India Surpasses 8 Million Coronavirus Cases; 2nd Only To U.S.

A health officer in protective suit collects a swab sample to be tested for coronavirus on Thursday in Dharmsala, India. India’s confirmed coronavirus caseload surpassed 8 million on Thursday.

Ashwini Bhatia / AP

India has surpassed 8 million confirmed coronavirus cases, making it the second country to reach that milestone after the United States.

Daily new cases in India are continuing to drop after a record high in September, and a government-appointed panel of scientists has said that the country is past its peak.

But the Hindu festival season, local elections and seasonal air pollution are raising concerns that the virus could surge again.