933 Covid deaths a day
India on Saturday recorded the highest 933 deaths in a single day even as the total death toll due to Covid-19 in the country rose to 42,518, which is 2.05% of 20.89 lakh infections so far, 61,537 of them in the past 24 hours.
The countrywide tests are also slipping down after remaining upward of 6 lakh a day for the last four days as the ICMR reported 5.99 lakh tests on Saturday and the cumulative tests since march hitting 2.34 crore. The recovery rate is 67.98% with 14.27 lakh cured so far, 48,900 in 24 hours. Those still under treatment went up to 6.19 lakh, with as many as 11,704 hospitalised since Friday.
Pompeo speaks with counterparts from India, Australia, Brazil, Israel, S Korea
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has spoken with his counterparts from five key partners and allies, including External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, on the collective fight against the coronavirus pandemic, according to his spokesperson.
This was Secretary Pompeo's second call with Jaishankar in as many days.
Pompeo and his counterparts discussed the importance of continued close coordination in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, State Department Spokesperson, Morgan Ortagus said in a readout of the calls with foreign ministers of India, Australia, Brazil, Israel, and South Korea.
"They noted the importance of close cooperation to reopen our economies and counter disinformation, while also addressing the need for concerted efforts to prevent future pandemics," Ortagus said on Friday.
Reviewed our bilateral cooperation including working of relevant mechanisms. Shared assessments on regional and global issues including South Asia, Afghanistan, Indo-Pacific & beyond. Exchanged views on responding to the coronavirus challenge. Discussed meet in the Quad format in the near future.
— S Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister