Delhi has recorded its highest single-day Covid-19 death toll, as cases in India’s densely-populated capital continue to surge amid a nationwide drop in new infections. On Thursday, Delhi reported 104 fatalities and over 7,000 new infections for the eighth consecutive day, with its “third wave” coinciding with falling temperatures and air pollution rising to severe levels. The number of new daily cases in India, which has recorded the world’s second-highest total caseload, has halved since a September peak of just under 100,000, but public health experts warn the drop could be attributed to a decrease in testing in many states. Saturday will mark the major Hindu festival of Diwali and there are fears cases will rise again nationwide as large family groups gather to celebrate and exchange gifts. Covid-19 has caused economic devastation across India, pushing the country into a recession for the first time in its history and many are ignoring social distancing rules because they have to return to work or face destitution. The “Covid-19 fatigue” has been clearly seen in the lead up to Diwali, where there has been more outrage over the banning of firecrackers in seven states, in an attempt to reduce air pollution, than hospitals in Delhi again running out of intensive care unit beds.