Recoveries and new cases at neck and neck in the last 24 hours, recovery rate remains at 95.78 per cent

India on Saturday logged 22,272 fresh COVID-19 infections in the last 24 hours, when 22,274 people also recovered from the virus, the data from Ministry of Health and Family Welfare showed. It took the total number of cases to 1,01,69,118, along with 251 deaths in the past one day. The overall toll is 1,47,343. Total recovered people are 97,40,108. There are 2,81,667 active cases. The recovery rate stands at 95.78 per cent while the fatality rate is 1.45 as per cent.

A total of 16,71,59,289 samples have been tested for Covid-19 till now. Of these, 8,53,527 samples were tested on Friday, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said. Maharashtra continues to be the worst-hit state to the date with 19,13,382 cases. Over 70 per cent of the daily new cases are being reported by 10 states and union territory -- Kerala, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and Gujarat.

Over 75 per cent of the deaths are being reported from Maharashtra, Delhi, West Bengal, Kerala, Chhattisgarh,, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh. A new strain of the COVID-19 virus has appeared in the UK. The mutant is said to be 70 per cent more aggressive, according to reports. Flights and other forms of transport to and from the UK are being shut down