India reports 42,015 new Covid cases in the past 24 hours

India reported 42,015 new Covid cases in the past 24 hours, much higher than Tuesday's 30,000, taking the total infections to over 3.12 crore. 3,998 deaths were reported on the last day, the highest since June 12, after Maharashtra revised its data.

According to reports, Maharashtra added 3,509 Covid deaths after revising its data, leading to a massive surge in total fatalities. 489 new deaths were reported from the rest of the country taking the total tally to 3,998. Total deaths have crossed 4.18 lakh since the beginning of the pandemic.

India's excess deaths could be as high as 4.9 million, a new study shows, providing further evidence that millions more may have died from coronavirus than the official tally. The report by the Washington-based Center for Global Development, co-authored by former chief economic adviser Arvind Subramanian, included deaths from all causes since the start of the pandemic through June this year.

Active Covid cases have declined to 4.07 lakh in India - the infections are going down each day. Active cases constitute 1.30 per cent of total infections. 36,977 patients recovered in the last 24 hours taking total recoveries so far to over 3.04 crore.

According to Health Ministry, the recovery rate has increased to 97.36 per cent. The daily positivity rate is at 2.27 per cent - less than 3 per cent for 30 straight days in a major sigh of relief. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared Covid positivity rate below 5 per cent to be within the safe zone.

Over 34 lakh vaccine doses were administered in the last 24 hours. The total doses administered in the country has exceeded 41.54 crores so far, the health ministry said.