The fresh cases were recorded after examination of 1,486 samples during the last 24 hours, Health Minister Malladi Krishna Rao told a virtual press conference. The overall COVID tally in the union territory rose to 12,434, he added.

The Minister said while 4,483 cases of the total 12,434 were active (2,127 in hospitals and 2,356 in home quarantine), as many as 7,761 patients had recovered and were discharged so far. He said 275 patients were discharged Thursday.

So far, of the 68,888 samples tested, 55,120 of them were found to be negative, the Minister said and added that the fatality rate was 1.53 pc and recovery rate was 62.42 pc.

Meanwhile, the ICMR-Jipmer team deputed by the Centre to help the officials in tackling the pandemic visited the Raj Nivas on Thursday and held discussions with Lt Governor Kiran Bedi.

Ms Bedi in a WhatsApp message said that the team gave an analytical report of all the key areas that need to be addressed immediately. In a letter submitted to the Lt Governor, the team has divided the COVID management into seven pillars such as surveillance, intensified testing, strict Isolation, tracing of contacts, effective quarantine and among others.