Coronavirus cases in India climb to 724, death toll at 17. State-wise tally

·        With 19 fresh cases recorded on Thursday, the total number of COVID-19 patients in Kerala has surged to 137

·        More than 500,000 people around the world have now contracted the new coronavirus

More than 500,000 people around the world have now contracted the new coronavirus

The total number of coronavirus cases in India has climbed to 724 today. More than 85 cases were reported from the various parts of the country on Thursday — highest official single-day count so far. Out of the total patients, 677 are Indians and 47 are foreign nationals.

COVID-19 claimed its first life in Madhya Pradesh on Thursday, taking the total toll in the country 17. On Thursday, India has recorded highest number of deaths in a single day. Deaths have been reported from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Karnataka, Punjab, Delhi, West Bengal and Himachal Pradesh.

At present, there are 640 active coronavirus patients in the country. A total 67 patients have been cured or discharged so far, according to Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

With 19 fresh cases recorded on Thursday, the total number of COVID-19 patients in Kerala has surged to 137. The state has now highest coronavirus cases in India. Maharashtra comes close second with 130 active cases reported so far.

A total of 43 people tested positive in Gujarat. The state witnessed two deaths in last 24 hours. Telangana has 45 COVID-19 cases in the state. Karnataka on Thursday reported second COVID-19 death and four more positive cases, taking the total number of cases in the state to 55.

Delhi has so far witnessed 35 COVID-19 cases while Haryana has recorded 16 coronavirus cases. The total number of coronavirus patients stands at 13 in Jammu and Kashmir. Ladakh has also reported 13 cases.

The number of coronavirus patients in Madhya Pradesh has climbed to 20 after five more people from Bhopal diagnosed with COVID-19 on Thursday. As many as 40 people have been diagnosed with COVID-19 infection in Uttar Pradesh. Andhra Pradesh has confirmed 12 coronavirus cases.

Bihar has confirmed six coronavirus patients while West Bengal has reported ten COVID-19 positive cases. There are four coronavirus patients in Uttarakhand, seven in Chandigarh, three in Goa and six in Chhattisgarh. Mizoram and Manipur have recorded one COVID-19 case each.

At present, there are 640 active coronavirus patients in the country. 

On Thursday, Andaman and Nicobar Islands confirmed its first coronavirus case.

More than 500,000 people around the world have now contracted the new coronavirus. Over 83,000 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the US, higher than China, Italy or any other country has seen . The US has recorded 1,178 deaths, while the global death toll stood at 23,293.

Starting from Tuesday midnight, India is under 21-day lockdown to curb the spread of novel coronavirus. Only the essential services like grocery shops, medical outlets remain functional during the lockdown.