India has today reported its biggest single-day spike in confirmed coronavirus cases since the pandemic began.
As per the recent statistics, 103,558 new COVID-19 infections in the last 24 hours, topping the previous peak of 97,894 daily cases recorded in late September. With this, India now has a seven-day rolling average of more than 73,000 cases per day and infections in the country are being reported faster than anywhere else in the world.
The statistics also show the western state of Maharashtra, as the biggest contributor to the surge. It is also the home to the commercial capital of Mumbai. The state has contributed more than 55 percent of total cases in the country in the last two weeks.
Following this, Mumbai is returning to the closure of some businesses and places of worship in a bid to slow the spread. Authorities have shut down cinemas, restaurants, shopping malls, and places of worship, in Mumbai from Monday onwards. In addition to this, a complete lockdown is imposed at weekends.
Experts say the surge is blamed in part on growing disregard for social distancing and mask-wearing in public spaces, including public gatherings. While some have said the government has been sending mixed messages as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party leaders continue to hold mammoth rallies in several states where local elections are underway.
India has reported 12.6 million virus cases since the pandemic began, the highest after the United States and Brazil.
As per the recent statistics, 103,558 new COVID-19 infections in the last 24 hours, topping the previous peak of 97,894 daily cases recorded in late September. With this, India now has a seven-day rolling average of more than 73,000 cases per day and infections in the country are being reported faster than anywhere else in the world.
The statistics also show the western state of Maharashtra, as the biggest contributor to the surge. It is also the home to the commercial capital of Mumbai. The state has contributed more than 55 percent of total cases in the country in the last two weeks.
Following this, Mumbai is returning to the closure of some businesses and places of worship in a bid to slow the spread. Authorities have shut down cinemas, restaurants, shopping malls, and places of worship, in Mumbai from Monday onwards. In addition to this, a complete lockdown is imposed at weekends.
Experts say the surge is blamed in part on growing disregard for social distancing and mask-wearing in public spaces, including public gatherings. While some have said the government has been sending mixed messages as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party leaders continue to hold mammoth rallies in several states where local elections are underway.
India has reported 12.6 million virus cases since the pandemic began, the highest after the United States and Brazil.
