A new record of coronavirus infections was set on Sunday as the Indian health ministry reported 152,879 new COVID-19 cases.
The second more deadly wave of coronavirus continued to grip India and overwhelm hospitals in parts of the country.
The number of new fatalities in a day stood at 839, the most deaths in more than five months, taking the toll to 169,275.
India’s tally of more than 13.35 million cases is the third-highest globally, behind only Brazil and the United States.
The Indian media reported that five states – Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and Kerala – cumulatively account for 72.23 per cent of the total active cases.
The Delhi government on Saturday announced new restrictions amid an alarming rise in coronavirus cases, banning most public gatherings and setting limits for attendance at restaurants, theatres, on public transport and functions like weddings and funerals.
A weekend lockdown was imposed from 8 pm on Friday to 7 am on Monday in Maharashtra amid an unprecedented surge in coronavirus cases.
Meanwhile, vaccination drive continued during the weekend lockdown in Maharashtra as elderly people thronged centres in Mumbai.
According to media reports, “Tika Utsav (vaccination drive)” for COVID-19 vaccination begins today (Sunday) and continue till April 14.
