Will Diwali celebrations lead to faster spread of COVID-19 ?

India counted 45,674 new cases of the coronavirus, taking total cases to 8.5 million, Health Ministry data showed on Sunday in a report published by Reuters.

The daily increase remained at half the peak seen in September despite a series of religious festivals, Reuters reported.

India has the second-highest caseload in the world, behind the United States, which has 9.91 million cases.

Deaths rose by 559, the Health Ministry said, taking total mortalities to 126,121.

The Hindu festival of lights, Diwali, falls this week, raising fears that one of the most social religious holidays on India’s calendar could lead to a faster spread of infections.

India’s capital is reeling from the double impact of the coronavirus and severe air pollution, New Delhi’s chief minister warned recently.