India reports 1 lakh new Covid cases, lowest in 61 days

India reported 1,00,636 fresh COVID-19 cases, the lowest in 61 days, taking the infection tally to 2,89,09,975, while the number of active cases dropped to 14,01,609, according to the Union health ministry's data updated on Monday.

IMAGE: A young beneficiary receives a dose of COVID-19 vaccine during the special vaccination drive inside Kalpataru Sparkle Society at Bandra in Mumbai. Photograph: Vijay Bate/ANI Photo

The death toll due to coronavirus reached 3,49,186 with 2,427 new fatalities, the lowest in around 45 days, the data updated at 8 am showed.

A total of 96,982 new cases were recorded in a span of 24 hours on April 6.

Also, 15,87,589 tests were conducted on Sunday, taking the total cumulative tests conducted so far for detection of COVID-19 in the country to 36,63,34,111, while the daily positivity rate was recorded at 6.34 per cent.

It has been less than 10 per cent for 14 consecutive days, the ministry said.

IMAGE: People, not adhering to social distancing norms, purchase necessary items at a village market after relaxation of COVID-19 lockdown norms, in South Dinajpur district of West Bengal. Photograph: PTI Photo

The weekly positivity rate has declined to 6.21 per cent.

The number of active cases has reduced to 14,01,609, comprising 4.85 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has improved to 93.94 per cent.

A net decline of 76,190 cases has been recorded in the COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.

IMAGE: A healthcare worker collects a nasal sample of a passenger for the COVID-19 testing at Patna Junction railway station. Photograph: Pappi Sharma/ANI Photo

Recoveries continue to outnumber daily new cases for 25 consecutive days.

The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 2,71,59,180, while the case fatality rate has further increased to 1.21 per cent, the data stated.

IMAGE: Workers sanitise a salon ahead of its reopening after government announced easing of COVID-induced restrictions in Mumbai. Photograph: PTI Photo

India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20 lakh-mark on August 7, 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 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19.

India had crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4.

IMAGE: A worker sanitises at Sadar Bazaar market area ahead of its reopening in New Delhi. Photograph: Shahbaz Khan/PTI Photo

The 2,427 new fatalities include 618 from Maharashtra, 434 from Tamil Nadu, 320 from Karnataka, 227 from Kerala and 107 from West Bengal.

A total of 3, 49,186 deaths have been reported so far in the country, including 1,00,130 from Maharashtra, 31,580 from Karnataka, 27,005 from Tamil Nadu, 24,591 from Delhi, 21,236 from Uttar Pradesh, 16,259 from West Bengal, 15,076 from Punjab and 13,217 from Chhattisgarh.

IMAGE: The outgoing class XII students of South Point school, wait for their turn to get the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in Kolkata. Photograph: PTI Photo

The health ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent 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.

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