a uptick in infections, may saw a sharp fall as well. Today’s Covid-19 numbers from the major metro cities are: Mumbai (1,858 cases), Delhi (7,498 cases), Bengaluru (22,427 cases), Kolkata (654 cases), and Chennai (5,973 cases)
Delhi: DDMA to take call today on Covid restrictions
With daily Covid cases as well as positivity rate gradually dipping in the capital, curbs such as the weekend curfew and odd-even scheme for markets and malls could soon be lifted, said sources Wednesday.
The capital recorded 7,498 cases on Wednesday at a positivity rate of 10.59%, significantly lower than this wave’s peak but higher than the figures on Monday and Tuesday. Delhi also recorded 29 fatalities Wednesday, taking January’s total toll to 603, which is the highest since the 740 deaths reported in June when the delta variant-driven wave in the city was waning.
“There is a meeting tomorrow. Weekend curfew, odd-even and opening of all shops in the markets and malls are expected to be lifted from next week but the exact dates will be discussed in the meeting by the CM and the L-G. Cinema halls and restaurants may also be allowed to function at 50 per cent capacity,” the source said.