New Delhi, Oct 21 (UNI) India's nCoV tally surged to 76,51,108 after a spike of 54,044 cases in the past 24 hours, government data showed as the Election Commission warned against giving a go-bye to health protocols in the Hindi heartland.
According to the daily update from the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, 717 people lost their battle to the virus in the same duration taking to 1,15,914 the nation's fatality count.
Meanwhile, 61,775 patients were cured/discharged which has pushed to 6,79,5103 the total recoveries from the infection till date.
Active caseload has reduced by 8,448 and the country currently houses 7,40,090 such cases.
In percentage, the active caseload stands at 9.67 per cent of the total case count, cured/discharged cases 88.81 per cent which, while fatalities are at 1.51 per cent.
Indian Council for Medical Research stated that 10,83,608 cumulative samples were tested in the same time-frame.
Election Commission on Wednesday again issued an advisory to political parties to observe utmost vigil and care to abide by extant instructions during canvassing. It affirmed, 'Instances of such public meetings have come to notice of the Commission, where large numbers of crowds have assembled in utter violation of social distancing and the political leaders/campaigners are addressing the gathering without wearing masks in complete disregard of the guidelines/instructions issued by Election Commission.
'By doing so, the political parties and candidates are not only flouting the guidelines of the Commission with impunity, but exposing themselves as well as the public attending the rallies/meetings to the danger of infection during the pandemic.'
Brazil reported 661 more deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the toll to 154,837, its Ministry of Health said.
Meanwhile, 23,227 new cases were reported, taking to 5,273,954 the national count.
Brazil ranks second globally in COVID-19 deaths, behind only the United States. It ranks third worldwide in confirmed cases, behind the United States and India.
The state of Sao Paulo, the most populous in the country, has registered 1,068,962 cases and 38,246 deaths, followed by Rio de Janeiro, with 292,621 cases and 19,836 deaths.
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