India Records 2,75,482 Fresh COVID-19 Cases In Past 24 Hours; Total Cases Surpass 150 Million Mark

India on Sunday (18 April) recorded fresh 2,75,482 COVID-19 cases, taking the total number of COVID-19 cases recorded in the nation since the onset of the pandemic past the grim 150 million mark, reports Hindustan Times.

The tally of fresh cases marked the highest single-day figure recorded in India so far. Furthermore, Sunday also saw the fresh COVID-19 deaths mount to an all-time record of 1,622.

As per a statement issued by Dr Harsh Vardhan led Union Ministry of Health, 16 States are reporting an upwards trajectory in daily new cases. This gains significance as the national test positivity rate has surged to an all-time high of 16.7 per cent. The previous high for the test positivity rate was 15.7 per cent which was recorded on 19 July last year.

In the States of Chhattisgarh and Goa, and the Union Territory of Delhi, one in every three tests is turning out to be positive. In the States of Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, one in every four tests is turning to be positive.

The rising positive cases in the nation have begun to overwhelm the medical infrastructure and capacity due to a surge in demand for beds, medical oxygen, and the antiviral drug Remdesivir.