With the highest single-day spike of 66,999 cases, India's COVID count approached 24 lakh mark, according to the Union Health Ministry on Thursday.

The Health Ministry said that India has recorded the highest-ever recoveries of 56,383 in a single day.

The total coronavirus cases stand at 23,96,638, of which there are 6,53,622 active cases and 16,95,982 patients have been cured, discharged, or migrated, said the Ministry of Health.

In the last 24 hours, 942 patients have succumbed to the virus, taking the death toll to 47,033 in the country.With 8,30,391 samples on August 12, the highest in a single day, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has tested 2,68,45,688 samples so far.

As per the Ministry, Maharashtra continues to be the worst affected state from the infection with 1,47,820 active cases, and 18,650 fatalities.

The number of recovered cases have reached 3,81,843 after 13,408 more patients have recovered on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the Union Government has distributed more than 3.04 crore N95 masks and more than 1.28 crore PPE kits to States / UTs / Central Institutions, free of cost since March 11.

Also, more than 10.83 crore HCQ tablets have been distributed to them, stated a press release by Press Information BureauIn addition, 22,533 ventilators have been delivered under the 'Make in India' programme.