India: Covid-19 cases surge past 2.5 lakh mark

Fresh coronavirus cases soared to a new high in India in the last 24 hours, taking the total past 2.56 lakh, while malls, restaurants and shrines are set to reopen in several areas across the country tomorrow.

India recorded 9,983 positive cases yesterday -- the sixth successive day when over 9,000 cases were registered -- making the country the fifth worst-hit in the world by the deadly virus.

The total number of deaths due to the virus now stands at 7,135, Indian health ministry data shows. The total number of cases is 2,56,611 -- out of which 1,24,095 have recovered -- and 206 people died in the last 24 hours due to the deadly disease.

India's recovery rate -- the number of patients who have fought the disease successfully -- is currently at 48.35 percent, while the growth rate is 3.89 percent.

Maharashtra remains the worst-hit state in the country -- the state has even surpassed China's total tally with over 85,000 cases. Over 3,000 people have died in the state and its capital city Mumbai is one of the worst-hit cities in the country.

Tamil Nadu and Delhi, which are also witnessing a sharp daily surge in cases, are the second and third worst-hit in India.

The cases are rising to a new high everyday ever since the Indian government and several state authorities announced the relaxation of most areas of activities from the lockdown last week.

West Bengal too saw a record single-day increase on Sunday with 449 people testing positive, bringing the total to 8,187 since the first Covid-19 case came to light in the state on March 17.

Kolkata has the highest number of cases in West Bengal with 633, followed by Howrah, North 24 Parganas and Hoogly districts.