India now has the fourth-highest number of coronavirus cases in the world according to a tally maintained by Worldometer.
The country is now behind only the US, Brazil, and Russia.
The nationwide coronavirus case count neared 1.9 lakh on Thursday with a record one-day increase of nearly 10,000 cases taking the count of infections detected this month to almost one lakh.
The BJP ruling government, however, said the COVID-19 infection has not entered the community transmission stage as the lockdown and containment measures prevented a rapid spread.
Large population is susceptible: ICMR
Since a large proportion of the population is susceptible and infection can spread, non-pharmacological interventions such as physical distancing, use of face mask or cover, hand hygiene, cough etiquette must be followed strictly, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Director General Balram Bhargava said on Thursday.
Urban slums are highly vulnerable for spread of the infection and local lockdown measures therefore need to continue, he said.
The elderly people, children below 10 years of age, people with chronic morbidities and pregnant women also fall in the high-risk category, he said.
