India's federal health ministry Sunday morning said that 287 new deaths due to COVID-19 and an additional 9,971 positive cases were reported during the past 24 hours across the country, taking the death toll to 6,929 and total cases to 246,628, according to Xinhua News Agency.

This is the highest spike in the number of cases in the country so far.

India has become the 6th worst affected country in the world in terms of COVID-19 cases.

"As on 8:00 a.m. (local time) Sunday, 6,929 deaths related to novel Coronavirus have been recorded in the country," reads information released by the ministry.

On Saturday morning the number was 236,657, and the death toll was 6,642.

According to ministry officials, so far 119,293 people have been discharged from hospitals after showing improvement.

"The number of active cases in the country right now is 120,406," reads the information.

The fifth phase of nationwide lockdown came into force from Monday, marking several relaxations and reopening in a phased manner.

On March 25 Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced a nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of COVID-19 and break the chain of infection.

-- BERNAMA