India COVID-19 death toll rises to 2,549 as total cases reach 78,003

Workers wearing protective outfits sanitize a neighborhood to contain the spread of Covid-19 virus

NEW DELHI, May 14 (Xinhua) -- India's federal health ministry Thursday morning said 134 new deaths due to COVID-19 and an additional 3,722 positive cases were reported since Wednesday in the country, taking the number of deaths to 2,549 and total cases to 78,003.

On Wednesday morning the number of COVID-19 cases in the country was 74,281, and the death toll was 2,415, according to information released by the ministry.

According to ministry officials, so far 26,235 people have been discharged from hospitals after showing improvement.

"The number of active cases in the country right now is 49,219," read the information.

Thursday marks the 51st straight day of the ongoing lockdown across the country announced by the central government to contain the spread of the pandemic.

The lockdown, announced on March 25, was on May 1 again extended for the second time until May 17.