COVID-19 toll in India rises to 414; Centre identifies 170 hotspots
New Delhi/IBNS: The toll in Novel Coronavirus or COVID-19 in India soared further to settle at 414 on Thursday morning amid the identification of 170 hotspots across the country by the central government.
As per the government figure, 12,380 people including 1,489 cured and 414 deceased have been infected with the contagion in different parts of India.
Among the states, Maharashtra has the highest number of COVID-19 patients (2,916) followed by the national capital Delhi (1,578).
Meanwhile, the Indian government has identified 170 districts as coronavirus hotspots and 207 others as potential ones amid the ongoing lockdown which has been extended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi till May 3.
All six metros - Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad -have been included in the "hotspot (red zone) classification". As many as 123 districts have been identified as "large outbreaks."
The Centre on Wednesday asked the states to ensure that the disease has to be contained there.
In such containment zones, special teams will be conducting a door-to-door survey and inspect people not just for COVID-19 but also influenza-related illness and SARI (Severe Acute Respiratory Illness).
The Health Ministry has said restrictions will continue to be applicable in the hotspot zones for the next 28 days till all the patients are recovered and no new infections have been detected.
The ministry mentioned that the state and district administrations will have to decide on the epicentre of the infections.
The states have also been asked to send a report on the rate the virus spread like doubling or increase in cases. On the basis of this, the list of hotspots will be revised.
Amid the plight of the migrant workers, Modi on Tuesday extended the lockdown, which was due to end on Apr 14 midnight, by 19 more days to stem the spread of the pandemic virus but urged people to strictly follow the norms of social distancing for the next one week to avail some relaxations.
"There should be no letup in the implementation of lockdown. All regions in the states will be monitored very closely on full compliance of the lockdown. Only those regions that will show no evidence of cases or its spread will be allowed restricted movements after Apr 20," said Modi during his Tuesday morning address to the nation.
Likewise, all passenger trains, metros as well as flights will remain shut till May 3.
The Centre on Wednesday issued revised guidelines which will have to be followed by 1.3 billion people till May 3.
According to the guidelines, travel by air, rail and road, operation of educational and training institutions, industrial and commercial activities, hospitality services, cinema halls and shopping complexes will remain closed during the period.
The government statement said all social, political or other events as well religious places will also remain shut.
The government has also made the use of homemade face covers at workplace and public places mandatory.
(Images: UNI, Avishek Mitra/IBNS)
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