India has seen a dramatic surge in the number of coronavirus cases in the last few days. Over the last 24 hours, the country registered 508 new coronavirus cases, taking the total to 4,789. The number of deaths rose to 124, showed health ministry data.
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, whose state has been hit by a rash of cases tied to a Muslim religious gathering in Delhi last month, said the country could take the hit to the economy and that it was more important to save lives. The three-week lockdown announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Mach 24, is expected to end on April 14.
But with the number of coronavirus cases showing a steady rise, several states, including BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh, has indicated that they would prefer an extension. While government sources said it is considering the states’ proposal, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar yesterday said a decision would be taken “in the national interest” at the right time.
