The intensity of COVID-19 pandemic has increased and the virus is spreading faster than last time, the governments said on Tuesday while calling for people's participation to control the second wave of infection.
NITI Aayog Member (Health) Dr V.K. Paul said the next four weeks are going to be very critical.
"The intensity of the pandemic has increased and it is spreading faster than last time. In some states, it is worse than others but the upswing can be observed across the country," he said.
"People's participation is vital to control the second wave. The next four weeks are going to be very critical. The entire country has to come together and make efforts to fight the pandemic," Paul added.
Paul, however, claimed that in terms of the population size and in terms of deaths per million India is doing well and the pandemic is still under control.
He said COVID-appropriate behaviour, containment measures and testing have to be implemented more efficiently and that the medical infrastructure has to be ramped up and vaccination drive intensified.
Read: India has highest vaccination ramping up record in world, says Health Ministry
India’s daily new cases continue to be on the rise with 96,982 new cases registered in the last 24 hours.
The health ministry said 80.04 per cent of the new cases are reported from eight states— Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.
Maharashtra has reported the highest daily new cases at 47,288, followed by Chhattisgarh (7,302) and Karnataka (5,279).
According to the ministry, India’s total active caseload has reached 7,88,223 which comprises 6.21 per cent of the country's total positive cases. A net incline of 46,393 cases recorded from the total active caseload in the last 24 hours.
"Maharashtra alone accounts for nearly 57.42 per cent of the total active caseload of the country," the ministry said.
As many as 446 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours with Maharashtra witnessing maximum casualties (155), followed by Punjab (72).
