India's Covid caseload surged to 1.45 crore cases with 2,34,692 fresh infections - the sharpest-ever daily spike - as the country recorded over 2 lakh cases for the third straight day. 1,341 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours as the country saw deadliest day of pandemic this year.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi this morning appealed that annual Kumbh Mela "should now only be symbolic" amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, stressing that it will give a boost to fight against the pandemic.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra and Delhi on Friday reported their biggest ever single-day surge in coronavirus cases, according to government data.
While Delhi reported 19,486 Covid cases in the last 24 hours, Maharashtra logged 63,729 infections.
The national capital also reported 141 deaths, which is its biggest one-day Covid death count. The city's active cases have risen to highest-ever 61,000. The recovery rate has dropped to 90.94 per cent.
Delhi's positivity rate was 19.69 per cent. 12,649 Covid patients were discharged in the last 24 hours. Nearly 99,000 coronavirus tests were conducted in the city during the period.
Maharashtra, the worst-hit state, logged 398 deaths in the last 24 hours. 45,335 patients were discharged.
