In Tamil Nadu, the total Covid-19 infection has crossed 5.5 lakh yesterday while the case fatalities are inching closer to nine thousand.

However, the active caseload remains under 47-thousand since the 15th of this month. 5337 people were tested positive for the viral infection including 989 in Chennai in the last 24-hours, while 5406 others recovered. 76 people lost their lives to the disease taking the toll to 8947.

The Government has said that 44.9 lakh people have recovered from COVID-19 in the country which is the highest in the world. Keeping the fresh caseloads in mind,  Tamil Nadu school education minister KA Sengottaiyan has said, the date of reopening of schools could not be decided so far due to the prevailing pandemic situation. Talking to reporters at Erode yesterday, he said there is no plan now to reopen them.

However, he said the government-run schools will admit new students till the end of this month. In a reversal of the usual trend, during the admission season this year so far, about 2.5 lakh students from private schools have migrated to the government-run institutions.

Briefing media in New Delhi yesterday, Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said, India contributes 17.7 per cent share in the total COVID-19 cases, however, in terms of recovered cases, India shares 19.5 per cent of the total recovered cases.

The Health Secretary said, the recovery rate has improved to 80.86 per cent and the highest-ever single day recovery of one lakh was registered in the last 24 hours. More than 6.5 crore tests have been conducted so far and 12 lakh tests were conducted in a single day.

Member (Health) in Niti Aayog Dr V K Paul said, the overall situation continues to be under control and the country is facing the battle effectively. He said all tests are being conducted now by using indigenously developed kits.