India reports 3,016 fresh Covid-19 cases, highest in nearly six months

India saw a single-day rise of 3,016 fresh coronavirus cases in past 24 hours, a 40 per cent jump since yesterday. This is the highest in nearly six months, according to the Union health ministry. The daily positivity rate has been recorded at 2.7 per cent and the weekly positivity rate at 1.71 per cent.

As per the data updated by the Health Ministry, the active cases increased to 13,509 on Thursday. The active cases now comprise 0.03 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.78 per cent, according to the health ministry website.

A total of 3,375 cases were recorded on October 2 last year.

The country's COVID-19 death toll has increased to 5,30,862 with 14 latest fatalities -- three reported by Maharashtra, two from Delhi and one reported by Himachal Pradesh in a span of 24 hours and eight reconciled by Kerala.

The infection tally stands at 4.47 crore (4,47,12,692).

Delhi govt to hold meeting on Covid situation amid spurt in virus cases 

The Delhi government will hold a meeting on the Covid situation today amid a spurt in Covid-19 cases in the national capital. The national capital saw a rise in Covid-19 cases on Wednesday and also the positivity rate climbed to 13.89 per cent, according to data shared by the city health department.

On Tuesday, Delhi logged 214 cases with a positivity rate of 11.82 per cent.

Haryana govt issues fresh guidelines

The Haryana government has issued fresh guidelines and asked all health facilities to record travel history of a suspected case having travel history to a country or an area where the virus has been reported.  According to a state health department notification dated March 28, the Haryana Epidemic Disease, COVID-19 Regulation, 2020, have been extended till March 31, 2024 in continuation of previous regulation issued vide government order dated March 11, 2020. 

Ministry of Health issues revised guidelines for Covid-19

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued revised guidelines for Covid-19.  "Antibiotics should not be used unless there is clinical suspicion of bacterial infection. The possibility of coinfection of COVID-19 with other endemic infections must be considered. Systemic corticosteroids are not indicated in mild disease," revised guidelines said.

As per the revised Covid-19 guidelines, maintain "Physical distancing, indoor mask use, hand hygiene, Symptomatic management (hydration, antipyretics, antitussive) Monitor temperature and oxygen saturation (by applying a SpO probe to fingers) Stay in contact with the treating physician.

"Seek immediate medical attention if difficulty breathing, High-grade fever/ severe cough, particularly if lasting for more than 5 days. A low threshold is to be kept for those with any of the high-risk features," guidelines discussed and prepared in January said.

Additionally, in moderate or severe diseases at high risk of progression, the guidelines recommend, "Consider Remdesivir for up to 5 days (200 mg IV on day 1 followed by 100 mg IV OD for the next 4 days)".