India recorded its biggest surge in the number of coronavirus cases in 24 hours for a second consecutive day with nearly 20,000 new patients, taking the total to 5,38,689 infections, the Union Health Ministry said Sunday. The country also witnessed 410 COVID-19-related deaths during the period, taking the total number of casualties due to the virus to 16,262. Active infections stand at 203,051 and there are 309,713 patients who have already recovered. India is the fourth worst-hit country in the world by the pandemic after the United States, Brazil and Russia. Delhi, the worst-affected city in the country, has over 80,000 infections now. The total number of deaths in the national capital has mounted to 2,558 as the city-state grapples with the shortage of hospital beds. "As some people could not get beds due to the shortage, the death count started rising," Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said. Meanwhile, full lockdown will be enforced every Sunday in Karnataka from July 5 , the state government has decided after a meeting called by Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa to discuss the coronavirus situation, on a day when the state capital Bengaluru reported 596 positive cases — the highest one-day spike in the city. No activity will be allowed on Sundays, except essential services. Monday onwards, night curfew will start from 8 p.m. from the earlier 9 p.m., but the end time of 5 a.m. will remain, officials said. Nagaland reported 28 new cases, taking the northeast state's tally to 415, Health and Family Welfare Minister S. Pangnyu Phom said. Of the total 415 cases, 251 are active as 164 people have recovered from the deadly virus. The total number of COVID-19 positive cases in Himachal Pradesh stands at 902 including 367 active cases, 515 recoveries and seven deaths, said state health department. As many as 38,394 people have completed observation period of surveillance while 18,425 people are currently under active surveillance. The southern state of Tamil Nadu reported a record single day spike of 3,940 new coronavirus cases taking the overall tally in the state to 82,275, the health department said. The count in the state went up to 1,079 with 54 deaths being reported Sunday. The total number of positive cases in the state climbed to 82,275 while those discharged went up to 45,537 with 1,443 people recovering after treatment, a bulletin from the health department said. Chennai accounted for 1,992 cases of the total infections reported Sunday. — Agencies
