Coronavirus: India's death-toll nears 200 as Centre mulls extending lockdown
In Maharashtra, the worst-hit state in the coronavirus outbreak in India, the number of infections surged past 1,000 on Wednesday, with close to 700 cases located in the state capital of Mumbai alone. The state's death toll also neared 80 as the national tally rose to 191. Meanwhile, the Centre indicated plans to extend the 21-day lockdown beyond its April 14 deadline.
India's Health Ministry confirms 5,200 cases, including 149 deaths
According to the Union Health Ministry's website, as of 5 pm on Wednesday, India had reported a total of 5,274 cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). These include 149 deaths and 4,714 active cases along with 410 patients who were cured/discharged and one patient who migrated out of India. However, the Union Ministry is yet to confirm the latest numbers, as updated by states.
Since Health Ministry's update, states have reported more deaths
Maharashtra's death toll has risen from 64 (as reported on the Health Ministry's website) to 79. A Himachal Pradesh Health Department official confirmed two deaths in the state, including the woman who had died at PGIMER, Chandigarh. Gujarat Principal Secretary (Health) Jayanti Ravi told PTI the state's death toll had risen to 16. Officials also confirmed a fourth death in Jammu and Kashmir Thursday.
Union Ministry reports 3 deaths in Haryana; state confirms 2
Haryana's daily bulletin reported only two deaths, however, the Union Health Ministry reported three. Notably, a man in Haryana's Ambala had died earlier at PGIMER, Chandigarh. However, the state bulletin mentioned zero deaths in Ambala. Chandigarh's death toll is also listed as zero.
Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, etc., reported more deaths today
Karnataka Health Department has confirmed five deaths while Punjab's confirmed eight. Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh have reported 11, eight, six and four deaths respectively. Madhya Pradesh's Wednesday bulletin confirmed 24 deaths. West Bengal Chief Minister reported five deaths after a newly-formed expert committee confirmed two more deaths. Earlier, a higher death toll was reported in the state.
Maharashtra remains worst-hit in COVID-19 outbreak
According to the Maharashtra Health Department, the state has reported 1,135 COVID-19 cases. According to the department's website, the state reported 64 deaths by 6 pm on Wednesday. However, officials confirmed that Mumbai's death toll has since risen to 45 from 40 (as listed on the website) while Pune's has risen to 18 from 8. The state's death toll is at least 79.
Here are some other states badly hit in the outbreak
Tamil Nadu reported 738 COVID-19 cases and eight deaths. Delhi reported 669 cases including nine deaths. Kerala—the first Indian state to report a COVID-19 case in January—reported 345 cases and two deaths. Rajasthan reported 383 cases (including six deaths), Uttar Pradesh reported 361 cases (four deaths), Andhra Pradesh reported 348 cases (four deaths) and Madhya Pradesh reported 341 cases (24 deaths).
Lockdown to be extended, says Modi at all-party meeting
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said during an all-party meeting on Wednesday that the nationwide lockdown would likely be extended. It has been hinted the lockdown will be lifted in phases. Wearing face masks is now mandatory in Delhi, UP, Maharashtra, Chandigarh, and Odisha. The Supreme Court directed authorized government/private labs to conduct free tests for COVID-19. Delhi identified 20 hotspots to be sealed.
