New Delhi, Aug 13 (UNI) India on Thursday registered highest single-day surge of 66,999 cases, mounting the tally to 23,96,638.
It also reported 942 deaths in the last 24 hours, taking the death toll to 47,033 deaths.
As per Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, active cases have reached 6,53,622 while discharged 16,95,982.
This is for the fifteenth consecutive day, the country has reported more than 50,000 in a single day spike.
On a positive note, India has posted highest-ever single day recoveries of 56,383 in the past 24 hours, improving the recovery rate to 70.77 per cent.
Meanwhile, 8,30,391 samples, the highest in a single day, were tested on August 12 and 2,68,45,688 samples have been tested so far, according to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
Zydus Cadila launched the cheapest generic version of Gilead Sciences' antiviral drug remdesivir in India to treat COVID-19 following reports of shortages at hospitals in the world's third-worst hit nation.
Priced at Rs 2,800 for a 100 mg lyophilized injection, Remdac is the most economical Remdesivir brand in India.
Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh have reported the highest number of cases. However, infections are rising rapidly in states like Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh.
Active coronavirus cases in Maharashtra stand at 1,47,820, the highest in the country followed by Andhra Pradesh with 90,425 active cases.
The COVID-19 tally surged to 2,64,142 in Andhra Pradesh as 9,996 fresh cases were reported in the last 24 hours, the latest bulletin said.
The state also registered 82 more coronavirus deaths, taking the overall toll to 2,378. Also, 9,499 patients were discharged from hospitals in the last 24 hours after they recovered from the viral infection, making it a cumulative of 1,70,924 recoveries so far.
Tamil Nadu registered 5,835 new COVID-19 positive cases, 5,146 discharges and 119 deaths. Total number of cases now at 3,20,355 including 53,499 active cases, 2,61,459 discharges and 5,397 deaths.
Karnataka houses 1,96,494 coronavirus cases including 80,351 active cases, 112633 recoveries and 3510 deaths.
Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who was undergoing treatment at a private hospital for COVID-19 infection has been discharged after recovery, his office said in a statement.
He has been discharged after reports of the second test also came out negative, it said.
As per the advice of the doctors, he will take rest at home for one week, it added.
Delhi reported 956 new COVID-19 positive cases and 14 deaths. Total number of cases now at 1,49,460 including 10975 active cases, 134318 recovered/discharged/migrated and 4167 deaths.
Uttar Pradesh reported 4,537 fresh COVID-19 cases , while 50 more people died due to the infection.
The total number of cases in the state stands at 1,40,775 including 49,709 active and 88,786 recoveries. The death toll stands at 2,280.
The Centre has distributed more than 3.04 crore N95 masks and over 1.28 crore PPE kits to states-run institutions, free of cost since March 11, an official release here said.
In addition, 22,533 'Make in India' ventilators and more than 10.83 crore HCQ tablets have been distributed to them. The Centre is also ensuring installation and commissioning of ventilators.
In the relentless work of state and UT governments for containment and management of Covid-19, the Union Government’s central role has been in strengthening health infrastructure to fight the pandemic and its effective management.
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