![\"Delhi](\"https:\/\/c.ndtvimg.com\/2023-04\/r935u0bo_covid-generic-1200-_625x300_08_April_23.jpg\"\/ "\\"Delhi")
<\/div>\nA healthcare worker shows the collected swab samples for Covid-19<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
New Delhi: <\/b><\/p>\n
Delhi logged 535 fresh Covid cases on Saturday with a positivity rate of 23.05 per cent, according to data shared by the city government’s health department.<\/p>\n
The city had logged 733 Covid cases — the highest in more than seven months — on Friday with a positivity rate of 19.93 per cent.<\/p>\n
The national capital recorded 620 cases on August 26, 2022.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, 606 cases were recorded with a positivity rate of 16.98 per cent, and one fatality.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, the city logged a positivity rate of 26.54 per cent, the highest in nearly 15 months, with 509 people testing positive in a single day. In January last year, the positivity rate had touched the 30-per cent mark.<\/p>\n
Delhi saw 521 cases on Tuesday and one fatality. The positivity rate stood at 15.64 per cent.<\/p>\n
At present, the city’s Covid-19 death count stands at 26,536, according to the bulletin.<\/p>\n
With the fresh cases, Delhi’s infection tally has risen to 20,13,938. The data showed that 2,321 Covid tests were conducted on Friday.<\/p>\n
Delhi has witnessed a spurt in the number of fresh Covid infections over the last few days amid a sharp rise in H3N2 influenza cases in the country.<\/p>\n
The Delhi government is keeping an eye on the rise in Covid cases and is “prepared to face any eventuality”, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said last week.<\/p>\n
Addressing reporters after chairing a review meeting on the Covid situation, Mr Kejriwal said there was no need to worry for now and the city government was taking all required steps.<\/p>\n
Delhi recorded 293 fresh cases on Monday with the positivity rate rising to 18.53 per cent, which meant nearly one out of every five people tested returned a positive result.<\/p>\n
The number of fresh cases had dropped to zero on January 16, the first time since the outbreak of the pandemic.<\/p>\n
The Health Department on Saturday said 133 of the 7,989 beds in dedicated Covid hospitals in the city are occupied while 1,570 patients are in home isolation.<\/p>\n
The number of active cases currently stands at 2,232, it added.<\/p>\n
Amid a gradual increase in the number of Covid cases in Delhi, medical experts say the new XBB.1.16 variant of the virus could be driving the surge.<\/p>\n
However, they maintained that there is no need to panic and people should follow Covid-appropriate behaviour and get booster shots of vaccines.<\/p>\n
They also said this rise in the number of cases could be the result of more people getting themselves tested for Covid as a precaution when they actually get infected with the influenza virus and develop fever and related symptoms.<\/p>\n
The Indian Council of Medical Research has said the rise in the number of influenza cases is due to the Influenza A sub-type H3N2.<\/p>\n
The H3N2 virus is leading to more hospitalisation than the other subtypes. The symptoms include a runny nose, persistent cough and fever.<\/p>\n
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n