India sees slight decline in Covid infections; active cases stand at 53,720

India reported a slight decline in its daily Covid-19 cases on Saturday after 10,753 people tested positive for the virus, according to the health ministry's morning bulletin updated at 8 am.

The active case count reached 53,720, accounting for 0.12 per cent of the total tally. The death toll has increased to 5,31,091 with 27 deaths. The fatality rate stood at 1.19 per cent, the health ministry data revealed.

Natioanal capital Delhi and Kerala reported six deaths followed by four in Maharashtra, three in Rajasthan and one each in Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.

The daily positivity stood at 6.78 per cent, while the weekly positivity rate touched 4.49 per cent. A total of 4,42,23,211 people have recovered from the Covid, since the pandemic began in 2019.

So far, 220.66 crore vaccine doses have been administered under the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive.

Scientists have blamed XBB.1.16, which is a sub-variant of Omicron for the current rise in Covid cases in the country.

Raising alarm, experts have said that Covid-19 in India is moving towards the endemic stage and the number of daily cases is likely to see a spike for the next days but will start reducing thereafter.

Even though Covid cases are increasing, hospitalisation is still low in India.

Amid the Covid scare, the central and state governments have advised people to wear masks and follow Covid-appropriate behaviour.

People, who are vulnerable to the disease such as pregnant ladies, those over the age of 60, those with chronic illnesses, and those with underlying health conditions, are advised to stay alert.