As Covid Deaths Rise, Pressure On Crematoriums, Graveyards

Delhi logged 17,282 fresh cases of coronavirus on Wednesday, the highest since the pandemic reached the national capital last year. The capital also recorded 104 deaths in a single day. At Delhi's biggest crematorium, the number of cremations have gone up from 15 per day to over 30 as COVID-19-related deaths in the national capital continue to rise. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will hold a series of meetings today - first with Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal and then with the Health Minister, Chief Secretary, Health Secretary and other top officials, sources said. Maharashtra reported 58,952 fresh coronavirus cases, taking the tally to 35,78,160, while 278 new fatalities pushed the death count to 58,804. Over 20,000 new Covid cases were seen in Uttar Pradesh in 24 hours. Despite the record surge, the state has begun a massive electoral exercise this morning with a four-phased panchayat election.