New Delhi, India reported 44,111 new cases of the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours, taking the total number of infections to 3,05,02,362, the Union Health Ministry said.

Besides, the country also saw 738 deaths due to the virus, pushing the total number of fatalities to 4,01,050. Currently, the fatality rate stood at 1.31 per cent.

On a positive front, 57,477 patients recuperated during the past 24 hours, pushing the number of recoveries to 2,96,05,779. With these new recoveries, recovery rate jumped from 97.01 per cent to 97.06 per cent.

Now, active cases further declined to 4,95,533, less than five lakh after 97 days. The active cases constitute 1.67 per cent of the total cases, shows the data.

Meanwhile, weekly positivity rate is currently pegged at 2.50 per cent.

Daily positivity rate was recorded at 2.35 per cent, less than five per cent for 26 consecutive days, the Ministry added.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), a total of 41,64,16,463 samples have been tested so far for coronavirus, of which 18,76,036 were carried out in the past 24 hours.

Meanwhile, 34,46,11,291 doses have been administered since January 16 this year, of which 43,99,298 were administered in the past 24 hours.

(Agencies)