NEW DELHI (REUTERS) – India reported 7,579 new coronavirus infections on Tuesday (Nov 23), the smallest rise in 1½ years despite huge festival gatherings in recent weeks, thanks to rising vaccinations and antibodies from prior infections.

The country of 1.35 billion celebrated Durga Puja in October and Diwali this month, during which millions of people shopped, travelled and met family, mostly without masks.…