Covid: India reports 92,596 fresh cases, 2,219 more deaths

India reported 92,596 new Covid-19 infections and 2,219 deaths over the past 24 hours till Wednesday morning.

The country's total Covid-19 caseload now stands at 29.1 million, while total fatalities are at 353,528, according to data from the health ministry, reports Reuters.

The positivity rate - the number of positive cases identified per 100 - stood at 4.67 per cent. India has been reporting a positivity rate below 10 per cent for 16 consecutive days now.

Maharashtra continues to be the worst Covid-hit state. It is followed by four southern states: Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh says a report by NDTV.

After a raging shortage that forced shut vaccine centres in many states, the centre has ordered 44 crore doses of Covid vaccines, which will be available from August. These doses will be delivered between August and December 2021, the union health ministry has said.

For private hospitals, the price of Covishield has been fixed at Rs 780 a dose, Russian vaccine Sputnik V at Rs 1,145 a dose and indigenously made Covaxin, at Rs 1,410 a dose. This includes taxes as well as a 150-rupee service charge for the hospitals.

Amid concerns about a potential third wave impacting the children, AIIMS chief Dr Randeep Guleria said Tuesday that there is no data - either from India or globally - to show that they will be seriously infected in subsequent waves.

A new Covid variant that needs more antibodies to fight it and has more severe symptoms has been found by the National Institute of Virology in Pune. The variant - B.1.1.28.2 - was detected in samples from two travellers from Brazil but not from anyone in India. No sample sequenced from India so far has been of this variant of the virus, NIV scientists asserted, warning against any panic.

Variants of the coronavirus are driving new surges, say experts who recommend fast vaccinations to stay ahead of the constantly mutating Covid.

With cases on the decline due to extended periods of lockdown, most states have started reopening and have relaxed restrictions.