Over 15 lakh with over 88,000 deaths globally, COVIID-19 pandemic hits hard, Covid-19 cases in India jump to 5,734

Covid-19 cases in India jump to 5,734. State-wise numbers here

Maharashtra remains the worst affected state with 1,135 coronavirus cases Across the globe, the total number of coronavirus positive cases has crossed 15 lakh.

With 540 new cases reported in past 24 hours, the total number of coronavirus cases in India has jumped to 5,734, showed latest figures from Union Health Ministry. The death toll from Covid-19 rose to 166 while 472 patients have been cured of the virus or discharged. Maharashtra remains the worst affected state with 1,135 cases, followed by Tamil Nadu at 738 and Delhi at 669, Telangana at 427 and Rajasthan at 381.

To contain the spread of coronavirus, India is under a 21-day lockdown since March 25, with only essential services exempted. Amid indications that the central government may not lift the lockdown in one go, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with chief ministers of all states on April 11 to discuss various issues related to the coronavirus outbreak including the lockdown.

PM Modi told a conference of political leaders on Wednesday that several state governments had asked for an extension of the lockdown to cope with the outbreak, according to a statement issued by his office.

Here is total coronavirus cases in India, state-wise

Andhra Pradesh – 348

Andaman and Nicobar Islands – 11

Arunachal Pradesh – 1

Assam -28

Bihar – 38

Chandigarh – 18

Chhattisgarh – 10

Delhi – 669

Goa – 7

Gujarat – 179

Haryana – 147

Himachal Pradesh – 18

Jammu and Kashmir – 158

Jharkhand – 4

Karnataka – 181

Kerala – 345

Ladakh – 14

Madhya Pradesh – 229

Maharashtra – 1135

Manipur – 1

Mizoram – 1

Odisha – 42

Puducherry – 5

Punjab – 101

Rajasthan – 381

Tamil Nadu – 738

Telangana – 427

Tripura – 1

Uttarakhand – 33

Uttar Pradesh – 361

West Bengal – 103

Across the globe, the total number of coronavirus positive cases has crossed 15 lakh with over 88,000 deaths, according to the latest data from Johns Hopkins University. Over 3 lakh have recovered.

The US remains the worst affected country with over 4.3 lakh cases, followed by Spain (1.48 lakh cases), Italy(1.4 lakh cases), France (1.13 lakh cases) and Germany (1.13 lakh cases). Italy has reported 17,669 deaths, Spain 14,792 deaths and the US 14,768 deaths from coronavirus.

LOCKDOWN A NECESSITY

Prime Minister Modi on Wednesday hinted that the Centre in all likelihood will be extending the nationwide lockdown that is supposed to end on April 14.

At the all-party meeting via video conferencing, Prime Minister Modi told the opposition leaders and leaders of states that it is a long drawn fight. The situation in the country is akin to a “social emergency” and it has necessitated tough decisions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told political leaders on the Covid-19 outbreak as he asserted that the priority of his government is to “save each and every life”.

Sources said PM Modi has hinted at extending the ongoing lockdown that he announced on March 24. India was put on complete lockdown over the coronavirus pandemic for a period of 21 days.

However, as the number of coronavirus cases continue to surge and deaths continue to mount, several state governments and experts pushed for an extension of the lockdown. States, district administrations and experts have suggested extension of the ongoing lockdown beyond April 14 to contain the spread of the virus, the prime minister said.

The interaction was held through video conferencing. Apart from PM Modi, the meeting included Ghulam Nabi Azad, leader of the opposition in Rajya Sabha, and Nationalist Congress Party head Sharad Pawar.

Leaders provided feedback, suggested policy measures, discussed the 21-day lockdown and the way forward, according to the statement.

Sources said these leaders were briefed by secretaries of various ministries—health, home and rural development —on the actions taken by the government to tackle COVID-19 and mitigate the hardships arising out of the lockdown.

PM Modi also said that he will be speaking to the chief ministers of the state to take a final call on the lockdown. He told the opposition leaders will speak to your CMs. He will be holding a videoconference with chief ministers of all states to take their advice on the extension of the lockdown.

In the meeting, the lockdown situation, government aid to the vulnerable — through ration and money will be assessed.

A discussion will also take on place on whether the lockdown should be extended beyond April 14 or not.