COVID-19: Total positive cases rise to 5734, 166 deaths, 472 cured so far

The death toll has reached 166, with 17 fresh casualties reported since Wednesday evening.

There have been around 381 new active cases reported since last evening, taking the total number of active COVID-19 cases to 5095.

The number of cured and discharged cases also witnessed a slight increase, with the figure reaching 472.

The COVID-19 patients jumped the 1000-mark in Maharashtra, with 1135 cases and 72 casualties so far, followed by Tamil Nadu, where the number rose to 738 with eight casualties. With a spike in the numbers, Delhi now houses 669 cases with nine deaths so far and Telangana houses 427 patients.

In the past two to three days, confirmed cases have rapidly spiked in Maharashtra, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, based on the government data.

A COVID-19 confirmed person can infect 406 people in 30 days, the Union Health Ministry had said.

The Centre had asked the state governments and the Union Territories to invoke the Essential Commodities Act.

Underlining that the situation in the country is akin to a 'social emergency', Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that several state governments, district administrations and experts have asked for an extension of the lockdown.

Modi said saving each and every life is the priority of the government.

During interaction with Floor Leaders of political parties in Parliament via video conference, the Opposition leaders suggested extending the lockdown and allowing a phased exit after the lockdown ends.

Taking another step to prevent the spread of Coronavirus in the National Capital, the Delhi Government on Wednesday announced that 20 COVID-19 'hotspots' in the city have been sealed with immediate effect and no person will be allowed to enter or exit those areas.