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Coronavirus infections in India topped 4.2 million on Monday as it overtook Brazil to become the second country with the highest number of cases.
With 4,204,613 infections, the country has nearly 70,000 more cases than Brazil, which will release its latest figures later on Monday.
India, with a daily record of 90,802 new cases registered on Monday, also has the fastest growing number of cases. The United States, with more than 6 million cases, continues to be the most affected country.
Deaths in India have been relatively low so far, but it has recorded more than 1,000 deaths in each of the last five days.
On Monday, the Indian Health Ministry said 1,016 people died from COVID-19, bringing the total mortality to 71,642.
Meanwhile, the Delhi metro transit system serving India’s sprawling capital New Delhi and adjacent areas resumed operations on Monday after five months.
“Even though India has more cases [daily basis] that in any other country in the world, the easing of restrictions will continue, “Al Jazeera’s Elizabeth Puranam reported from New Delhi.
“That is also despite the fact that serological tests looking for [coronavirus] Independent health experts and antibodies say that the actual number of cases is many times the confirmed number, “he added.
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Puranam said later this week that bars will also reopen in Delhi, similar to other states like Karnataka.
“The message from the Indian government has been that Indians should live with the coronavirus but take all precautions.”
The capital’s metro train network is the largest rapid transport system in India. Before closing in March, full trains carried an average of 2.6 million passengers a day.
The reopening comes after India’s economy contracted faster than any other major nation, by nearly 24 percent in the latest quarter.
Puranam reported that the reopening is being done “in a very staggered manner”, with limited lines and limited times, including restrictions such as the use of masks and social distancing.
“People can only sit in alternate seats,” he added.
“The reopening has been a great relief. People have told us that they are very happy to take the subway to go to work,” said Puranam.
Economic problems
India’s economic pain can be traced back to the demonetization of the nation’s currency in 2016 and the hasty launch of a goods and services tax next year.
But the severe virus lockdown that began on March 24 further exacerbated the country’s economic woes.
When Prime Minister Narendra Modi ordered 1.4 billion Indians to stay home, the entire economy was shut down within four hours.
Millions lost their jobs instantly and tens and thousands of migrant workers, penniless and fearing hunger, left the cities and returned to the villages.
The unprecedented migration not only hollowed out India’s economy, it also spread the virus to the far reaches of the country.
SOURCE:
Al Jazeera and news agencies
