Coronavirus: India nears 9 million cases

India recorded 45,576 new cases of the coronavirus, taking total infections to 8.96 million on Thursday, Reuters reported citing data from the Health Ministry.

India has the world’s second-highest number of COVID-19 infections, after the United States, but cases have been falling since hitting a peak in September.

Deaths rose by 585, with the total now at 131,578, the ministry said.

The number of COVID-19 deaths in the US crossed 250,000 on Wednesday, according to a Reuters tally, as a third coronavirus wave brings a fresh surge in infections and puts immense strain on the healthcare system.

The number of people hospitalized with the virus rose to at least 78,630 by Wednesday afternoon, the highest ever for a single day during the pandemic.