The number of fresh coronavirus cases in India was recorded at below 20,000 (18,795) after 201 days on Tuesday, taking the country's COVID-19 tally to 3,36,97,581, while the number of active cases declined to 2,92,206, the lowest in 192 days, according to the Union health ministry. A total of 18,795 fresh Covid cases were registered in a span of 24 hours, while the death toll due to the viral disease climbed to 4,47,373 with 179 more fatalities, the lowest in 193 days, according to the ministry's data updated at 8 am. The number of active cases has declined to 2,92,206, accounting for 0.87 per cent of the total number of cases -- the lowest since March 2020 -- while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 97.81 percent, the highest since March last year, the ministry said. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease has gone up to 3,29,58,002, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.33 percent.

Here are the latest updates:

The Uttar Pradesh government allows holding wedding ceremonies and other events at open spaces, number of people to attend the function will depend on the area. COVID protocols must be followed and installation of COVID help desk is mandatory at the entry gate.

Today's Data Highlights (September 28)

18.8k new cases, 179 new deaths, 26k new recoveries, 7.4k dip in the active cases

New cases lowest in 202 days. Below 20k for the first time in 202 days

Deaths lowest in 193 days. Below 200 for the first time in 189 days

Kerala reports 11.7k new cases, Mizoram 1.8k, Tamil Nadu 1.66k

Kerala reports 58 new deaths, Maharashtra 32, Karnataka 20

21 states/UTs 0 new deaths

6 states/UTs report a rise in the active cases

Difference between new cases reported in the last 7 days and the preceding 7 days in India is -11% (world average is -10%)

1.02 crore new vaccinations. 87.07 crore total. 62.05 lakh received their first dose yesterday, 40.18 lakh second dose

13.22 lakh new tests. Test positivity rate: 1.42% (2.24% the previous day)

Test positivity rate lowest in 228 days

Test positivity rate below 3% for the 29th day

Test positivity rate (weekly average): Mizoram 16.48%, Kerala 15.53%, Sikkim 7.67%

Note: Because of Maharashtra's data reconciliation, today's data for the state shows no change in new cases and recoveries, as this is calculated basis change over the previous day's data

# India reports daily new COVID-19 cases less than 20,000 after 201 days; 18,795 new cases, 179 deaths in the last 24 hours. Active caseload stands at 2,92,206, says the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

US President Joe Biden received his COVID-19 booster shot on Monday, days after federal regulators recommended a third dose of the Pfizer vaccine for Americans age 65 or older and approved them for others with pre-existing medical conditions and high-risk work environments. The White House said Biden, 78, would deliver remarks and receiving the additional dose at 1 pm on Monday.

The COVID-19 booster shots will provide even more protection from COVID-19 for those who are at greater risk. That’s why today, I got my booster — and encourage everyone who’s eligible to do so as well. pic.twitter.com/XO4l3XxgLG

President Biden (@POTUS) September 27, 2021

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said his government is making efforts to revive the COVID-hit tourism industry by lifting restrictions from November 1 as the pandemic situation in the state has considerably improved. Addressing a state government programme on the occasion of World Tourism Day, he announced a relief package which will provide Rs 2 lakh each to 142 tour operators and Rs 25,000 each to 605 guides to overcome losses due to the pandemic. "The Assam government is working towards lifting all COVID restrictions from November 1 in the state and also making all-out efforts to ensure that the maximum number of people get vaccine doses," he said.

First Published: Sep 28, 2021, 08:28 AM IST