India sets record virus testing amid black fungus wave

India has so far reported 8,848 cases of black fungus; Centre asks social media to remove content referring to ‘Indian Covid variant’; Sonia writes to PM over the scarcity of black fungus drugs

NEW DELHI

With more than 20,66,285 tests conducted in the last 24 hours, India has again set a new record of highest tests conducted in a day.

Cumulatively, 20,66,285 tests were conducted in the country in past one-day duration, Union Health Ministry said on Saturday.

In another positive development, India’s daily positivity rate has declined to 12.45 per cent. India has recorded less than 3 lakh daily new cases for six consecutive days now.

A total of 2,57,299 daily new cases were registered in the last 24 hours.

Meanwhile, India’s daily recoveries continue to outnumber the daily new cases for the ninth consecutive day with 3,57,630 in the last 24 hours.

India has so far reported approximately cases of 8,848 mucormycosis or black fungus, one of the rapidly spreading infections observed in those recovering from Covid-19.

Taking note of the increasing numbers, the central government has emphasised upon expediting the allocation of vials of Amphotericin-B, a key drug to treat raging mucormycosis.

In this direction, the Union minister of chemicals and fertilisers D.V. Sadananda Gowda has announced an allocation of 23,680 additional vials of Amphotericin-B.