India coronavirus cases surge past one million mark as deaths hit new record

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in India has crossed one million, the country's health ministry said early on Friday, after states reported large daily increases.

Government data showed another 34,956 cases were added in the last 24 hours, as well as a new record daily death toll of 687.

India is now the third-worst affected country in the world in terms of coronavirus cases, having overtaken Russia 10 days ago. Some forecasts suggest that with its huge population and fragile health system, India could end up with the world's worst outbreak by the end of 2021.

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