Avoid huge gatherings: Centre’s warning as Covid cases rise ahead of Independence Day

NEW DELHI, AUG 12: With Covid cases on the rise across the country, the Centre has asked all states to avoid huge gatherings during Independence Day celebrations.

The Centre has also urged people to wear masks, maintain social distancing and sanitize their hands to avoid infection.

Meanwhile, several states have started reinforcing Covid-19 safety measures, including making masks mandatory. The Delhi government, this week, restored the mask mandate and said those violating the order will be fined Rs 500 each.

India logs over 16.5k fresh Covid cases, positivity rate stands at 5.44%

The country has recorded as many as 16,561 fresh Covid cases and the Covid positivity rate stands at 5.44%.

Delhi and Mumbai have been the major contributors to the total number of cases. On Thursday, the national capital, Delhi, reported 2,726 fresh cases, the highest in nearly seven months, according to health department data. In addition to this, 6 fatalities due to the infection were also reported while the positivity rate stood at 14.38 per cent.

-PTI