COVID-19: 20,799 new coronavirus cases recorded in 24 hours; these measures to be followed during festive season to contain the surge- Check details here

COVID-19 Coronavirus Cases India: India has recorded 20,799 new coronavirus cases over the last 24 hours, as per the data released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). At present, India's active cases account for less than 1 per cent of the total cases at 0.78 per cent, which is the lowest since March 2020.

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As per the data from the MoHFW, 90.79 crore COVID-19 vaccines have also been administered under the Nationwide Vaccination Drive. India saw a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases earlier this year due to the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, the number of cases is decreasing but there is still the anticipation of the third wave among the minds of the people.

As the festival season is approaching near, last week, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla has written to the Chief Secretaries of all the states and union territories on COVID-19 safe behaviour during the upcoming festivals. In his letter, Bhalla wrote, "There should be focus on the five-fold strategy, i.e., Test-Track-Treat-Vaccination and adherence to COVID Appropriate Behaviour to safely navigate through the festive season to avoid the possibility of surge in COVID-19 cases."

Furthermore, the Union Home Ministry has also issued a notification to the states and the union territories instructing them to implement 'Prompt and Effective Measures' specified in a September 21 advisory issued in view of festivals.

According to an ANI report, Dr Sekhar C Mande, Director General, CSIR said, "We have been able to get a large population vaccinated with the first dose and even with the second dose. Our vaccines do prevent the disease to a large extent. If tested positive after being jabbed, the severity of COVID-19 is also reduced. Even if the third wave comes, then the intensity will be low and much less compared to the second wave."

The ANI also reported that Mahindra Agarwal, Professor at IIT Kanpur had said that the emergence of another wave depends on the emergence of a more infectious strain.

As per the Health Ministry data, India witnessed 26,718 recoveries in the last 24 hours. The weekly positivity rate stands at 1.63 per cent which is less than 3 per cent for the last 101 days.