The disruption assumes significance as Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Arabian Sea via the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, is vital for 30 per cent of global container traffic and India relies on the route to trade with parts of West Asia, Africa, and Europe.
On the festive occasion, the rate for 24 Carat gold in India has jumped to Rs 61,150 and Rs 56,050 for 22 Carat per 10 gram.
Government data revealed that 2020 had witnessed a remarkably lower number of 44,585 cases probably due to the Covid related restrictions in most parts of India as against 1.57 lakh cases in 2019.
The COVID-19 tally rose to 13,29,203, a bulletin issued by the department said, adding that Sundargarh district with 61 cases topped the daily Covid tally followed by Khordha at 54.
The Covid-19 toll remained at 9,127 as there were no more deaths. Fifty-three more Covid patients had died due to comorbidities so far, it said. The active Covid-19 cases climbed to 3,878, of which 1,566 are in Khurda district.
The scenario is disconcerting to say the least as the State crossed the 1,000 mark for the second day in row and logged as many as 1,897 new cases were diagnosed, 56% rise than the previous day’s 1,216 tally.
The new infections were detected from 20 districts, pushing the cumulative tally to 10,55,556 while 14 cases of Omicron mutant variants have been detected in the State so far, the health authorities said on Sunday.
With the fear of Covid third wave looming large, people are being advised to watch out for symptoms as it affects the immunity and makes the body vulnerable to infections.
The recovery of 12,202 patients has increased the cumulative tally to 3,39,46,749. Consequently, India's recovery rate stands at 98.32 per cent, the highest since March 2020.
Though most of the fresh cases were reported from high caseload areas like Aliganj, NK Road, Chinhat, Indira Nagar, Turiyaganj, Aishbagh and Chinhat, some were registered in new localities in Maal and Kakori.
