India records 13,216 new cases of COVID-19; Recorded positivity rate at 2.73%

 India's COVID-19 tally rose to 43,283,793 on Saturday as 13,216 more people tested positive for the viral disease and the number of active cases rose to 68,108, according to data from the Union Ministry of Health.

It is the first time in 113 days that India has recorded more than 13,000 cases.

The death toll rose to 5,24,840 with 23 new deaths, according to data updated as of 8am

Active cases account for 0.16% of all infections. The national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.63 percent, the ministry said.

The number of active COVID-19 cases has increased by 5,045 cases in 24 hours.

The daily positivity rate was 2.73% and the weekly positivity rate was 2.47%, the ministry said.

The number of people who have recovered from the disease has risen to 4,26,90,845. The death rate was 1.21%, he said.

The cumulative doses of the COVID-19 vaccine administered so far in the country as part of the national vaccination campaign exceeded 196 crores.

India's COVID-19 balance had exceeded 20 lakh on 7 August 2020, 30 lakh on 23 August, 40 lakh on 5 September, and 50 lakh on 16 September. It exceeded 60 lakh on September 28, and 70 lakh on October 11. , surpassed 80 lakh on 29 October, 90 lakh on 20 November, and broke above the crore mark on 19 December.

India passed the dismal milestone of 2 crores on May 4th, 3 crores on June 23rd, and 4 crores on January 25th this year.

The 23 new deaths include 13 from Kerala, three from Maharashtra, two from Karnataka, and one from Delhi, Meghalaya, Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh.

Of the 5,24,840 deaths recorded in the country so far, 1,47,883 were from Maharashtra, 69,866 from Kerala, 40,112 from Karnataka, 38,026 from Tamil Nadu, 26,226 from Delhi, 23,526 from Uttar Pradesh and 21,207 from West Bengal.

The Ministry of Health pointed out that more than 70% of deaths are due to comorbidities.

"Our figures are cross-checked with the Indian Council for Medical Research," the ministry said on its website, adding that the state-by-state breakdown of the figures is subject to further review and reconciliation. PTI PLB DIV DIV. Referral Link