India reported 90,928 fresh COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, which represents a 55% jump over the corresponding figure of 58,097 of the preceding day as the third coronavirus wave has started sweeping across the country. 

The country has confirmed 2,630 cases of the new highly transmissible Omicron variant with Maharashtra recording the highest number at 797 cases, followed by Delhi with 465.

The Omicron variant has now spread to 26 states in the country. 

The weekly positivity rate is 3.47 per cent while daily positivity rate has gone up to 6.43 per cent. Data shows that the average daily rise of Covid this time is almost 21 per cent faster than during the second wave in March-April.

Several states have announced restrictions like night curfew as Covid cases continue to rise.

Maharashtra added 26,538 new cases, followed by West Bengal, which reported 14,022 infections in a day.

The number of fresh Covid cases in Delhi nearly doubled within the last 24 hours, shooting up from 5481 to 10,665 in the biggest single-day spike since May 12.  Eight deaths were also recorded — the highest since June 26.

Meanwhile, over 147 crore vaccine doses have been administered in India, and more than 65% people have got both doses of the vaccine while 90% have got at least one dose.

Inoculation of children in the 15-18 age group is in full swing and the government will also start giving the third precautionary dose to healthcare staff and other frontline workers such as those in the police force from Jan 10. Those over 60 with co-morbidities are also eligible for the third dose.

There will be no mix-and-match of vaccines for those eligible to get a 'precautionary' third dose, Dr VK Paul, the head of India's Covid task force, said.

Also read: Daily count of fresh Covid cases in Delhi shoots up by 94%