India’s active Covid-19 cases cross 4.5-lakh mark for first time

The total number of active coronavirus cases in India crossed the 4.5-lakh mark for the first time on Thursday, when 43,082 new Covid-19 infections were recorded, as per government data. With this, India’s total coronavirus cases rose to 93,09,787, and up to 492 people died of the highly infectious disease in the last 24 hours taking the overall Covid-19 related death count to 1,35,715. Total discharged cases rose to 87,18,517 with 39,379 new discharges in this period. “Nearly 70% of India’s Covid-19 active caseload is from Maharashtra, Kerala, Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, West Bengal, and Chhattisgarh”, said the Union Health Ministry on Friday. “Of the total deaths recorded so far, 83.80% are from 10 states/UT Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Delhi,” it added.

Maharashtra reported 6,185 new Covid-19 cases, and 4,089 people were discharged, and 85 died in the last 24 hours, as per the State Health Department. The total number of active cases in the state are 87,969 taking the coronavirus case toll to 18,08,550. Meanwhile, 16,72,627 people recovered so far in the state, and 46,898 succumbed to the virus.

The Maharashtra government has extended the prevailing lockdown restrictions in the state on account of coronavirus till the midnight of 31 December. “The directions and guidelines issued on 30 September and 14 October to operationalise ‘Mission Begin Again’ for ease of restrictions and phase-wise opening will remain in force till 31 December for containment of Covid-19,” said a statement.

Delhi reported 5,482 new coronavirus cases, and 98 deaths in the last 24 hours. The total cases stand at 5,56,744, and 8909 people have died so far in the state. Meanwhile, 5,937 people were discharged in the last 24 hours, taking toll of recoveries to 5,09,654. Active cases stand at 38,181. 

Odisha reported 594 new cases of Covid-19, taking the total tally of cases in the state to 3,17,239. The total number of Coronavirus cases in the state include 3,08,839 recoveries, and 6,629 active cases. Fourteen patients died due to the virus on Thursday, according to the Health Department of Odisha.

Rajasthan recorded 18 more fatalities due to coronavirus on Friday, taking the death toll in the state to 2,255, according to health department bulletin. The state also reported 3,093 fresh cases that brought the infection count to 2,60,040 on Friday. The number of active Covid-19 cases in the state stands at 28,183. According to the bulletin, 2,29,602 people have been discharged after treatment till now.

Tamil Nadu on Friday logged 1,442 new coronavirus cases, taking the infection count to 7,77,616, while 12 more fatalities pushed the death toll to 11,681. Recoveries continued to outnumber the fresh cases with 1,494 people being discharged from health care facilities, pushing the aggregate to 7,54,826. Active cases in the state stand at 11,109.

Kerala’s Covid-19 tally touched 5,87,707 on Friday with the addition of 3,966 fresh cases while the toll rose to 2,171 with 23 deaths. A total of 4,544 people recovered from the disease, taking the total number of those cured to 5,21,522. Currently, 63,885 patients are undergoing treatment for coronavirus in the state.