For the first time in the last seven months, the daily Covid-19 cases in both Delhi and Maharashtra crossed the 1,000-mark as the country has been witnessing an upward trend in new infections over the last fortnight.
Delhi logged 1,149 fresh cases with the positivity rate at 23.8 per cent. Wednesday's cases were the highest since August 19 last year. One case of fatality was reported in the last 24 hours, though the health department said coronavirus was not the primary cause of death.
Maharashtra reported 1,115 fresh cases on Wednesday, while nine patients succumbed to the infection during the day. It was on September 8 last year when the state reported more than 1,000 cases on a single day.
Mumbai recorded 320 new cases and two fatalities, followed by 93 in Pune city that saw three deaths. Thane city reported two deaths, while Vasai-Virar region in neighbouring Palghar and Akola district recorded one fatality each.
With the addition of fresh cases, Maharashtra's Covid-19 tally rose to 81,52,291 and toll to 1,48,470. The case fatality rate in the state is 1.82 per cent.
Delhi's infection tally rose to 20,17,250 on Wednesday while the death toll stands at 26,546. The fresh cases emerged out of 4,827 tests conducted the previous day.
Meanwhile, official sources said even though the cases are increasing, hospitalisation is low and expected to remain low. The current rise in Covid cases is being driven by XBB.1.16, which is a sub variant of Omicron, they added.
According to Union health ministry data, a total of 7,830 coronavirus cases—the highest in 223 days—were reported on Wednesday.
Amid the rising cases, a nation-wide mock drill to take a stock of hospital preparedness was held on April 10 and 11.
