India adds over 3.60 lakh fresh COVID-19 cases

India saw a record single-day rise of 3,60,960 coronavirus cases, which pushed the total tally to 1,79,97,267, while the death toll crossed two lakh following 3,293 fresh fatalities, according to Union health ministry data updated on Wednesday.

IMAGE: A health worker wearing PPE attends to COVID-19 patients at a new 100 beds ICU COVID ward with oxygen and ventilator facilities in Hyderabad. Photograph: PTI Photo

The number of people who have recuperated from the disease is 1,48,17,371, while the case fatality rate stands at 1.12 per cent, the data updated at 8 am showed.

Registering a steady increase, the active cases have risen to 29,78,709, comprising 16.55 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has further dropped to 82.33 per cent, it said.

The death toll stands at 2,01,187, the data stated.

IMAGE: Relatives and family members perform last rites during mass cremation of COVID-19 victims at Swar Rekha Ghat cremation ground in Ranchi. Photograph: PTI Photo

India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7 last year, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16.

It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20, one-crore mark on December 19 and 1.5 crore on April 19.

IMAGE: Relatives of COVID-19 patients move oxygen cylinders to get them refilled with medical oxygen in Gurugram. Photograph: Atul Yadav/PTI Photo

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research, 28,27,03,789 samples have been tested up to April 27 with 17,23,912 samples being tested on Tuesday.

The 3,293 new fatalities include 895 from Maharashtra, 381 from Delhi, 264 from Uttar Pradesh, 246 from Chhattisgarh, 180 from Karnataka, 170 from Gujarat, 131 from Jharkhand, 121 from Rajasthan and 100 from Punjab.

IMAGE: A priest reads the bible during the last rites of a person who died of coronavirus at a Christian cemetery in New Delhi. Photograph: PTI Photo

The total 2,01,187 deaths reported so far in the country include 66,179 from Maharashtra, 15,009 from Delhi, 14,807 from Karnataka, 13,728 from Tamil Nadu, 11,678 from Uttar Pradesh, 11,082 from West Bengal, 8,630 from Punjab, 7,800 from Andhra Pradesh and 7,782 from Chhattisgarh.

The health ministry said more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities.

IMAGE: COVID-19 patients at Shehnai Banquet turned into Covid care centre, receive treatment, in New Delhi. Photograph: PTI Photo

"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.