India logs 16,299 new Covid cases, 53 deaths in 24 hours, Delhi makes wearing mask mandatory

India recorded a total of 16,299 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of infections to 4,42,06,996, according to the Union Health Ministry.

With 53 new fatalities due to Covid today, the overall Covid-related death count has reached 5,26,879.

India’s active caseload currently stands at 1,25,076 and accounts for 0.31 per cent of the total cases.

The recovery rate is currently at 98.5 per cent. As many as 19,431 recoveries from the infection were logged in the last 24 hours thereby increasing the total recoveries to 4,35,55,041.

Delhi on Thursday reported 2,726 fresh COVID-19 cases and six fatalities due to the viral disease, while the positivity rate stood at 14.38 per cent, according to data shared by the health department here.

This is the ninth consecutive day when the capital logged more than 2,000 cases in a day.

The city on Wednesday had reported eight fatalities due to the coronavirus infection, the highest in nearly 180 days, and 2,146 cases with a positivity rate of 17.83 per cent.

The national capital on February 13 had recorded 12 deaths due to the viral disease.

Due to the rise in Covid-19 cases in Delhi, the authorities in the national capital have decided to make the usage of facemasks mandatory in the city. This comes just as Delhi has recorded over 2,100 fresh cases of the virus over last 24 hours.

According to the notice issued by the Additional District Magistrate office of South Delhi, wearing masks in all public areas is now mandatory, and a fine of Rs 500 will be imposed on those who are seen without their facemasks in such areas.

Meanwhile, West Bengal reported 598 new Covid cases on Thursday, taking the overall count to 21,01,075. The overall death count rose to 21,414 after 4 more deaths were reported due to the disease.

At least 802 people recovered from Covid, taking the total number of recoveries to 20,73,223.

West Bengal currently has 6,438 active cases.