Coronavirus Highlights: India witnessed its biggest jump in the number of coronavirus cases with 9,851 testing positive, taking the total number of cases to 2,26,770, the Health Ministry said. 273 COVID-19-related deaths were also reported during the period, the biggest so far. The highly contagious virus has killed 6,348 Indians since first case was reported in Kerala in January. The recovery rate among the patients was reported at 48.27 per cent.
With India witnessing a spurt in the number of cases, the government today announced that it will not announce new schemes for a year. Spending will only be allowed in the Prime Minister's Garib Kalyan Package and the announcements made under the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan Package recently. No other scheme would be approved this financial year, said the ministry.
India stood seventh among the nations worst hit by the COVID-19 pandemic after the US, Brazil, Russia, the UK, Spain and Italy. In terms of fatalities, India is ranked 12th at present, while it is placed at eighth place in terms of recoveries. However, India figures among the top-five countries in terms of active cases.
On Thursday, the Union Health Ministry released standard operating procedures for reopening offices, hotels, shopping malls, restaurants and religious places. Some of them have already re-opened in parts of the country and few others are scheduled to re-start from Monday.
