India registers biggest 1-day spike in coronavirus cases since November

On Thursday, India listed 16,738 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, the biggest single-day spike since November, taking the absolute number to 1, 10,46,914, the MOHFW stated. Around 138 deaths were recorded during a similar period, taking the absolute total of deaths to 1, 56,705.

Likewise, the recuperation rate reached 97.20 percent as 11,799 covid cases were discharged from hospitals, taking the entire number of covid recovery to 1, 07, 38,501, the Health Ministry added. 

Throughout the most recent couple of days, coronavirus cases in India have been surged at a startling rate, especially in five states – Kerala, Maharashtra, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, pushing the government authorities to reimpose travel restraints and force fine on those not following coronavirus protocols. 

On Wednesday, after witnessing a surge in daily cases announced in the above five states, the West Bengal government made it obligatory for travelers to go through RT-PCR tests within 72 hours of the flight takeoff. 

Likewise, passengers traveling to the National Capital from Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, and Punjab between 26 Feb to 15 March require to show a negative RT-PCR test, and this order will apply for those entering Delhi in planes, trains, and buses. It is going to be executed from Friday night, the ANI stated. 

The Central government has also announced that the second phase of the coronavirus vaccination drive, where individuals over 60 years of age and those with co-morbidities, will start from March 1. 

“The second phase of the world’s biggest vaccination drive will begin from Monday and 10,000 government medical clinics and hospitals along with over 20,000 private hospitals have received permission for it,” Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar stated.