India reported the largest increase in coronavirus cases it has seen since 2020, as several states regain some restrictions on public meetings.
Com Associated Press reportsThe Indian Ministry of Health on Sunday registered 43,846 new cases of COVID-19, the worst one-day increase since November last year.
More than half of the new infections are found in the central state of Maharashtra, where India’s financial capital, Mumbai, is located. Maharashtra has imposed new blocking measures until the end of March, AP reports and Mumbai authorities have announced that they will begin administering necessary random coronavirus tests in crowded spaces.
Seven other states report large increases in cases, the AP reports, leading some to impose targeted closures on restaurants and schools.
According to health experts, the increase is being fueled by rising public meetings and relaxed attitudes towards public health guidance.
According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), India has confirmed 11.6 million cases of coronavirus, ranking third in the world behind the United States and Brazil and nearly 160,000 dead. The country has also administered nearly 35 million doses of coronavirus vaccine.
In India, AstraZeneca and COVAXIN coronavirus vaccines have been approved for use. The COVAXIN trait was approved before the efficacy data were published. According to the BBC, phase three trials have found that it has an efficacy rate of 81% to stop COVID-19.