Coronavirus India Updates: Tally Nears 75 Lakh; Over 1,000 Dead In A Day

Coronavirus cases continue to rise, even though at a slower pace, with the total tally near the 75-lakh mark now.

India reported over 61,000 cases in 24 hours, according to the Health Ministry’s update at 8 a.m. on Oct. 18. The total tally includes nearly 66 lakh recoveries and over 1.14 lakh deaths.

The slower pace of daily infections and an improved recovery rate has pushed active cases in India below the 8 lakh mark for the first time yesterday since Sept. 2. India's active caseload had crossed 10 lakh in mid-September.

Key figures:

• Total number of confirmed coronavirus cases: 74,94,551
• Active cases: 7,83,311
• Cured/discharged/migrated: 6597209
• Deaths: 1,14,031
• Fresh cases in 24 hours: 61,871
• One-day recoveries: 72,614
• One-day deaths: 1,033

Over a thousand people died due to the virus in the last 24, authorities reported -- for the first time in 15 days.

Meanwhile, the central government has initiated the fifth phase of reopening the economy.

Cinemas in several parts of the country opened after seven months on Thursday with a few film enthusiasts venturing warily into movie watching in a Covid-19 contact-less era of alternate seating, 50% capacity and packaged snacks.

Global Update

Daily cases in France rose to a record 32,427. Chancellor Angela Merkel appealed to Germans to stay home and meet with fewer people whether inside or outside. China reported 13 new infections on Oct. 17, all of which were imported, while New Zealand reported the first community case in three weeks.

Globally, cases surged past 39.6 million with over 1.1 million dead.

Track the latest updates on the Covid-19 pandemic in India, here.