59 more die in Punjab as nation witnesses 62,258 new Covid cases

New Delhi, Marh 27

India saw 62,258 new coronavirus infections in a day, the highest single-day rise so far this year, taking the nationwide COVID-19 tally to 1,19,08,910, according to Union health ministry data updated on Saturday.

Registering a steady increase for the 17th day in row, the active cases have increased to 4,52,647 comprising 3.8 per cent of the total infections, while the recovery rate has further dropped to 94.85 per cent, the data stated.

The 62,258 new cases were reported in a span of 24 hours, the highest since October 16, 2020, while the death toll increased to 1,61,240 with 291 daily new fatalities, the highest in around three months, the data updated at 8 am showed.

As many as 63,371 new infections were recorded in a span of 24 hours on October 16.

The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 1,12,95,023, while the case fatality rate has further dropped to 1.35 per cent, the data stated.     

According to ICMR, 23,97,69,553 samples have been tested up to March 26 with 11,64,915 samples being tested on Friday. 

The 291 new fatalities include 112 from Maharashtra, 59 from Punjab, 22 from Chhattisgarh, 14 from Kerala and 13 from Karnataka.

A total of 1,61,240  deaths have been reported so far in the country, including 53,907 from Maharashtra, 12,650 from Tamil Nadu, 12,484 from Karnataka, 10,987 from Delhi, 10,320 from West Bengal, 8,779 from Uttar Pradesh and 7,203 from Andhra Pradesh and 6,576 from Punjab. PTI

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