‘66 districts still reporting test positivity rate of over 10 per cent’

People wait to register themselves for COVID-19 vaccination in Guwahati, on Friday. Pic/PTI

India logged 43,393 new coronavirus infections taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 3,07,52,950, while the active cases have declined to 4,58,727, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday.

The death toll has climbed to 4,05,939 with 911 fresh fatalities. Joint secretary in the health ministry Lav Agarwal said 66 districts across 17 states and UTs reported COVID-19 positivity rate of more than 10 per cent in the week ending July 8.

"The country is still dealing with the second wave and we need to introspect if we can afford misplaced belief that COVID-19 is over," he said. The government said visuals from tourist spots and the way people are mingling without following COVID-19 protocols is "a serious cause of concern" and that such negligence will increase the risk of virus spread.

Meanwhile, two cases of Kappa variant of novel Coronavirus have been detected in Uttar Pradesh, according to an official statement issued on Friday. Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Amit Mohan Prasad said, "There is nothing to worry about. This is a variant of coronavirus and its treatment is possible."

HC extends stay on Char Dham Yatra till July 28

The Uttarakhand High Court on Thursday extended the stay on the Char Dham Yatra till July 28. The high court, earlier on June 28, had stayed the state Cabinet's decision permitting the Yatra with a limited number of pilgrims and also ordered live streaming of Char Dham shrines. The state government had on Tuesday filed a Special Leave Petition at the Supreme Court against the high court's order staying the Char Dham Yatra. Earlier, on June 25, the state Cabinet had decided to partially open the Char Dham yatra for the local residents of Chamoli, Uttarkashi and Rudraprayag districts in limited numbers from July 1.

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