India coronavirus infections hit 5.2 million

Novel coronavirus infections hit 5.2 million on Friday in India, edging the country’s tally closer to the US, which is the worst-hit globally.

India, which recorded 96,424 new infections in the last 24 hours, has been posting the highest single-day caseload in the world since early August, according to a Reuters tally.

Deaths in India have been relatively low, and it has a fatality rate of 1.62%.

On Friday, the Health Ministry said 1,174 people died of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, taking total deaths from the disease to 84,372.

India also ordered its states not to hoard oxygen supplies and allow free movement amidst reports of shortages.