Coronavirus: India reports nearly 20,000 cases a day as it struggles to contain pandemic

Over the past week alone, the South Asian nation has seen a jump of nearly 100,000 cases according to the health ministry

With 548,318 confirmed infections, it is now the world’s fourth-worst affected country after the US, Brazil and Russia

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Indian health workers wearing personal protective equipment arrive at a coronavirus hotspot in Mumbai. Photo: EPA

Published: 3:25pm, 29 Jun 2020Updated: 3:39pm, 29 Jun 2020

India reported its largest daily jump in coronavirus infections of nearly 20,000 on Monday as several states reimposed partial or full lockdowns to stem the spread of the virus.

Over the past week alone, India has seen a jump of nearly 100,000 cases according to the health ministry. In all, the country has confirmed 548,318 cases, making it the world’s fourth-worst affected country after the United States, Brazil and Russia. India’s death toll has reached 16,475.

The capital district of the northeastern state of Assam on the Bangladesh border has reimposed a full lockdown until July 12 following a spike in cases. Another border state, West Bengal, has extended its lockdown until July 31.

However, in India’s worst-affected states – Maharashtra, which includes the financial capital, Mumbai, and Delhi, home to the capital, New Delhi – most lockdown restrictions have been eased, with restaurants, shopping malls and parks reopened, and public buses and shared-ride services back on the roads.

A barber wearing protective gear gives a customer a haircut at a salon in Mumbai. Photo: EPA

A total of 231,095 people were tested for Covid-19 on Saturday, the Indian Council of Medical Research said – more than double the tests carried out daily a month ago.

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