India on Tuesday reported a fall in the number of new coronavirus cases after a peak of more than 352,000 on Monday – but still, the number was beyond 300,000 for the sixth successive day.
The health ministry data showed 323,144 new cases during the past 24 hours with an overall caseload now stands at 17.64 million. Deaths from Covid-19 rose by 2,771 to reach a total of 197,894 – nearing the bleak milestone of 200,000.
“Please note that a huge fall in daily cases … is largely due to a heavy fall in testing,” Rijo M John, a professor and health economist at the Indian Institute of Management in the southern state of Kerala, said on Twitter.
“This should not be taken as an indication of falling cases, rather a matter of missing out on too many positive cases!”
Meanwhile, the first consignment of aid from the UK reached India early Tuesday morning.
France has joined the United Kingdom, Germany and the United States who have pledged to send urgent medical aid to India.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced suspension of all direct passenger flights from India until May 15.
