Daily coronavirus cases in India peak in nearly mid-September

MUMBAI (Reuters) – India has counted 45,774 new coronavirus cases, bringing total cases to 8.5 million, health ministry data showed on Sunday as the daily increase remained at half the peak recorded in September despite a series of religious holidays.

India has the second largest number of cases in the world, behind the United States, which has 9.91 million cases.

Deaths increased by 559, the health ministry said, bringing total mortality to 126,121.

The Hindu festival of lights, Diwali, falls this week, raising fears that one of the most social religious holidays on the Indian calendar could lead to a more rapid spread of infections.