India on Friday recorded 46,759 fresh cases of the coronavirus disease and 509 new deaths  due to the infection in the past 24 hours, according to the Union health ministry.

According to the data shared by the Union Health Ministry on Saturday, the country witnessed a total of 31,374 discharges in the last 24 hours, taking the total recovery rate at around 97.60 per cent and total recoveries to 3,18,52,802. The total active cases of COVID-19 in the country rose to 3,59,775. The total death toll in the country is now at 4,37,370. In India, the first death due to COVID pandemic was reported in March 2020. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research, 51,68,87,602 samples have been tested up to August 27 for COVID-19. Of these 17,61,110 samples were tested on Friday.

Further, the Ministry has written to Kerala and Maharashtra govt asking them to ensure that adequate preventive measures, to check the prevention of COVID, are followed during the upcoming festival season. Meanwhile, India has administered more than one crore COVID-19 vaccination doses under its nationwide vaccination drive on Friday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed those behind the vaccination drive and also praised people getting inoculated.

Bihar: Mahabodhi Temple in Gaya reopens after 5 months

Manish Sisodia shares plan for Delhi govt's big announcement to promote sports

Scindia writes to 5 states CM seeking land for this purpose