India recorded its highest number of COVID-19 cases in 102 days on Wednesday as 35,886 patients tested positive for the virus. Maharashtra continues to be the worst-hit state and accounted for 64% of the daily new cases in the country.

The state recorded 23,179 new cases, which represents the highest number in six months since September 17, when it had recorded 24,619 fresh cases. Maharashtra recorded a 30% surge in cases compared to the previous day, with the total caseload standing at 23,70,507. Between March 1 and March 17, the daily fresh cases in Maharashtra have increased four times.

Besides Maharashtra, around 17 states and Union territories recorded their highest tally of new cases on Wednesday, since January or earlier.

Punjab recorded 2,039 fresh cases, highest since September 23; Karnataka recorded 1,275 cases, highest since December 9; Gujarat had 1,122 new cases, highest since December 16; the number of fresh cases in Tamil Nadu stood at 945, highest since December 29; Chhattisgarh reported 887 cases, highest since January 9; Madhya Pradesh recorded 832 cases, highest since December 31; Haryana reported 555 cases, highest since December 20; and Delhi recorded 536 cases, highest since January 6. Rajasthan and Bengal recorded 300 plus cases (Rajasthan - 313, highest since January 13; Bengal - 303, highest since January 24). UP recorded 261 fresh cases, highest since January 26; Telangana reported 247 cases, highest since Jan 20; Chandigarh had 201 cases, highest since September 26; Himachal Pradesh recorded 167 cases, highest since January 1; J&K recorded 126 cases, highest since January 17; Uttarakhand had 110 cases, highest since January 23; and Puducherry had 52 cases, highest since December 2.

Data from the Union health ministry suggest that daily new cases in the country have been rising at around 43% week-on-week, while daily new deaths have shown a 37% increase. According to Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan, 70 districts across 16 states have recorded more than 150% surge in cases between March 1 and March 15, while there has been a surge in infection at 100-150% in 55 districts across 17 states. Most of these districts are situated in west and north India. Maharashtra accounts for 60% of the active cases and 45% of new deaths in the country.

In Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Delhi and Himachal Pradesh, the number of tests are not keeping up with the increasing number of cases and positivity rates.

States recording a surge have been advised by the Center to increase tests in proportion to the positivity rate and to maintain the share of RT-PCR at at least 70%. States have also been asked to ensure strict adherence to mask wearing, physical distancing and hand hygiene besides increased monitoring for events where crowds gather.

Source: ET Healthworld