India reports over 8,000 new coronavirus cases

NEW DELHI (AP) — India reported more than 8,000 new cases of the coronavirus in a single day, another record high that topped the deadliest week in the country.

Confirmed infections have risen to 182,143, with 5,164 fatalities, including 193 in the last 24 hours, the Health Ministry said on Sunday.

Overall, more than 60 percent of the virus fatalities have been reported from only two states: Maharashtra, the financial hub, and Gujarat, the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The new cases are largely concentrated in six Indian states, including the capital New Delhi.

Public health experts have criticized the Modi government’s handling of the outbreak. A joint statement by the Indian Public Health Association, Indian Association of Preventive and Social Medicine and Indian Association of Epidemiologists, which was sent to Modi’s office on May 25, said it was “unrealistic” to eliminate the virus at a time when “community transmission is already well-established.”

India has denied of any community transmission even though new cases have continued to mount significantly.

Health experts said infections were rising exponentially despite the “draconian lockdown,” which began on March 25.

The restrictions have slowly been relaxed, with the government announcing on Saturday a phased “Unlock 1” plan from June onwards that allows more economic activities.