Indian authorities said on Wednesday that COVID-19 has claimed lives of 507 people and infected 18,653 others in the last 24 hours.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said in a press statement that the death toll due to COVID-19 in the country rose to 17,400 while positive cases touched 585,493 people.
In an address to the nation, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the country is entering into the second phase of unlock and urged the people, governments and local authorities to take all necessary precautions.
He stressed the need of following strict guidelines in the containment zones, and proclaimed relief packages to help the people in this time of hardship.