Fourth Consecutive Day to Record over 79,000 Fresh Cases in a Day

The country has reported over 79000 new coronavirus cases in the preceding 24 hours - the biggest single-day spike in infections in the world - government data revealed Sunday morning, taking the total number of cases in the country past 35 lakh.

The surge in coronavirus cases in India - this is the fourth consecutive day to record over 70,000 new cases and eighth with more than 60,000 - is attributable to resumption of economic and commercial activities, and increased testing, medical experts were quoted by a news agency.

Of further concern, one expert told media, was disdain in following guidelines, which include wearing of face masks in public places and social distancing.

The Chief of the Communicable disease, ICMR, Dr Samiran Panda, said the media, “With the opening up of the economy... complacency is being seen among people (in) following Covid-appropriate behaviour, which is also contributing to the rise in cases”. The re-opening of public spaces and economic activities - a step necessitated by the condition of the Indian economy after months of lockdown - continued last night with "Unlock4" - the fourth phase of easing of restrictions. Under "Unlock4" guidelines metro services - banned because crowded stations and trains make it easy for the infectious virus to spread - have been allowed. Delhi Metro, which claims to transport around 15 lakh people per day, has put out strict guidelines to minimize contact.

Hotels and restaurants, shopping malls, religious places and gyms - all characteristically high footfall and contact areas - have also been re-opened, albeit with restrictions in place, in previous "Unlock" phases. The focus on "discipline" and adhering to Covid guidelines - a key point as more and more of the country is opened up - was reinforced today by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during Mann ki Baat, his monthly radio address.  “Testing per million in India - at 30,000 - remains the second lowest in top 10 (virus-infected) countries. Mexico is lowest at about 10,000," Shahid Jameel, a virologist who heads the Wellcome Trust/DBT India Alliance, told the international news agency. India conducted a record 10.5 lakh COVID-19 tests on Sunday, the government said. Experts have also warned that while an increase in testing - and India has scaled up testing over the past weeks - is encouraging, more had to be done to capture the scale of the pandemic in the world's second-most populous nation.