India has reported the largest increase in coronavirus cases since 2020, as multiple states impose restrictions on public gatherings.
As the Associated Press reports, The Indian Ministry of Health on Sunday recorded 43,846 new COVID-19 cases, which was the worst one-day increase since November last year.
More than half of the new infections are found in the central part of Maharashtra, where India’s financial capital Mumbai is located. Maharashtra introduced new closure measures until the end of March. The AP reports and Mumbai authorities have announced that they will start applying randomly needed coronavirus tests in crowded spaces.
Seven other states are reporting large increases in large cases, reports AP, leading to forced foreclosures on restaurants and schools being enforced.
According to health experts, the upswing is fueled by increased public gatherings and relaxed attitudes toward public health education.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), India has confirmed 11.6 million cases of coronavirus, which is third in the world behind the US and Brazil and nearly 160,000 deaths. The country has also administered nearly 35 million doses of coronavirus vaccine.
In India, the coronavirus vaccines of AstraZeneca and COVAXIN have been approved for use. The COVAXIN survey was approved before the effectiveness data were released. As the BBC reports, phase three trials have found that it has an efficiency rate of 81 per cent to stop COVID-19.