India's COVID-19 infections cross the 9-lakh mark, with a record 29,429 new cases reported in a single day

Maharashtra, the worst-hit state in India in terms of COVID-19 infection, saw its total number of cases go over 2.67 lakh with 10,695 deaths observed in the state alone. While the state added 6,741 new cases and 213 deaths over a 24-hour period, as many as 4,500 patients were also deemed to have become COVID-19 free, taking the total number of recovered patients in the state to over 1.49 lakh.

According to the government of India data, about 86% of all active cases in the country are concentrated in 10 states, with Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu making up for as many as half of those cases.

In Tamil Nadu, the number of recoveries has increased too, with over 1.47 lakh people having been infected by the disease. Over the last 24 hours, as many as 4,743 patients have recovered from the infection, and at this rate, the number of recovered patients will cross the 1-lakh mark by Wednesday. So far, about 2,100 patients have lost their lives to COVID-19 in the state ever since the first cases were recorded.

Delhi is set to become the third state to register over 1 lakh recoveries from COVID-19. The national capital has more than 1.15 lakh cases, and as many as 3,446 people have died. Around 1,600 new patients have tested positive for COVID-19 over the last 24 hours, and 35 new deaths were reported during the same period. However, more than 1,900 patients were also reported to have recovered from the disease and its various symptoms. With more than 93,000 recoveries, Delhi is also showing positive signs of being able to handle the infection rates and recoveries well.

Karnataka went past Gujarat in terms of total infections from the new coronavirus, with the southern Indian state reporting nearly 2,500 new cases to take its overall tally to over 44,000, with a total of 842 deaths. Gujarat may now have a lower number of cases with 43,637, but the western state has reported significantly more deaths with 2,069. However, the recovery rates in Gujarat have also been high with 30,503 patients having recovered from the virus, showing a recovery rate of nearly 70%. Karnataka, on the other hand, has seen 17,390 recoveries so far, but its recovery rates are far lower than the national average at less than 50%.

The numbers, however, go simultaneously with the total number of tests that are being conducted in the respective states in India. With a population of 6.8 crore, Karnataka has carried out as many as 8.8 lakh tests, which means a rate of 13,372 tests per million. Gujarat which has a population of 6.58 crore has conducted a much lower number of tests at 4.78 lakh, which makes for a rate of 7,041 tests per million.

The significantly low testing rates in Gujarat has led to several questions in the minds of authorities and agencies, which may also be one reason why Karnataka's total number of cases has gone past Gujarat.

• Uttar Pradesh reported a total of nearly 40,000 cases with 983 deaths
• Delhi opens its second plasma bank at Lok Nayak Hospital
• West Bengal reports 980 deaths with 32,800 total cases
• Total number of cases in Andhra Pradesh reaches 33,000 with 400 deaths
• COVID-19 test kit created by IIT Delhi to be launched on Wednesday
• Total number of cases in Rajasthan crosses 25,000 with 525 deaths
• With 19,284 total cases, Bihar goes past Madhya Pradesh (19,005)
• AIIMS Patna registers 10 volunteers for COVID-19 vaccine human trials