COVID-19 in live updates: India sees highest single day jump as cases cross 1.65 lakh; recovery rate hikes to 42.88%

Maharashtra has the highest number of cases with nearly 60,000 positive cases of infection and close to 2,000 deaths.

The coronavirus cases in India continue to spread rapidly and the country has marked significant and consecutive highest jumps in the COVID-19 tally over the major part of the last week.

The total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection in India crossed the 1.61 lakh-mark on Thursday, while the death toll has topped the 4,700-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 nearly 60,000 positive cases of infection and close to 2,000 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 has crossed the 35,000-mark while the death toll has crossed the 1,135-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 Thursday, May 28 2020

09:15 IST Friday, 29 May 2020

India recorded 7,466 new cases, the highest increase in fresh infections reported in a single da. It is the first time the number of COVID-19 cases in 24 hours crosses over 7000. The number of fatalities reported in the last 24 hours is 175. The recovery rate is at 42.88%.

09:15 IST Friday, 29 May 2020

India's total of COVID-19 cases jump to 1,65,799 which includes 89,987 active cases, 71,106 cured cases and 4706 deaths.

07:30 IST Friday, 29 May 2020

The Gurugram administration has added 18 more areas to the containment zones due to hike in COVID-19 cases, taking the total number to 63. The decision was taken on Thursday in a review meeting headed by Gurgaon DM Amit Khatri.