India is the the fifth worst-hit nation by the deadly virus in the world (File)
Coronavirus cases in India crossed 2.56 lakh cases on Monday after a record number of 9,983 cases were reported in 24 hours, even as the government allowed a number of relaxations after over two months of lockdown. This is the biggest single-day jump in cases as the country recorded over 9,000 cases for the sixth consecutive day. India is the also the fifth worst-hit nation by the deadly virus in the world.
The total number of deaths due to the virus now stands at 7,135, government data shows. The total number of cases is 2,56,611 out of which 1,24,095 have recovered. 206 people died in the last 24 hours due to the deadly disease.
India's recovery rate - the number of patients who have fought the disease successfully - is currently at 48.35 per cent while the growth rate is 3.89 per cent.
Maharashtra remains the worst-hit state in the country - the state has even surpassed China's tally with over 85,000 cases. The state also has the highest number of deaths at 3,060 and its capital Mumbai is one of the worst-hit cities in the country. Tamil Nadu and Delhi, which are also registering a steady spike in cases, are the second and third worst-hit in India.
Of the 206 deaths reported since Sunday morning, 91 were in Maharashtra, 30 in Gujarat, 18 each in Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh, 13 each in West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh, nine in Rajasthan, four in Haryana, two each in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand, and one each in Odisha and Punjab.
For the past few days, India has seen a surge in cases even as from today places of worship, malls and restaurants reopened under "Unlock 1" - the first of the three-phase plan for reopening of prohibited activities in non-containment zones with strict rules.
The new phase is especially challenging for the five worst-affected states - Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Gujarat and Rajasthan, accounting for nearly 70 per cent of the total confirmed coronavirus cases, and nearly 78 per cent of the deaths.