New Delhi, June 20 -- India's active Covid-19 caseload fell to 5,976 on Friday, down from 6,483 cases a day earlier, even as new Omicron sub-variants continue to drive infections. The country reported three deaths in the past 24 hours-two from Delhi and one from Kerala-taking the total fatalities this year to 116, according to data from the Union Health Ministry.

Health authorities have identified two new Omicron sub-lineages, NB.1.8.1 and LF.7-both mutations of the JN.1 variant-as the cause of the current surge. However, scientists at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) have indicated that these new strains are not causing increased disease severity compared to earlier Omicron waves.

Several states are witnessing a decline in...