29th April, 2020
India has reported its highest jump in COVID-19 deaths, 24-hrs after the government began easing lockdown restrictions.
A total of 73 people died between Tuesday morning and Wednesday afternoon, taking the India-wide toll to 1,007.
The Federal Health Ministry confirmed that the number of positive cases in India has crossed 30,000.
Its two biggest cities Mumbai and Pune, and national capital Delhi reported the highest number of covid-19 deaths.
These areas were among those where the lockdown, now in its fifth week, is set to continue.
It is expected to be eased gradually after May 3 in regions that have not been affected by the virus or have shown no increase in cases in recent weeks.
The federal government had identified 170 hotspots or red zones across the country where the virus is still spreading.
More could be added over the next few days, a Health Ministry spokesman said.