India now has third most corona infected cases in the world

India has more than 7,00,000 (0.7 million) cases of coronavirus

India has surpassed Russia with the world’s third-highest number of coronavirus cases, at nearly 700,000. India is now the world’s third worst-affected country, behind only the United States and Brazil. The cases have spiked since the Modi government has lifted lockdown.

The COVID-19 pandemic shows no sign of slowing. In last two days 48,000 new cases have been reported. Health ministry data on Monday showed more than 23,000 new cases reported in the previous 24 hours, down slightly from Sunday’s record increase of almost 25,000. There have been almost 20,000 deaths in India since the first case was detected there in January.

A strict lockdown in place since late March has gradually been lifted, allowing most activities as the economy nose-dived amid the shutdown. Schools, metro trains in cities, cinemas, gyms and swimming pools remain closed and international flights are still grounded.

Authorities have made wearing masks mandatory in public places, while large gatherings are banned and shops and other public establishments are required to implement social distancing.

India’s capital has now started treating patients at a spiritual centre converted into a sprawling isolation facility and hospital with 10,000 beds, many made of cardboard and coated with chemicals to make them waterproof. About the size of 20 football fields, the facility on the outskirts of the city will treat mild symptomatic and asymptomatic cases.

Opposition has heavily criticised the Modi government for the poor handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Millions have been made unemployed and economy is facing deep recession.