Authorities in India’s western state of Maharashtra have imposed night curfews to tackle a record surge in Covid-19 cases with the financial capital Mumbai reporting 6,123 new cases, the highest single-day spike since March last year, Reuters reports.

“We are seeing a higher Covid positive rate in high-rise residential buildings than in slums [...] to stop the spread only essential services will be allowed,” said Kishor Pednekar, the mayor of Mumbai adding that hotels, pubs and shopping malls must observe the night curfew rules.

India recorded 62,714 cases of the coronavirus in the last 24 hours, according to the country’s health ministry, the highest single-day tally since mid-October last year.

With 312 deaths, single-day mortality figures were also at their highest since Christmas, according to ministry data.

A health worker collects a swab sample from a child in New Delhi, India, March 24. — AFP
A health worker collects a swab sample from a child in New Delhi, India, March 24. — AFP

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