Graveyard workers carry the body of a person who died of COVID-19 in New Delhi, India. File photo

India’s death toll from the coronavirus has passed 20,000, with case numbers surging past 700,000.

The country reported 467 new deaths in the last 24 hours, taking the toll to 20,160. It also recorded 22,252 new infections, increasing the total to 719,665.

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India becomes third hardest-hit country for coronavirus cases

India's coronavirus cases hit another daily record

The rate of new virus infections and deaths in India are now rising at their fastest pace. Health officials fear the number of deaths could rise significantly in the coming weeks.

A doctor wearing a protective face shield measures the temperature of a child in Ahmedabad, India. File/Reuters

India, with a population of 1.3 billion, is the third worst-affected nation in the world. Only the United States and Brazil have had more cases.

China on Tuesday reported eight new confirmed coronavirus cases, all of them brought from outside the country, with no new deaths, as almost 11 million students gathered to take the crucial national university entrance exam.

The National Health Council reported 403 people remained in treatment for COVID-19 while 121 people were in isolation being monitored as suspected cases or for testing positive for the virus without showing any symptoms.

China has reported a total of 4,634 deaths among 83,565 cases of COVID-19 since the virus was first detected in the central city of Wuhan late last year.

The grueling two-day university entrance exam can be a key determinant of a student’s future and was pushed back weeks as China worked to bring down infections.

It is believed to be the first mass gathering event since the virus outbreak and administrators are enforcing strict rules to prevent infections, including proof of wellness, social distancing and the wearing of masks

Associated Press