The daily count of fresh COVID-19 cases in Delhi went up to 517 on Sunday which represents a 12% increase over the number of cases recorded on the previous day, according to data provided by the Health Department.

This is the highest number of fresh cases recorded in the national capital since February 20 this year. The positivity rate stands at 4.21 per cent.

The total number of Covid patients in Delhi is 1,518, out of which 964 are in home isolation as they do not require hospitalisation given the mild nature of the infections.

Delhi had reported a COVID-19 positivity rate of 5.33 per cent with 461 fresh cases of the disease being registered on Saturday, which is 26 per cent higher than the previous day.

The positivity rate is the number of coronavirus cases detected per 100 tests.

Rising cases among schoolchildren have given rise to serious concerns as schools have just reopened and life had started returning to normal in the national capital. But the fresh surge in cases has come as a setback.  

A private school in Delhi has asked parents to not send their children to school on Monday after a student tested positive.

However, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said Covid may have been rising in the national capital, but there is no need to worry as hospitalisation is low.

The Delhi government has told school authorities to close specific wings or classrooms wherever needed instead of shutting the entire school.

A high-level government meeting is scheduled for April 20 to decide whether fresh restrictions are required to be put in place to check the spread of coronavirus infections.