COVID-19: India sees highest spike in cases, total reaches 1,251

New Delhi: India on Monday witnessed one of the sharpest spikes in the number of novel coronavirus (Covid-19) as 227 people tested positive in 24 hours, taking the country's total to 1,251 with 32 deaths. However, 102 people have been cured.

The Union Health Ministry in its updated report said that 32 deaths have been reported in India so far, with highest eight from Maharashtra, followed by Gujarat with five fatalities.

"A total of 102 patients have been cured and discharged," it said.

Among the 27 states and union territories having Coronavirus patients, Kerala has the highest tally of positive cases at 202, followed by Maharashtra at 198. Delhi recorded 87 confirmed cases of Covid-19 with 82 positive cases from Uttar Pradesh.

Also Read: Covid 19: Growth Rate Of N-CoV Drops Globally, Including India!

India has been under a 21-day lockdown due to Coronavirus till April 14.

Earlier in the day, the government denied as "rumours" that the 21-day nationwide lockdown would be extended.

ICMR amplifying coronavirus test sites; more labs being opened across country: Principal Scientific Adviser

Principal Scientific Adviser to the government K VijayRaghavan on Monday said the ICMR is amplifying coronavirus test sites and more laboratories are being opened across the country.

He said the Indian industry is also working on vaccines, re-purposing, critical-care treatment and partnering with academia and start-ups.

"Many of you have pointed out the need for more diagnostic tests. The @ICMRDELHI is amplifying test sites and you will see many more being done. More laboratories are being opened for testing across states," he said in a series of tweets.

Many of you have pointed out the need for more diagnostic tests. The @ICMRDELHI is amplifying test sites and you will see many more being done. More laboratories are being opened for testing across states. 12

— Principal Scientific Adviser, Govt. of India (@PrinSciAdvGoI) March 29, 2020

He also said efforts to increase test capacity by the 'pooling' of samples are being evaluated.

This is not simple and needs the development and testing of optimisation algorithms so that one positive in a large pool is not missed, he added.

"There are new tests being rolled-out, globally, for the presence, or traces of the virus having visited a person. These can be useful as a first-pass, even if they are cruder than the 'gold-standard' RT-PCR. Indian labs are developing these kinds of tests too," he said.

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He said the Indian start-ups and incubators have been "astounding' and working on the highest end drug-repurposing, using AI to predict targets, to making equipment and tools for the treatment of coronavirus.

(With Agency Inputs)