NEW DELHI, April 24 (Xinhua) -- India's federal health ministry reported 1,377 new COVID-19 cases and 32 new deaths on Friday morning, taking the number of deaths to 718 and total cases to 23,077.

"As on 8:00 a.m. (local time) today, 718 deaths related to novel coronavirus have been recorded in the country," reads the information released by the ministry.

On Thursday evening the number of COVID-19 cases in the country was 21,700 and the death toll was 686.

According to ministry officials, so far 4,749 people have been discharged from hospitals after showing improvement.

"The number of active cases in the country right now is 17,610," reads the information.

Friday marks the 31st straight day of an ongoing lockdown across the country announced by the government to contain the spread of the pandemic.

The lockdown which was announced on March 25 has been extended until May 3.

Local media reports said at least 46 people from a containment zone in north Delhi's Jahangirpuri have tested positive for COVID-19, while a hospital in the same district has been sealed after 14 staff members, including doctors and nurses, were found infected.

Earlier this week, 31 members of an extended family, including children, residing in Jahangirpuri area were tested positive for COVID-19. 

(Photo: Agencies)