India has reported a record daily jump in COVID-19 infections, bringing the total to nearly three million. At least 69,878 new infections took India's total cases to around 2.98 million, behind only the United States and Brazil. Cases have plateaued in Mumbai, which now averages just over 1,000 a day and has recorded more than 134,000 in total.

The 11-day festival of Hindu god Ganesh is usually celebrated with big public gatherings. But strict pandemic regulations have meant the festival season, which began this month, has been lackluster. The COVID-19 death toll crossed 56,000 as of August 24.