In the last 24 hours, Delhi recorded 16,699 new coronavirus cases and over 100 COVID19 deaths. Meanwhile, the country has reported over 217,353 new coronavirus infections in the last 24 hours. The virus has claimed 1,182 lives across India.

The national capital has surpassed financial capital Mumbai to become the most affected city in the country (daily cases reported) by the coronavirus infections. Mumbai reported 8,209 new COVID19 cases in the last 24 hours. So far, Mumbai’s highest single-day is 11,163, reported on April 4.

In the wake of the rising COVID19 cases in the city, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal yesterday announced strict restrictions, including a weekend curfew and the closure of malls, gyms, spas and auditoriums.

There will be no in-house dining in restaurants and cinema halls will be allowed to operate with only 30 per cent capacity, Kejriwal said at a virtual press conference. This decision came after the national capital recorded the highest single-day spike in new COVID-19 cases on April 14, at 17,282. It is the highest single-day surge in the national capital since the onset of the pandemic.

Kejriwal also said essential services and weddings will not be affected during the weekend curfew and passes will be provided to those attending weddings.

Meanwhile, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has also announced curfew in the state from 6 pm on April 16 to 5 am on April 19. Essential services are exempted from the curfew. Rajasthan reported 6,658 new COVID-19 cases and 33 deaths in the last 24 hours.

Yesterday, India crossed the 200,000 threshold of daily COVID19 infections. This is the highest single-day spike since the pandemic began. Just 10 days ago, on April 5, 100,000 cases, nearly half the present figure — were reported.

Also Read: India crosses the 200,000 threshold of daily COVID19 infections since the pandemic began

Ten states — Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal — have shown a rise in the COVID daily new cases. These states account for 79.10 per cent of the new cases reported across the country in the last 24 hours.

At 61,695, Maharashtra has reported the highest daily new cases. It is followed by Uttar Pradesh at 22,339 cases. This data was shared by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare today.