India's coronavirus infections cross 7 million
India's coronavirus caseload topped 7 million on Sunday (October 11).
The health ministry reported 74,383 new infections in the previous 24 hours; a rise in infections in southern states offset a drop in cases in western regions.
Deaths from COVID-19 rose by 918 in the last 24 hours to 108,334, the ministry said.
India added a million cases in just 13 days, according to a Reuters tally of government data.
It has the second-highest number of infections, behind the United States, which is approaching the 8 million mark.
The southern state of Kerala, which won praise for early handling of the pandemic, on Saturday reported 11,755 new cases, the highest in the country.
Faced with a collapsing economy after imposing a tough lockdown in March, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government is pushing ahead with a full opening of the country just before festival season.
But the season, which climaxes in October and November, poses additional challenges.
Officials are trying to dampen the usual large public celebrations and cross-country travel.
