Uttar Pradesh has registered a sharp spike in the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases. Today, April 1, the state has recorded 2,600 new corona cases. Yesterday, 1,230 new cases were reported. Cases have more than doubled in the last 24 hours. A month back, on March 1, the state had recorded only 87 cases.

As of today, the total active cases in the state stands at 11,918. Of which, 6,722 are in home isolation, 287 are in private hospitals and rest 4,909 are getting treated in government COVID hospitals free of cost.

This data was shared in a press briefing today addressed by Amit Mohan Prasad, additional health secretary, who also announced that half of the new cases are being reported from rural areas breaking the myth that coronavirus is a ‘city problem’.

To contain the spread of the virus, there is a need to make the Gram Nigrani Committee headed by village head in rural areas and Mohalla Nigrani Committees by councillors in urban areas functional, said Prasad.

As many as 124,135 samples were tested in the last 24 hours in the state. So far, 34,922,434 samples have been tested.

To contain the spread of coronavirus, the state government has extended the Uttar Pradesh Public Health and Epidemic Diseases Control Act, 2020, across the state till June 30 this year.

Also Read: Half of COVID-19 cases being reported in Uttar Pradesh are from rural areas; Epidemic Act extended till June 30

The country is facing a surge in corona cases, being termed as a ‘second wave’, with 72,330 new cases registered in the last 24 hours. The central government has identified eight states in India as ‘focus states’ for COVID-19. These include Maharashtra, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Gujarat and Delhi.

The statewise data (April 1, till 8 am) of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare shows that all states and Union Territories have registered an increase in COVID active cases except Sikkim.

Also Read: Ripple effect of COVID-19’s second wave in India being felt across the globe