Gujarat reports highest single-day Covid-19 surge since breakout of pandemic

Gujarat reported 1,790 coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, the highest single day figure since the pandemic broke out last year. The state also reported eight deaths during the period which was the highest figure since December 26. The rise in the daily caseload has forced the government to bring curbs on public gatherings for the past couple of weeks.

On Wednesday, the government announced those coming from Maharashtra will have to carry a negative RT-PCR report to enter the state. It said in the daily health bulletin that "in the past few days Gujarat's neighbouring state Maharashtra has witnessed a rapid rise in the Covid-19 cases. In the past one week, contact tracing of positive patients in the state has found a traveling history of Maharashtra. Therefore, to stop the spread, it has been decided that every person desiring to come to Gujarat will have to carry an RT-PCR test report."

Officials attribute the surge in cases to traveling, cricket matches at Narendra Modi Stadium, where Covid-19 guidelines went for a toss, forcing the Gujarat Cricket Association to ban the spectators and large gathering of people during political rallies for local body polls.

Earlier in the day, the state government issued a notification banning public celebration of Holi festival. The notification stated that only "Holika dahan" or Holi pyre will be allowed in small gatherings. Previously, the government extended night curfew hours in major cities, weekend closure of malls, theaters, among other public places in view of the rising cases. Offline education in schools and colleges have also been shut once again in eight major towns.

Among the worst affected cities are Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, Bhavnagar, among others. For the past two days, Ahmedabad has reported over 500 cases, a new peak, compared to 99 cases on March 1.