India on Tuesday registered 86,498 fresh Covid-19 cases, the lowest in over two months, pushing the country's recovery rate to 94.29 per cent. India's active caseload has further declined to 13,03,702, a decrease of 97,907 in the past 24 hours. After over 182,000 patients' recovery in the past 24 hours, the total recoveries have climbed to 2,73,41,462.
Notably, the recoveries have continued to outnumber the daily Covid cases for the 26th consecutive day. While the weekly positivity rate currently stands at 5.94 per cent, the daily positivity rate has dropped to 4.62 per cent, less than 10 per cent for 15 consecutive days.
India also saw 2,123 deaths in the past 24 hours, as per the Union health ministry, taking the death toll in the country to 3,51,309. The testing capacity has been substantially ramped up. A total of 18,73,485 samples were tested in the past 24 hours.
The maximum number of casualties were reported in Tamil Nadu (351), followed by Karnataka with 340 deaths. The top five states that have registered the maximum Covid cases in the past 24 hours are Tamil Nadu with 19,448 cases, followed by Karnataka with 11,958 cases, Maharashtra with 10,219 cases, Kerala with 9,313 cases and Odisha with 6,118 cases.
Cases falling faster in north than in south
As the second wave of Covid-19 continues to recede, a curious north-south divide has emerged in the falling trends. In most states of northern India, cases have been declining in double quick time, literally, as compared with Maharashtra and the southern states. Since hitting its peak on May 9, the seven-day rolling average of daily cases in Haryana has declined at an average rate of 8.9% each day (till June 3), the sharpest among 18 major states. The decline has been almost as dramatic in Rajasthan (8.5%), Delhi (8.2%), Bihar (8.1%), Uttar Pradesh (7.8%) and Uttarakhand (7.6%).
In Maharashtra and across the south, the fall has been much more gradual, ranging from 2.7% in Tamil Nadu to 4.2% in Andhra Pradesh. This means that in most states of north India, cases have been falling at more than twice the rate of decline seen in the south and Maharashtra.
For each state, the rate of fall was calculated from the time the seven-day average of daily cases hit its peak. Nationally, cases have fallen at a daily average of 3.7% since hitting a peak on May 8. The difference between the rates of decline in north and south India is too stark for it to be just a statistical quirk. Experts pointed to the faulty Covid reporting systems in the north as one possible reason for the divide.
Eastern states show slower decline
The difference in the rates of decline in cases can be understood better by looking at two states with comparable sizes and dates of reaching the peak - Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. The second wave ravaged both states with Maharashtra touching a high of 65,447 cases (seven-day average) on April 24. UP reached its peak around the same time, 35,010, on April 27. Yet, Maharashtra reported an average of just over 17,000 cases on June 3 while the corresponding number in UP had dropped to 1,742. The daily rate of fall in the northern state, at -7.8%, was twice as sharp as the rate seen in Maharashtra (-3.3%).
States easing restrictions
With India recording a steady drop in its daily Covid tally, some states across India have started the process of ‘unlocking’ by gradually easing coronavirus-induced restrictions and curfews. From Delhi to Tamil Nadu - several states have announced plans to relax lockdowns, based on their weekly positive rates and the occupancy of oxygen beds in hospitals. However, there are also some states, like Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh and Goa, that have decided to continue with lockdown in view of the Covid-19 situation in the respective states.
Delhi
Following a significant dip in Covid-19 cases and deaths in the national capital, the Delhi government announced that it began ‘unlock’ process from Monday, easing restrictions across sectors including markets and metro services. According to the latest Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) order, shops inside malls, markets and market complexes (except weekly markets) shall remain open between 10 am and 8 pm on an odd-even basis. This means shops would open on alternate days depending on the number allotted to them by the concerned market association.
Maharashtra
The Maharashtra government has announced a five-level unlock plan based on the positivity rate and occupancy of oxygenated beds in each district. The strategy will be implemented as soon as district and civic authorities issue orders in their respective areas. Under this plan, districts falling under “Level 1” will have the least restrictions, while those in “Level 5” will have lockdown-like curbs. Malls, theatres, shops, gyms and restaurants can resume normal operations in Level 1 districts. In Level 2 districts, malls and theatres can operate at 50 per cent capacity while in districts falling in Levels 3, 4 and 5, these can function with some restrictions. Mumbai falls under Level 2.
Gujarat
The Gujarat government, too, has revised its lockdown restriction strategy to permit shops to re-open from June 4. Shops can remain open between 9 am to 6 pm across the state. It has also permitted home delivery of food till 10 pm. Offices in Gujarat have been allowed to function without any restrictions from June 7 onwards.
Uttar Pradesh
With coronavirus cases slowly dipping, the Uttar Pradesh government has eased restrictions in districts having less than 600 active cases. Night curfew and weekend lockdown will remain in the state as well. In Noida, curfew rules are relaxed from Monday with a dip in cases. For social gatherings of most kinds, no more than 25 guests are permitted to attend. Meanwhile, Last rite ceremonies can only be attended by 20 participants. As per the administration, shops outside containment zones will be allowed to open between 7 am and 7 pm. The vegetable markets situated in populated areas will only function in open spaces.
Tamil Nadu
While the the Tamil Nadu government has extended the lockdown till June 14, curbs have been lifted in 27 districts, including Chennai. In districts where restrictions have been lifted to an extent, the government has permitted the sale of essentials between 6 am and 5 pm. Meanwhile, government offices have been allowed to operate at 30 per cent seating capacity.
