India on Friday recorded 81,466 new coronavirus cases, pushing the overall count in the country to 1,23,03,131, data from the Union health ministry showed. This was the biggest single-day jump in six months, according to PTI.

The toll climbed to 1,63,396, after 469 new deaths were recorded in a day, the highest since December 6. As many as 1,15,25,039 patients have recovered from the infection. The active cases tally continued to show an upward trend for the 23rd consecutive day, rising up to 6,14,696.

So far, 6,87,89,138 Covid-19 vaccines doses have been administered, of which 36,71,242 were given on Thursday. The country on Thursday began its third phase of the coronavirus vaccination drive, under which all people above 45 years will be covered. At least at least 20 lakh signed up for the vaccination on the first day, reported News18.

Ministry of Health

The Union Cabinet Secretary will hold a meeting on Friday with representatives of 11 states that are showing a surge in coronavirus cases, ANI reported.

India’s infections have exceeded 60,000 daily over the past week from a low of about 10,000 in February, prompting warnings from the health ministry about the situation going “from bad to worse”.

State updates

Global scenario