Amid the surge in coronavirus cases across the country, India reported 2,64,202 new COVID cases (6.7 percent higher than Thursday) and 1,09,345 recoveries on Friday, 14 January.
The country also recorded 315 COVID deaths in the last 24 hours, taking the toll to 4,85,350.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Thursday, 13 January, had chaired a meeting on COVID-19 with the chief ministers of all the states via video conference and had emphasised local containment, extensive vaccination, and pro-active steps in order to arrest the spread of the virus.
Delhi, on Thursday, had reported 28,867 new COVID-19 cases and 31 deaths. This was the national capital's highest single-day rise in COVID-19 cases to date.
The total active case tally has reached 12,72,073, while the daily positivity rate has risen to 14.78 percent.
The country has confirmed 5,753 cases of the Omicron variant so far.
3 crore youngsters between the 15-18 age group have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, as per Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya.
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Haryana Reports 8,841 New COVID-19 Cases
Haryana reported 8,841 new COVID-19 cases on Friday. The positivity rate for the state stands at 17.31 percent.
Assam Reports 2,348 New COVID Cases
Assam reported 2,348 new COVID-19 cases and 5 deaths on Friday.
West Bengal BJP Seeks Postponement of Municipality Elections Amid COVID Outbreak
In view of surge in COVID-19 cases, West Bengal BJP wrote to the state election commissioner, requesting the postponement of the municipality elections for one month.
'Reports of COVID Death Undercount Fallacious': Centre
"There have been some media reports alleging a ‘significant undercount’ of the actual number of people who have died in India due to COVID-19 in the first two waves, claiming that the final toll may be ‘substantially greater’ crossing the figures of about three million," the Health Ministry said on Friday.
"It is clarified that such media reports are fallacious and ill-informed. They are not based on facts and are mischievous in nature. India has a very robust system of birth & death reporting which is based on a Statute and is carried out regularly from the Gram Panchayat level to the District-level and State level," it stated.
"Furthermore, there is an incentive in India to report COVID deaths as they are entitled to monetary compensation. Hence, the likelihood of underreporting is less," the ministry added.