India’s daily coronavirus infections have dipped below 100,000 for the first time in more than two months as an overall downturn prompts some states to ease restrictions.

The 86,498 cases added in the past 24 hours pushed India’s total past 29 million, second only to the United States, which has more than 33m. The Health Ministry also reported 2,123 new fatalities in the past 24 hours, raising the overall death toll to 351,309. Both figures are believed to be vast undercounts.

India peaked at adding more than 400,000 cases a day in May, but new infections and deaths have declined across the country since then, according to an AP report.

An Indian villager and a child wearing masks on their chins ride on a bicycle on the outskirts of Gauhati, India. — AP
An Indian villager and a child wearing masks on their chins ride on a bicycle on the outskirts of Gauhati, India. — AP

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