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India has registered a spike of 45,482 fresh Covid-19 positive cases in the past 24 hours. 357 deaths are also registered, taking the death toll to reach 439,916 as per the data released by Union Health Ministry. As per the released data, "Delhi has reported 39 Covid-19 cases and no fatality. Kerala recorded 32,097 new Covid-19 cases and Maharashtra 4,342 cases. Mumbai reported 441 new Covid-19 cases, 205 discharges and 3 deaths in the last 24 hours. Active cases now stand at 3418."

On Thursday, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) director general Balram Bhargava said, "Mass gatherings should be discouraged, particularly in the upcoming festival season… Full vaccination should be a prerequisite if it is absolutely essential or it becomes critical to have a gathering of some people."  

News18 reported, "in view of the spike in Covid-19 cases during the upcoming festive season, the government has urged people to avoid mass gatherings adding that only those who are fully vaccinated should be allowed to attend gatherings if necessary."