Covid-19 infections in India surge past 5.82 million

According to data released by the Indian Health Ministry on Friday 86,052 new infections of Covid-19 were reported over the span of 24 hours from across the country, taking the overall case tally up to over 5.82 million. A further 1,141 virus-related deaths took the toll of fatalities in the country to 92,290.

Recovery rate rises to 81% with recoveries more than new infections:

Meanwhile, 87,374 patients have recovered over the past 24 hours, which takes the total number of recoveries in the country to 4,756,164 at a rate of over 81 percent. For the sixth day in a row, India registered more recoveries than new infections, which is considered the silver lining in India's battle against the virus.

Testing, tracing, and surveillance are the key: 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasized the importance of increasing "effective testing, tracing, treatment and surveillance" to bring the pandemic situation in the country under control during a virtual review meeting with Chief Ministers from the seven states reporting the highest number of Covid-19 infections in the country.

Modi also stressed the need to clarify any messages directed to the public to refute any rumours about testing "Effective messaging is also necessary because most Covid-19 infections are without symptoms. In such a situation, rumours may arise. It might raise doubts in the minds of the people that testing is bad. Some people also make mistakes of underestimating the severity of infection," he added.

Saudi arabia bans flights from india and other countries

In light of the surge in cases, Saudi Arabia has banned flights from India, Brazil, and Argentina. The Saudi Arabian General Authority of Civil Aviation (Gaca) announced that any passenger who has visited any of these countries in the past 14 days will not be allowed to enter the kingdom. The order however did not state the duration of the ban.