India: 6,000 new Covid-19 infections in biggest one-day jump

New Delhi(dpa)–India on Friday reported a jump of more than 6,000 cases of the new coronavirus over the past 24 hours, its biggest one-day surge so far, as the nationwide lockdown keeps being relaxed and domestic flights prepare to resume.

The number of infections rose to 118,447, the Health Ministry said in its daily morning update. The disease claimed 148 lives in last 24 hours, taking the death toll to 3,583. The surge in cases – 6,088 on Thursday, 5,609 on Wednesday and 5,611 Tuesday - comes ahead of a gradual re-start of domestic flights beginning Monday. 

India's nationwide lockdown, the world's largest, began on March 25. While the first two phases saw a complete ban on travel and economic activity, there has been a gradual easing since, with many restrictions lifted in the fourth phase that began on Monday and continues till May 31. These include inter-state movement of passenger vehicles and buses, as well as the opening of industries, businesses, shops and offices. 

However, state governments have to decide on the extent of easing restrictions in their jurisdiction outside of containment zones. India’s worst-hit Maharashtra state said it has taken control of 80 per cent of beds in private hospitals as it grapples with increasing number of Covid-19 patients and complaints of exorbitant prices being charged, NDTV news channel reported. 

Maharashtra, with over 40,000 Covid-19 infections, has turned out to be the epicentre of the pandemic in India. It has been registering at least 2,000 new coronavirus cases daily over the past three days with the bulk of them in financial capital Mumbai.