NEW DELHI, July 5, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – India added a record number of
coronavirus cases Sunday, approaching Russia as the world’s third-most
infected nation as it opens a mass treatment centre in the capital to
fight the pandemic.
The health ministry reported just under 25,000 cases and 613 deaths
in 24 hours — the biggest daily spike since the first case was
detected in late January.
The sharp rise came as Delhi started treating patients at a
spiritual centre converted into a sprawling isolation facility and
hospital with 10,000 beds, many made of cardboard.
About the size of 20 football fields, the facility will treat mild
symptomatic and asymptomatic cases.
State government officials fear the metropolis could record more
than half-a-million cases by the end of the month.
India’s surge took the total tally to more than 673,000 cases and
19,268 deaths, with the country on the cusp of surpassing badly-hit
Russia.
A strict lockdown in place since late March has gradually been
lifted, allowing most activities as the economy nose-dived amid the
shutdown.
Schools, metro trains in cities, cinemas, gyms and swimming pools
remain closed however and international flights are still grounded.
Authorities have made wearing masks mandatory in public places,
while large gatherings are banned and shops and other public
establishments are required to implement social distancing.
The western state of Maharashtra, the worst-hit state and home to
financial hub Mumbai, recorded over 7,000 new cases.
Southern Tamil Nadu state and the national capital New Delhi
recorded more than 4,200 and 2,500 fresh cases respectively.
Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai, Tamil Nadu’s capital, are the
worst-affected cities.
The national government says it has tackled the virus well but
critics allege India is conducting very few tests, leaving the true
scale of the pandemic unknown.