India reported 3,823 new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, a 27 per cent jump over yesterday, according to union health ministry data updated on Sunday.

Five deaths were reported due to the disease, with two from Kerala, and one each from Delhi, Rajasthan, and Haryana. The total number of active cases in the country has now shot up to 18,389.

India had recorded 2,994 new COVID-19 infections yesterday.

Maharashtra, Kerala, Gujarat, Karnataka, Delhi and Tamil Nadu are worst hit. Himachal Pradesh, the most vaccinated state, is witnessing a surprise increase, this is being attributed to the large influx of tourists in the hill state.

Mehanwhile, Maharashtra recorded 669 Covid-19 cases, including 189 in Mumbai; no death reported in state

Delhi clocked 416 fresh Covid cases, highest in over seven months; positivity rate 14.37%.

The Centre has advised the states to step up testing of Covid cases and ensure Covid appropriate behaviour such as wearing of masks and social distancing is followed in the affected clusters. States have also been told to send samples for genome sequencing in Centre’s labs in order to keep track of the Covid strains.

According to the health ministry’s website, 220.66 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered so far under the nationwide vaccination drive. This is expected to help keep the disease under check.