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Over 200,00zero new coronavirus circumstances

A man is vaccinated at the Urban Primary Health Center in Uttar Pradesh, India.

Pradeep Gaur | SOPA pictures | LightRocket | Getty Images

India’s second wave of coronavirus infection is showing no signs of slowing.

The South Asian country reported more than 200,000 new cases and more than 1,000 deaths in a 24-hour period, according to the Ministry of Health. Most new infections are reported in a handful of states, including the western state of Maharashtra, which is home to India’s financial capital, Mumbai.

Government data also suggests that more states are seeing an upward trend in reported cases that have increased since February. The death rate is also rising as hospitals are under pressure, including the number of beds available. For example, a medical association in Gujarat state has reportedly asked the government to ensure 100% oxygen supply to hospitals treating Covid-19 patients.

India still has a relatively high rate of recovery.

Since the beginning of April, India has reported more than 1.9 million new cases and over 10,600 deaths, according to CNBC’s calculations of Health Department data. Between April 1 and April 7, India reported more than 652,000 cases. That number has almost doubled in the past eight days.

Earlier this week, India overtook Brazil to become the second worst infected country after the US just months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly declared victory over Covid-19.

Maharashtra lockdown

On Wednesday evening, India’s richest state was suspended until May 1 to break the chain of transmission. Maharashtra is considered to be the epicenter of the second wave of infections in India.

The guidelines issued by the Prime Minister of Maharashtra said that only essential services – including public transportation and food – would be operational between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. local time and people would not be allowed into public spaces without valid reason.

The central government has reportedly attributed the second wave to people’s lack of commitment to wearing masks and practicing safe distancing.