India sees record number of daily virus cases; opens huge treatment center

India adds a record number of coronavirus cases Sunday, as the world’s fourth worst-hit nation opens a huge treatment center with 10,000 beds in the capital to fight the epidemic.

The health ministry reports just under 25,000 cases and 613 deaths in 24 hours — the biggest daily spike since the first case was detected in late January.

The surge takes India’s total tally to more than 673,000 cases and 19,268 deaths.

It comes as the capital New Delhi started treating patients at a spiritual center converted into a sprawling isolation facility and hospital with 10,000 beds, many made of cardboard and chemically coated to make them waterproof.

About the size of 20 football fields, the facility on the outskirts of the city will treat mild symptomatic and asymptomatic cases.

State government officials fear Delhi, home to 25 million people, could record more than half-a-million cases by the end of the month.

AFP

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