In the last 24 hours, India reported 20,551 new Covid-19 cases, an increase against the 19,893 infections registered the previous day, besides 70 deaths, the Union Health Ministry said on Friday.

The new fatalities has increased the nationwide death toll to 5,26,600. The active caseload has marginally declined to 1,35,364, accounting for 0.31 per cent of the country's total positive cases.

Scientists track impact of Covid protective plastic gear on wildlife
Scientists track impact of Covid protective plastic gear on wildlifeIANS

The recovery of 21,595 patients in the last 24 hours took the cumulative tally to 4,34,45,624. Consequently, India's recovery rate stands at 98.50 per cent.

While the daily positivity rate rose to 5.14 per cent, the weekly positivity rate stood at 4.64 per cent.

Also in the same period, a total of 4,00,110 tests were conducted across the country, increasing the overall tally to over 87.71 crore.

Covid scare surges as Centaurus variant bothers virologists

As of Friday morning, India's Covid-19 vaccination coverage exceeded 205.59 crore, achieved via 2,72,54,426 sessions

Over 3.93 crore adolescents have been administered with a first dose of Covid-19 jab since the beginning of vaccination drive for this age bracket.