India records highest daily virus infections

By Shuriah Niazi

NEW DELHI (AA) - India on Friday reported 6,066 new coronavirus infections, the largest single-day figure since the start of the outbreak, according to the Health Ministry.

The tally of cases in the country stands at 118,447.

With 48 new fatalities, the nationwide death toll rose to 3,583.

Meanwhile, national carrier Air India started taking bookings for domestic flights amid the COVID-19 lockdown. Flights will resume from May 25.

The country is also dealing with the aftermath of Cyclone Amphan which hit its southeastern coast on Wednesday killing 77 people.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an advanced interim assistance of $133 million for the region after he undertook an aerial survey of the state on Friday.

The cyclone also killed 26 people in neighboring Bangladesh, leaving seven others wounded, according to the country's health authorities on Friday.

More than 100,000 houses were destroyed and nearly 125,000 hectors of crops land was damaged, according to a primary assessment by the country's disaster management and relief ministry. The overall loss could be up to $130 million.

Bangladesh also reported 24 new deaths due to coronavirus, the highest single-day fatalities, raising the death toll to 432.

The total infections in Bangladesh also hit the 30,000-mark with 1,694 new cases recorded on Friday.

* Md. Kamruzzaman from Bangladesh contributed to the story.