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India on Thursday registered the biggest single-day spike of 52123 COVID-19 cases taking the total tally to 15,83,792.

With 775 new deaths reported in the past 24 hours, the country’s total death toll now stands at 34968.

According to the Union Health Ministry, there are 528242 active coronavirus cases in the country currently.

With a total of 1020582 people discharged from hospitals, the total recovery rate in the country is 64.44 per cent, according to the health ministry’s data.

Although Maharashtra continues to be the worst affected state in the country with a total of 146433 active coronavirus cases at present, it is also witnessing a good recovery rate as 239755 people have been discharged from hospitals so far in the state.

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Health Ministry data also shows that cases are now rising faster in some southern states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

The total number of active cases in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh are 67456, 57490 and 63771 respectively.

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Wednesday issued new guidelines allowing more activities in areas outside the Containment Zones.

In Unlock 3.0, which will come into effect from August 1, 2020, the process of phased re-opening of activities has been extended further.

The new guidelines, issued on Wednesday, are based on feedback received from States and UTs, and extensive consultations held with related central ministries and departments, the MHA said.

Lockdown shall continue to be implemented strictly in the Containment Zones till August 31, 2020, the Home Ministry said.

Containment Zones are required to be carefully demarcated by the State/ UT Governments with a view to contain the spread of COVID19, after taking into consideration the guidelines issued by MOHFW.

Within the containment zones, strict perimeter control shall be maintained and only essential activities allowed.