India Sets New Global Record for Daily COVID-19 Cases... Approaching 80,000

Daily COVID-19 Cases Reach 78,761... Expected to Rise Further with Eased Lockdowns
Lockdowns Not Feasible Amid Worsening Economic Crisis... Subway Service to Resume from the 7th of Next Month

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] In India, the daily number of new COVID-19 cases is approaching 80,000, breaking the U.S. record from last month and setting a new global daily high. Despite the severe spread of COVID-19 amid an expanding economic crisis, India continues to ease existing lockdown measures, raising concerns that the number of confirmed cases may increase further.

According to foreign media including AFP, on the 30th, the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reported that the number of new COVID-19 cases nationwide was 78,761. This is a new global record for daily confirmed COVID-19 cases. Until now, the highest daily new case count was 77,638 in the U.S. on July 17.

India has recorded daily new cases in the 70,000 range for four consecutive days: 75,760 on the 27th, 77,266 on the 28th, 76,472 on the 29th, and 78,761 on this day. According to Worldometer data, India's cumulative confirmed cases stand at 3,619,169, ranking third globally after the U.S. (6,169,211) and Brazil (3,862,311). However, while the daily new cases in the U.S. and Brazil have recently dropped to between 30,000 and 50,000, India has significantly eased lockdown orders and increased COVID-19 testing capacity, resulting in a continuous rise in daily confirmed cases.

Despite the severe spread, the Indian government announced that it will implement the fourth phase of lockdown easing guidelines starting next month. The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs also decided to gradually resume subway operations in the capital, New Delhi, from September 7. From September 21, gatherings of up to 100 people will be allowed at academic, cultural, entertainment, sports, and political events, provided that masks are worn and social distancing is maintained. Schools will continue online classes, but senior students will be allowed to voluntarily visit schools to meet teachers.

This decision is reportedly due to the deepening economic difficulties in India, making it hard to maintain strict lockdown measures. Previously, the Indian government had imposed lockdown measures for over two months starting at the end of March to curb the spread of COVID-19, but began easing controls gradually from the end of May. From June 8, shopping malls, restaurants, hotels, and religious facilities were allowed to reopen, further relaxing restrictions. From the 1st of this month, the government issued the third phase of lockdown easing guidelines, including lifting the nighttime curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., among other relaxation measures.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.