India logs in 26,291 new COVID cases, highest single-day spike in 85 days

In a steady rise in COVID cases, India reported 26,291 new cases on Monday (March 15), its highest single-day spike in 85 days. Maharashtra showed this year’s highest one-day uptick of 16,620 new cases on Sunday (March 14).

Maharashtra’s caseload has risen to 23,14,413, and with 50 deaths, the toll mounted to 52,861, the state’s health department said. As 8,861 patients were discharged during the day, the recovery count of the state rose to 21,34,072, it said.

Mumbai division reported 3,676 cases, Nashik division 2,776, Pune division 3,609, Nagpur division 1,860, Latur division 914, Aurangabad division 1,289, Kolhapur division 106.

India has shown an upward trend in the last five days, with the total active caseload going up to 2,19,262. This is 1.93 per cent of the total infections in the country, while the recovery rate has dropped to 96.68 per cent, the data stated.

Also read: Karnataka reimposes restrictions on social gatherings as COVID cases spike

Punjab, another state witnessing a spurt in COVID cases, saw 20 more people succumbing to the disease on Sunday, pushing the death toll to 6,072, while 1,501 fresh coronavirus cases took the infection count to 1,97,755 on March 14.

Deaths due to the virus have surged in the past week although the case fatality rate continues to be low. This week’s toll of 876 was the highest since 975 fatalities reported in January 25-31.

Most COVID cases have been reported from six states – Maharashtra, Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi. A report of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) revealed that 90% of COVID positive cases came from high-rise residential buildings while the rest are from slums.

The report said a large number of COVID-positive patients are reported from posh localities such as Andheri East and West, Peddar Road and Malabar Hill in south Mumbai, and Mulund.

In February, the Centre wrote to the states to improve testing especially RT-PCR tests. It said states should ensure all negative rapid antigen test results are mandatorily followed with RT-PCR tests. The Centre also asked states to strictly implement a comprehensive surveillance and stringent containment measures in select districts.

India has administered the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine to 2.14 crore people till March 12. This figure represents only 1.58 per cent of India’s 135.5 crore population.

Also read: Private hospitals not transparent on COVID-19 vaccination slots: NHA CEO