India logged 16,862 new Coronavirus infections, while the active cases declined to 2,03,678, the lowest in 216 days, according to the Union health ministry data updated on Friday morning. The death toll climbed to 4,51,814 with 379 fresh fatalities. The daily positivity rate was recorded at 1.43 per cent. The weekly positivity rate was recorded at 1.42 per cent.

Meanwhile, the Union health secretary has requested the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) for an early and timely action to fill up the vacancies in nine senior posts. In a letter to the DoPT, he stated the vacancies have put the ministry under “acute stress” as it is required to put in extra efforts to ensure full preparedness across the country even though the pandemic is declining.