COVID-19: Cases rise to 5734 in India, 17 deaths recorded in 24 hours

So far, 166 people have died due to the infection.

The figure presented by the government includes  5,095 active cases and 472 patients who have recovered or have been discharged from hospitals, apart from deaths.

The figures have revealed that India recorded 17 deaths in the past 24 hours.

Maharashtra remained the worst-hit state with 1,135 active positive cases.

Amid the steep rise of COVID-19 positive cases, the Delhi government has sealed twenty coronavirus hotspots in the national capital while making it compulsory for people to wear masks on stepping out of their homes.

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia announced on Wednesday that all essential items would be made available to the people in need.

As many as 576 cases of coronavirus have been reported so far from the national capital including nine deaths and 21 recoveries. However, no new cases were registered in the last 24 hours.

The 20 hotspots to be sealed include Markaz Masjid and Nizamuddin Basti, Dwarka's Shahajahanabad society, parts of Mayur Vihar, Patparganj, Malviya Nagar, Sangam Vihar, Seemapuri, Vasundhara Enclave and Dilshad Garden among others.

Making it compulsory to wear masks while stepping outside, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted: "Wearing of facial masks can reduce the spread of corona virus substantially. Therefore, it has been decided that facial masks will be compulsory for anyone stepping out of their house. Cloth mask shall be eligible too."

The decisions were taken at an emergency meeting held at the Chief Minister's residence, which was attended by Health Minister Satyendra Jain, his officials and Deputy CM Manish Sisodia.

Besides Delhi, wearing masks has been made compulsory in Uttar Pradesh, Mumbai, Odisha, Chandigarh and Nagaland.