Coronavirus in India LIVE: COVID-19 tally in Madhya Pradesh mounts to 7,024 cases

Maharashtra continues to be the epicenter of the coronavirus spread

It is now increasingly becoming likely that India, although well into the fourth phase of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19)-necessitated nationwide lockdown, is quickly becoming one of the biggest COVID-19 hotspots in the world.

Over the major part of the last week, the country has marked significant and consecutive highest jumps in the COVID-19 tally.

The total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection in India crossed the 1.50 lakh-mark on Wednesday, while the death toll has topped the 4,300-mark as well.

Maharashtra continues to be the epicenter of the coronavirus spread where the number of cases has witnessed an even large spike recently. According to the Health Ministry, Maharashtra has the highest number of cases with over 54,000 positive cases of infection and nearly 1,800 deaths.

Notably, Mumbai, the financial capital of the country, has become the hotbed of the coronavirus spread in the state where the number of cases is nearing the 33,000-mark while the death toll has crossed the 1,000-mark as well.

Interestingly, even though the virus tally continues to spike, new guidelines issued by the central government pertaining to Lockdown 4.0 remain enforced. Several restrictions have been lifted, which includes permitting transport services, reopening of shops, and resuming online shopping. According to the central government's most recent order, all activities, except the ones "specifically prohibited", will be allowed in green, orange, red, and buffer zones, which continue to be classified by the States/UTs and district authorities.

Domestic flight services resumed in India on Monday, while international flights are to start soon as well, the central government has informed as part of its gradual reboot of air travel services in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.

Here are the latest updates on coronavirus in India on Wednesday, 27th May 2020:

07:02 IST Wednesday, 27 May 2020

Maharashtra: COVID-19 death toll rises to 289 in Maharashtra's Pune district with 9 more fatalities; 327 new cases take tally 6,480.

06:45 IST Wednesday, 27 May 2020

North-East states: Director General of Police (DGP) Gautam Sawang flagged off a Shramik Express for North East states from Vijayawada, carrying 1400 passengers: Andhra Pradesh Police.

06:42 IST Wednesday, 27 May 2020

Haryana: 94 new COVID-19 cases, including 33 from Gurgaon reported in the state, taking the total tally to 1,305. (PTI input)

06:39 IST Wednesday, 27 May 2020

Madhya Pradesh: Number of COVID-19 cases in the state reaches 7,024; death toll 305. (PTI input)