Even as India celebrates its 74th Independence Day, the country is still not free from the novel coronavirus. In the past 24 hours, 64,553 coronavirus cases were recorded, taking India’s total to 2,461,542 cases.
With over 1,000 fatalities reported in last 24 hours, the country›s death toll surged to 48,144. The Health Ministry said that India conducted a record 8,48,728 tests for detection of COVID-19 in a day with an aim to achieve a daily target of 10 lakhs. The cumulative figure of tests has now gone up to 2,76,94,416 as a result of ramping up of testing facilities on a sustained basis. Meanwhile, the total recoveries from COVID-19 in the country have crossed 17.5 lakhs.
Twelve days after contracting the disease, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also tested negative for the coronavirus. In a tweet, he wrote, “Today my corona test report has come negative. I thank God and at the moment I express my heartfelt gratitude to all those who have blessed me and my family by wishing me well. Will stay in home isolation for a few more days on the advice of doctors.”
Amongst other prominent names, Lav Agar wal, Joint Secretary of Ministry of Health and Family Affairs, said he tested positive for the coronavirus and was initiating home isolation. He tweeted, “Dear All, Just to inform that I have tested positive for Covid 19 and initiating home isolation as per guidelines. Requesting all my friends, colleagues for self monitoring. Contact tracing will be done by Health Team. Hoping to see everyone soon”. On the other side, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan tested negative for the virus on Friday.
Among other states, Maharashtra reported a singleday spike of 12,608 new COVID-19 cases. The state also recorded 10,484 recoveries & 364 deaths in the last 24 hours, taking its total number of cases to 5,72,734, including 1,51,555 active cases, 4,01,442 cured cases and 19,427 deaths till date. Meanwhile, 979 new COVID-19 cases and 47 deaths were reported in Mumbai in the last 24 hours. The total number of cases now stands at 1,28,550 in the city, including 1,01,861 recoveries. There are 19,354 active cases still, while 7,035 deaths have been recorded so far.
Delhi, reported 1,192 fresh COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours and crossed the 150,000-mark for the total number of coronavirus cases registered in the national capital since the outbreak of the disease in February this year. However, only 11,366 cases are active right now. However, 11 deaths have been reported in the past 24-hour period taking the death toll to 4178. The neighbouring state of Haryana recorded 797 new coronavirus cases taking the state’s total tally to 45,614. Meanwhile, 7 patients died of the infection, while 154 patients remain in a critical condition. Fortunately, the recovery rate has reached a record level of 84.07% in the state.
Punjab also recorded 1,077 new COVID-19 cases and 25 deaths in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of cases to 29,013, including 9,954 active cases and 731 deaths. Night curfew from 9 pm to 5 am has been extended to all cities in Punjab.
On the other hand, Tamil Nadu reported 5,890 new coronavirus cases and 117 deaths in the past 24 hours. The total number of cases in the state have increased to 3,26,245 now, including 5,514 deaths and 53,716 active cases. Meanwhile, Kerala reported 1,569 new cases, the highest ever single day spike, taking the total number of those infected by the virus in the state to 41,277. However, 1,304 people also recovered from the disease, taking the total number of those cured in the state to 26,996.