The second wave of Covid-19 has infected 1,68,912 people overnight, the sixth-highest daily rise recorded in seven days, showed the data from the health ministry on Monday morning. 

The resurgence of the virus has pushed India’s caseload to 1.35 crore, to become the second-most affected country globally behind the United States and just ahead of Brazil’s.

The active caseload has breached the 11-lakh mark, the record high for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic. From the high of 10.17 lakh active cases on September 17, the active caseload saw a low to 1.35 lakh on February 12 before a sharp rise in the nationwide second wave of Covid-19 pandemic.

According to the health experts, the role of mutant strains and a larger susceptible population is suspected behind the surge in case of infections.

Five states, namely Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, and Uttar Pradesh have in total accounted for 70.82 percent of present Covid-19 active cases in the country.  

With 63,294 new cases and 349 deaths in the last 24 hours, Maharashtra is the worst-hit state in the country. The state government has proposed to impose a complete lockdown if coronavirus cases continue to rise in the state. Currently, a weekend lockdown has been imposed in the state to contain the spread of the deadly virus. 

The national capital has also reported the highest single-day spike with 10,774 new Covid-19 cases and 48 deaths. Calling it the fourth wave in the capital, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said it is “much more dangerous. He will chair a key meeting with other state ministers to take stock of the situation today.

In addition to Delhi, 15 other states are also witnessing daily surges in coronavirus cases. States like Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Odisha, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Punjab, Haryana among others have adopted measures ranging from closure of schools and restaurants to night curfews, weekend and local lockdowns in prevailing circumstances. 

Despite the deadly second wave of the pandemic, lakhs of devotees from across the country have gathered in Uttarakhand’s Haridwar for the Kumbh Mela. More than one lakh devotees were seen on the banks of the Ganga river, violating the Covid-19 protocols.

Several states have also been facing vaccine shortages over the past few weeks. The state government of Maharashtra, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh has raised the concern of vaccine supply to the central government. However, the Centre has refused any claim of shortage in vaccine supply. 

Also, the crippling shortage in anti-viral drug Remdesivir and its active pharmaceutical ingredients was reported in many parts as demand rocketed due to a record surge in Covid-19 infections. In view of the situation, the government on Sunday has banned the export of the said anti-viral drug for domestic use.

Read Also: Sonu Sood calls 2021 CBSE board exam unfair, suggests internal assessment

So far, India has administered over 10 crore doses ever since the vaccination drive began in January. The Centre has now launched a ‘Tika Utsav’, vaccination festival on the occasion of the birth anniversary of B.R Ambedkar and Jyotirao Phule. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged all eligible recipients to get inoculated by April 14. More than 27 lakh doses of Covid-19 vaccines were administered on day-1 of the ‘Tika Utsav’, the government said.

The post With 1.35 Crore Covid Cases, India takes over Brazil to become second most affected country appeared first on APN News.