11 AREAS FROM THESE 7 STATES ACCOUNT FOR 70% OF INDIA'S COVID-19 CASES: REPORT

India overtook Iran to become the 10th biggest hotspot of COVID-19 worldwide after reporting nearly 7,000 cases in the last 24 hours. Total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country stood at 1,38,526. The death toll has crossed 4,000-mark.

Meanwhile, as per a report by Mint, the Union Health Ministry on Saturday said eleven municipal areas from seven states including Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, and Rajasthan reported 70% of all coronavirus (COVID-19) cases reported from India.

"Health infrastructure should be ramped up to ensure preparedness for the next two months in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic," the ministry was quoted as conveying to the eleven municipal areas.

Testing facilities should be improved in some municipal areas to ensure early detection of cases which will subsequently help in starting timely clinical management and reduce fatality rate, the ministry added.

Other issues that need focused attention include active coordination with government and private labs to address delays in sample collection, partnership with private hospitals to augment the health/bed capacity, waste disposal and disinfection of COVID positive areas, the ministry said.