India saw 59,118 new coronavirus infections in a day, the highest single day rise so far this year, taking the nationwide COVID-19 tally to 1,18,46,652, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday.
The active caseload breached the 4 lakh-mark again after around three-and-half months.
Registering an increase for the 16th day in row, the active cases have increased to 4,21,066 comprising 3.55 per cent of the total infections, while the recovery rate has further dropped to 95.09 per cent, the data stated.
The 59,118 new infections reported in a span of 24 hours were the highest since October 18, 2020. The death count increased to 1,60,949 with 257 daily new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.
As many as 61,871 new infections were recorded in a span of 24 hours on October 18.
The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 1,12,64,637, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.36 per cent, the data stated.
Meanwhile, As farmers protesting against three contentious agricultural laws hold an all-India strike - Bharat Bandh - today to mark four months of their agitation at Delhi's borders, demonstrations have affected rail and road traffic. Four trains were cancelled and more than 30 trains were stopped over agitations near railway stations in Delhi, Chandigarh, Firozpur and Amritsar.
Demonstrations were also reported at National Highway-9 near one of three protest epicenters in the national capital - the Ghazipur border. Policemen have set up barricades to block the movement of protesters. The farmers' protest at the Delhi borders started on November 26 at three epicenters- Singhu border, Ghazipur and Tikri.
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Gujarat reported 2,190 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, the highest daily rise so far, which took its caseload to 2,96,320, the health department said, reported news agency PTI.
Of the 337 candidates contesting the third phase of Assam Assembly polls this year, 18 per cent have declared criminal cases against themselves, according to a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).
Amid the controversy over Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Rashmi Shukla's report on "corruption" in police transfers in Maharashtra, an FIR was registered on Friday against an "unidentified person" for leaking confidential documents.
Considering the rise in COVID-19 cases, the administration in Maharashtra's Palghar district on Friday ordered the shutting of wedding venues, lawns and ceremonial halls from April 15, reported news agency PTI.
Madhya Pradesh on Friday reported 2,091 new COVID-19 cases, taking its tally to 2,84,265, while nine deaths increased the death count to 3,937, a health official said, reported news agency PTI.
As many as 1,048 people were discharged from hospitals in the last 24 hours, taking the count of recoveries in Madhya Pradesh to 2,68,290, he added.
Top child rights body NCPCR on Friday asked the Information and Broadcasting Ministry to order Netflix to remove a few scenes from its series "Bombay Begums" which allegedly portrays children inappropriately.
Indian and Pakistani armies held a brigadier-level meeting at Poonch-Rawalkot crossing on Friday as a follow-up to their agreement to observe ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has summoned the alleged mastermind of an illegal coal-mining scam in West Bengal, Anup Manjhi, for questioning in connection with the case on March 30, officials said on Friday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday handed over the Gandhi Peace Prize 2020, being conferred by India upon Bangladesh's "Father of the Nation" Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, to his daughter Sheikh Rehana who is also the younger sister of premier Sheikh Hasina.
Amidst a surge in coronavirus cases across the state, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao on Friday said there are no plans to impose lockdown in the state, reported news agency ANI.
Speaking in the Assembly, Chief Minister KCR said, "There will be no lockdown implemented in the state of Telangana. People need not panic."
He further said that due to the previous lockdown, the state has faced a lot of problems. There will be no implementation of lockdown in the state.
The state government is taking all the required measures to control the spread of coronavirus in the state, he said, adding, people must wear masks, maintain social distancing, avoid public gatherings and must take care of themselves.
Assets worth Rs 1.6 crore of a Kerala-based education group chairman and his family have been attached in a money laundering case linked to the alleged distribution of fake degrees, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said on Friday.
Nagpur on Friday saw its highest ever single-day spike in COVID-19 cases as 4,095 were detected with the infection. Nagpur also saw 35 deaths and 1,943 people getting discharged after recovering, an official said, reported news agency PTI.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah a day before the state begins voting in a closely-watched, flipping back their accusations of the ruling Trinamool Congress runs extortion syndicates.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on a visit to Bangladesh, congratulated the country on Friday for its 50th year of Independence and said one of the first protests of his political career was for the freedom of the neighbouring nation.
Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Friday rooted for the creation of a new Indian sub-continent with improved connectivity and energy sharing between countries in the region.
Five people, including one who holds a PhD in human resources, have been arrested from Gurgaon for allegedly duping over 500 people of Rs 7.5 crore on the pretext of providing them jobs in leading multi-national companies, Delhi Police said on Friday.
We will never ever forget the sacrifices the soldiers of this great nation have made and also those by Indians who stood beside the soldiers of Bangladesh. We have not forgotten their bravery and courage. We will never forget it: PM Modi in Bangladesh
The freedom struggle of Bangladesh was a significant moment in my journey too... My colleagues and I had done a satyagraha in India... I was in my early twenties. I even had the opportunity to go to jail during this satyagraha for Bangladesh's struggle for freedom: PM Modi in Bangladesh
I am also saluting and remembering the "mukhtijoddhas" of Bangladesh... I also remember and pay homage to all those Indian soldiers who stood shoulder to shoulder with the "mukhtijoddhas" to ensure Bangladesh gets its freedom: PM Modi in Bangladesh
This year, that marks the 50 years of the liberation and Independence of Bangladesh, as well as the birth centenary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, marks a significant milestone for both Bangladesh and India: PM Modi in Bangladesh
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is addressing an event in Bangladesh. He is in Bangladesh today and tomorrow to attend the celebration of that country's 50th year of liberation from Pakistan and the centenary year of its founder Sheikh Mujibur Rehman, Premier Sheikh Hasina's father.
Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) chief Kamal Haasan on Friday said that his party candidates have pledged to work for the people of the state.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to President Ram Nath Kovind's son on Friday to enquire about his health.
Mohammed Riyas, the national president of Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), is making his electoral debut in the Kerala assembly elections next month. Mr Riyas, who is son-in-law of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, will contest from Beypore, one of the most secure seats of the CPI(M) in Kozhikode.