Over 16k COVID-19 cases reported in 24 hrs: MoHFW

India recorded 16,577 COVID-19 infections over 24 hours that has pushed the country's total caseload to 11,063,491, the Union ministry of health and family welfare's data showed on Friday morning.

It is the second consecutive day that India has recorded over 16,000 cases of coronavirus. On Thursday, India had reported 16,738 fresh infections in the highest daily jump this month.

The number of active cases has gone up further and now stands at 155,986.

There were 12,179 discharges between Thursday and Friday morning and with that the recoveries from the viral disease have gone up to 10,750,680 and the national recovery rate is now at 97.17 per cent.

The ministry on Thursday highlighted that the surge in infection was due to a rise in daily new cases in some states like Maharashtra, Kerala, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh, accounting for 89.57 per cent of total cases.

Meanwhile, 13,472,643 people have been vaccinated against Covid-19 since January 16.

The government's second phase vaccination drive will begin from March 1 and people above 60 years of age and those above 45 and with existing diseases will be given the shot.