New Delhi: India reported 46,617 fresh infections in the past 24 hours. This took the cumulative count of infections to 3,01,06,251; the Union Health Ministry reported. 

The recovery rate at 97.01 per cent accounted for 59,384 recuperations in the last 24 hours taking the total recoveries to 2,95,48,302. The daily positivity rate stood at 2.48%, less than 5% for 25 consecutive days. 

The number of active cases has reduced to 5,09,637 accounting for 1.67 per cent of the total number of cases. The active cases reported a decline of 13,620 in the last 24 hours. However, the mortality rate recorded at 1.31 per cent reported 853 deaths, taking the cumulative death toll to 4,00,312.

 While India is seeing a downward curve in Covid cases, reports of the Delta Plus variant in at least 12 states have led to fresh concerns among health officials. Delta strain was classified as a “variant of concern” by the government last month as it warned states to be on guard. 

 Globally, more than 12 countries have detected Delta Plus cases. In the US, the Delta variant is the second most prevalent coronavirus mutation and is predicted to become the predominant one in the coming weeks, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Rochelle Walensky.