New Delhi, Jul 17 (IANS): With fresh Covid cases in India remaining below 40,000 over consecutive days, the Union Health Ministry on Saturday said the country's recovery rate has now climbed to 97.31 per cent.

In the past 24 hours, India reported 38,079 new coronavirus cases, which was even lower than Friday's when it was also below the 40,000-mark and lesser than discharged Covid patients from the hospital in the same time span.

Fatality due to pandemic was recorded at 560.

According to the data shared by the Union Health Ministry on Saturday, the active cases in the country now stand at 4,24,025.

The total number of samples tested up to July 16 is 44,20,21,954, including 19,98,715 samples tested on Friday.

The Ministry on Friday said that the next 100-125 days will be critical in the fight against Covid-19.

"Fall in cases has slowed down. It's a warning signal. Next 100 to 125 days are critical for the fight against Covid in India," NITI Aayog member on health Dr V.K. Paul who is also a member of the centre's task force on fighting Covid said on Friday.

Several states have been cautiously easing restrictions after the second wave appeared to have waned.

The country is, however, preparing for the possibility of a third wave, the health ministry has stated during the Covid briefing on Friday.