India's Kerala state orders lockdown as COVID-19 infections rise

NEW Delhi: India's southern state of Kerala on Thursday announced a two-day lockdown as federal authorities planned to send experts to fight the spread of infections in the country's leading COVID-19 hotspot.

India's daily cases have fallen after a devastating second wave that overwhelmed the healthcare system, and vaccination efforts are gaining steam. But experts have warned the authorities against swiftly reopening cities. Kerala, with an active case load of around 154,000, accounts for 37.1% of India's total active cases. Its case positivity rate indicating the pace of spread in infections is now the country's highest.