India logs 1 lakh Covid-19 cases in a week, deaths cross 100

Deaths from the virus during the week crossed 100 for the first time in over three months, although fatalities continued to remain relatively low. The week’s data reveals that the rise in infections was slowing down in states reporting the highest numbers. – Amit Bhattacharya

In the preceding week, 79,367 fresh cases were reported. (Reuters)

India is likely to report close to one lakh fresh cases of Covid in the week ending Sunday, a rise of approximately 25% over the previous week’s tally. Deaths from the virus during the week crossed 100 for the first time in over three months, although fatalities continued to remain relatively low. 

By Sunday night, nearly 95,000 new cases were recorded during the week (June 20-26). However, a glitch in the ICMR portal since Saturday meant that the data of several states, including Maharashtra, Karnataka and Delhi, wasn’t fully reflected. In the preceding week, 79,367 fresh cases were reported. 

At least 120 fresh Covid deaths were reported during the week, with Sunday’s data from several states, including Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, not yet available. 

The week’s data reveals that the rise in infections was slowing down in states reporting the highest numbers – Maharashtra, Kerala and Delhi – but cases were surging in several other states. Maharashtra logged a 7% rise in cases and Kerala 21% (down from 42% last week), while Delhi’s numbers were likely to be similar to or slightly higher than the previous week’s tally (9,291).

Covid claims five lives in Mumbai in 24 hours

Covid-19 claimed five lives in Mumbai in a 24-hour period, higher than the total toll for March (four) and April (also four) and equal to May’s Covid fatalities, reports Malathy Iyer. In June so far, the virus has claimed 33 lives in the city. These numbers are much lower than the deaths in January (1,043) when the third wave was active.