India's tally of COVID-19 cases rose to 1,09,63,394 with 13,193 new infections being reported in a day, while the recoveries have surged to 1,06,67,741, according to Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday. The deaths increased to 1,56,111 with 97 daily new fatalities, the data showed.
As per the Health Ministry, 98,46,523 vaccine doses were given through 2,10,809 sessions till Thursday evening.
Amid a marked resurgence of Covid-19 infections in Maharashtra over the past few weeks, a number of the state's political leaders and ministers, including the health in-charge, Rajesh Tope, have declared that they have tested positive for the disease. Others include Jayant Patil, Raksha Khadse, Eknath Khadse, Bacchu Kadu, and Rajendra Shingne.
On Wednesday, the state reported 4,787 new cases - the highest one-day count in over two months. A few districts in its Vidarbha region, too, have registered a steady rise in the number of cases in recent weeks. Civic authorities in Mumbai today clamped down with fresh safety measures as the numbers kept rising, logging over 5,000 cases on Thursday.
Meanwhile, eight months after a fierce border clash at Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh, China has officially acknowledged casualties and named four officers and soldiers that it said were killed.
Five soldiers, including an officer who was injured, were honoured by the Chinese leadership, reported the PLA Daily, the official newspaper of the Chinese military, on Friday.