India records 59,118 new COVID-19 cases, highest single-day rise since October

New Delhi: India saw 59,118 new coronavirus infections in a day, the highest single day rise so far this year, taking the nationwide COVID-19 tally to 1,18,46,652 as on Friday, according to the Union health ministry. The active caseload breached the 4 lakh-mark again after around three-and-half months. Registering an increase for the 16th day in row, the active cases have increased to 4,21,066 comprising 3.55 percent of the total infections, while the recovery rate has further dropped to 95.09 percent, the data stated. The 59,118 new infections reported in a span of 24 hours were the highest since 18 October, 2020. The toll increased to 1,60,949 with 257 daily new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed. As many as 61,871 new infections were recorded in a span of 24 hours on 18 October. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 1,12,64,637, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.36 percent, the data stated. India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on 7 August, 30 lakh on 23 August, 40 lakh on 5 September and 50 lakh on 16 September. It went past 60 lakh on 28 September, 70 lakh on 11 October, crossed 80 lakh on 29 October, 90 lakh on 20 November and surpassed the one-crore mark on 19 December. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), 23,86,04,638 samples have been tested up to 25 March with 11,00,756 samples being tested on Thursday. The 257 new fatalities include 111 from Maharashtra, 43 from Punjab, 15 from Chhattisgarh, 12 from Kerala, 11 from Tamil Nadu and 10 from Karnataka. A total of 1,60,949 deaths have been reported so far in the country including 53,795 from Maharashtra, 12,641 from Tamil Nadu, 12,471 from Karnataka, 10,978 from Delhi, 10,316 from West Bengal, 8,773 from Uttar Pradesh and 7,201 from Andhra Pradesh and 6,517 from Punjab. The health ministry stressed that more than 70 percent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities. “Our figures are being reconciled with the Indian Council of Medical Research,” the ministry said on its website, adding that state-wise distribution of figures is subject to further verification and reconciliation.