India’s daily count of fresh Covid cases surged to 3.50 lakh over the last 24 hours, the highest level in eight months.

The daily positivity rate is up from 16.41% to 17.94% while the weekly positivity rate was recorded at 16.56 per cent.

As many as 703 people have died of Covid during the past 24-hour period, according to the Health Ministry.

Kerala registered its highest-ever single-day spike of 46,387 fresh coronavirus cases since the outbreak of the pandemic in 2020.

Maharashtra, one of the worst-hit states by the Covid pandemic, recorded 46,197 fresh coronavirus cases, including 125 Omicron infections, and 37 related deaths. The daily tally was 2,500 more than a day ago when the state had reported 43,697 cases.

Neighbouring Gujarat recorded 24,485 new cases, the highest single-day spike so far, with 13 deaths due to infection, the state health department said.

Delhi registered 12,306 new Covid cases, which is 10.72 per cent lower than yesterday's number (13,785).

The national capital also reported 43 Covid deaths for Thursday, which is the highest number of deaths due to the viral infection since June 10 last year.

Meanwhile, the cumulative COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country have crossed the 160-crore mark with 94% of India's adults having received the first dose while 72% are fully vaccinated, according to the government.

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