India recorded a new high of highest number of Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in a single day, after 3,900 fresh cases and 195 casualties were reported in the last 24 hours.
As per the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, the total number of cases has increased to 46,711 and there have been 583 casualties. There are currently 31,967 active cases and 13,160 patients have been discharged or cured.
Addressing the daily media briefing, the Joint Secretary, MoHFW – Lav Aggarwal said, “3,900 new COVID-19 cases and 195 fatalities reported in last 24 hours, highest increase in single day.”
He also said that the recovery rate is now 27.41%. He stated that the sudden increases in number of cases and casualties is because of certain States who had not shared the details earlier. It is only after persuasion that they have shared the details.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra continues to be the worst hit State with 771 fresh cases and 35 casualties in a single day taking the total tally of infected cases to 14,541 and casualties to 583. Gujarat is the second most affected State having 5,804 cases and 319 casualties. Delhi follows next with 4,898 cases and 64 casualties.
While Uttar Pradesh (U.P.) reported 188 fresh cases, Tamil Nadu saw a surge with 508 fresh cases. The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu – E. Palaniswami said that the COVID-19 cases are more in Chennai because it is densely populated.
Speaking on the occasion, Planaswami said, “In all containment zones, sanitisation is being done three times a day. Tamil Nadu has set up 50 testing centers and the state has the highest testing rate in the country.”
Ahmedabad alone recorded 349 new cases and 39 casualties in a single day. Mumbai reported 635 new cases with 26 casualties.
In other developments, the Government has suspended all existing visas granted to foreign nationals, barring a few categories, till May 17, 2020. The Government also said it has kept in abeyance multiple-entry life-long visas given to Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) card holders till international travel remains suspended.
A Standard Operating Protocol (SOP) has also been issued for the return of Indians stranded abroad and those who are stuck in India and wish to travel to their nation. Priority will be given for return to India to those who are migrant workers, laid off labourers and those faced with expiry of short-term visas. Passengers found to be symptomatic shall be immediately taken to medical facility. Remaining passengers shall be taken to suitable institutional quarantine facilities for 14 days, which will be arranged by respective States.
