August 1, 2020: Confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country crossed the 16-lakh-mark just days after the central government announced further relaxations to open up the economy. 
With more than 55,000 fresh infections, the Union Health Ministry said, is the highest single-day figure so far.
This is the second consecutive day that COVID-19 cases have increased by more than 50,000.
With 779 new deaths in 24 hours, the Health Ministry put total fatalities at 35,747, giving India the world's fifth-highest death count behind the United States, Brazil, Britain and Mexico.
However, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said India's COVID-19 case fatality rate is progressively declining and now stands at 2.18 percent, one of the lowest globally.
Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh on Friday surpassed Delhi to become the third worst coronavirus-hit state in the country. The state has added over 30,000 cases to its tally in the last three days, taking its total of those infected by the deadly virus to 1,40,933, including 1,349 fatalities. 
The national capital, which remained on the third spot behind Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu for weeks on the list, added 1,195 cases, taking its total to 1,35,598.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
August 1, 2020: Confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country crossed the 16-lakh-mark just days after the central government announced further relaxations to open up the economy.
August 1, 2020: Confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country crossed the 16-lakh-mark just days after the central government announced further relaxations to open up the economy.
With more than 55,000 fresh infections, the Union Health Ministry said, is the highest single-day figure so far.
This is the second consecutive day that COVID-19 cases have increased by more than 50,000.
With 779 new deaths in 24 hours, the Health Ministry put total fatalities at 35,747, giving India the world's fifth-highest death count behind the United States, Brazil, Britain and Mexico.
However, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said India's COVID-19 case fatality rate is progressively declining and now stands at 2.18 percent, one of the lowest globally.
Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh on Friday surpassed Delhi to become the third worst coronavirus-hit state in the country. The state has added over 30,000 cases to its tally in the last three days, taking its total of those infected by the deadly virus to 1,40,933, including 1,349 fatalities.
The national capital, which remained on the third spot behind Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu for weeks on the list, added 1,195 cases, taking its total to 1,35,598.