India recorded 122 new cases of the Omicron variant in a span of 24 hours, the highest so far, pushing its tally in the country to 358.
Meanwhile, 114 of the patients have recovered or migrated, according to Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday.
The 358 Omicron Covid variant cases have been detected across 17 states and union territories so far, it showed.
Maharashtra has recorded the highest number of 88 cases of the Omicron variant, followed by Delhi with 67, Telangana 38, Tamil Nadu 34, Karnataka 31 and Gujarat 30.
In Maharashtra 23 new Omicron cases were reported from Pune (13), Mumbai (5), Osmanabad (2), Thane (1), Nagpur (1) and Mira Bhayandar (1).
India on Friday recorded 6,650 new coronavirus infections, taking its tally of cases to 3,47,72,626, while the count of active cases has declined to 77,516.
With 374 daily fatalities being recorded the number of deaths due to the disease has climbed to 4,79,133.
The tally of active cases has declined to 77,516, the lowest since March 2020. The national COVID-19 recovery rate has further improved to 98.40 per cent, the highest since March 2020, the ministry said.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi directed officials to send special teams to states with low rates of vaccination, a growing number of cases, and inadequate health infrastructure to review and improve preparations for any resurgence in Covid-19 outbreaks.
PM also directed officials to maintain a high level of vigil and alertness at all levels.
The Centre has already issued specific instructions to states after noting the “initial signs of surge” and multiple states and Union territories have also reimposed fresh restrictions in a bid to control the spread of the Omicron variant. Following a rise in cases of Omicron variant of COVID-19 in India, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday imposed night curfew from 11 pm to 5 am daily till further orders. Currently, the state has not reported any Omicron cases
