India Witnesses Biggest Single Day Spike In COVID-19 Cases Since Mid-October 2020 With Over 59,000 Cases

Highlights:

• India records biggest single day spike of COVID-19 cases since mid-October 2020
• India’s tally of total cases rose to 1,18,46,652 while active cases now cross the 4 lakh-mark
• The second wave could last for up to 100 days when counted from 15^th February

India witnessed a huge spike in its COVID-19 cases as fresh 59,118 were reported in the last 24 hours as per the government data making it the biggest single day spike since mid-October 2019. After the spike, India’s total tally of COVID-19 cases reached 1,18,46,652 while the active cases, yet again, crosses the 4 lakh-mark.

The alarming surge in infections over the last two weeks in India has been the highest in the last few months following which the government has urged the states to ensure COVID protocols – wearing masks and maintaining social distancing – are strictly followed.

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The increase in daily cases “clearly indicates a second wave”, a report by the State Bank of India (SBI) has said. The second wave may last up to 100 days, when counted from the 15^th of February, it added.

Here is your fifteen-point on this big story:

1. The fresh spike in cases in the last 24 hours is the highest since October 18 when 61,871 infections were recorded.
2. Active cases have yet again crossed the four lakh-mark; 25,874 active cases in the last 24 hours took the tally to 4,21,066.
3. Maharashtra on Thursday logged 35,992 new infections to post a new high; the state has recorded the highest number of cases in the country so far – 26,00,833.
4. India’s financial capital Mumbai logged 5,504 new infections – crossing 5,000 for the second day in a row – to post a new single-day high.
5. Chhattisgarh (2,419), Karnataka (2,523), Kerala (1,989), and Punjab (2,661), are the other states that recorded the biggest single-day spike in the last 24 hours.
6. The 28-page SBI report further said localised lockdowns or restrictions have been “ineffective” and that mass vaccination is the “only hope” to win the battle against the pandemic.
7. “Considering the number of days from the current level of daily new cases to the peak level during the first wave, India might reach the peak in the second half of April,” the report added.
8. Several states have yet again restricted movement to control the spread of the pandemic. People from outside Karnataka will have to carry a negative coronavirus test (RT-PCR) report to enter capital Bengaluru from 1^st of April, minister Dr K Sudhakar informed on Thursday.
9. In Uttarakhand, the state government has announced similar rules for the pilgrims at Kumbh Mela.
10. On Thursday, Delhi reported more than 1,500 fresh COVID-19 cases, this highest single-day since the 16^th of December 2020.
11. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had requested the government to allow vaccinations for all; a similar request was made by Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh.
12. All people above 45 years of age can get themselves vaccinated from April 1. More than 5,46 crore doses of vaccines have been administered since India began the world’s biggest vaccination drive on January 16.
13. The worrying spike in cases comes ahead of assembly elections in four states and one union territory, which begin tomorrow. Experts have expressed concern over crowds at poll rallies.
14. The government has been repeatedly ensuring that there is no shortage of Covid vaccines.
15. Worldwide, over 12.54 crore cases of coronavirus have been reported so far; 27 lakh people have died.