India set to take second place in known COVID cases
The number of known coronavirus cases in India has risen to almost 3.8 million -- on course to replace Brazil as the second highest in the world -- even as the Asian country continues to relax its quarantine measures.
In the southern city of Bengaluru, for example, thousands of pubs were set to serve alcohol starting from Tuesday (September 1), after a six-month gap.
Elsewhere Goa, a popular tourist destination, has recently relaxed quarantine rules to attract visitors.
And authorities in the capital New Delhi are also due to meet on Wednesday (September 2) to discuss the reopening of the city's metro, despite fresh cases there sitting at a two-month high.
But like many other countries, India's economy has been hit hard by the virus
It's economy shrank by nearly a quarter in April to June, much more than forecast.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi ordered a nationwide lockdown in March when the country was reporting less than 100 daily cases.
Experts have praised Modi's early actions but others have said the restrictions had been imposed too soon.
If the country surpasses Brazil in cases, it will still lag far behind the number one spot: The United States.
