MUMBAI, Dec. 7 (CNA) - India reported 32,981 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, data from the federal health ministry showed on Monday (Dec 7).

Cumulative cases now total 9.68 million, the second-highest tally in the world after the United States.

But health officials are drawing some encouragement that daily readings have stayed below the 50,000 mark for a month, in spite of a busy festival season that saw crowded markets and busy streets.

The number peaked in September when more than 97,000 cases were reported on a single day.

Deaths rose by 391, with the total now 140,573, the health ministry said.