On the anniversary of the one-year completion of the COVID-19 induced Janta Curfew, the present situation in the country is again at an alarming state with a sudden surge of COVID-10 cases.
As per the Union Health Ministry, India recorded 46,951 new cases of coronavirus infections on Sunday, of which 30,535 cases were reported in Maharashtra and 2,644 cases in Punjab.
The number of deaths reported from across the country crossed the 212-figure for the first time since January 12, taking the country's cumulative tally past 11.6 million and the death toll to 159,967 in the last 24 hours.
Active cases of COVID-19 now stand over 3.34 lakh, a level last seen around December 15, according to the Union ministry of health and family welfare on Monday.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said 23,44,45,774 samples were tested for COVID-19 up to Sunday and of these, 880,655 samples were tested on the same day.
Maharashtra, Kerala, Punjab, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh account for 83.14% of the new infections, the health ministry said on Sunday.
Maharashtra yet again saw its biggest single-day spike recording 30,535 new COVID-19 infections which took the tally to 24,79,682.
Delhi recorded a total of 823 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday (March 21). This is the highest single-day spike of coronavirus cases in Delhi in 2021.
Punjab (2,644), Kerala (1,875), Karnataka (1,715), and Gujarat (1,580) were the other four states that recorded the highest number of infections across the country in 24 hours, as per the Health Ministry data.
Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Haryana are displaying an upward trajectory in daily new cases, according to the ministry.
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan held the laxity shown by people in following safety protocols as the reason behind the recent surge and urged them not to let their guard down against the infection, else the situation may turn 'dangerous'.
Restrictions have returned in several parts of the country as government and experts say violation of protocols is leading to a surge in cases.
