As ’tilak utsav’, a vaccination drive, kicked off in India on Sunday, government data shows 16 states are the main contributors to the country’s raging COVID-19 cases. India is in the grip of a second wave of coronavirus infections that has hit tier two cities and rural areas apart from big cities. The virus has shown high transmissibility and is thus spreading fast.

Also read: India records 1,68,912 new COVID-19 cases, highest single-day spike ever

The states where infections are surging are Maharashtra, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh,  Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Kerala, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal. While most of these states have imposed night curfew and other restrictions, experts say more stringent measures may be needed to rein in the numbers

Also read: Kejriwal warns COVID situation dire as Delhi records highest-ever infections

According to health ministry data, at least 1.1 million people in the country currently have active infections. India on Sunday soared to a new peak of 1.7 lakh cases with Delhi logging a record high of 10,774 infections and Mumbai 9,986 cases. Chhattisgarh also reported 10,521 fresh cases.

Maharashtra, which has appealed for more vaccines and hospital beds, alone accounts for 48.57% of the total caseload in the country. Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and Kerala together account for 70.82% of India’s total active cases. Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has hinted that lockdown may be imposed in the state.

Also read: India to approve five more COVID-19 vaccines, including Sputnik V, by Oct: Report

Amid an unprecedented burden on health infrastructure in several states, authorities have started reserving more hospitals for COVID patients and taking steps to address any shortage of medical supplies, besides enhancing curbs on the movement of people, reports PTI.

The Centre announced a ban on export of Remdesivir, used in coronavirus treatment, and its Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients. It also asked all domestic manufacturers to display on their website details of their stockists and distributors.

There were reports of shortage of drugs from states like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.