While the government reassures that India's coronavirus situation is under control as it plans to reopen metro services, allow religious congregations and has given a green light to exams etc, the alarming spike in new infections is dangerous.
India is reporting more than 75,000 new infections every day, making it the fastest-growing coronavirus caseload of any country in the world.
Crowded cities, easing of lockdown restrictions, lockdown fatigue have spread COVID-19 in the hinterlands of India. Just earlier this week, nine cases of coronavirus were recorded among the Great Andamanese tribe, setting off alarm bells for the administration in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands..?
A Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), the Great Andamanese now number only 59. Reports suggest five patients have recovered, while others are doing well.
As the Centre and state governments loosen restrictions to help ailing economy, the virus reproduction rate is spiking.?
Earlier, most coronavirus cases were restricted to India's urban areas. However, as the lockdown was eased in the month of May, and the eventual movement of migrant labours back to towns and villages, the virus started spreading in the remote parts.
Indians do have a bit of hopeful news, as its per capita deaths are fewer than most countries.?
India has reported more than 3.5 million cases so far. However, its day-to-day rise in infections is more than the US and Brazil, which have reported between 40,000 to 50,000 new infections per day in recent days.
India is now conducting more tests and hence the steep rise in cases.
India performs nearly 1 million tests a day, compared to 200,000 a day two months ago.