India's tally of virus infections exceeds 8.9 million

India's infections are the second highest in the world after the United States, but have slowed from a September peak, despite celebrations of several major festivals that authorities had feared could trigger a spike.

Agencies and A News WORLD

Published November 18,2020

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INDIAS TALLY OF VIRUS INFECTIONS EXCEEDS 8.9 MILLION

A health worker takes a nasal swab sample of a woman to test for COVID-19 at a facility erected in a market in Ahmedabad, India, Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020. A country of nearly 1.4 billion people, India is the world's second most coranavirus hit country.

India recorded 38,617 new coronavirus infections, taking its tally to 8.9 million, health ministry data showed on Wednesday.

The south Asian nation's infections are the second highest in the world after the United States, but they have slowed from a September peak, despite celebrations of several major festivals that authorities had feared could trigger a spike.

Deaths rose by 474 in the last 24 hours, taking the toll to 130,993, the ministry added.