Pune: With the COVID-19 graph still not flattening its curve, Pune on Sunday recorded new 8,324 new coronavirus cases. This is the district's highest-ever single day count.

Of the 8,324 total cases, 4,625 were reported from Pune city (Pune Municipal Corporation) followed by 2,131 from Pimpri Chinchwad (Pimpri Chinchwad). The remaining 1,568 reported from cantonment and rural areas of the district. Pune from last few days has ramped up its testing. On Sunday, 28,596 samples were tested in the district, the maximum so far, according to the health officials.

Last year, the maximum number of COVID-19 cases reported by Pune on a single day was 5,939 on September 10 last year. For the last five days, Pune has consistently reported more than 6,000 cases, more than any other city in India.

With Sunday’s new cases, Pune’s total confirmed cases now gone up to 5.16 lakh, which is next only to Delhi. The city’s active cases have also increased to 62,000. Last year, at its peak, Pune had 82,000 active cases.

On Sunday, 42 deaths were reported from Pune, taking the total number of deaths in the district to 9,842, according to the health department. Pune, being the epicentre of the novel coronavirus is witnessing a rapid surge in the spread. Despite multiple appeals from the administration, people are seen violating all COVID-19 protocols such as wearing a facemask, social distancing and more.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra on Sunday witnessed 40,414 new cases. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has already cautioned the district administration to look out for the possible lockdown options. Also, Deputy CM, Ajit Pawar who also is Pune's Guardian Minister has stated that the decision about the lockdown will be taken on April 2.