India's COVID-19 cases hit 700,000

The total number of COVID-19 cases surpassed 700,000-mark in India on Tuesday, reaching 719,665, as the death toll rose to 20,160, said the latest data released by the federal health ministry.

The ministry said 467 new deaths due to COVID-19, besides 22,252 positive cases, were reported during the past 24 hours across the country, taking the number of deaths to 20,160 and total cases to 719,665.

"As of Tuesday, 20,160 deaths related to novel coronavirus have been recorded in the country," said the ministry.

According to ministry officials, so far, 439,948 people have been discharged from hospitals after showing improvement.

"The number of active cases in the country right now is 259,557," said the information.

India has entered Unlock 2.0 phase, though restrictions remain in full force inside the COVID-19 Containment Zones.

On Friday, the country's civil aviation watchdog Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said commercial international flights to and from India should remain suspended until July 31.

India has overtaken Russia to become the third worst-hit country. The highest number of infections is in the United States, with 2.93 million cases, followed by Brazil.