After recording the highest number of Coronavirus infections around September 17 with more than 98,000 cases in a single day, India’s daily tally of new COVID-19 cases has steadily declined in the past three weeks. With this developments, experts have suggested that the first COVID-19 wave in India appears to be receding for the first time in seven months  of struggle against the disease.

On Thursday, the Union Health Ministry data recorded a single-day rise of 78,524 COVID-19 cases in the country taking the total virus caseload to over 68 lakh. In addition, with more than 75,000 people recovering from the disease every day, India’s recoveries have increased to 6.3 times more than active Coronavirus cases. There has been a significant rise in the number of Coronavirus recoveries from 50,000 in May to more than 57 lakh in October.

Reportedly, the number of active infections has dropped by more than one lakh in the past three weeks. The decline in the positive case is visible in almost all states, except Karnataka, Kerala and Chhattisgarh, which are witnessing a sharp rise in the infections as of now. It is important to note that there four states – Delhi, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, responsibility for the majority of Coronavirus infections (46%) in the country.

However, experts have warned of a potential in the cases with the festive season coming, if people will show carelessness in complying with the COVID-19 precautionary measures during the celebrations. The Health Ministry, on Tuesday, issued the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the upcoming festive season in a bid to contain the spread of Coronavirus. From wearing face masks to staggered timings and restricted entry at various festive events like Ramlila pandals, puja pandals, the government has urged the citizens to ensure adherence to precautionary norms to maintain the highest level of public safety noting that the threat of the disease still persists.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday also launched the ‘janandolan’ campaign aimed at raising awareness about COVID-appropriate behaviour among the public in view of the upcoming winter season, festivals and reopening of economic activities in the country. Using the hashtag ‘Unite2FightCorona’ on Twitter, the Prime Minister urged the public to remember to wear a mask, wash hands, follow social distancing, to win the fight against COVID-19.

“India’s COVID-19 fight is people-driven and gets great strength from our COVID warriors,” he said in a series of tweets.

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