Coronavirus cases pass 25 million globally as India records world’s highest single-day spike
The number of reported coronavirus cases has crossed 25 million worldwide on Sunday, according to the estimate of John Hopkins University. The caseload has seen a dramatic surge in the past few days as India, a country of 1.4 billion people has emerged as the new epicenter of the pandemic.
India registered 78,761 new cases on Sunday, a world record in the single-day spike since the outbreak of the pandemic in China last year. India now has the fastest daily surge of coronavirus infection, registering more than 75,000 new cases for four consecutive days. As of Sunday, India stands third in the number of coronavirus infections with 3.5 million cases. However, the country’s coronavirus cases and fatalities for every million people, are still lower than the global average. According to the government record, so far, the virus has killed 63,000 Indians. Globally, more than 843,000 people have died due to the virus infection, and the US, Mexico, and Brazil together account for around 40% of the death toll.
The Indian government imposed a strict lockdown, one of the strictest in the world, in the month of March to contain the spread of the virus. The time when the lockdown was announced, the country had just about 500 cases and 10 deaths. Initially, it was a three-week-long lockdown that extended later. During the lockdown, India was relatively more successful in containing the virus infection, however, the lockdown had a devastating effect on the economy of this developing country where the unorganized sector plays a key role in sustaining the economy. In an attempt to revive the economy, the restrictions were lifted gradually and since then the country is witnessing a spike. India is now in its fourth phase of reopening and planning to resume the underground train service as well as some sports and religious events next month. Schools, indoor theatres, and swimming pools will remain closed for at least another month.
India is not the only country that is struggling with an increasing number of cases since easing the lockdown restrictions. The US continues to see an increase in cases for seven straight days, as it records more than 47,000 cases on Sunday. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the country has recorded more than 5.9 million cases and around 183, 000 deaths.
France is also witnessing a surge in the number of coronavirus cases and some of the restrictions are being imposed again. In Paris, people are now required to wear masks in all public places. Face covering has also made mandatory all across the country while traveling in public transport or visiting a store.
