India records 41,806 fresh Covid cases; 581 new fatalities
New Delhi: India recorded 41,806 new Coronavirus cases, taking the infection tally to 3,09,87,880, while the active cases increased to 4,32,041, according to the Union Health ministry data updated on Thursday.
The death toll climbed to 4,11,989 with 581 fresh fatalities.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday praised the Uttar Pradesh government for its handling of the Covid crisis and said the way it had controlled the second wave of the infection was "unprecedented".
The Prime Minister, who arrived at his Parliamentary constituency on Thursday morning, also appreciated the Yogi Adityanath-led government for working with a development-oriented approach rather than one based on corruption and nepotism and bringing in rule of law in the state.
He inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of multiple development projects worth more than Rs 1,500 crore at the IIT-BHU ground in Varanasi.
Describing the efforts of the government in combating COVID-19 as "commendable", Modi said Uttar Pradesh's population is more than a dozen big countries but the way it has controlled the second wave of Coronavirus and stopped its spread is "unprecedented".
Earlier, even minor problems assumed monstrous proportions due to the shortage of health facilities and the lack of willpower, he said.
The people of Uttar Pradesh, the Prime Minister said, had seen an era when there were problems in tackling diseases such as encephalitis.
"And this (Covid) is the biggest problem the world is facing in 100 years. It is the biggest pandemic, and hence efforts made by Uttar Pradesh to tackle the Corona are commendable."
Modi, who is on a one-day visit to the city, said the last few months had been very difficult for humanity.
Meanwhile, wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant and throwdown specialist Dayanand Garani tested positive for COVID-19, while three others were placed in precautionary isolation as the dreaded virus hit the Indian cricket team ahead of next month's Test series against hosts England.
Bowling coach Bharath Arun, reserve wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha were put in isolation for having come in contact with Garani along with standby opener Abhimanyu Easwaran, whose inclusion had raked up a recent storm. Garani's Covid report came on Thursday morning. The team will undergo daily Covid tests from now on.
It is learnt the Arun, Easwaran and Saha have all tested negative but have to follow the UK government's Health Safety Protocol for the 10-day isolation period.
"The four personnel will undergo 10-day isolation and will remain in their respective rooms in the team hotel in London," the BCCI said. The Board said that all travelling family members and caretakers with the team have also been administered the second dose of COVID vaccine earlier this month in London.
