Health Minister Harsh Vardhan chairs GoM meeting on COVID-19

As India's COVID-19 tally raced past the 16 lakh mark today, Union Health Minister chaired a meeting of the Group of Ministers (GoM) to discuss the situation. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri were also present at the meeting.

New Delhi: Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Friday chaired a meeting of the Group of Ministers (GoM) on COVID-19 through videoconferencing on COVID-19.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri were also present at the meeting.

EAM Jaishankar and Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri were also present at the meeting

With a record single-day surge of 55,078 infections, India's COVID-19 caseload raced past 16 lakh today, just two days after it reached the 15-lakh mark, while the number of recoveries rose to 10,57,805, according to Union Health Ministry data.

The country has so far registered 16,38,870 instances of the coronavirus infection. The death toll increased to 35,747 with 779 fatalities being reported in 24 hours, the data updated at 8 am showed.

This is the second consecutive day that COVID-19 cases have increased by more than 50,000. The total number of confirmed cases also includes foreigners.

There are 5,45,318 active COVID-19 cases in the country. The recovery rate rose to 64.54 per cent while the fatality rate dropped further to 2.18 per cent.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), a cumulative 1,88,32,970 samples have been tested up to July 30 with 6,42,588 being examined on Thursday.

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The health ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities.

"Our figures are being reconciled with the Indian Council of Medical Research," the ministry said, adding that state-wise distribution of figures is subject to further verification and reconciliation.

(With inputs from agencies)