More than 8000 new cases of coronavirus have been reported in India in a single day, another record high that tops the deadliest week in the country.
The health ministry said on Sunday that confirmed infections have risen to 182,143, with 5164 fatalities - including 193 in the last 24 hours.
More than 60 per cent of the overall virus fatalities have been reported from only two states - Maharashtra, the financial hub, and Gujarat, the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The new cases are largely concentrated in six Indian states, including the capital New Delhi.
Indians wearing face masks as prevention against coronavirus walk past a roadside bookshop in Bengaluru, India. Source: AP
Mr Modi warned the country on Sunday to remain vigilant against the spread of coronavirus as the country prepares a phased re-opening of activities even as daily cases rise to record highs.
India, with the world's longest lockdown, is set to largely lift containment measures in June, except in high-risk zones.
"The fight against the coronavirus is intense, we cannot drop our guard," Mr Modi said in his national radio address, a day after his government extended the lockdown until June 30 in high-risk zones but permitted restaurants, malls and religious buildings to reopen elsewhere from June 8.
"Wearing a mask, gloves and following social distancing rules is essential as everyone will soon start stepping out of their homes," Mr Modi said.
"We really need to be more vigilant now," he said.
Critics blame Mr Modi's government for poor planning ahead of its abrupt declaration of a lockdown in March, leaving millions of the country's poor stranded.
"We are all sorry for the loss that has occurred," Mr Modi said as he hailed the country's "united" efforts towards fighting the virus.
State governments were expected to identify containment zones and find staggered ways to reopen public transport and businesses.
Migrant people gather for transport to train station for their onward journey to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar at Dharavi slum in Mumbai, India. Source: AP
Critics said Mr Modi had now left states with the responsibility of establishing rules to contain the virus.
"But this decision could have been taken at the start of May when there were fewer coronavirus cases," said Ajay Trivedi, a political scientist at the University of Mumbai.
"The lockdown was not the right route to break the chain of the virus as the Modi government had claimed while imposing the harsh measure," he said.
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