CM Gehlot tests Covid positive, Mumbai, Delhi record highest cases

Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday tested positive for the coronavirus disease. This is the second time that the chief minister has been diagnosed with Covid-19. During the second wave in April, Gehlot had tested positive for the viral infection. "There is a belief among the general public that the Omicron variant of Corona is not fatal, so people are being careless. Experts are of the opinion that post covid problems after recovery from Omicron can be as severe as the earlier variants," he said. Earlier in the day, his son and Congress leader Vaibhav Gehlot tested positive for Covid-19. He is asymptomatic and taking rest at home adopting all Covid-19 protocols, according to doctor's advice.

Meanwhile, Mumbai has reported 20,181 fresh Covid cases, breaking all records of the first and the second waves of the pandemic. With Thursday's surge, the positivity rate in the city stood at 29.90%. On Wednesday, Mumbai reported 15,166 new infections which was the highest daily count since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020. Maharashtra reported 36,265 new cases and 13 deaths in the last 24 hours, while the state's Omicron tally reached 876. Though the rise in the number of infections in Maharashtra is alarming, the number of hospitalised patients is still low and that's why there is no immediate plan to impose additional restrictions, Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope said. “Shutting down local trains is definitely not under consideration. Inter-district restrictions are also not being considered,” the health minister said. 

Delhi on Thursday reported over 15,000 cases of coronavirus in 24 hours - the highest since May 8. The national capital's daily cases jumped a whopping 41.5 per cent in a day as 15,097 infections were detected in the city. This comes a day after the city witnessed its biggest single-day spike - 10,665 cases - in nearly eight months. The positivity rate has surpassed 15 per cent. Delhi currently has 14,937 patients in home isolation. The recovery rate is at 96.19 per cent. Health Minister Satyendar Jain, however, ruled out the possibility of a lockdown in the national capital.

Karnataka on Thursday recorded 5,031 Covid cases and one death. Bengaluru alone registered 4,324 infections taking the positivity rate to 7.5 per cent. However, the positivity rate of the state overall remained lower at 3.95 per cent. No new Omircon cases were detected in the state. The total Omicron ount in Karnataka is at 226. Karnataka Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar said that people need to be cautious for the next four to six weeks to control a possible third wave of Covid-19 and the spread of Omicron variant in the state.