INDIA SEES OVER 72K NEW COVID CASES, HIGHEST SINCE OCT 11: GOVT

NEW DELHI: India recorded its highest daily rise in Covid-19 cases this year with 72,330 new infections being reported in a span of 24 hours, taking the total tally of cases to 1,22,21,665, according to the Union health ministry data updated on Thursday.

The single-day rise in cases is the highest recorded since October 11, 2020, while the death toll increased to 1,62,927 with 459 daily new fatalities, the highest in around 116 days, the data updated at 8 am showed. Registering a steady increase for the 22nd day in row, the active cases have increased to 5,84,055 comprising 4.78% of the total infections, while the recovery rate has further dropped to 93.89%, the data stated. As many as 74,383 new infections were recorded in a span of 24 hours on October 11, 2020.

The active caseload was at its lowest at 1, 35,926 on February 12 comprising 1.25% of the total infections. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 1,14,74,683. The case fatality rate has further has dropped to 1.33%, the data stated.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra added 6,51,513 Covid-19 cases in March this year, which accounts for 88.23% of the total number of cases reported in the previous five-month period, according to official data. Between October 1 last year and February 28, 2021, the state recorded 7,38,377 Covid cases. The data shows the increased pace of the viral infection in March 2021 compared to previous months. One of the main reasons for it is the people not following “Covid-appropriate behaviour”, say experts.