New Delhi: With 23,067 new infections, India's COVID-19 tally rose to 1,01,46,845, while recoveries have crossed the 97-lakh mark, according to data updated by the Union Health Ministry on Friday.
The death toll increased to 1,47,092 with 336 new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.
The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 97,17,834, pushing the national recovery rate to 95.77 per cent, while the COVID-19 case fatality rate stands at 1.45 per cent.
The COVID-19 active caseload in the country remained below three lakh for the fourth consecutive day.
There are 2,81,919 active coronavirus infections in the country which constitutes 2.78 per cent of the total caseload, the data stated.
India's COVID-19 infection tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16.
It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19.
According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), 16,63,05,762 samples have been tested up to December 24, including 9,97,396 on Thursday.
Maharashtra continues to be the worst-hit state till date with 19.1 lakh cases. Over 70 per cent of the daily new cases are being reported by 10 states and union territory -- Kerala, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Gujarat and Delhi.
Over 75 per cent of the deaths are being reported from Maharashtra, West Bengal, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka.
A new strain of the Covid-19 virus has appeared in the UK. The mutant is said to be 70 per cent more aggressive, according to reports. Flights and other forms of transport to and from the UK are being shut down
(With Agency Inputs)