India's infections are rising as it ends a severe lockdown of its 1.3 billion people imposed in March.

Resmi Sivaram, Gulf Today Correspondent

India coronavirus cases neared 200,000 on Tuesday, having hit 1,98,706 in the morning. That includes 97,581 active cases and 5,598 deaths. Health Ministry officials said 95,527 patients have recovered.

The country witnessed 8,171 new cases and 204 deaths since Monday, as it 'Unlock 1.' Maharashtra, Delhi, Tamil Nadu continues to remain the worst-hit states having maximum number of coronavirus cases.

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Cases in Maharashtra have risen to over 70,000 with as many as 2,362 deaths, followed by Tamil Nadu which has so far reported 23,495 cases and 184 deaths. Delhi stands third in the list with over 20,000 confirmed cases and 523 fatalities.

India is now the seventh worst hit nation by the Covid-19 pandemic after the US, Brazil, Russia, the UK, Spain and Italy, according to the WHO's coronavirus tracker. In Delhi, as the number of cases crossed the 20,000-mark, 25 new containment zones were formed, taking the total number to 144.

Officials say the lockdown helped limit the spread of the virus, giving space to hospitals to deal with those affected. File photo

The South East district has 17 containment zones while the South district has 11. The New Delhi district has nine zones, and the North-West district 14. The Central district has seven zones and the North East district has four while Shahdara district has eight. Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal's office said on Tuesday that 13 staff members have tested positive.

The cases were reported from Delhi Lieutenant Governor's office at Raj Niwas Marg, Civil Lines, New Delhi.

Samples of several others too working at the office have been collected for testing. Results are awaited.

Earlier on May 28, a junior assistant at the office tested positive for Covid-19, following which 40 other staff members were tested. It's close to bungalows of Health Minister Satyendar Jain and Environment Minister Gopal Rai.