COVID-19 cases in India breach 21,000 mark; Modi calls meeting with CMs
New Delhi/IBNS: India, the country of 1.3 billion people, is still on edge over the spread of Novel Coronavirus as the total positive cases across the country crossed 21,000 on Thursday.
As per the data provided by Ministry of Health and Family Welfares, the total number of cases now stand at 21,393 including 4,258 cured and 681 deceased.
Among the 28 states and eight union territories, Maharashtra reported the maximum number of cases (5,652) followed by Gujarat (2,407) and the national capital Delhi (2,248).
Amid the surge in the cases even weeks after the nationwide lockdown was called by the central government to stem the spread of the contagion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided to hold another round of talks with the Chief Ministers on Apr 27.
This will be the third video conference with all Chief Ministers over the pandemic virus.
The last PM-CMs meeting was held just couple of days before Modi on Apr 14 extended the nationwide anti-Coronavirus lockdown, which was initially called for 21 days, till May 3.
Modi on Mar 24 had announced the lockdown to contain the virus though the step had led to humanitarian crisis in the country with several daily wagers and migrant workers suffering over the past several weeks.
However, the PM has formulated a staggered exit from the lockdown by giving a few relaxations post Apr 20 but ensured strict lockdown in the red hotspot zones where maximum number of Coronavirus cases have been reported.
Meanwhile, World Health Organisation (WHO) director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Wednesday warned that most of the countries are still in the early stages of their epidemics and the deadly Coronavirus 'will stay with us for a long time.'
Addressing a virtual press conference, Tedros said, "Most countries are still in the early stages of their epidemics. And some that were affected early in the pandemic are now starting to see a resurgence in cases. Make no mistake: we have a long way to go. This virus will be with us for a long time."
(Images: UNI, Avishek Mitra/IBNS, UN)
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