NEW DELHI • India's coronavirus cases surged past seven million yesterday, taking it ever closer to overtaking the United States as the world's most infected country.

Health Ministry data showed a rise of almost 75,000 new cases yesterday, taking the total to 7.05 million, second only to the US, which has recorded 7.71 million infections.

India added a million cases in just 13 days, according to a tally of government data.

Experts say that the true number may be much higher, with testing rates in the vast country of 1.3 billion people - home to some of the planet's most crowded cities - much lower than those in many other countries.

This is borne out by a string of studies measuring antibodies to the virus among the Indian population that have indicated infection rates could be several times higher than officially recorded.

India's death toll of 108,334 as of yesterday is also lower than that in the US and other badly hit countries.

The US has recorded more than 214,000 deaths, while Brazil - with two million fewer infections than India - has lost more than 150,000 lives so far.

Possible factors for this include India's relatively young population, immunity thanks to other diseases, and under-reporting.

The rise in infections in India comes as the government continues to lift restrictions to boost an economy battered by a severe lockdown imposed in March.

On Thursday, cinemas are set to reopen - albeit at 50 per cent capacity - and experts fear the upcoming festival season when large crowds gather for public celebrations will exacerbate the situation.

Anticipating a fresh surge in cases, the government has issued strict guidelines and capped the number of revellers for the two main Hindu festivals of Dussehra on Oct 25 and Diwali next month.

Last Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a mass awareness campaign, encouraging the public to wear masks, practise hand hygiene and maintain physical distance.

"Our collective efforts have helped saved many lives. We have to continue the momentum and protect our citizens from the virus," Mr Modi tweeted.

The virus initially hit major metropolises such as Mumbai and New Delhi, but has since spread to almost every corner of the huge country, including the remote Andaman and Nicobar islands.

Recently, the daily number of new cases has fallen from a peak of almost 100,000 in the middle of last month to around 60,000-70,000.

But Dr Preeti Kumar of the Delhi-based Public Health Foundation of India said it was too early to assume the country has passed the peak.

"What the epidemic has taught us is caution. These declines (in numbers) are real, but depend on many factors, such as testing, type of testing, intervention efficacy, et cetera," Dr Kumar said.

Many Indians are worried, too.

"Despite the government's efforts to take things back to normal, it doesn't feel that way because there is an underlying anxiety that I may be the next to become a part of the virus statistics," said Ms Anamika Prasad, 23, a university student.

Mr Jayprakash Shukla, 66, a retired government official, said he was worried about cases going up "hugely and beyond control".

"When I go out, I see many people without masks," he said.

"Maybe they are fed up of wearing masks, but if people don't change their ways, it is going to be calamitous for our country."

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS