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The fresh spike in cases in the last 24 hours is the highest since October 18 when 61,871 infections were recorded. Active cases have yet again crossed the four lakh-mark; 25,874 active cases in the last 24 hours took the tally to 4,21,066.
Maharashtra on Thursday logged 35,992 new infections to post a new high; the state has recorded the highest number of cases in the country so far - 26,00,833. The country's financial capital Mumbai too logged 5,504 new infections - crossing 5,000 for the second day in a row - to post a new single-day high.
Punjab (2,661), Karnataka (2,523), Chhattisgarh (2,419) and Kerala (1,989) are the other states that recorded the biggest single-day spike in the last 24 hours.
The 28-page SBI report further said localised lockdowns or restrictions have been "ineffective" and that mass vaccination is the "only hope" to win the battle against the pandemic. "Considering the number of days from the current level of daily new cases to the peak level during the first wave, India might reach the peak in the second half of April," it added.
Many states have yet again restricted movement to control the spread of pandemic. People from outside Karnataka will have to carry a negative coronavirus test (RT-PCR) report to enter capital Bengaluru from April 1, minister Dr K Sudhakar informed on Thursday. In Uttarakhand also, the state government has announced similar rules for the pilgrims at Kumbh Mela.
On Thursday, Delhi reported over 1,500 fresh coronavirus cases, this highest single-day since December 16 last year. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had requested the government to allow vaccinations for all; a similar request was made by Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh.
All people above 45 years of age can get themselves vaccinated from April 1. More than 5.46 crore doses of vaccines have been administered since India began world's biggest vaccination drive on January 16.
The worrying spike in cases comes ahead of assembly elections in four states and one union territory, which begin tomorrow. Experts have expressed concern over crowds at poll rallies.
The government has been repeatedly assuring that there is no shortage of Covid vaccines.
Worldwide, over 12.54 crore cases of coronavirus have been reported so far; 27 lakh people have died.
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