Picture used for illustrative purposes only.

India reported 271,202 new cases of the novel coronavirus in the last 24 hours, its highest daily count in eight months, taking its total tally to 37.12 million, the federal health ministry said on Sunday.

The daily positivity rate was recorded at 16.28 per cent — slightly down from 16.66 per cent yesterday — while the weekly positivity rate was recorded at 13.69 per cent.

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A total of 7,743 Omicron cases are amongst all Covid cases reported in India so far.

With 314 deaths due to related complications, the cumulative fatality tally touched 4,86,066. Also, 1,38,331 patients were cured from the disease in the last 24 hours taking the total recoveries to 3,50,85,721.

Many hospitals in India grapple with an acute shortage of oxygen.

The government said a total of 70,24,48,838 samples have been tested so far for the virus of which 16,65,404 tests were conducted on January 15.

Cumulatively, 524,053,061 first doses have been administered to individuals in the 18-44 age group across states and union territories and 367,383,765 second doses have been given since the start of phase-3 of the vaccination drive, according to health ministry data.

The ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities.

In the 15-18 age group, 33,609,191 vaccine doses have been administered, the ministry said.

The number of cases had been on the rise since late last year due to the fast-spreading Omicron variant.

The ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities.

"Our figures are being reconciled with the Indian Council of Medical Research," the ministry said on its website, adding that state-wise distribution of figures is subject to further verification and reconciliation.