India records 16,326 new COVID-19 cases in past 24 hours

During the same period, 666 people died due to the virus, marking a sharp rise in the fatality figures.

Recovery Rate currently at 98.16 percent.

The country also recorded 17,677 recoveries during the same period of 24 hours.

Total recoveries from the deadly virus now stands at 3,35,32,126.

Active cases account for less than 1 percent of total cases. It currently stands at 0.51 percent.

India's Active caseload stands at 1,73,728.

Meanwhile, 101.30 cr vaccine doses have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive.

Cases rising in West Bengal after Durga Puja celebrations:

The Covid-19 cases in West Bengal are on rise ever since the Durga Puja festivities ended, forcing safe houses and quarantine centres in the city to be reopened Monday onwards.

Kolkata happens to be paying the price more with 242 new Covid infections being recorded on Friday.

Last Friday, the total number of cases in Kolkata was 127. Of the newly infected ones, as good as 150 were fully vaccinated while 15 had their first dose.

The health officials are attributing the spike to lack of Covid appropriate behaviour followed by people during Durga Puja festivities.

"All health department workers' leaves were cancelled after we saw large numbers of people out on the streets to enjoy Durga Puja. Many of them did not wear masks. We are watching the situation as the incubation period of their infection is not over yet," Atin Ghosh, the Health in charge of Kolkata Municipal Corporation, told the media.

Not just Kolkata, cases are rising across Bengal, which have gone up from 451 to 833 in seven days.