India on Saturday recorded 1,41,986 new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours as the Omicron variant of the coronavirus overtakes the Delta version in the cities.
The South Asian country also registered 285 new deaths, taking the total to 4,83,463, reports new agency Press Trust of India.
The single-day rise in infections is the highest in seven months as 1,52,734 cases were logged on May 31 last year.
With the fresh infections, total caseload rose to 3,53,68,372, which includes 3,071 cases of Omicron variant reported across 27 states and union territories so far, the Union Health Ministry said.
Maharashtra recorded the maximum number of 876 Omicron variant cases, followed by Delhi at 513, Karnataka 333, Rajasthan 291, Kerala 284, and Gujarat 204.
Of the 3,071 cases of Omicron variant, 1,203 have recovered or migrated, according to the data updated by the ministry at 8:00am.
The active Covid cases have increased to 4,72,169, the highest in around 187 days, it said.
India's Covid tally had crossed the 20 lakh mark on August 7, 2020, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5, and 50 lakh on September 16.
It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20, and surpassed the one crore mark on December 19.
India crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4 and three crore on June 23.
