The highest single-day surge of COVID-19 cases crossed the 17,000 mark on Friday, pushing India's tally to 4,90,401, while the death toll climbed to 15,301 with 407 new fatalities, according to the Union health ministry data.

IMAGE: A health worker collects swab sample of an infant for the COVID-19 test in Guwahati. Photograph: ANI Photo

Updated at 8 am, the data showed the daily COVID-19 cases increased by the highest-ever 17,296 infections.

The number of active cases stands at 1,89,463 while 2,85,636 people have recovered and one patient has migrated, according to the updated figures.

"Thus, around 58.24 per cent patients have recovered so far," an official said.

IMAGE: An auto driver checks the temperature of passengers before taking them on board in Kolkata. Photograph: ANI Photo

The total number of confirmed cases also include foreigners.

Of the 407 new deaths reported till Friday morning, 192 were in Maharashtra, 64 in Delhi, 45 in Tamil Nadu, 18 in Gujarat, 15 each in West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh, 12 in Andhra Pradesh, 10 in Haryana, eight in Madhya Pradesh, seven in Punjab, six in Karnataka, five in Telangana, four in Rajasthan and two in Jammu and Kashmir.

IMAGE: Medics applaud for 94-yrs old Lalmohan Seth as he is discharged after recovering from COVID-19 at Medical College Hospital, in Kolkata. Photograph: Swapan Mahapatra/PTI Photo

Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand and Uttarakhand have reported one COVID-19 fatality each in the last 24 hours.

With 17\,296 new Covid cases\, India\'s tally is at 4.9L

With 17,296 new Covid-19 cases, India's tally is at 4.9L