Over 7,000 coronavirus cases are currently active in India after the country recorded 1,134 fresh cases of the Covid-19 virus, the Union Health Ministry informed on Wednesday.

According to the updated data on the Health Ministry’s website, the number of active cases in the country increased to 7,026 with five more deaths reported due to the Covid-19 infections raising the death toll to 5,30,813.

One death each has been reported from Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat and Maharashtra and one reconciled by Kerala, while the tally of total number of Covid cases since the viral outbreak has reached 4.46 crore (4,46,98,118), as per the health ministry’s data.

As per the data, the daily positivity was recorded at 1.09 per cent while the weekly positivity was pegged at 0.98 per cent, adding that the active cases now comprise 0.02 per cent of the total infections, while the national Covid-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.79 per cent.

Further numbers from the health ministry’s data reveal that a total of 92.05 crore tests for detection of Covid have been conducted so far with 1,03,831 being tests conducted in the last 24 hours.

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According to the data posted on the health ministry’s website, 4,41,60,279 people have successfully recuperated from the deadly virus while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.19 per cent.

The data also reveals that 220.65 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide vaccination drive.

Meanwhile, the surge in deaths due to the H3N2 variant of the seasonal influenza virus is triggering an outbreak scare in the country.

According to official data, India has recorded at least three deaths associated with H3N2 this season.

Fearing the outbreak of another Covid-19 like pandemic, health officials have urged people to wear masks, practice hand hygiene and get a flu shot if they haven’t already. H3N2, is a subtype of the influenza A strain, responsible for one of the three respiratory pandemics in the past century.

The flu variant’s symptoms tend to be the same as other forms of influenza, including fever or feeling feverish, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children than adults), among others.

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The H3N2 virus is spreading rapidly across the country. Two people, including one from Haryana and another from Karnataka, died due to influenza caused by the H3N2 virus on Saturday, said Union Health Ministry.

Currently, there are around 90 cases of the H3N2 virus, also known as the Hong Kong flu, in the country. As per the reports, eight cases of the H1N1 virus have also been reported in the country.

Former AIIMS-Delhi Director Dr Randeep Guleria said the influenza cases present as fever accompanied by sore throat, cough, body aches, and runny nose. He said the rise in influenza cases is caused by the H3N2 virus and said it spreads through droplets and mutates every year around this time.

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The former AIIMS chief further stated the ways to prevent influenza.

• We can prevent ourselves from catching the virus is wearing masks in crowded places.
• We also need to wash our hands frequently and also have physical distancing.
• Besides keeping themselves hydrated, they must avoid use of cold water, ice-cream, cold drinks or oily food.
• Refrain from touching your lips and nose.

Since H3N2 influenza is highly contagious and can spread from person to person rapidly through droplets thus being airborne, here are a few things you should refrain from:

• Avoid giving a handshake.
• Don’t spit on the streets.
• Do not self-medicate.

The ICMR recently issued an advisory asking people to avoid self-medication and the use of antibiotics in this influenza outbreak. Dr Gaurav Sharma, who is a child expert in Delhi, suggests nebulization and cough syrups for children along with maintaining hygiene.

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India on Saturday logged 334 fresh Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, taking the active caseload to 2,686. This is the highest number of cases recorded in a single day in almost 100 days, according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Affairs.

According to the Health Ministry, the country also logged three death fatalities- two reported in Maharashtra and one in Kerala, in the last 24 hours, taking the death toll to 5,30,775.

The national Covid-19 recovery stood at 98.80 percent while the fatality rate was recorded at 1.19 percent.

According to the ministry’s website, 220.64 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide vaccination drive.

The Centre on Saturday issued an advisory due to the rise in flu cases with Covid-like symptoms. The advisory suggests a list of dos and don’ts for people to follow to protect themselves from contracting the flu, which has Covid-like symptoms.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said the rise in flu cases is due to the Influenza A subtype H3N2 virus in which the fever goes away at the end of three days but the cough can persist for up to three weeks. It has advised against the indiscriminate use of antibiotics.

The ICMR has advised people to wash their hands regularly with soap and water, should wear face masks, and avoid going to crowded places.

The largest medical research body also advised people to take paracetamol in case of fever and body ache. The ICMR has said antibiotics and other medicines should only be taken after consulting a doctor.