India’s coronavirus disease (Covid-19) count has skyrocketed to 6.47 million as the country added nearly 400,000 cases in a week, with the highest daily increase rate of infections in the world, according to data from the Union Ministry of Health.
Between September 28 and October 3, 398,842 Covid-19 cases, 5,300 related deaths, and 411,186 recoveries were reported across the country, data from the Health Ministry show. The death toll from Covid-19 in India also surpassed 100,000 this week and became the third country in the world to reach the grim milestone, after the United States and Brazil. According to data from the Ministry of Health, so far 100,842 people have succumbed to the viral disease.
There are 944,996 active cases and recoveries have been recorded at 5,427,706 as of Saturday with the national recovery rate at 83.84%. “Total COVID19 recoveries from India has exceeded 54 lakhs today. It represents 21% of the cases recovered worldwide, while its participation in the total number of cases is 18.6%, ”the Ministry of Health tweeted on Saturday.
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The ministry has also said that India has maintained its position with one of the lowest fatality rates (CFRs) compared to several other countries. “While the global CFR is 2.97% to date, the comparative figure for India is 1.56%. Deaths per million people in India is one of the lowest in the world. While the world average is 130 deaths / million inhabitants, India reports 73 deaths / million inhabitants, ”he said.
The government has said that more than 76% of active cases have been reported in 10 states and Union territories and that active cases contribute only 14.74% to the country’s positive case load. According to the health ministry, 14 states and territories of the Union in the country have less than 5,000 active cases.
The Union Ministry of the Interior also issued rules for the latest unblocking exercise, which is the fifth in a series of such decisions since June 1, this week by allowing a gradual restart of schools, the partial reopening of cinemas and large gatherings that include political religious events, more than six months after the Center imposed a tough lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The latest reduction in sidewalks allowed for more activities in areas outside of the containment zones, including the opening of cinemas, theaters and multiplex cinemas with up to 50% capacity as of October 15. The Center has also allowed states and territories of the Union to decide on the reopening of schools and coaching institutions since mid-October in a phased manner.
It also allowed political, religious, social, cultural and sports gatherings in unlimited “open spaces”, provided that people wear masks, observe social distancing and there are adequate provisions to observe these rules from mid-October.
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The government is also planning to launch a massive campaign to urge people to be cautious about their behavior in the upcoming holiday season that will see more social gatherings and outdoor activities amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The campaign is likely to begin Oct. 7, continue for at least three months, and cover the entire holiday season, including New Year’s celebrations, according to officials involved in the planning who spoke on condition of anonymity.
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