44,230 New Covid Cases In India, Marginally Higher Than Yesterday

India added 44,230 new coronavirus cases over the last 24 hours - the highest cases in nearly two weeks -  while deaths from COVID-19 rose by 555. The country's overall case load now stands at 3.15 crore, while total fatalities are at 4.23 lakh, according to the health ministry. More than 37 per cent of India's active cases are in Kerala, according to government sources. The spike in infections in the state has forced the Centre to send a team for effective COVID-19 management there. Kerala's steady R-factor growth (the speed at which the viral infection spreads) has prompted analysts to point out the state will remain in the top spot for the next couple of weeks vis-a-vis new infections. Neighbouring Karnataka on Thursday recorded a steep spike in Covid cases. The southern state reported 2,052 new cases, 34 per cent more than Wednesday's tally of 1,531. At least 505 cases were reported from state capital Bengaluru.