As Unlock-2 begins from Wednesday, India’s COVID-19 tally climbed to 5,66,840 with nearly 66 per case reported in June alone, and a concerned Prime Minister Narendra Modi said it is a cause of worry that people are not strictly adhering to rules and precautions as they did during the lockdown.

From June 1, when relaxations were introduced under Unlock-1, the country has reported 3,76,305 cases. Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi and Gujarat account for nearly two-third of the total cases till now.

Speaking on the coronavirus situation, Prime Minister Modi, in his address to the nation on Tuesday, said India is in a better position compared to many countries of the world, as the timely imposition of lockdown and other decisions have saved lakhs of lives.

He, however, lamented that there is an increasing “negligence” in personal and social behaviour during the easing of restrictions and urged them to be more vigilant.

“We have also seen that since ‘Unlock-1’, there is increasing negligence in personal and social behaviour. Earlier, we were very careful with respect to wearing masks, social distancing and washing of hands for 20 seconds. But today, when we need to be more careful, increasing negligence is a cause of worry,” he said and urged the people to follow all necessary precautions.

He emphasized on strict enforcement of rules, especially in containment zones.

“Those not following the rules will need to be stopped and cautioned,” he said, stressing “be it a village pradhan or the prime minister, no one is above the law in India”.

“As the country enters Unlock-2, we are also entering the season of increasing cases of cough, cold and fever. I, therefore, request all of you to take special care of yourselves,” he said.

The prime minister also reviewed vaccine development efforts as well as India’s preparations for vaccinating its vast population once it is available and asserted that vaccination must be affordable and universal.

With 18,522 people testing positive for coronavirus, it was the seventh day in a row that over 15,000 cases have been reported in the country. The death toll rose to 16,893 after 418 new fatalities.

India is the fourth worst-affected country after the US, Brazil and Russia.

As India moves into ‘Unlock 2.0’, here’s where the top three states stood the night before:

(1.) Maharashtra (1,74,761): The western state, also the ‘runaway leader’, has nearly double the number of cases that the next worst-affected state-Tamil Nadu-has. On Tuesday, the state recorded 4,878 new cases, after four straight spikes of over 5,000, and 245 deaths (95 in the last 48 hours and 150 from the previous period). Therefore, it will end ‘Unlock 1.0’ with a total COVID-19 count of 1,74,761. Of these, 90,911 patients have been discharged, 75,979 are active cases and 7,855 deaths. Its recovery rate stands at 52.02%.

(2.) Tamil Nadu (90,167): The southern state recorded nearly 4,000 new cases for the second straight day on Tuesday, crossing the 90,000-mark in the process. With 3,943 new cases and 60 deaths, it will end ‘Unlock 1.0’ with an overall COVID-19 count of 90,167, overtaking Delhi in the process and once again becoming the second worst-hit state. It currently has 50,074 recoveries, 38,889 active cases and 1,201 deaths. Its recovery rate is 55.53%.

On Monday, Tamil Nadu had witnessed its worst 24-hour spike of 3,949.

(3.) Delhi (87,360): The national capital on Tuesday registered a relatively low spike of 2,199, in the process, allowing Tamil Nadu to surpass it and become the third worst-hit state. It will, thus, end Unlock 1.0 with an overall COVID-19 tally of 87,360. Of these, 58,348 are discharged cases, 26,270 are active cases and 2,742 are casualties, including 62 on Tuesday. It has a recovery rate of 66.80%.

Source; PTI,India.com