A municipal worker sprays disinfectant in Hyderabad, India, on May 29, 2021.(Photo: Xinhua)

India reported 114,460 new coronavirus infections on Sunday, the lowest in two months, while the death toll increased by 2,677, as parts of the country prepared to ease movement restrictions.

India has the world's second-largest number of coronavirus infections after the US with total cases at 28.8 million, according to health ministry data. 

The country has suffered 346,759 coronavirus deaths.

A second wave of coronavirus that has largely battered the rural interiors of the country is yet to abate but New Delhi and other cities are working toward allowing more businesses to operate and movement rules to be relaxed from Monday onward.

The western state of Maharashtra, which is India's richest and has suffered the most infections during the second wave, plans to start this week easing in stages a strict lockdown imposed in April.

Scientists have warned of a third wave of coronavirus that could hit India later in 2021, which is likely impacting children more.

While the country has ramped up its vaccination drive in the past few weeks after a slow start, a majority of its 1.3 billion people are expected to remain unvaccinated by the time a potential third wave hits.

Reuters