Coronavirus cases surpass 400,000, deaths cross 13,000-mark in India

The number of COVID-19 cases in India surpassed the 400,000 mark, reaching 410,461, as the total deaths due to the virus crossed the 13,000-mark, reaching 13,254 on Sunday, said the latest data released by the federal health ministry.

The ministry's data said 306 new deaths due to COVID-19, besides fresh 15,413 positive cases, were reported during the past 24 hours across the country, taking the number of deaths to 13,254 and total cases to 410,461, reported Xinhua.

This is the highest single day spike in terms of number of new COVID-19 cases in the country so far.

"As on 8:00 a.m. (local time) Sunday, 13,254 deaths related to novel Coronavirus have been recorded in the country," reads information released by the ministry.

On Saturday morning the number of COVID-19 cases in the country was 395,048, and the death toll 12,948.

According to ministry officials, so far 227,756 people have been discharged from hospitals after showing improvement.

"The number of active cases in the country right now is 169,451," reads the information.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with chief ministers of all states via video conference on June 16 and 17 to chalk out the strategy to help the country to come out of the Coronavirus lockdown.

Meanwhile, in a related development, domestic pharma company "Glenmark Pharmaceuticals" claimed to have launched antiviral drug Favipiravir under the brand name "FabiFlu" for the treatment of cases of mild to moderate COVID-19.

The tablets are expected to be available off the shelves from next week.

According to a report in Hindustan Times, FabiFlu, the first oral Favipiravir-approved medication in India for the treatment of the Coronavirus, will be available as a 200 mg tablet at a maximum retail price of 3500 Indian Rupees (47 U.S. dollars) for a strip of 34 tablets.

The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) granted Glenmark Pharmaceuticals the permission to manufacture and market the medicine for "restricted emergency use" in mild to moderate cases.