India surpasses Russia as third-worst Covid hit country after US, Brazil

Aditi Tandon

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 6

India on Monday crossed Russia as the world’s third most COVID-19 burdened country as Ministry of Health morning update pegs cases at 6,97,413 against Russia’s 6,81,25. Several states recording their highest single-day spike.

The death toll rose by a record 613, to reach 19,268 in the country, the Union Health Ministry said, and states like Assam and Karnataka imposed selective lockdown to check the rising infection.

Russia has 6,81,251 infections while Brazil has 15,78,376 and the US has 29,54,999 cases, according to Worldometer which compiles the COVID-19 data from around the globe.

Recoveries in India also continue to improve and topped 4,24,432 as against current 2,53,287 infections.

The recovery rate slightly improved to 60.85 per cent as against 60.77 per cent on Sunday.

Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi account for more than 60 per cent of India’s cases and deaths.

The government has asked states to ramp-up testing in campaign mode and by using mobile vans to reach the vulnerable populations.

The daily testing capacity of samples is three lakh but national testing right now is a little under that with many states yet to activate the new test track and treat strategy.

India has improved testing by over four times in recent past with experts saying that increase in burden is a result of increase in testing.