India reports a staggering 94,000 COVID-19 cases in single day

REUTERS: India reported over 94,000 COVID-19 cases in a single day, as 1,000 people succumbed to the virus as well, showing signs that the infection is far from over in the country.

The number of deaths rose to 78,586, with 1,114 new deaths, health ministry data showed.

While several states showed a rise in infections, including the capital New Delhi and the central Chhattisgarh state, the highest numbers were from the India’s biggest and richest state, Maharashtra, which reported 8,204 fresh cases.

Maharashtra’s Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray in a news briefing on Sunday urged residents to wear masks and maintain social distancing, amid growing fatigue over a drawn-out lockdown that has made many lax about taking precautions.

The western state recorded its millionth coronavirus infection on Friday here, putting it on par with Russia in the pandemic and stifling India’s attempts to turn around the plummeting economy.

The state of 130 million people, home to the densely-packed financial capital Mumbai, has pushed up infection numbers in India, which is likely to hit 5 million cases in coming days, behind only to the United States.