India records 59,118 new infections as new coronavirus cases surge

India saw59,118 new coronavirus infections in a day,the highest single day rise so far this year, taking the nationwide COVID-19tally to1,18,46,652, 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 3.55per 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 toll 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.

India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and50 lakh onSeptember 16.

It went past60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh onNovember 20 andsurpassed theone-crore mark on December 19.

According to ICMR, 23,86,04,638 samples have been tested up to March 25with 11,00,756 samples being tested on Thursday.