COVID-19 Update: India reports 38,079 fresh cases, 560 deaths in last 24 hours

India's total tally of COVID-19 cases surged to 3,10,64,908 with 38,079 new infections and 560 deaths in the last 24 hours, with an active caseload at 4,24,025. The recovery rate from the disease has risen to 97.31%. The death count increased to 4,13,091 with 560 new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.

The total recoveries from the disease were at 3,02,27,792 across the country. More than 3.10 crore people have been infected in India since the start of the pandemic last year.

Kerala reported the highest COVID-19 cases at 13,750, followed by Maharashtra with 7,761 cases, Andhra Pradesh with 2,345 cases, Tamil Nadu with 2,312 cases, and Odisha with 2,070 cases.

On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked the chief ministers of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, Maharashtra, and Kerala to take proactive measures to rule out any chance of a third wave as cases were rising in these states again.

Meanwhile, NITI Aayog member on health Dr VK Paul has warned that the next 100-125 days are critical in the fight against COVID-19. The fall in cases after the peak of the deadly second wave two months ago should be taken as a warning sign, he said.

"Fall in cases has slowed down. It's a warning signal. Next 100 to 125 days are critical for fight against COVID in India," said Dr Paul, who is also a member of the centre's task force on fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

Several states have been cautiously easing restrictions after the second wave appeared to have waned. The country is, however, preparing for the possibility of a third wave.