Total COVID-19 cases in India cross 56,000-mark; 16539 patients cured

India's COVID-19 tally continued to rise with the total number of confirmed cases touching 56,342 on Friday, data on the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare website showed. 

Of the total cases in the country, 37,916 are active cases while 16,539 individuals have been cured and discharged from the hospitals. The death toll has mounted to 1,886 while one person has migrated to another country, according to the data released by the Health Ministry.

The total number of cases also include 111 foreign nationals.

Around the world, over 38.45 lakh coronavirus cases have been detected. The most number of COVID 19 positive cases have been detected in the US, Spain, Italy, the United Kingdon and Russia. Over 2.69 COVID 19 related deaths have been reported across the globe. The US, UK, Italy and Spain have recorded more deaths than other countries, as per the information shared by the Johns Hopkins University and Medicine Coronavirus Resource Center.

Meanwhile, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has approved 21 institutions for participating in a randomised controlled study to assess the safety and efficacy of convalescent plasma to limit complications associated with COVID-19. The sample size of the study is 452. Once 400 patients are enrolled, no more sites will be added. The clinical trial liability insurance has been bought centrally by the ICMR, officials said.

(With inputs from agencies)