Covid 19 coronavirus: India’s account rises as restrictions are eased, cases worldwide hit the 25 million mark

India has recorded a record 78,761 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, the worst increase in a day in the world, as the government continues to further ease pandemic restrictions across the country.

The Health Ministry also reported 948 deaths in the last 24 hours on Sunday, bringing the total deaths to 63,498.

The spike came on the same day that coronavirus cases worldwide reached 25 million, according to an AFP tally from official sources.

India now has the fastest growing daily burden of coronavirus cases of any country in the world, reporting more than 75,000 infections for the fourth day in a row.

The country’s total virus surpasses 3.5 million and comes at a time when India is reopening its metro networks and allowing sporting and religious events on a limited basis starting next month as part of efforts to revive the economy.

The crowded subway, a lifeline for millions of people in the capital New Delhi, will gradually reopen from September 7. However, schools and universities will remain closed until the end of September.

The South Asian country has the third highest number of cases after the United States and Brazil, and its deaths are the fourth highest.

Although eight states in India remain among the worst affected regions and contribute nearly 73% of total infections, the virus is now spreading rapidly across the vast interior, with experts warning that September could be the most challenging.

In other developments in the Asia Pacific region:

South Korea has reported 299 new cases of the coronavirus, as authorities imposed limits on meals in closed restaurants and gyms and after-school academies in the capital area to curb the spread of the virus. The 17th consecutive day of triple-digit increases brought the number of national cases to 19,699, including 323 deaths. Most of the new cases come from the capital Seoul, nearby Gyeonggi province and Incheon, a region that had been at the center of a viral resurgence this month. Churches have emerged as a major source of infection, and many of them fail to properly enforce masks and allow the faithful to sing and eat together. Clusters of restaurants, schools, nursing homes, and apartment buildings have also sprung up. For eight days starting on Sunday, restaurants in the Seoul area can only provide deliveries and take-out after 9 p.m. Franchised coffee shops like Starbucks will only sell drinks and take-out.

– The Australian state of Victoria has registered 114 new cases of Covid-19 and 11 more deaths. The deaths bring the death toll from the virus in Victoria to 524 and Australia’s total to 611. It follows 94 new cases on Saturday, which was the first day since July 5 that cases fell to double digits. Melbourne residents will be subject to two more weeks of restricted movement, including a night curfew. The restrictions in Australia’s second-largest city will expire on September 13, but will be gradually lowered rather than removed entirely. Health officials have indicated that the recommendations for the masks could remain in effect for several more months.

– The Australian government says it will provide AU $ 2 million worth of personal protective equipment to the Indonesian military to assist in that country’s fight against Covid-19. The Royal Australian Air Force will provide surgical gloves, gowns, masks and thermometers as part of the defense cooperation between neighbors. Current figures from the Indonesian Ministry of Health show 169,000 Covid-19 cases and almost 7,300 deaths.

– Hong Kong has reported 18 new coronavirus cases and three additional deaths from Covid-19. Figures from China’s National Health Commission bring the total for the semi-autonomous southern city to 4,786 cases and 87 deaths. Mainland China reported nine new cases on Sunday, all brought in from outside the country. It brought China’s total to 85,031 since the virus was first detected in the central city of Wuhan late last year, with 4,634 deaths.

– AP