India’s new Covid-19 cases hit seven-month high of 117,100
The health ministry also reported 302 new deaths, taking the total to 483,178. Total infections stand at 35.23 million. A man receives a dose of vaccine against the coronavirus disease in front of a giant kite, installed to mark administering 1.45 billion Covid-19 vaccine doses in India, Ahmedabad, India, January 6, 2022. Reuters
India reported 117,100 new Covid-19 cases on Friday, the most since early June, as the Omicron variant overtakes Delta in the cities.
The health ministry also reported 302 new deaths, taking the total to 483,178. Total infections stand at 35.23 million.
Indian megacities Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata are experiencing a surge in Covid-19 cases, although without a corresponding rise in hospitalisations.
The federal health ministry on Wednesday had identified Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Bengaluru as some of the main regions of concern, although state officials worry the disease will soon spread to the countryside where health facilities are weaker.
Federal health officials have warned even a large number of mild cases could put pressure on the health system.
Many Indian cities have already imposed night curfews and weekend lockdowns, as well as closed schools. Political rallies, however, have continued in several states where elections are due in the next few weeks and months.
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