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India hits 5 million infections

India's infections have spread to every state, even including tribes on the remote Andaman islands.

Staff Writers
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Women mourn from a distance after seeing the body of a relative who died of Covid-19 in Gauhati, India, Sept 10, 2020. Photo: AP
Women mourn from a distance after seeing the body of a relative who died of Covid-19 in Gauhati, India, Sept 10, 2020. Photo: AP

Confirmed coronavirus infections in India have gone beyond five million, officials say, the second-highest in the world after the US.

The virus appears to be spreading much faster in India than any other country, with daily cases crossing 90,000 for the five days up until Tuesday, the BBC says.

More than 80,000 people have died but the death rate is lower than in many countries.

The increase in infections comes as the government continues to lift restrictions to try to boost the economy.

Most workplaces and markets are back to normal, and many cities are permitting restaurants and bars to resume serving alcohol, which is likely to increase crowds and reduce social distancing compliance.

Gyms are the latest to reopen, but schools, colleges and cinemas stay shut.

India’s caseload now stands at 5,020,359 after it added over 90,000 cases in the last 24 hours.

The virus has spread to every corner of the country, including the remote tribe in India’s Andaman islands, the bulk of the caseload is coming from five states.