NEW DELHI: India crossed the grim milestone of 9 million coronavirus cases, with 45,882 new infections recorded in the last 24 hours, the health ministry said on Friday.
India is only the second country to cross 9 million coronavirus infections, after the United States, but cases have slowed down in the country after hitting a peak in September.
Deaths rose by 584, with the total now at 132,162, the health ministry said.
Authorities in capital New Delhi are fighting to head off nearly 7,500 new cases a day while ensuring that the flagging economy doesn’t capsize again.
The government hiked the fine for not wearing a mask four times to 2,000 rupees ($27) as it considered fresh restrictions.
Government officials and experts have warned that the country could still see a spike after the festival of Diwali was celebrated this month.
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