India reports 2,57,299 new COVID-19 cases

India continued to maintain a downward trajectory on Friday as its confirmed coronavirus (Covid-19) cases and deaths remained below record levels in the last 24 hours.

According to the daily health bulletin by the Union ministry of health and family welfare, 2,57,299 people were found to be positive of the viral disease taking India's Covid-19 caseload to 2,62,89,290.

Ladakh reported 121 new positive cases, 110 recoveries and one death on Friday.

Maharashtra’s daily count remains below 30,000. Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala are top contributors.

Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala are top contributors ;Active down under 30 lakh after 3 weeks.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands COVID-19 tally rose to 6,789 as 31 more people tested positive for the infection while two new fatalities pushed the number of deaths to 98, a health department official said on Saturday.

The union territory now has 274 active COVID-19 cases, of which 267 are in South Andaman district and seven in North and Middle Andaman district, the official said.

420 doctors including 100 in Delhi have lost their lives due to Covid-19 in the second wave of the infection: Indian Medical Association.

Globally, more than 16.58 crore people have been infected by the coronavirus and 34.38 lakh have died so far. India has begun the third phase of the vaccination drive in which everyone above 18 years of age will be able to get the COVID-19 vaccine.