Death toll in India reaches 35 as COVID-19 cases rise to 1,400

New Delhi – The death toll in India has reached 35, while the number of cases has crossed 1,400. In a single day, 300 new cases were recorded. The situation is the worst in Maharashtra, where the number of cases has reached 302, with the addition of 72 cases in one single day. Tamil Nadu is the next worst-hit state, where 57 new cases were recorded in one day.

On Monday and Tuesday, the number of cases in the country saw a significant rise. Health Ministry Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal informed that as of now, the country had recorded 1,251 infections. In a press conference, he clarified that 227 new cases were confirmed in the last 24 hours. The sudden rise occurred because some people did not disclose their infection of the new Coronavirus. Agrawal underlined that the number of cases is surging as a result of the non-cooperation from the citizens.

Over and above the information Union Health Ministry released, the number of cases in each state also saw a rise. According to this information, the number of cases in the country has crossed 1,400. Maharashtra, which was at 230 by Tuesday afternoon, recorded an increase by 72 and reached 302. Of the people that tested positive for the virus, 59 new cases were reported from Mumbai alone. Likewise, Ahmednagar has reported three, while Pune, Thane, Vasai-Virar, Navi Mumbai and Kalyan-Dombivali reported two each. The numbers have risen as new information was received on patients undergoing treatment in private hospitals.

Due to the growing number of cases, flying squads have been activated in Mumbai, which would be visiting homes and screening people. At the same time, the state government appealed to the citizens to stay indoors, as this is the decisive phase in the fight against the Coronavirus.

After Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu reported the highest addition of cases in one day. The state confirmed 57 new cases, whereas, in Delhi, 35 new cases were reported.

Two weeks ago, a crowd of more than 3,000 people had assembled for a religious congregation at Nizamuddin. Of these, 300 people had travelled abroad. Some of them are suspected of carrying the Coronavirus infection. The crowd had assembled despite the Delhi government’s announcement of curfew, followed by the lockdown. Even after the Prime Minister announced a lockdown, nearly 1,500 people remained at the venue of the congregation. The act is being blamed as an unpardonable one and portrayed irresponsible behaviour, especially when the country is battling the Coronavirus crisis. After this irregularity was noticed, the place was vacated on Monday. Nearly 1,500 people are placed under isolation. Among them, 441 people are showing symptoms of the Coronavirus infection, the Delhi government informed. Nevertheless, 30 people tested positive for Coronavirus after a screening at the location.

In the last three days, ten people from the group of people that participated in the congregation, have died already due to the Coronavirus infection. Six of them were from Telangana while one is from Jammu and Kashmir. Also, the attendees at the congregation were from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and few other states. All of these states are, therefore, on a high alert. The sudden rise in the number of cases in Tamil Nadu is being linked to the congregation. At the same time, an operation has been undertaken for the search of people, who had attended the congregation and then travelled to other states.