India COVID-19 death toll rises to 507 as total cases reach 15,712

NEW DELHI: India's federal health ministry said on Sunday morning that the death toll due to COVID-19 in India rose to 507 and the total number of confirmed cases in the country reached 15,712.

This is a jump of 19 deaths and an increase of 920 cases since Saturday evening, when the number of COVID-19 cases was 14,792 and the death toll 488.

According to ministry officials, 2,231 people have been discharged from hospitals after showing improvement.

"The number of active cases in the country right now is 12,974," read the information.

Sunday marks the 26th straight day of ongoing lockdown across the country announced by the government to contain the spread of the pandemic.

The lockdown which was announced on March 25 has been extended until May 3.

India's federal home minister Amit Shah chaired a review meeting Saturday on control room operations set up by his ministry to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Shah reviewed COVID-19 situation in various states with the officers of the control room.

"The home ministry control room is working 24X7 and not only coordinating with states but also with various ministries of the central government, to fight the epidemic," a government spokesman said.