India to hit 20,000 Covid-19 cases; death toll crosses 600

India became the world's 17th country to record 20,000 Covid-19 cases, crossing the grim milestone on a day when Maharashtra, Rajasthan and West Bengal recorded their biggest single day rise in infections.  There was a spike in deaths as well, with 49 on Tuesday, taking the toll to 645. 

The total number of cases stood at 20,083 late on Tuesday, as per reports from states, having risen by 1,493



during the day, the second highest daily rise after Sunday's spike of 1,613 cases. Over a third of the new cases came from Maharashtra. At 552 the state equalled its own record of fresh cases set on Sunday. Mumbai alone reported 419 cases and 12 deaths. The number of Covid-19 deaths in the country also soared to 640 with 45 deaths being reported from various states.