New Delhi: A day after India’s Covid-19 caseload raced past the 7-lakh mark, the total count stands at 7,42,417 Wednesday, with more than 22,000 people testing positive for the infection in the last 24 hours.
According to the Union health ministry data, the death toll climbed to 20,642 and the total number of recovered cases stands at 4,56,830.
Active cases
India reported as many as 22,752 fresh cases in the last 24 hours, taking the total active cases in the country to 2,64,944. This is the base on which the pandemic will spread in the coming days.
Daily tests
There was a sharp spurt in testing as 2,62,679 samples were tested in the last 24 hours. This takes it past the 2.5 lakh mark, which officials have said is the daily testing capacity.
Number of deaths
The death toll continued to rise with the figure now standing at 20,642. In the last 24 hours, 482 deaths were reported.
Positivity rate
Powered by the increase in testing, the positivity rate has now come down to 8.6%. This is a good sign but also shows the need to keep the pressure up on testing.
Recovered cases
During the last 24 hours, a total of 16,883 Covid-19 patients have been cured, taking the cumulative figure of recovered cases to 4,56,830 so far. The rate of recovery continues to increase over the days. It touched 61.53% today.
Total cases
The total cases now stand at 7,42,417, making India among countries with the highest disease burden in the world. Some estimates say close to 70% patients may have mild or no symptoms.
High-burden states
Delhi: The national capital reported 2,008 fresh cases in the last 24 hours, with the numbers continuing to stabilise from the earlier trend of daily increases. There were 50 deaths.
Maharashtra: The state now has over 2.17 lakh cases, and it has reported 9,250 deaths until now. Maharashtra, one of the earliest hotspots, is still one of the worst-hit states in the country.
Gujarat: The tally continues to rise steadily in the state with 778 cases and 17 deaths having been reported in the last 24 hours.
Tamil Nadu: Tamil Nadu has the second highest number of cases after Maharashtra, but is still among the best states when it comes to mortality rate. That probably is a function of the health systems in the state and its fever clinics.
Tests and positive cases
Delhi’s testing numbers showed signs of recovery, crossing the 22,000 mark after the sharp dip Tuesday. Tamil Nadu remains the leader and Gujarat the laggard.